MA and PA PIONEER TREK HANDBOOK 1 2 Lindon Utah Stake Trek 2014 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Table of Contents: The Spirit of Trek ................................................................................................................... 4 President Thomas S. Monson ......................................................................................... 4 President Gordon B. Hinckley .......................................................................................... 4 Purpose of a Handcart Trek ............................................................................................. 5 Core Gospel Principles Taught on Trek ........................................................................... 5 Trek Theme and Objectives ............................................................................................. 6 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 7 The Role of a Ma and Pa ................................................................................................. 7 Logistics .............................................................................................................................. 10 Organization .................................................................................................................. 10 Pre-Trek Events ............................................................................................................ 10 Daily Itinerary for Trek ................................................................................................... 10 Maps ............................................................................................................................. 11 Rules & Duties ............................................................................................................... 14 Health & First Aid .......................................................................................................... 14 Possessions ........................................................................................................................ 17 Personal Equipment ...................................................................................................... 17 Possibles Bag ................................................................................................................ 18 Bucket ........................................................................................................................... 18 Clothing ......................................................................................................................... 19 Ma and Pa Equipment List .................................................................................................. 19 Handcarts ............................................................................................................................ 20 Gap/Time Fillers .................................................................................................................. 20 The Experiences of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies .......................................... 21 Context .......................................................................................................................... 21 Overview: They Came by Handcart, Paul H Peterson, Ensign, August 1997 ................ 23 Timeline of the Last Eight Weeks .................................................................................. 28 Family Discussions and Stories ........................................................................................... 35 Instructions for Discussions ........................................................................................... 35 Stories You Can Share .................................................................................................. 40 Stake Vignettes ................................................................................................................... 49 Helpful Resources ............................................................................................................... 56 3 The Spirit of Trek President Thomas S. Monson “Let us for a moment join Captain Edward Martin and the handcart company he led. While we will not feel the pangs of hunger which they felt or experience the bitter cold that penetrated their weary bodies, we will emerge from our visit with a better appreciation of hardship borne, courage demonstrated, and faith fulfilled. ... Our service to others may not be so dramatic, but we can bolster human spirits, clothe cold bodies, feed hungry people, comfort grieving hearts, and lift to new heights precious souls.” (“My Brother’s Keeper”, General Conference, April 1990) President Gordon B. Hinckley “It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead. It is good to reflect upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this world, but out of whose dreams and early plans, so well nurtured, has come a great harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for us all, for each of us is a pioneer in his own life, often in his own family, and many of us pioneer daily in trying to establish a gospel foothold in distant parts of the world.” (“The Faith of the Pioneers”, Ensign, July 1984) “I wish to remind everyone within my hearing that the comforts we have, the peace we have, and, most important, the faith and knowledge of the things of God that we have, were bought with a terrible price by those who have gone before us. Sacrifice has always been a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The crowning element of our faith is our conviction of our living God, the Father of us all, and of His Beloved Son, the Redeemer of the world.” (“Our Mission of Saving”, General Conference, October 1991) The Gordon B. Hinckley Monument is situated at the beginning of the Handcart Trail that leads to Martin’s Cove. Every trekker should pause and read its inscription. “We hope that a spirit of peace and reverence and sacred remembrance will hover over this whole area as a beneficent cloud on a hot summer day, and that those who here perished will not have died in vain. I make a plea, go in a spirit of reverence and respect, and know that you are walking on hallowed ground.” - Gordon B. Hinckley, May 3, 1997 4 President Hinckley stated at the dedication of the Martin’s Cove Visitors’ Center on May 3, 1997, “May the tale of the great migration of the Mormon people be here remembered and spoken of with love. May all who come here be filled with a spirit of reverence as they recall the experiences of their forbearers. May a spirit of solemnity rest upon them.” (Mormon Handcart Historic Sites in Wyoming: Handbook for Trek Leaders) Purpose of a Handcart Trek The purpose of a youth pioneer trek is to provide spiritual opportunities, under the leadership of the priesthood, where youth can gain a deeper appreciation of the principles of faith, obedience, and sacrifice. From 1856 to 1860, handcarts were a means of helping poor Latter-day Saints gather in the West. These handcart pioneers faced many trials and hardships which required a great amount of faith,obedience, and sacrifice. Participation in a handcart trek should help our youth to begin to grasp the spirit of faith, obedience, and sacrifice that these saints demonstrated. Some youth pull handcarts over the original trail; others reenact treks on land in their areas. The trek should help the youth appreciate some of the hardships of the early Church pioneers, particularly those of the handcart companies. During a trek, youth are able to feel the pioneers’ testimonies and their love for and faith in their Savior, Jesus Christ, as they heeded the call of their prophet to “Gather to Zion”. Core Gospel Principles Taught on Trek Faith: Faith in Jesus Christ and in His restored gospel was the motivation that sustained and succored Latter-day Saints as they entered the waters of baptism, journeyed to America, endured adversities, and contributed to building Zion. This same faith, if possessed by today’s youth, can enable them to withstand adversity, make sacred covenants, and contribute to the “building up of the Kingdom”. Obedience: “No obstacles are insurmountable when God commands.” (Heber J. Grant, Teachings of President of the Church: Heber J. Grant). Motivated by their faith in Jesus Christ and their desire to be obedient to a prophet of God, Latter-day Saint converts gathered together in the American West where they could make temple covenants and help establish Zion. If the youth of the Church are to triumph over evil and obtain eternal life, they too must learn obedience to God’s commands. Sacrifice: Latter-day Saint immigrants left behind homelands, families, and friends. They shared resources, endured the rigors of ocean and overland travel, and sometimes suffered illness, extreme hardship, and death in order to gather to Zion. When tragedy struck in 1856, the Church, under the direction of Brigham Young, mounted a heroic and dangerous effort to rescue the emigrants, deliver them safely to the Salt Lake Valley, and to provide care and comfort. By following the example of the early Saints and applying the principle of sacrifice in their lives, the youth can obtain blessings from Heaven and acquire the “faith