History of Mormonism: Lifestyle of the Pioneers

Early on in the history of Mormonism, a group of people known as the pioneers sacrificed everything. They gave up their property, their comfort, and their way of life in order to head westward in search of a new life, and more tolerant conditions to practice their religious beliefs. But what was the average day like for one of these intrepid go-getters?
Dress
The men generally wore pants made from duck, if not denim. Shirts were also fashioned from denim, and shoes usually took the form of moccasins.
The women would handcraft their own calico dresses, with long sleeves and high necklines. Due to scarcity of materials, and for the sake of efficiency, they usually only wore two dresses a year while on the trail. Women would also typically wear a sunbonnet, which to modern eyes looks as though it would be unbearable to wear in the heat, but was actually a great way to fight the heat. The material of the bonnet would shield a woman's head from the sunlight, but was also quite breathable, allowing for a breeze to help cool off.
Travel
Most of the pioneers pulled handcarts across the plains and the rocky mountains, though some advance scouts would pave the way on horses to check for potential hazards. These two-wheeled carts were moved by simply pulling a yoke-like bar at the front and others pushing on the back. Since they moved completely on human power, the pioneers had to pack only the essentials. Some attempted to lug large possessions like pianos or armoires across the plains, but quickly learned after a short distance that it was not practical. One account tells of a family who actually left their family piano in Iowa, burying it deep in the ground, wrapped tightly in animal skins. A later group uncovered it and brought it to Salt Lake City when it was easier to do so.
The pioneers would travel in large convoys of wagons, called "wagon trains". On a good day, a wagon train would likely travel 10-15 miles, though in inclement weather, or other bad conditions, they could only travel a mile or two. As a rule, they did not travel on Sundays, in an effort to keep the Sabbath. On Sundays they would hold worship services and praise God.
Food
Most of what the pioneers ate was rather simple fare. They brought with them some rations of cornmeal and other staple crops, though these did not always last the whole trip. They would often make due with what they were able to hunt, trap, or gather from the land.
Entertainment
The pioneers got very creative with their entertainment. Some of the ways children would play were quite simple. Many would chase frogs or play with simple toys, like a hoop and stick. They also devised many games to pass the time, ranging from wrestling, tag, "hide-the-thimble", and even spelling bees. The travelers enjoyed making crafts, whittling, knitting, and the like.

As always, if you would like to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, please click here to chat live with real missionaries!