In 1853, as an expedition of Mormons crossed Iowa en route to Utah, 50 to 60 families left the main group to seek land to settle and to follow the teachings of their leader Charles B. Thompson, a former follower of Joseph Smith. They found the Soldier River valley and Loess Hills in this area very fertile for farming and an excellent location to establish their town, Preparation, and to further their schooling in preparation for the life beyond. Houses were built, schools organized, and Thompson published Monona County's first newspaper here. The Preparation townsite was located in the eastern portion of the present state park. Thompson convinced his followers that he had been appointed by the spirit Baneemy to be chief steward of their material goods, and the faithful turned over all their deeds and worldly possessions to him. Preparation prospered, but by 1858 several began to doubt Thompson's credibility and demanded that he render an account of his stewardship. He failed to satisfy his accusers and left the community for a few days. When he returned to secure the deeds and possessions entrusted to him, he narrowly escaped being hung by a lynch party and left the area. Many of Preparation's residents became disillusioned and headed west to rejoin the Mormon settlement in Utah. While some decided to stay in this area, the community of Preparation was doomed to disunion. Preparation Canyon State Park and the surrounding Loess Hills State Forest areas are examples of natural communities that have been influenced very little by humans. The hills continue to exhibit the diversity between prairie and woodland plant communities and the distinct geographical formations of wind deposited bluffs in contrast with the flat Missouri River floodplain. This area supports many plant and animal species not found elsewhere in Iowa and offers a unique perspective of Iowa's prairie heritage.