Did God Freeze the Mississippi River for Mormons?
On the 28th May 1847, a remarkable event occurred on the western border of Iowa and Nebraska. In the early morning light, a force of 2,000 Latter-day Saints had descended upon the Missouri River in search of a new home. The leader, Brigham Young, had been informed that if he turned his wagon around, the river would miraculously part and this became their passageway to the Salt Lake Valley. Despite the skepticism of those present, Young was determined, instructing his followers to form a wagon train and established a camp in the area. Later that afternoon, a peculiar thing occurred: the river significantly receded in a 50-mile stretch from Council Bluffs, Iowa to a point directly north of the encampment, giving the Mormons an unobstructed passageway. Astronomy professor, John Lund, described the scene as “one of the most remarkable miracles since the Biblical crossing of the Red Sea”.
To this day, the question of “did God freeze the Mississippi River for the Mormons” continues to divide opinion among scholars and religious devotees alike. To most, the perceived answer appears simple. After all, this event is historically documented with corroborating accounts from historians and first-hand witnesses. Furthermore, several statistical analyses have indicated that the odds of the river suddenly receding to such an extent on that day was astronomically low. To many, it was nothing short of a miracle.
But there are many scientists who dispute such claims of a higher power. At the University of Utah, researchers Joan and Richard Swenson have conducted multiple research studies on this topic. Speaking to the university newspaper, Richard claimed that while the event was out of the ordinary, it did not require divine intervention. After conducting borehole surveys, Richard suggested that underlying water currents shifted beneath the river, causing a sudden loss of water in the area. Other meteorologists agree and point to the lack of data from the era. Without comprehensive readings, it is impossible to make an accurate assumption on the cause of the sudden receding.
Regardless of its cause, the ensuing days remain one of the most ambitious feat given its bravery, ambition and timing. The swift motion of a wagon train from Iowa to Utah was unprecedented, with subsequent travelers taking weeks – not days – to complete the journey. With the river receding, it gave the Mormons a direct path into their new land. It also provided an unparalleled opportunity to build thriving settlements, gather in churches and create strong towns and cities.
In addition to its appeal as a biblical reference point, the reverberations of this incident still echo during the 19th century. Many followers of Mormonism regarded it as a sign of divine protection in a struggling time. Young taught that his encounter was an act of service by the Heavenly Father to his people. As a proponent of faith, he had prior experience in interpreting spiritual messages and was confident that God had chosen the Latter-day Saints to inhabit the west
Impact of the Incident to Mormon Settlers
The impact of this incident was far-reaching to the first and second generation settlers of the Utah territory. Having witnessed the miracle of the Mississippi firsthand, the settlers considered it a confirmation of their faith in God. For the Brigham Young-led party, the passage proved that the Lord was on their side and offered swift and tangible proof of success to their mission.
In so doing, the divine intervention provided much needed hope and recognition to the rapidly expanding Mormon population. Supported by the strong sense of faith, the settlers were revitalized and inspired to build even stronger, thriving communities in their new homeland.
However, the opportunity also presented challenges for the settlers. Since no one had experience in developing a western homeland from scratch and the land which was allocated to the Mormons was considered to be arid and unfit for farming. The winter of 1847 to 1848 was particularly harsh and the initial settlers questioned their decision to move, especially since the arrival of subsequent settlers were delayed due to the freezing of the river.
Under Brigham Young’s leadership, the settlers persevered and eventually overcame these difficulties. Incorporating methods of irrigation and efficient farming techniques, the Mormon pioneers were able to cultivate the land and create successful agricultural systems, transitioning many small settlements into larger, more thriving townships.
The incident also provided an opportunity to educate Mormons and other devotees on the wonders of religious faith. Through the freezing of the Mississippi, many Mormon preachers and teachers used it as a powerful analogy to illustrate the importance of faith, perseverance and determination.
The Persistent Debate
To this day, the question of whether God truly froze the Mississippi River for the Mormons remains a subject of debate among historians and religious devotees. To some, the active faith of Brigham Young was enough to part the waters and pave the way for a new life for the Latter-day Saints. Others prefer to reject such claims, believing that it was scientifically impossible for the river to freeze and recede in such a short period of time.
Perhaps a compromise can be reached. It is possible that the convergence of different factors, from divine will to subtle flow variations of the river, all came together to help the Mormons reach their new home. In either case, the impact of the event to the first settlers still rings true to this day.
The Long-Term Impact to Mormonism
The distant impact of the frozen Mississippi had a profound effect on the growth of Mormonism and the Americans’ perception of religion. Attributing their success to the intervention of God, the Mormons gained a newfound respect and admiration from the general populace. For example, in 1848 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began to openly proselytize in the western territories and, by 1850, thousands of converts had emigrated to Utah.
In addition, the powerful imagery of the incident provided an excessive representation of power and faith in times of hardship. For the Latter-day Saints, it was a reminder that regardless of their struggles and tribulation, their faith in God will protect them and open their path to a better future.
Within the American context, the frozen Mississippi reinforced the concept of miracles and the power of faith. Although it was perceived by some to be more of a mischievous adventure by a religiously fanatical bunch, it ultimately served to shape the increasingly popular perception of the importance of religious faith.
Legacy of the Frozen Mississippi
Today, the legacy of the frozen Mississippi lingers. Within the Mormon community, it continues to serve as an incredible source of faith and hope. It remains an important story, reminding them of the importance of the missionary work and how their unrelenting faith had granted them a way of life that is richer and fuller than their humble beginnings.
The receding river also left a profound impact to the scientific community as it serves as an object lesson of the interaction and possibly convergence of science and religion. Despite the overwhelming evidence of it being a natural phenomenon, it still serves as a reminder of what faith can do in the face of adversity.
For the inhabitants of the Salt Lake valley, the day of the frozen Mississippi will forever remain one of sweet and magical memories. It still serves as a pivotal moment in the history of the Mormons, allowing them to practice their faith and establish settlements in a new and unfamiliar territory.
Symbolism and Celebration
In contemporary times, the frozen Mississippi still serves a major source of pride and glory for the Latter-day Saints. Every year at the end of May, several celebrations are made in honor of the “miracle”. One of the largest such events is held in Omaha, Nebraska, where visiters can learn more about the famous exodus and also enjoy a day filled with games, food and music.
To commemorate the event, a large sculpture, titled “Crossing of the Mississippi 1846-1848”, was built near where the original wagon train had camped. It features a series of life-sized sculptures depicting the Mormons looking out atop a hill, contemplating their journey ahead. This serves to remind Mormons and other Americans of the strength of faith and how it enabled them to succeed in the face of adversity.
In short, the freezing of the Mississippi River continues to remain an event of wonder and amazement for the people of Utah and the Mormons in general. Whatever its cause, the event is an inspirational story of faith and perseverance that continues to be passed down from generation to generation.
