Salt Lake Temple

Last night we went to Temple Square with our friends to see the lights. It was chilly and foggy which lends itself to making the most of the lights. This was the first thing we saw as we came out of the west doors of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

The pioneers in the handcart companies were fleeing west for safety in their desire to live and worship as they wished. They left behind most of what they owned and travelled many thousands of miles in order to establish Zion.

Logo for Trek

We now have a logo for the 2010 Trek. The thought behind the logo was to reinforce the theme behind trek Their Journey, My Journey. The font for Their Journey is reminiscent of old style handwriting while the font for My Journey is more modern. My Journey was placed in front and overlapping in order to suggest the ties between our modern day trek and those of our pioneer ancestors.

The font used for Sandy Utah Crescent Stake is one of the fonts that is similar to those used by the LDS Church in their logo. While there are a number of fonts that are suggested as the one used, this one is "Trajan Pro".

The "handcart image" was taken from an image of the entrance to Martins Cove.

The idea behind creating a logo was to have something that could be used on communications, handouts and collateral created for Trek.

Planning Meeting

There is a big planning meeting today and most of the committees will be presenting an overview of thier plan for their committee. The meeting starts at 5:00P.M. at the Stake Center and should run about 2 1/2 hour total.

There is lots of good information and a ton of work to do!

"Their Journey, My Journey"

Our Trek has a theme. A couple of weeks ago I received the following email from Doug Smith the High Counselor responsible for Trek 2010. I thought you might find it a confirmation of all the reasons that Trek is a divinely inspired activity.

President Back has confirmed that our 2010 Trek Theme will be…


“Their Journey, My Journey."

This theme got the most votes tonight, and the most from the email I sent out a few days ago.

I haven’t told anyone this because I didn’t want to influence the voting, but this past Thursday I shut the door in my office and kneeled down to ask the Lord for his ideas on our Trek theme. I had another favorite in mind and we already had a long list, but I wanted to see what the spirit would tell me should be on the short list I was about to email to all of you. “Their Journey, My Journey” popped into my head almost immediately after my prayer. I looked through our lists to see if someone else had mentioned it, but didn’t find it. It very well could have been suggested to me by someone else over the past few weeks or months- I just don’t recall. But, nonetheless, I do know that the spirit gave it to me on that day. I was anxious to see if the voting would pull it through.

I haven’t had a lot of time to ponder this theme, but I do have a few thoughts. I have always been inspired by the strength of our pioneer ancestors. Learning about them gives me a better perspective about who I am and what my role is. We have a number of church hymns that are difficult to sing without feeling strong, emotional respect for them. In many ways, today’s youth have a harder trail to conquer. They are the Lord’s elect that have been saved for the last days, but Satan has more tools and partners than ever before. Faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, got our ancestors over that trail in the worst of circumstances- their testimony of Christ and the restored gospel was fit for the trial they had to endure- fit for their journey. Each of our youth will need such a testimony and faith to successfully navigate their own journey. I hope this Trek helps them to find their inner strength and builds their testimony in preparation for their life journey. I hope they are inspired by the rich legacy and pioneer spirit of their ancestors. I hope they learn that no trial is too big, no journey too tough with our Lord and Savior by their side.

We also got a high number of votes for “Walk as a Witness.” I really like this idea too and hope we are able to use it. I’m sure there will be ways to use it without competing as a theme.

Thank you for your participation in this selection process. I am excited to see your ideas on how to incorporate it into our Trek.

Doug

Video from 2006 Trek

Here is another music video from the 2006 Trek

2006 Trek Video

This video was created as part of the 2007 Trek to Martins Cove. It includes original music written and performed by Anne-Marie Hildebrandt. The video was created by John Linton and edited by John Neal Crossman.

Sacrifice - Sculpture Garden

"Father was weak from want of food, having denied himself for us, and the terrible strain of the journey was too much for him. One night near the Sweetwater he passed away quietly at the age of 33. Our little baby brother died the same night, they built a fire to thaw the ground so that a grave could be dug, then with my baby brother clasped in his arms, they wrapped him in a blanket and laid him tenderly away."

