Trek Trek Guided Study Journal Preparation Welcome letter Guided Study Journal “Walk with Me” Ancestor Challenge FAQ Packing List/ Clothing Information Monthly sections Spiritual: Scripture/ pioneer journaling Intellectual: Pioneer Trivia Physical: Physical Preparation Social: Ancestor research questions Personal Study Topics by Month: January Walk with Me Theme February Cheerfulness/Diligence Walk with Me March The First Vision/ Charity April Faith/ Hope Albuquerque Stake 2020 May Gratitude/ Patience June Obedience/ Sacrifice Topics for Trek Adversity/ Humility Trek Experiences: Morningside Name______________________ Traveling Elders Women’s Pull Ward______________________ Family Devotionals Family _____________________ Testimonies Solo Experience Music Dear Youth of the Albuquerque Stake, “Walk with an Ancestor” It is with great excitement and love that we invite you to prepare for our stake youth pioneer trek. We pray that you will choose to accept the Savior’s invitation in Moses 6:34 to “Walk with Me” as We read in the scriptures that the prophet Elijah was sent in our latter-days to “turn the hearts you embark on this journey. of…the children to their fathers” (D&C 110:15). We want you to feel the spirit of Elijah during Trek by turning your heart to at least one of your ancestors (if possible, one of your pioneer ancestors). In pioneer times, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were asked to leave the You will do this by accomplishing the following goals: comforts of their homes and gather with the Saints in the Salt Lake Valley. About 3,000 of these Saints pulled handcarts through harsh conditions over more than a thousand miles of mountains, 1. Find an ancestor to “walk with” on Trek—Begin by asking your parents to help you identify an deserts, and plains. ancestor who demonstrated great faith or courage to overcome a difficulty in his or her life and who you could look to for strength. This summer, you will get a glimpse into the faith, courage, and sacrifice of these noble pioneers as you participate in Trek. You will draw strength from your own ancestors as you research an 2. Be prepared to share stories about this ancestor on Trek—Bring information about this ancestor ancestor to “walk with” on Trek. As you disconnect from the modern world, you will form deeper to ‘walk with’ on Trek, including a picture, biographical information, and stories from his or her life. connections with our shared pioneer heritage, with your own ancestors, with other youth from the Be prepared to share why this ancestor is important to you and whether you were able to do stake, and most importantly, with our loving Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ. temple ordinances on their behalf. We pray that you will use the tools provided in this journal to prepare for Trek. The journal explores 3. Become more familiar with family history resources so you can continue seeking out topics exemplified by the pioneers that can help you in your life, including adversity, charity, ancestors—As you come to know how fun, rewarding, and easy it is to find out about your cheerfulness, diligence, faith, gratitude, hope, humility, patience, obedience, and sacrifice. It also ancestors you will feel more confident and motivated to continue seeking them out and to help has a section on the Trek theme, “Walk with Me,” and on Joseph Smith’s First Vision to follow them receive temple ordinances. President Nelson’s challenge to prepare to commemorate the bicentennial of the Restoration at April General Conference. Suggested assignments are divided by month and fall into the four Family History Resources: categories of spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social if you would like to adopt them as personal goals for the new youth initiative: 1. Your own family—Parents, grandparents, and relatives should be your first source of information as you identify the ancestor you will “walk with” on Trek. Spiritual: Study scripture passages, ponderize a scripture, and read a short pioneer story centered on 1-2 topics each month. 2. FamilySearch.org—FamilySearch is a collection of records, resources, and services designed to help people discover and document their family history and complete temple work in their behalf. Intellectual: Learn about the pioneers by watching a suggested movie, reading a passage, Ask your ward family history consultant for help creating an account at FamilySearch.org. You will or answering trivia questions. need your Church Membership Number to register. Physical: Record your physical goals as you prepare to walk up to 7 miles a day while 3. Relative Finder— https://familysearch.org/apps/product/relative-finder/web Register on this pulling a handcart. site to find relatives in the Albuquerque Stake and ancestors in categories like: Book of Mormon