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In responding to the
call to gather to Zion, new converts of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints left their homes, families, and native lands in Europe
for an unknown future in an unknown land--America. Between the years of
1840 and 1890, at least 85,000 Mormon emigrants braved the treacherous
oceans to come to America and then crossed overland by steamer, railway,
handcart, and covered wagon to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah.
In 1863 the Amazon sailed from London to New York with 800 Latter-day Saints. On this voyage
were seven single young women who were traveling individually. The
Priesthood leaders placed them together as a family. Although they
weren't related, as such, they were "sisters" in the gospel, and together,
they faced the adventures, hardships, and dangers of an ocean voyage. |
