Monumental story: Mormon Battalion historic site reopens

SAN DIEGO, CALIF.

— When the Mormon Battalion finally reached the Pacific Ocean on Jan. 29,

1847 — their feet scarred and bloody, their rations depleted and

their clothing tattered — they had completed a march of nearly 2,000

miles to what is modern-day San Diego. They endured one of the longest

military marches in history, forging their way over largely uncharted

territory because a prophet of God asked them to go.To tell this monumental story of sacrifice, faith and love of God and

country, a newly designed Mormon Battalion Historic Site was reopened to

the public exactly 163 years after the nearly 350 men, women and children

arrived near this site below Presidio Hill."This is an incredible building that becomes a missionary tool to tell

one of the greatest untold stories in the history of our people," said

Elder Richard G. Hinckley of the Seventy and executive director of the

Church's Missionary Department.See the full story on ldschurchnews.com.

---

This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.