Witnesses, Early Latter-day Saints, Martin and Willie Handcart Company Saints, and many others. Social: Connect with your ancestors by learning about a different ancestor each month Join the Albuquerque NM Stake group and enter the password: ABQNMRelatives. (Information is and interviewing your parents and living grandparents. Complete the “Walk with an linked to FamilySearch.org.) Ancestor” challenge as you select one ancestor to “walk with” on Trek. 4. Pioneer Overland Database—You can access a wealth of information about more than 60,000 We know that ‘by small and simple things are great things brought to pass’ (Alma 37:6). We pioneers on this site, including company records, personal journals, and reminiscences. Go to encourage you to invest small amounts of time each month to prepare for Trek, and know that your pioneer.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to type in your ancestor’s name, birth date, or death date. efforts will be greatly blessed. 5. Youth leaders and ward family history consultants—There are experienced members of your We love you and know that as you use this journal, you will not only have an inspiring experience at ward and stake who are eager to help. The stake Family History Center (located in the Eubank Trek, but will more fully learn how to accept the Savior’s invitation to “Walk with Me” in your daily Building) may also contain material on your ancestor. life. Your pioneer Trek experience begins today. Love, the leaders of the Albuquerque Stake Trek Frequently Asked Questions: including prior physical conditioning, reduces these risks and is the responsibility of each participant. Preparation should also include proper gear and dress (see the packing list), What is Trek? Trek is a youth conference activity in which youth wear pioneer-era observance of the Trek rules, respect for participants and leaders, sun and insect clothing, are organized into “family” groups, hike while pulling handcarts, camp outdoors, protection, and adequate hydration on Trek. Because Trek will be conducted on private and learn about the pioneers. It will be held in a wilderness setting and will be physically property, each participant must also follow “No Trace Camping” protocol. demanding, requiring youth to walk up to 7 miles a day in summer heat and to sleep Will I be hungry on Trek? Full meals and snacks will be provided, not pioneer rations. outside under the stars. Youth are asked not to bring their own snacks as they may attract unwelcome insects and When? Trek will be held from early Thursday morning on June 25th to late afternoon on wildlife. Saturday, June 27th, 2020. Parents are invited to accompany their youth to a concluding What happens if I have a food allergy? Limited accommodations may be made for youth fireside on Sunday, June 28th at 7:00 pm in the San Victorio Chapel. with food allergies. Youth with special dietary restrictions may be given permission to Where? We are grateful to Dale Armstrong, who has graciously invited us to hold Trek bring food that will be stored by the Trek staff. on his ranch in Magdalena, New Mexico (about 116 miles south of Albuquerque near the How can parents participate in Trek? Very Large Array). Youth will depart from and return to the San Victorio Chapel. 1. We invite parents to write letters of encouragement and love that your youth will Who can participate? Youth ages 14-18 and those who will be 14 by December 31st, open at Trek. Letters can be given to Catherine White or emailed to 2020 are invited to attend. Non-member friends in this age group may also attend, but [email protected] with the youth’s name in the subject line (emails will be printed must register and be fully prepared for the physical demands and spiritual nature of the and sealed in an envelope to be read only by the addressee). experience. All youth must be prepared to handle the physical rigors of Trek. 2. There are vignette opportunities for volunteers of all ages to participate in the Trek Morningside at the Chapel on June 25th. Youth are also encouraged to help with What is the cost? The Albuquerque Stake and individual wards have generously agreed vignettes at Trek. Please contact Cecelia Chavez at [email protected] if you are to cover the cost for trek, so there will be no additional cost to you. interested! 3. Parents are invited to welcome youth as we walk into the ‘valley’ between 12:30-1:30 How do I register? Please register for Trek as soon as possible at abqstaketrek.org pm on June 27th and to join us for lunch. Please see the Trek website for directions to the Please also complete the Trek Welcome Survey. drop off location, the Trek finish, and to register for lunch so we know how many people to expect. Can I request a friend or trek family member? Though friend requests cannot be guaranteed, they will be considered.