Elanson was a member of the Mormon Battalion and was a member of General Kearney's escort.  He was discharged on the Bear River near Soda Springs, Idaho, 16 July 1847 and from there returned to Iowa where he was a member of the Crooked Creek and Ramus Branch until 1850.  According to the Journal History of the Church he then crossed the plains "under the direction of officials of the Church but not in the ten major companies of 1850."  He was re-baptized at Salt Lake City on 20 March 1852.  Near the end of 1852 he was at Mill Creek, Utah and on 6 April he bought land in Salt Lake City.