Eight years ago Tara and I went to Martin's Cove in Wyoming to participate in a Pioneer Trek with the Park Stake. It was a fun experience and a great chance to learn about some of the history with the Martin and Willey handcart companies. So, last year when the Big Cottonwood Stake told us that they would be trekking in the Cove I was excited to return. This year there was one big difference about our trip. While I learned about the Pioneers eight years ago, this time I
felt the pioneers and really experienced a part of their journey. I'll explain.
As we arrived at the Stake Center on Thursday morning (4:30 am for the record) I had prepared myself for the trip physically. I was wearing my pioneer clothes, including: suspenders, trousers, long-sleeved shirt, a wide straw hat, and an official Wyoming mustache. Even though it was early I was ready to go. We learned that we would be trekking as families and I was assigned to be the crazy uncle (since Tara stayed home with the kids) to the Walhquist family.
We boarded the buses and headed east into the Wyoming prairies. About six hours later we arrived at Martin's Cove and picked up our handcart to begin our journey to camp. There's a lot made concerning the amount of walking done on a pioneer trek, but the claims were greatly exaggerated for this crowd. The first day we ended up walked a grand total of 2.5 miles (I checked with the GPS). Still, it was good to start the experience with a short walk, filled with plenty of stops. Our little family, started a bit slow, but we met the challenges of the first day.
Friday is where the Trek became real for many of the participants, especially for me. While this Trek may not have been the most physically demanding, it certainly was one of the most spiritually rewarding experiences I've had in a while. We started early and made it to the Cove around 10:30 am. Martin's Cove is an interesting spot. Nestled within the surrounding hills, it provided a small bit of security from the raging Wyoming storms. For us, it was the site of a beautiful devotional in which we heard a wonderful talk from the full time missionary and an inspiring prayer from our Stake President, Ellis Ivory. There was a sweet spirit as the kids walked through the Cove and I'll admit I got pretty emotional.
Throughout the day we had been listening to accounts of the trials different pioneers faced as they journeyed to Zion. Most of these stories involved the losing of loved ones to the elements of the harsh Wyoming winters. Most of the dead were the young children who couldn't withstand the cold and stress on their tiny bodies. As I walked through Martin's Cove I couldn't help but think my own precious little children. Having heard these stories I knew that I would have been required to bury Kennedy and Alex had I been a pioneer in 1856. The thought was overwhelming and I wept for the pioneers who were asked to do such a thing. Being a parent, you can't help but admire the faith and determination of a group of people who were strong enough to keep going in the midst of so much heart ache. It was a moving experience to walk those three miles alone to ponder the love that I have for my wife and children.
After the Cove we headed to the Sweetwater River and, like the companies in 1856, we forded the water. Before crossing we heard the story of the Valley Boys, who literally carried men, women, and children across the frozen waters of the Sweetwater. Then we reenacted the events and watched our small band of teenagers cross the river. There were even a handful of boys who were willing to carry the women across as a sign of respect.
As the afternoon progressed, Sam and I were asked to play the part of military captains, sent to call the men to fight as the Mormon Battalion. I don't know how good our acting was, but the point was to take the men away from their families so the girls could participate in the Women's Pull. The men could only stand and watch as the ladies took the carts up the trail. We all placed our hats over our hearts and watch the determines girls show their faith.
What another incredible experience. The hill they had those women pull that cart up was rough - very rocky and pretty steep. And yet, each girl met the challenge and got their carts to the top. The most emotional family to reach the summit came via our ward We have a young man with several mental and phsyical disabilities, Chaz. He walked as far as he could that day, but needed to be carried towards the end of the afternoon. Instead of coming with the men, Chaz' family of determined women vowed to pull him up the hill in the cart. It was so incredible to watch Chaz' mom push her son up that hill. As she crossed the summit, there wasn't a dry eye as we knew the love Lauretta has for her special son.
We headed back to camp and heard more pioneer stories and everyone was happy about the amazing experiences we'd had that day. This morning we woke and broke camp fairly early. The kids were excited to head back home, but not before we had our final testimony meeting. That is one of my favorite parts of Youth Conference. You get to hear the kids talk about what the experience has meant to them. Often the kids who appeared "too cool" are the ones whose hearts are touched the most and it's wonderful to hear them talk about how much they love the Lord.
With the testimonies concluded, we picked up the carts and headed back to the buses. Six hours later, the trek was over. I can't tell you how excited I was to get home to hug and kiss Tara, Alex, and Kennedy. I had a special experience on this Trek. It renewed my faith and strengthened my testimony. I'm proud of my pioneer heritage and I hope their struggle won't be wasted by me. It was a wonderful trip and I'm glad I had Faith in Every Footstep.
