Pioneer Trek 2008

Chris and I had the opportunity to accompany the youth in our ward on a stake pioneer trek. I was hoping that I was going to get a CD of pictures from the stake, but it doesn't look like it and I am disappointed because we didn't get a chance to take very many pictures ourselves. So you'll just have to do with our pitiful FEW pictures.

We left on Thursday morning at 5:00 a.m. July the 3rd. We drove the eight hours on charter buses up to Martin's Cove Wyoming. We actually first stopped at Independence Rock. This was very neat to see. For those of you who may not know, this is a large rock that when the pioneers passed, in the 1800's, several of them wanted to preserve their legacy and their history and carved their names into this rock. It was amazing to see the names still there bearing witness that these pioneers sacrificed so much for what they knew to be true.

We got to Martin's Covey Historical site and were greeted with elder couple missionaries. They welcomed us and explained a little bit more about the history of the place. We then packed our handcarts and set out for camp. We set up camp and had dinner. They fed us way too well to give us a true pioneer experience! :)

The next day, the 4th of July, we had a great flag ceremony where a history of our country's flag was overviewed and we got to see all the many different versions of our flag as it progressed into the symbol that we know today as our country's flag. It was very patriotic and helped us respect Independence Day. We then set out on our trail.

We trekked to Martin's Cove, which is just kind of like a little valley against a rocky hillside. This is where the Martin's Handcart Company retreated for relief from a terrible winter storm. They were in desperate conditions, many not making it through the cold nights. President Hinckley dedicated this land as hallowed and sacred ground, similar to that of a temple. As we walked through the cove, we were to be as quiet and respectful and reverent as possible. This was a great time for meditation and pondering on the things that they sacrificed and to consider how we can be better to make their sacrifice not in vain. We saw the small meadow that was used to "bury" their loved ones who did not survive the harsh weather. The ground was frozen and so the best they could do was wrap them in their blankets and cover them with snow. As they left them there, they witnessed the wolves devour the precious body that had just been laid there.

We returned to our handcarts and proceeded to the Sweetwater River. This also has been dedicated as hallowed and sacred ground, so as we crossed we were asked to be reverent and respectful. This was difficult especially for the youth because we did not experience the crossing in the middle of a horrible winter storm with large ice chunks flowing rapidly down the river. Instead it was Hot, the water was so inviting and tempting to just play in. But as we crossed there was a certain spirit there that was felt. They asked all of the young men to come forward. They told them of the rescuers and that they were of a similar age to that of most of the young men. They then had the young men carry family members across that may also be on the trek, such as a sister, a mother or father. It was amazing to me to see these small 14 year old boys carry there large fathers across this river. It was very touching and a moment of realization for me of the dedication and devotion and dignity that these people carried for themselves, for the church, and for one another. Chris took the opportunity to carry me across and although it was disappointing to not get wet and cooled off, it helped me to know that Chris would be those rescuers if called. He loves me and the church so much that I know he would be willing to take that chance and sacrifice himself for others and for the church.

Shortly after we all got our shoes back on and made it back to our handcarts, two men in uniform approached our handcart company. They proceeded to read a decree from the government that the Mormon's contribute to the war. They then read off the names of each male in our company. They lined up and marched away! It was sad to watch them go, especially after witnessing such strength and love in them. The women were then asked to carry on without them. This left most handcarts with no more than four women and/or girls pushing and pulling them. They then took us to a meadow and spoke with us about our Heavenly abilities. The men were up the path having their own discussion about stepping out of the world and becoming men of God. Soon the women were back to the handcarts pushing through the sandiest part of the trail that we had walked through so far. We came to long, steep, sandy and rocky hill where the men were lined along the sides. We were told that the men were "across the veil", we could not see them or acknowledge them. I looked at them enough to see that each of the was holding his hat across his heart in respect for us. As we started to push it was not too bad, but as gravity began to work harder towards the middle of the hill and the rocks were rolling and flipping in the sand under our feet, it got very difficult to pull that handcart. We made it to the top though, very much out of breath and our legs were burning with fatigue, but we were asked to not stop, and so we continued. Not long after we watched as the men were finally given permission to return to their handcarts and help, there was not a single one of them that did not race back to his handcart. They all ran at top speed with eagerness to ease the load that they had just witnessed the women carry. It was very overwhelming to witness that and also to feel the rush of relief as more and more hands were put on the cart to assist in pulling it.

We made it back to camp and were given an ounce of flour each person. This is all that the people on the handcart companies had a day for several days. We were told that that was our dinner. We did our best to make biscuits...with just flour and water, and it was very bland. They did finally give us some chicken and potatoes, which is such royal treatment, I felt so spoiled.

That night we had a testimony meeting and were given letters from either our spouses or our parents or other family members. It was quite a touching day.

July 5th we packed up camp and had a little fireside before we headed back to the visitor's center to go home. We thought that it wasn't going to be a very eventful day, but as we trekked along the trail we were visited by the angel of death. He came dressed in black to each handcart and chose several people to come with him. Chris was among those chosen. It was hard to think about what it would have been like to have to carry on with out my best friend and companion through a cold rigorous winter, especially with small children. After the dead left us we continued on our trail and the dead all continued on a trail of their own that took them parallel to ours most of the way, only there were miles between us. We walked until we came to what is called the "Veil Crossing". This is the name of a bridge that was built to commemorate what is known as the Second Rescue. The Second Rescue was made by a stake in Wyoming who realized that the handcart companies had not had the opportunity to attend the temple, for that was their goal. They were headed to Salt Lake to be a part of the exact blessing; the temple. So this stake researched the families and found all of the names of the people in those companies and did their temple work for them; allowing them to cross that veil and be with their families for eternity.
So on our trek the "dead" approached one side of the bridge and on the other side we waited. The dead were granted permission to cross the "veil" and rejoin their loved ones. It was once again a moment of realization for the powers of Heaven and the importance of the temple.

With this final learning experience we all got to our handcarts and pulled the last few steps together. The bus ride home was long and dirty and every one pretty much slept. It was a wonderful weekend. I got probably the worst sunburn on my lips that I have ever had! Nevertheless it was a memorable experience for Chris and I to share.