John Kirkman, age 8 in 1856, recounted in his 1930 memoir

John Kirkman was a member of the Martin Handcart Company. His father, Robert Lomax Kirkman died on November 11, 1856 (age 34) as did his infant brother Peter.

Below is the full quote from John Kirkman:

"Before we left Iowa my dear Mother had given birth to a son, Peter. She was naturally weak with the care of a nursing baby and five other children. Father was weak from want of food, having denied himself for us. The terrible strain of the journey was too much for him and one night, near the Sweetwater, he passed quietly away at the age of 35. Our little brother, Peter, died the same night. They built a fire to thaw the ground so that a grave could be dug,then with my baby brother clasped in his arms, they wrapped him in a blanket and laid him tenderly away. My darling Mother had to take up the journey alone with us five children. Provisions were almost gone, desolation reigned.

"The company passed off the main road to 'Martin's Ravine' to escape the terrible blizzards and storms for we had little clothing and had given up all hope. Death had taken a heavy toll and the Ravine was like an overcrowded tomb. No mortal tongue could describe the suffering. Such was the condition when word was received that help was on the way."

Prove Herewith-Sculpture Garden

"...the water was deep and very cold and we was drifted out of the regular crossing and we came near beign drounded the water came up to our arm pits poor mother was standing on the bank screaming as we got near the bank. I heard mother say ... some of you men help my poor girls."

Patience Loader: last crossing of the Platte River; 1856

Patience Loader was a member of the Edward Martin Handcart Company. Click on the link below and you can enter a name to see which company in the Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel Company (1847 - 1868) that the person you are interested in might have travelled with. Here is the link: http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanysearch/1,15773,3966-1,00.html

Persistence - Sculpture Garden

"One day...[our son John]...started in the morning to walk with the aged and the sick, but we had not gone far on our journey when we found him lying on the roadside unable to go any further. I picked him up and put him on my back and drawed my cart as well as I could, but could not manage far so I put him in the cart with children and baggage, my failing husband, besides our regular load."

Elizabeth Sermon (1892 letter to her children)

Elizabeth Whitear Sermon, aged 37, was a member of the Martin handcart company which consisted of 575 souls, 145 handcarts and 8 wagons.

Anticipation - Sculpture Garden

"Beautiful day and a propitious wind brought us in sight of Yankee land which is the first land that we have seen since we left the sight of Ireland, and truly it was beautiful. ...It was truly sublime to us to gaze upon it. Our hearts were cheered to behold our destined port."

Samuel Openshaw, age 22 in 1856

Next to the Martins Cove Visitors Center, there is a sculpture garden. Next to each sculpture is a quote that inspired the creation of the sculpture.

Sweetwater Crossing

Above: The carved stone honors the young men who on November 4, 1856 carried those too tired or cold across the Sweetwater River.

The Sweetwater crossing is one of the spiritual activities that takes place on Trek. When the rescuers arrived to bring the suffering members of the handcart companies to safety, they determined that they should move them from the intense cold and exposure of Fort Seminoe to the more sheltered place now named Martins Cove. When they arrived at the river, many of the company, remembering the earlier crossing of the freezing, ice filled North Platte River simply sat down, too tired and fearful to cross. Many who had crossed the North Platte had fallen ill and some had died from the wet and cold.

Young men from the rescue party including George W. Grant, C.A. Huntington, David P. Kimball and Stephen W. Taylor began to carry the women and children across the freezing river. They would make the journey may times before all had crossed to the other side.

Above, a view from the middle of the bridge over the Sweetwater River.

The place where trekkers cross is called the "silent" crossing (at the top of the image). At this place, Trekkers re-enact the crossing with the young men carrying the young women across the river. You may also pull your handcart across the river.

Our group is crossing the Sweetwater at the silent crossing. There is a great opportunity to strengthen your testimony and feel the spirit by considering the sacrifice and suffering experienced by the pioneers and the service performed by their rescuers.

Above: This is the view from the other side of the "Silent" crossing on the Sweetwater River. The river is approximately knee deep and provides a cool refresher from the heat of the day.

