Divine deliverance of Latter-day Saint pioneers from Rocky Mountain crickets

In 1848, the Latter-day Saint pioneers in the Salt Lake valley faced potential starvation when a massive swarm of crickets began devouring their crops. Despite their efforts to kill the pests with clubs and spades, they were losing the struggle. After appointing a day for fasting and prayer, they implored Divine Providence to intervene. In answer, a cloud of seagulls appeared, devoured the crickets, and, after regurgitating and continuing to feed, saved the crops and the lives of the pioneers.

In his journal, pioneer doctor Priddy Meeks recorded that on Sunday, likely June 4, 1848, the settlers gathered for an outdoor meeting in an open wagon, presided over by Apostle Charles C. Rich. During the sermon, Meeks heard the unfamiliar sound of fowl overhead and looked up to see a small flock of seven seagulls, followed shortly by larger flocks that darkened the sky. He noted that the gulls ate the crickets, regurgitated them, and continued feeding until sundown, when they retreated to a sandbar in the Great Salt Lake to roost, returning again the next morning to continue their mission.