In 1850, while crossing Iowa on the Mormon Trail to Salt Lake City, Utah, Mary Ann Maughan’s three-year-old son fell from the wagon and was crushed by a wheel.

In sorrow and grief she laid him to rest. The grave was blessed and consecrated and prayers were offered to God that this small boy might rest in peace and not be disturbed.

A few days later, Mary Ann heard that her son’s grave had not been touched, but another little one made beside it, and afterward some more were buried by them. Mary Ann was satisfied to hear that her son remained where they had left him and she continued on her grief to Utah.

This is a common story, a common family history that is shared by many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).

This year is the 150 year anniversary of the start of the “Mormon Exodus” across Iowa to Utah. These people were forced to flee their homes and seek religious refuge outside the borders of the Untied States.

This was the first and only religious group to have an official extermination order against them condoned by the government (Gov. Boggs of Missouri).

As members of the Latter-day Student’s Association (Mormon Student Association), we planned to commemorate the 150th anniversary by participating in the Veishea parade. Many direct descendants of the Mormon Pioneers were going to be included in our float.

Unfortunately, to our shock and sadness, we were cut from the parade because of space. Another group has chosen the pioneer theme and their entry sounded more appealing.

We are not upset with the parade organizers or the other group; they did not know what our group represented. We are especially happy that the other group has chosen such an honorable theme.

We are sad that students on this campus did not realize that the LDSSA was the Mormon student group on campus. We have set up Veishea booths on campus during the last four years and have had booths throughout the years in the Memorial Union.

We would like the students on campus to know who we are. Our history is Iowa history. Our freedom is your freedom.

We do not want people to forget why the Mormons went West.

It was to stop the killing, raping, and demeaning of their people and to find a refuge to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience.

A. Sean Taylor

Graduate Student

HDFS