Pioneer Trek

Between the years of 1846 - 1869,  around 70,000 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as Mormons, migrated from the midwest to the Utah Valley to avoid religious persecution.  They traveled on foot in organized "handcart companies".  

Every four years, the church youth in our area (and in other locations around the country) ages 14-18 participate in a four day event called a "Pioneer Trek".  The objective of this trek is to give today's Mormon youth a window into what pioneer life was like back when Mormon's made the journey across the plains.  The hope is they will end the trek with a greater understanding of the sacrifices the pioneers made on this journey, and experience the faith and determination required of the early pioneers.  

Period appropriate clothing is required.  Don't have any bonnets handy?  You better make one or find someone who can make one for you.  Being resourceful is part of the experience.  Clothing is not provided.

These are the youth from our local ward that participated.  They are a great group of young people, I love each and every one of them.

During the four day trek, the youth sleep outdoors (completely, no tents and even in the rain).  I will say that safety is a huge concern, and in case of severe weather there is a place they can shelter until the storm is over. 

And they're off.  After they all pack up their handcarts with their belongings for the trek, they head out.   They had a very specific packing list, and all of it had to fit in a five gallon bucket.  

The youth are split up into "families".  There are two adult leaders per family, usually a married couple, that serve as the "Ma and Pa" of the family.  Family members take turns pulling the handcart on the trek.  

The terrain is not always flat.  There are plenty of difficult places to maneuver the hand-cart.

Getting a running start helps when going up hills.  Justice is in the middle pulling the handcart.

Here is Justice's family.  He had two kids from our local ward in his family, both of them his closest church friends Will and Elise.  The families were responsible for cooking their own dinners each night.  Their buckets also doubled as chairs. 

Before trek started, the youth were told to research a pioneer and walk trek on that person's behalf.  Justice carried this picture with him on trek, he walked for his great great great great grandmother, Lucy Ann Hawes Hickman.  She was 13 years old when she crossed the plains with her family as part of the Joel Edmunds Company in 1852.  (Note:  I don't know who titled this picture, but her name is spelled Hawes, not Haws.)

 I routinely use her as an example of hard work and dedication when Justice is facing something difficult, having to work very hard at something, or ready to give up on something.   And sometimes even if he's just whining.  Most times, all I have to say is 

"You come from strong stock". 

And he does, on both sides.  Usually that's enough to get him back on his feet.  But sometimes I have to pull out the big guns.

"If your great great great great grandmother can cross the plains on foot at the age of 13, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING."

And really, that's the truth.  Any trial he's faced pales in comparison to that journey.  It's a good reminder that keeps him grounded to his faith.  His family ancestors had a strong enough testimony about the gospel of Jesus Christ that they sold everything to start over again, with nothing but what they could pack on that handcart.  They had faith that they would succeed, and they surely did.  I am grateful to come from the stock of such a strong woman.  

Justice was so tired when I picked him up.  And so dirty.  It had rained and his clothes were a muddy, moldy mess.  I dumped that five gallon bucket straight into the trash when we got home.  I was able to salvage the clothes, and I will put them aside for Jack's upcoming trek.

   

That is not a real smile.  Ha.  

"Mom, that was so hard."

We talked about the appreciation he has for those early pioneers, and how we wouldn't have the gospel with us today if they had allowed the persecutors to win, and given up.  He feels connected to his past ancestors now more than ever.  And his testimony of the gospel is strong.  And I am proud of him.