One of the little-known aspects of the creation and march of the Mormon Battalion is that it was raised by a prophet of God, and men of God were chosen and set apart to accompany the Battalion on their march, to officiate in all Priesthood duties. When Brigham Young heard the request for 500 men to march to California to participate in the Mexican War, he said, "We will do it! And we will do no other thing until we have accomplished this request." Then he and his two counselors--the First Presidency--became recruiting sergeants. The men joined up because they were called by men of God, ones whom they considered as prophets, and righteous men. The Battalion was raised in 3 weeks! But Brigham sent Levi Hancock, president of the First Quorum of Seventy, as their spiritual leader, and David Pettegrew as his assistant. These men greatly influenced the actions and accomplishments of the Battalion. An example: When Gen. Kearney sent word for Col. Cooke to go down into Mexico, Pres. Hancock asked the men to pray that the Colonel change his mind. As the Battalion started south the next day, every man was praying silently that the Colonel would "get the message." Suddenly, he pulled up his horse and said, "I don't want to go to Mexico. I was ordered to build a wagon road to California. Bugler, blow the right!" The men breathed a silent prayer of thanks, and the Battalion went to California--and Destiny. While such a heavenly influence saved the Battalion in other ways, too, the point is that A LEADER WHO DEPENDS ON GOD TO GUIDE HIM WON'T GO WRONG, especially if that leader is a righteous man!
Recently, we have had leaders of our nation who have not been righteous men, and the results are obvious. Our United States are not united. Errors in judgment have cost the nation the needed friendship and cooperation for a "free world." Failure to ask God for direction has caused the nation to lose wars and prestige. As a nation, we are hated by various groups all over the world for our failures, despite our attempts to show friendship and "a helping hand." But as a Church, we remain true to the leadership of a prophet, and a recent article proclaimed that this Church will have 267 million members by 2050.
As an organization, today's Mormon Battalion remains true to the ideals and vision of Brigham Young who raised the original Battalion--and we continue to support the prophet(s) who emulate these same ideals. By contrast with today's national leaders, Brigham had a very simple formula for living each day: "When I awake in the morning, I ask God what He wants me to do today, and then I go do it!" Think what a difference this would make in our National affairs, if our leader(s) practiced this simple action!
While we remain loyal to our elected officials, let us pray that they will turn to God for guidance, rather than depend solely on their limited intelligence, however great that may seem. Yes, let us not fail to follow the leadership of this nation to the extent that we can do so, and let us pray that they ask for and receive their "errand for the day" as did Brigham Young--and then do it! But, let each of us follow the same advice for ourself and our family. When each of us arises in the morning, may we be willing to seek our errand from the Lord, and then GO DO IT!