Our goal for this handcart trek reenactment is to provide an opportunity for those involved,
youth and leaders, to build a closer relationship with the Savior. To become “acquainted with Him,” Jesus Christ, as did those amazing 1856 Handcart pioneers.
As Francis Webster, a Martin Handcart survivor said, “… (We) came through with the
absolute knowledge that God lives, for we became acquainted with Him in our extremities. Was I sorry that I chose to come by hand cart? No. Neither then, nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Hand Cart Company.”
During a time of great commotion and uncertainty in the world, we want to provide a
“Spiritual Journey” that provides an opportunity for the youth to gain greater faith and understanding of how to receive revelation. Our primary goal is for them to become more acquainted with the Savior! To help them to do so, we need to emphasize the virtues of charity, sacrifice and obedience to God’s loving commandments.
In addition, one of the great lessons of the handcart reenactment is for the youth to understand both in word and by action that they can and will be able to persevere thorough adversity – that the same spiritual strength that enabled their pioneer forefathers to overcome the impossible is
the same spiritual strength that they can possess. Their forefather’s strength and courage is heir
Inheritance!
We believe in miracles and our Prophet has said it is a “time of miracles”. We anticipate seeing hearts change and pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all those who spiritually prepare for the journey. Our prayer for all involved is to have a “mighty change of heart”!
As Elder M. Russell Ballard said:
“Brothers and sisters join with us and begin now to prepare for a spiritual journey . . . by walking in the footsteps of our beloved pioneers in every land. We must be sure that the legacy of faith received from them is never lost. Let their heroic lives touch our hearts, and especially the hearts of our youth, so the fire of true testimony and unwavering love for the Lord and His Church will blaze brightly within each one of us as it did in our faithful pioneers.”
As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “Jesus Christ is always the answer.” Our hope and prayer is that as the youth and leaders learn of and feel of their pioneer’s faith and devotion, that
they will be able to remember these lessons and feelings during times of personal trials and hardships. That by remembering their pioneer forefathers, they will remember Him, Jesus Christ, their Savior!
Kaysville Utah East Stake Presidency