FOREWARD After prolonged consideration of the enormity of the task and having a keen sense of my inability as an author, this writer reluctantly consented to assist, at the request of ward authorities, in compiling a history of the early settlement of Slaterville and the men and women who participated in that historic event. To say the least, the work of issuing a publication dealing with a subject of such tremendous importance, interwoven as it is with the history of the thousands of men and women who arrived in these "Valleys of the Mountains" during 1847 and years following, rightly belongs in the field of competent historians. We must bear in mind that the pioneering of Utah and the colonization of the various sections within its borders was accomplished under conditions different in many respects from those ordinarily accompanying the settlement of new sections of country. This venture, as is popularily known, involved a people seeking freedom here from religious persecution where they could establish their church, live their religion, and worship their God unmolested. To some it may seem strange that people would suffer privations and endure hardships incident to an undertaking of such magnitude primarily for the sake of religion. Yet, it appears religion with them had a greater compelling force than their hopes and aspirations had of acquiring worldly riches. The story of the pioneering of Utah and settlement of the numerous communities we know today has been told at great length by various writers; some of whom were members of our Church, others free-lace writers who, while sympathetic with our people and their cause, were not of our faith. The central theme around which each directed his discussions appears to be religion. While it is believed that the intent of each was to convey an accurate account of the activities of the Saints during the time that elapsed between the restoration of the Gospel and the organization of the Church, until some years after their arrival in Utah; yet, the most perfect and complete account we have of them is that recorded by the Saints themselves. As to the authenticity claimed for the contents of this history, reference is made to such sources of information as Church and civil records and histories, family records and diaries now in possession of Pioneer descendants, and by word of mouth of many who actually participated in this historic event. While possibly of different phraseology, all attest to the validity of the transactions among these early settlers as recorded herein. Many people meditate with amazement as I'm sure this writer does, at the faith and courage the Pioneers possessed and at the ceaseless toil involved in that miracle of colonization. -I-