Episode 112: Wasters and Destroyers

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (0:30)
Last episode, we introduced you to Elder Daniel H. Wells.
And if you haven't checked out last episode yet, what is wrong with you? Stop what you're doing and back up one. You're going to need it for the context. As always, this podcast is strategically written chronologically so that you can get all the nuances and the pieces of history and yes, even some of our nerdiest jokes. You're not going to get our nerdy jokes if you don't know what we're joking about.

**Bryan Buchanan** (1:03)
And you will feel left out, extremely left out.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (1:05)
And we want you to because you know what we want? We want you to follow the rules and be obedient.

**Bryan Buchanan** (1:11)
See, the reason why Daniel Wells is important to this episode is because, well, Wells, you're about to find out. Let's bring in where we left off. Daniel Wells has newly arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley in 1848
He starts marrying plural lives, begins to lead the Utah Territorial Militia, known as the Nauvoo Legion, and starts getting to work colonizing the area in earnest.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (1:45)
Thank Hi, this is Lindsay Hansen Park.

**Bryan Buchanan** (1:47)
And this is Bryan Buchanan.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (1:48)
Bringing you the story of Mormonism from the shadow of the Everlasting Hills, straight out of Zion, this isn't your grandpa's Mormon history.

**Bryan Buchanan** (2:16)
This is the tale of Mormon saints and sinners from our roots until present day.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (2:21)
Gird your loins, lock your hearts, and pay your tithing, because we're bringing you the story of Mormonism in all its paradisiacal glory.

**Bryan Buchanan** (2:29)
It's the Sunstone History Podcast.
Before Daniel starts plowing too vigorously, though, we do need to check in with our friends' signature books. Born in Norway, John A. Whitsaw was renowned for his expertise in irrigation and dry farming. His pioneering work pushed the boundaries of and contributed significantly to advancements in agricultural practices. Moreover, his forays into the field of biochemistry exemplified his relentless pursuit of scientific understanding. Whitsaw's journey came with challenges, especially after he was called as an apostle in the LDS Church. As president of both Utah State Agricultural College and the University of Utah, go Utes, he faced controversies and obstacles head-on. Additionally, he played a significant role in overseeing the expansion of the LDS gospel in both Europe and the United States. He was highly esteemed within the Church due to his ability to provide thorough and insightful explanations of various aspects of church doctrine and reconcile them with scientific truths.
Throughout the early to mid-20th century, he symbolized to many members the successful integration of religious faith with secular knowledge, inspiring countless individuals to embrace both realms in harmony.
John A. Widso, Scientist and Theologian, 1872-1952 by Thomas G. Alexander. New from Signature Books, get it from Benchmark Books or be forced to become an expert in dry farming.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (4:43)
When Daniel Wells settles in Salt Lake, he arrives after several batches of Mormons have already arrived and settled in the city.
So he's there during the worst time to be in Utah. And no, I'm not talking about the inversion. He arrives during the Great Cricket Inversion. That's right, the cricket war, the infestation. Also part of last episode. And if you missed it, go back now. So what you need to know is in Utah, this time food is scarce.
It's not a fun time to come to Utah. The harvest was really bad and the city of Salt Lake was struggling. Daniel tried to feed his belly by hunting, but he and everyone else had the same idea. Hey, we'll just hunt for our food. And it pretty quickly wipes out all the big game like deer, antelope and elk. So, the food options were to go either deeper into the mountains and brave the snow to find big game that hasn't already been swallowed up or find another solution.

**Bryan Buchanan** (5:44)
Daniel and the Mormons opted for Column B.
On Christmas Eve 1848, the Mormon man decided to play a little game called Wasters & Destroyers. It's like Settlers of Catan, but worse, much worse.

**Lindsay Hansen Park** (5:58)
I have to just tell you this. I was hanging out with some podcasters in California this last weekend, and they grew up evangelical. And so we were like trading our weird religious stories. And they used to play a game at their VBS camp, you know, vacation Bible school. It's like EFY, but like more fun, because the girls and boys can hang out together with less restrictions.
But anyway, they played a game called The Rapture, where the camp counselors would try to kidnap the kids and interrogate them. And it was like this horrifying game. We were laughing so hard. It was so much worse than Trek.