Our family was blessed to participate in a short reenactment of the
Mormon pioneer handcart trek. All of us went - even Annie our baby. We
dressed like pioneers, ate like pioneers, and pushed and pulled
handcarts like pioneers; to give us a greater appreciation for what the
early members of our church were willing to do for their faith. It was a
beautiful and trying experience. Jeremy and I served as company leaders for a group of about 30 people. We had three handcarts between us to carry gear and children. The girls had a wonderful time. We
played a lot and worked a lot and made many friends along the way. We all had a faith promoting experience. The
following text is from a message written by the President of our church,
Thomas S. Monson.
All the pictures are from the trek.
All the pictures are from the trek.
"Our Honored Pioneer Heritage", by President Thomas S. Monson
The Suffering of the Pioneers
“That
first trek of 1847, organized and led by Brigham Young, is described by
historians as one of the great epics of United States history. Mormon
pioneers by the hundreds suffered and died from disease, exposure, or
starvation. There were some who, lacking wagons and teams, literally
walked the 1,300 miles [2,092 km] across the plains and through the
mountains, pushing and pulling handcarts.”
1
Inspiring Faith
“We
each can learn much from our early pioneer ancestors, whose struggles
and heartaches were met with resolute courage and an abiding faith in a
living God. … Youth and children were among the thousands who pulled and
pushed handcarts or walked along that pioneer trail, just as they are
among the Saints today who are pioneering in their own areas throughout
the world. I think that there is not a member of this Church today who
has not been touched by the accounts of the early pioneers. Those who
did so much for the good of all surely had as their objective to inspire
faith. They met the goal in a magnificent manner.”
2
Facing Hardships
“Time-marked
pages of a dusty pioneer journal speak movingly: ‘We bowed ourselves
down in humble prayer to Almighty God with hearts full of thanksgiving
to Him, and dedicated this land unto Him for the dwelling place of His
people.’
“The
crude homes were described in these terms by one who was there as a
small boy: ‘There was no window of any kind whatever in our house.
Neither was there a door. My mother hung up an old quilt, which served
as a door for the first winter. This was our bedroom, our parlor, our
sitting room, our kitchen, our sleeping room, everything in this room of
about 12 by 16 feet [3.6 by 4.9 m]. How in the world we all got along
in it I do not know. I recollect that my dear old mother stated that no
queen who ever entered her palace was ever more happy or proud of
shelter and the blessings of the Lord than was she when she entered that
completed dugout.’
“Such
were the trials, the hardships, struggles, and heartaches of a former
day. They were met with resolute courage and an abiding faith in a
living God.”
3
Pioneers Today
“We honor those who endured incredible hardships. We praise their names and reflect on their sacrifices.
“What about our time? Are there pioneering experiences for us? Will future generations reflect with gratitude on our efforts, our examples? You young [people] can indeed be pioneers in courage, in faith, in charity, in determination.
“You
can strengthen one another; you have the capacity to notice the
unnoticed. When you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel,
you can reach out and rescue others of your age.”
4
The Ultimate Pioneer
“Turning the pages of scriptural history from beginning to end, we learn of the ultimate pioneer—even Jesus Christ.
His birth was foretold by the prophets of old; His entry upon the stage
of life was announced by an angel. His life and His ministry have
transformed the world. …
“One sentence from the book of Acts speaks volumes: Jesus ‘went about doing good … for God was with him’ (Acts 10:38). …
“His
mission, His ministry among men, His teachings of truth, His acts of
mercy, His unwavering love for us prompts our gratitude and warms our
hearts. Jesus Christ,
Savior of the world—even the Son of God—was and is the ultimate
pioneer, for He has gone before, showing all others the way to follow.
May we ever follow Him.”
5
Our girls were such troopers. Lily walked quite a bit. She made a new friend and they were joined at the hip the whole time. I saw Lily grow up right before my eyes in three short days. Thank goodness for modern conveniences like gore-tex, nylon, zippers, port-a-potties, coolers, camp stoves, etc. which made our trip very comfortable. It wasn't quite authentic, but it still touched my heart. Especially traveling as a mother with little children. So many Mormon mothers in the 19th century lost children or husbands traveling away from persecution and toward Zion. Their courage laid the foundation we are able to stand on today. We love our blessed, honored pioneers!