Martins Cove Leadership Training

Approximately 360 miles by car, this is the site that greets you when you make the trip from Salt Lake City, Utah to Martins Cove in Wyoming.

This Friday and Saturday, a number of us got to travel up to the Trek site for an orientation. During orientation, the full-time missionary couples immerse you in the background that led to the creation of the site.

You begin in an orientation session (ours was packed) where there is a program including a multimedia presentation. The goal is to provide ideas on what your group will experience during trek and to inform you about the resources available.

Be prepared, they are really serious. After the orientation, we were divided into groups, given a handcart and off we went. They told us it would be a "breezy" 6 mile walk (it is really 7 miles, I took a GPS).

I met up with a great group of guys from Bountiful (North Salt Lake) who are bringing a group similar in size (350 individuals) next summer. As we trekked from place to place (more in a later post) we talked about our own treks and how to prepare our leadership and youth to be ready for this "once in a lifetime" opportunity. More than telling us, they demonstrated with personal knowledge steeped in the history of the site. There was even role playing where some of the missionaries assumed the identity of the original settlers.

This view is from a rest area where you prepare to journey on a 2.3 mile loop into Martins Cove. Right in the center (very small) is a group of trees that marks the vistors center and the entrance shown in the top photo. This spot is about 1.3 miles from the place designated as the "start" of trek.

Patience Loader

Patience Loader was a member of the Martin Handcart Company. In an article from Sherman L. Fleek that appeared in the June 1997 issue of Wild West, he writes:

Teenager Patience Loader watched the large chunks of ice float down the freezing North Platte River in the fall of 1856. There was no other choice; James Martin, captain of their company of Mormon emigrants, said that they had to ford the river at Last Crossing. The cold October wind made unbearable the task of pushing and dragging the hand-drawn carts across. Patience, her sister and mother had no change of clothes, and there would be no time to stop and dry their drenched and freezing garments until they stopped for the night, many more miles and hours away. Exhibiting the great virtue her name symbolized, Patience and her family entered the icy flow. Later, she recorded her experience:

‘The water was deep and very cold and we drifted out of the regular crossing and we came near beign drounded the water came to our arm pits poor Mother was standing on the bank screaming as we got near the bank I heard her say for God Sake some of you men help My poor girls…Several of the brethren came down the bank of the river and pulled our cart up for us. Mother was there to meet us her clothing was dry but ours was wett and cold and verey soon frozen Mother took of one of her under skirts and put it on one of us and her apron for another to Keep the wett cloth from us for we had to travle several miles before we could camp.’

Freezing and nearly drowned as she was, Patience nevertheless was saddened by the sight of a less fortunate handcart member:

‘When we was in the middle of the river I saw a poor brother carreying his child on his back he fell down in the water I never Knew if he drowned or not I fealt sorrey that we could not help him but we had all we could do to save ourselves
from drownding….’

While Mr. Fleek refers to Patience in the article as a "teenager", her Death Certificate indicates that she would have been 29 according to information provided by Sherry M. Smith in a memorial.

Patience has many other stories of trials she experienced while on the trek that we'll provide in future posts.

1855 Map

The map above was published in New York in 1855 the year before the Willie and Martin Companies began their long trek from England. Since the Martin Company sailed into the port of New York, it is likely that they had a map just like this one to follow as they embarked on their trek. I can imagine the days and nights spent studying the map, wondering "how much further" and what lay ahead.

While the map is not very detailed (click on it to see it larger), it does show points on which the pioneers could get their bearings. Places like "Court House Rock", "Chimney Rock", "Scotts Bluff" and the exotic "Fort Laramie" excite the imagination and give hope to weary travelers.

If you look on the right hand side up approximately one third from the bottom, you'll see Omaha City (Florence) right across from Council Bluffs. Follow the Nebraska or Platte River from just below Omaha City (right to left) continuing up the North Fork of Platte R. and you'll see the approximate route taken by the pioneers.

