The article examines the question of whether or not the Saints were experienced pioneers prior to their pioneering of Utah. Jenson examines their previous experience in Missouri, Kirtland, and Nauvoo, and finds that they were experienced pioneers. He also describes some of the less well known portions of the pioneering of Utah including the Saints who stayed at Pueblo, Colorado, and the voyage of the 'Brooklyn'. There is also a short traveler's letter to the 'New York Tribune' describing Salt Lake City in 1849 included at the end of the article.