Mormon Pioneers Past and Present: Facebook Page

I have created a new Facebook page as a place to share pioneer stories, past and present.  I love stories about my pioneer ancestors and wanted a forum to share, but also would encourage others to share as well.  I would love for you to like my page and share stories.
https://www.facebook.com/Mormonpioneerspastandpresent
 

Church History Website: Overland Travel

https://history.lds.org/overlandtravels/
This link is where you can search the Mormon Trail Stories.  There are over 100 articles, journals etc with regards to the Martin Handcart Company.  This is a great resource.  It also has information about Robinson Handcart Company where John and Mary Wardle and their son James were members. 

South Jordan Pictures from "Of Dugouts and Spires

Isaac Wardle is 52 however I think this was Isaac's son, as Isaac John had his home closer to the river where the Beckstead Ditch could provide water for his orchard.

Movie Review: Faith in Every Footstep: The Epic Pioneer Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1zDMnx56SM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6cyIDUMNWA&NR=1
I posted this on my family blog, but am including it here as it applies the pioneer spirit that our ancestors had, to our day.  I like that.

I found links in two parts to this movie on Facebook.  I have a copy from the distribution center at home, and it is part of the "Church History: Home and Family Collection".  It was originally shown in conference April, 6, 1997 to commemorate the 150 years of the pioneers.  It is narrated by the first presidence at the time.  Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust.  It follows the trek of the first company, while also talking of the handcart companies.

James E. Faust narrated the part about the handcarts, and made this analogy for our day.  He said, "In the heroic effort of the handcart pioneers we learn a great tuth.  All must pass through a refiner's fire.  And the insignificant and unimportant in our lives would melt away like dross and make our faith bright and tacked and strong.  There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who seek to do right and be faithful, yet this is part of the purging to become 'acquainted with God.'"

It was Frances Webster who used those words initially.  He and his wife chose to go by handcarts, so the money they saved could help others.  He suffered from hunger, overwork and cold.  Yet he did not become bitter, but was thankful he could become acquainted with God in this way.  He knew there were angels helping him along.

President Hinckley concludes the movie, talking about Ensign Peak.  "Rising above the Salt Lake Valley is a come shaped peak.  Brigham Young saw it in a vision before the Saints left Nauvoo.  He saw an ensign descend upon the hill and heard the voice of Joseph Smith say, 'Build under that point and you will prosper and have peace.'"  President Hinckley then explained how the leadership of the church climbed the peak a couple days after arriving in the valley.  Brigham said, " This is where we will plant the soles of our feet, and where the Lord will place his name amongst his people."

President Hinckley smoke of the millennial vision as quoted in Isaiah, "And he shall set up an ^aensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."

President Hinckley then concluded with this statement, talking of the pioneer blood which flows in our veins, "It's the essence of our courage to face modern day mountains and our commitment to carry on.  The faith of those early pioneers burns still, and nations are being blessed by latter-day pioneers who possess a clear vision of this work of the Lord.  The footsteps that made such a deep impression over the heartland of America, makes similar impressions in countries across the world... Step by faithful step we walk together to a glorious destiny, building the Kingdom of God on Earth, and preparing the hearts and minds of people everywhere to come unto Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the World."

Mural from Grandma's Church

This mural is the back of the chapel in the church in Logan on the corner of 100 East and 100 North.

water colors William Jackson

These pictures are from the book Westward America by Howard W. Driggs with water colors by William H. Jackson.  The publisher is American Pioneer Trail Association.  The author, painter are both deceased and the publisher no longer exists.  I attempted to contact family for permission to publish the illustrations but was unsuccessful.  Each of these pictures plays a part in young Isaac's trek across the plains.

Book Review: Story of the Mormon Pioneers,W. Cleon Skousen

This is a little book published by the 223rd Quorum of Seventy, San Fernando Stake in 1947.  It deals primarily with the 1847 trek of the first Mormon Company to the Salt Lake Valley.  There are a couple of things that stood out to me from this book.  One is the dedicatory poem at the beginning of the book:
Dedicated
TO THOSE PIONEERS WHO DIED ON THE PLAINS
AND WERE BURIED IN LONELY GRAVES
ALONG THE TRAIL

Lay him down tenderly under the willows;
Dampen the warm brown earth with your tears;
Then turn your face again to the prairie,
Harden your heart to the lonely years.

We must relinquish him to this wide darkness,
Push toward the goal again, smiling and brave;
The willows will guard him silent and weeping,
No one will know that they shelter his grave.

Lay him down quietly under the willows,
Lay him down gently, gently, and then
Run away quickly, softly, on tiptoe--
We cannot come back to the willows again.

     by Lisbeth Wallis, Improvement Era, July 1943

I think this poem says a lot.  Over the years, 60-80,000 pioneers crossed the plains making there way to Utah.  Of those 6000 were left in graves, mostly unmarked, along the way.
The other quote that caught my eye from this book is a quote from Brigham Young, which more explains why the Mormons moved so far away from everyone else, resulting in such a long and dangerous trek.  "We wish strangers to understand that we did not come here out of choice, but because we were obliged to go somewhere and this was the best place we could find.  It was impossible for any person to live here unless he labored hard and battled and fought against the elements, but it was a first-rate place to raise Latter Day Saints, and we shall be blessed in living here, and shall make it like the Garden of Eden"

This explains a lot to me why people were so willing to put there selves through such risk, and hardship.  They must have known that they would not all make it to Salt Lake.  They sang it along the way, "And should we Die."  I am grateful for people who chose to endure despite the obstacles.

Book review: The Mormon Pioneer Trail

This is a pamphlet published the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the sesquicentennial of the Mormon pioneers arrival in Salt Lake. It is a highway guide and trail etiquette guide. I did not follow the trail using the guide, so cannot tell of the accuracy of the directions provided. The guide presents 50 different sites along the trail, and gives a paragraph or two about the history of each site.

It presents historical brief insights of the original trek in 1847, as well as brief outlines of the handcart treks.

I enjoyed the introductory comments. "The trek west is a symbol of the faith and dedication that pioneers in all times and places have as they help establish the Church throughout the world." The pamphlet then quotes President Gordon B. Hinckley. "It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead."

This pamphlet is most useful as a guide to visiting sites along the trail.  The information may be dated however.  It does give some background information with regards to the trail.

Book Review: Stories of Young Pioneers In Their Own Words

This book is written by Violet T. Kimball,Mountain Press Publishing, Montana, 2000. This book has many interesting stories. It tells not only the story of the Mormon Trail, but also the Oregon and California trails. It is a very good book for background information on what the trail was like, what activities the children participated in, and what tragedies befell some of the pioneers.

My favorite part of the book was a song from the out and backers (when young men would go out, pick up the Mormon pioneers and bring them back.) It refers to to ox team:
Whoa, haw, Buck and Jerry Boy
There's a pretty little girl in the outfit ahead
Who, haw, Buck and Jerry Boy
I wish she were by my side instead
Whoa, haw, Buck and Jerry Boy
Look at her now with a pout on her lips
As daintily with her fingertips
She picks for the fire some buffalo chips
Who, haw, Buck and Jerry Boy.

The author includes several stories of different pioneers at the end of each chapter. I enjoyed the story of Lizzy Flake Rowan, an African American Mormon who helped found the city of San Bernadino. She eventually married Charles Rowan, a local barber.

This book is full of many such stories and tidbits about the plains, romance, deaths, hardship, happy times. I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in learning about the Western migration in our county.