Just past Ft. Laramie, you'll see "Devils Gate" and the Sweetwater River that you follow to Ft. Bridger and on into the Salt Lake Valley. While there are lots of other maps, I find this one quaint because of the spelling of "Kanzas"

If you'd like to follow a "day by day" account of the journey taken from actual trek journals, you can click on http://handcart.byu.edu/ This site was set up in 2006 for the 150 year celebration of the Trek.

Destination Salt Lake City

Above is an imaginary view of Salt Lake City from about 1850

From 1855 and 1864, more than 400 missionaries left Salt Lake City for the mission field. In 1950, the population of the valley was approximately 6,000. By 1890, the population approached 45,000 mostly due to emigration that was a result of missionary work.

In an effort to encourage and enable emigration, the church established the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company in 1849. The fund was considered a debt to be repaid with cash, labor or in-kind. More than 30,000 emigrants used the fund and many paid it back. Those who did not repay were considered part of the "worthy poor" and their debt was forgiven during the year of Jubilee.

The Willie Company

The Tugboat, 1856, Albumen print from a collodion-on-glass negative, 32 x 41 cm, Townshend Bequest 1868, Museum no. 68.000 (towing a sailing ship similar to the Thornton)

The Willie Company, headed by Elder James G. Willie sailed May 4, 1856 twenty one days earlier than the Martin company and bound for New York. They arrived in Iowa City on June 26th and departed July 15th, thirteen days earlier than the Martin company. While 500 emigrants left Iowa City just 404 were in attendance when they departed from Florence, Nebraska.

Following is an excerpt from the diary of Peter Madsen who sailed aboard the ship Thornton:

The presidency of the whole company, President: J. [James] G. Willie; counselors, Millen Atwood, J. Ahmanson, and Moses Cluff; Captain of the guard: John Chislett; Steward: Edward Griffiths; Clerk: George May.

Sunday, May 4, 1856. Weather: beautiful. This morning at 2 o'clock the anchor was hoisted and there after the ship was towed out of the river by a steam tug. 10 o'clock the Scandinavian Saints gathered for worship. Elders Ahmanson, Svensen, and Larsen delivered sermons and encouraged us to preserve a good spirit in love and unity. Let us be an example in cleanliness and order for the English section. Next Hans Rasmusen [Rasmussen] was called to the office of a priest and ordained; Anders Jorgensen to a teacher. The good weather caused the company to be happy and they rejoiced in song. [p.3] Four brethren made music to which there was dancing on the deck. Allen M. Finlay [Allan M. Findlay], late of the Bombay Mission, and Sister Ireland, of Dundee, Scotland, were joined together in the bonds of matrimony.

Wednesday, May 21, 1856. Weather: unstable. Course: north; 7 o'clock west. During the night a fire broke out and burned between the decks, but the Lord preserved us so that the fire did not over power us. An English boy who had stowed away on the ship was discovered. He had accompanied us without permission and ticket. For this action he would have been punished and caused to bear a wooden jacket or barrel; but since he was member of the Church he was forgiven. The two pounds which Captain Collins required for his passage were collected by free-will offering. The Danish Saints gave three dollars. 5 o'clock the president held council and instructed the brothers who had watch at night to have close supervision over the young people that no unallowable association and coming together would take place. It was discovered that such had taken place among the English; and an unclean spirit was found which should be rectified. On the other hand such lewdness was not found at all among the Danish Saints. 10 o'clock Captain Collins commanded the whole company to go on deck a few hours while the rooms were cleaned and aired. This was a necessity which must take place in order to prevent sickness, such as cholera or other pesky diseases, that could be dangerous to the company. He will therefore be very strict with those who will not obey when they are able. Yes, he will even use the whip if it becomes necessary, but he does not wish to do so. The leaders of the company were observant with regards to this. In honoring the opportunity Elder Ahmanson talked to the council that was gathered and gave the strictest instructions on obedience which would lead to blessings for us. The account was read which showed a deficit that in the morning will be collected. The council closed with prayer at 9 o'clock. 2 o'clock provisions: meat and pork. Hannah (Johanna) Bayliss from Lye in Chelkatlnaa (perhaps Legh in Cheshire) gave birth to a stillborn child. At 6 o'clock in the evening communication was received from an American ship heading for Liverpool which was answered by Captain Collins.

