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Our mission here in Mesa is to tell the
story of the Mormon Battalion and to keep Brigham Young's Promise...that these men and
their acts of courage would never be forgotten. They were in fact the salvation of the
Church. We tell of the principles that the Mormon Battalion demonstrated and relate them
to modern life for our youth, in keeping with Church teachings. We have several program options. Our most popular presentation is given
out on the old Mormon Battalion Trail. This campfire program is usually given on Friday
evening for Boy Scouts. However, we have presented our program to groups of young ladies
and adult groups (ward parties.) This presentation is a reenactment with props (mini army
camp, army wagon, black powder rifles, original clothing and theatrics.) Because the wagon
road built by the Battalion was later used by pioneers going west, 49 Niner's and
later the Butterfield stage line; we point out the old stage stations on the trail and add
some Indian stories. Our most popular camping site is where the Battalion spent Christmas
in 1846. This is still pristine Arizona desert country.
Young men can earn the Arizona Mormon Battalion Trail
Patch if they complete five (5) requirements. After earning this trail patch, we
will come to their Eagle Scout Court of Honor and award a buffalo skull neckerchief slide
at no charge. The requirements are: cook on the trail, sleep on the trail, walk five miles
of the trail, do a service project on the trail, and hear the story of the Mormon
Battalion. Through the sale of our trail patches, we are able to offset the cost of the
neckerchief slide for Eagle Scouts. For the young ladies that camp on the trail, we have a
bookmark as a remembrance of their activity.
We have performed our campfire program to both L.D.S.
and non-L.D.S. Scout groups and it has been well received. Usually on Saturday morning,
and upon request, we do a muster with the boys. We muster them into the Army of the West,
much as was done in 1846 at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Again with some props and theatrics.
A popular alternative program is
given for Adult and Ward Parties. This is done in conjunction with a
potluck or BBQ. Following the dinner, we do a campfire program much
as has been described above except at a suitable campfire location.
We usually assist with the advertising for the party. This is done
by our members going to the ward in uniform and costume on Sunday in
advance of the activity. We do a presentation and issue military
orders (invitations) directing them to attend the party. This has
been well received. Our presentations for large groups require
between 6 to 10 of our members to put it on. We use a Mexican
Soldier to help tell the story. He is dressed in a beautiful uniform
of the frontier cavalry of 1846 as was found at the Presidio of
Tucson. We go on the trail most weekends from 1 October until it
gets hot in the spring.
Contact the Mormon Battalion
Arizona Company. |
