Mormon Trail Primary Source Analysis Questions

PART 1: Use the Mormon Pioneer Journals (pages 112-113) to answer the following questions. Make sure to record your answers in COMPLETE SENTENCES!!

  1. According to Mary Jane Mount Tanner, what was a favorite pastime of kids on the Mormon Trail? (describe the game they would play)
  2. According to Anna Clark, which was the last canyon the pioneers had to cross to get to their final destination?
  3. Describe Independence Rock in Wyoming, according to Rachel Emma Woolley.
  4. What could happen to people or horses along the Platte River, according to Wilford Woodruff?
  5. How would you describe Brigham Young’s reaction to reaching their destination in the Salt Lake Valley?
  6. According to William Clayton, which animals has he seen along the trail?
  7. What does he say is missing from the area?
  8. According to Mary Jane Mount Tanner, what would kids risk in order to collect Native American beads?
  9. How did Eliza R. Snow describe leaving Winter Quarters?
  10. How did Brigham Young describe Fort Bridger?
  11. (Page 110) What was Edwin Alfred Petit talking about in his journal entry?
  12. (Page 111) How did Wilford Woodruff describe a stampede of buffalo?

PART 2: Use the Pioneer songs and background information on page 115 to answer the following questions. Make sure to record your answers in COMPLETE SENTENCES!!

  1. Who was Governor Ford?
  2. How did he betray the Mormons?
  3. What is the general tone of song #1 (happy, sad, longing, bitter, encouraging)?
  4. Which words give it that tone?
  5. What is the general tone of song #2?
  6. Which words give it that tone?

PART 3: Use William Clayton’s 1848 Emigrants’ Guide and background information (pages 116-117) to answer the following questions. Make sure to record your answers in COMPLETE SENTENCES!!

  1. What did William Clayton contribute to the Mormon Exodus?
  2. How did Clayton track distances accurately?
  3. What was Clayton’s purpose in publishing the Emigrants’ Guide?
  4. Other than Mormon Pioneers, which other groups used Clayton’s guide?
  5. After reading the title page of the guide on page 116, how would you summarize the guide’s purpose?
  6. What are the headings at the top of the columns? Can you figure out what the abbreviations mean?
  7. Many of the entries describe good places to camp. What natural features did Clayton think made good camping spots?
  8. How would the guide help travelers?