Thursday, May 29, 1856. Weather: beautiful; still; the wind southerly. This afternoon it blew. Course: west. The wind was good and the ship made good speed. 9 o'clock prayer. 10 o'clock the whole company was on deck while the rooms were washed and fumigated. This afternoon we passed a ship and three icebergs. Sophie Pedersen's [Peterson's] son Thomas, [p.7] seven years old, fell down from the top to the bottom deck. He hit hard but help was administered immediately by the doctor who believes he is out of danger. This afternoon at 6 o'clock an English brother had a preparatory marriage which shall be repeated in the valley. The ship's quarterdeck was covered with the American flag. President Willie spoke about the importance of marriage and joined the pair together according to the rules given in the Doctrine and Covenants. After the wedding there was singing and cheers for the bridal pair, for the company, and for Captain Collins. He arose and expressed thanks for the honor and rejoiced over the festive occasion. He said he was an American citizen, that his forefathers for several generations had been, and that he had a legitimate right to such. If several pair wished to follow suit (in marriage) he would be pleased. He was answered with repeated cheers, which were likewise extended to the doctor who is held with respect by the company among whom are the English sisters who have given birth to three children. Samuel Crook from Apperlie, Gloucestershire, and Sarah Haines from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, were married.

Excerpt taken from the following LDS website:
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,232-1-306-3,00.html

Boston in 1856

Boston Harbor, 1856 by Fitz Henry Lane

This is the first view of America that greeted the Saints of the Martin Company when they sailed into Boston Harbor. At the time, the population of Boston was around 15,500 so the arrival of close to 850 emigrants (not all LDS converts) on the Horizon would have been quite a spectacle. During the passage from England, the ship reported that three of the passengers had died.

         

This drawing from 1855 shows a contemporary view of the city of Boston.

Martin Handcart Company

Edward Martin, leader of the Martin Handcart Company is on the far right, second row.

The Martin Company left Liverpool, England on May 25th, 1856 on the ship "Horizon" destined for Boston, Mass. After arriving in Boston they travelled by railroad to Iowa City, Iowa arriving on July 8th where they were outfitted with handcarts and other supplies.

They left Iowa City on July 28th bound for Florence, Nebraska (now Omaha) a journey of nearly 300 miles.  They began the 1,030 mile trek to Salt Lake City on August 27th with 576 individuals.

Tomorrow, August 27, 2009 will be the 153rd anniversary of the start of their trek.

Map of Martins Cove

Above is a map showing the local area at Martins Cove

Sandy Crescent Trek 2010

Next June, the youth of the Sandy Utah Crescent Stake and their leaders have the opportunity to retrace the footsteps of one of the most tragic and yet heroic migrations to the Zion.

Over the next nine months, thousands of hours of planning will go into creating a once in a lifetime experience for all of the those who choose to participate.

Beginning June 23rd 2010, more than 350 youth and adults will re-enact a famous moment in pioneer history as they spend three days pushing and pulling pioneer handcarts on the trail utilized by the Willie and Martin Handcart companies.

The Willie and Martin Handcart companies composed of emigrants bound for the Salt Lake Valley, were trapped in October of 1856 when they encountered an unexpected heavy snowstorm. Eventually help was sent from Salt Lake City to help rescue the pioneers, but not before the storm took a heavy toll in lives.

This blog provide a resource for those making the trek and any others interested in the journey, both physical and spiritual as preparrations are made for this journey.

We'll ask many to contribute their expertise in stories, images, and music creating the opoortunity for a truly rich experience understanding the sacrifices made in the 1800's and the lessons they offer us to this day. We'll document personal stories, both of the original pioneers and their families as well as those who particiapte in Trek 2010.

We've set up a Twitter site found at : http://twitter.com/Trek2010 where you can receive real time updates that will point you to this page and postings on YouTube and Facebook.

We're interested in your input and contributions in the form of images, stories, personal and family stories.