In 1846, while Brigham Young, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was charting his course to the Salt Lake Valley, soldiers from the United States Military arrived to speak to him. They told President Young that the United States Government was not very supportive of the "Mormons" moving to the Valley. However, if President Young allowed 500 men to enroll in the American-Mexican War and fight for the US, then the Government would allow their settlement.

President Young agreed to the terms and ordered 500 men to enroll in the US Army and fight for the United States. The group of men gathered in July 1846 and was called the Mormon Battalion. The men marched from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to San Diego, California, the longest foot march in US history. They were released from active duty in July 1847. The released men made their way to the Salt Lake Valley or back to Kansas to retrieve their families and move to the Valley.

Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reveres the members of the Mormon Battalion. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said at the Battalions' 175th Anniversary:

"It’s an honor to give a word of tribute for the Mormon Battalion. It’s incredible to think about how much they did and how much they accomplished against such tremendous odds, and how hard they worked, their devotion to service.

"If we will serve as they did—untiringly, looking out for the good of one another and all around us—this will be a different and better place."1

(30 Jan 2022). Remembering 'faith-infused actions' of the Mormon Battalion 175 years later. Church News. https://www.thechurchnews.com/2022/1/30/23218842/mormon-battalion-175-years-elder-christofferson/