In 1847, Brigham Young led the first major wagon train of Mormon pioneers from Illinois to the Great Salt Lake Valley in present-day Utah. Fleeing religious persecution after the murder of Joseph Smith, the group of 148 pioneers established a new settlement, with Young famously declaring, 'This is the place'. From 1847 to 1868, when the transcontinental railroad reached Utah, nearly 70,000 Mormons would follow the trail to the valley. The migration was a monumental feat of organization and endurance, shaping the settlement of the American West.

The Mormon pioneer trek is a central narrative in Mormon literature, representing a heroic journey of faith and perseverance. The story has been celebrated in hymns, poetry, and historical accounts that emphasize the themes of religious freedom and community. The handcart companies, in particular, have become a powerful symbol in Mormon poetry, representing sacrifice and divine providence in the face of extreme hardship.