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.
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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.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
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.
"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."
"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."
