“We were young men, and were called upon in that early day to go up and redeem Zion, and what we had to do we had to do by faith.” — Wilford Woodruff1
In late 1833, after distressing reports of the Saints’ expulsion from Jackson County, Missouri, Joseph Smith received a revelation instructing him to help redeem Zion. Despite initial hopes of a peaceful resolution, mounting challenges led to the organization of Zion's Camp,2 a group of volunteers who marched 900 miles from Ohio to Missouri in 1834. This force aimed to assist the displaced Saints and reclaim the land that had been lost.2
The march began in May 1834 with around a hundred volunteers, including Brigham Young, Heber Kimball, and Orson Hyde. They faced numerous hardships, including limited resources and opposition from local residents in Missouri. Despite these challenges, the camp pressed onward, fueled by faith and the hope of restoring the Saints to their homes.3
Upon reaching Missouri, Joseph and his volunteers found the political and social climate hostile. Efforts to negotiate a peaceful reentry to Jackson County failed. A lightning storm thwarted a potential conflict, which Joseph interpreted as divine intervention, reinforcing the group's resolve.4
The camp ultimately disbanded without reclaiming Jackson County.5 After the march had concluded, many new Church leaders were selected from those who had been members of the camp.
