One of the purposes of the Mormon handcart historic sites in Wyoming is to remember the Mormon Handcart Pioneers who emigrated to Utah between 1856 and 1860 walking and pulling/pushing their handcarts which held their possessions. This was a new and innovative method to make the trip faster and less expensive for them. They did not have to buy covered wagons, oxen, etc.
Randy and I, as missionaries, will tell the stories of these pioneers and their rescuers who were sustained by their faith in Jesus Christ, their obedience, sacrifice, and charity. We will tell the stories of these faithful pioneers with a hope that the visitors will come to acknowledge that the gospel principles of faith, obedience, sacrifice, and charity will sustain them today in their own adversities.
FAITH in Jesus Christ motivated and carried the Latter-day Saints as they converted to His restored gospel, became baptized, left Europe to travel across the Atlantic Ocean, travelled by train to Iowa City, and then on foot the rest of the way pushing and pulling their belongings in handcarts. If we have faith in Jesus Christ, we can accomplish all things. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13 King James Version)."
OBEDIENCE: The Latter-day Saints were inspired (moved to act) to obey a prophet of God, Brigham Young, who asked them to gather in the American west, where they could receive the blessings of the Temple, and help establish Zion. "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7 King James Version)."
SACRIFICE: The Latter-day Saints left their homes, families and friends behind in order to emigrate to the west. They sacrificed resources for one another, assisting in any way possible. Some suffered illness, and some died on their way. "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God... (Ephesians 5:1-2 King James Version)."
CHARITY: Latter-day Saints donated money to help others journey to Zion. When the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies were stranded in the early October snowstorms in 1856, church members mounted heroic efforts to gather supplies and venture out in the storms to rescue these companies. When they arrived in Salt Lake City, the settlers generously took them into their homes for many, many months and cared for them as their own. "For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me... (Matthew 25:34-36 King James Version.)"
Presently, throughout the spring and summer months, youth groups and families from all over the world gather here to re-enact the trek. They dress in period clothing and they walk between 5 and 7 miles per day, they push their handcarts up the steep Rocky Ridge, they walk through the Sweetwater River, and camp at night where they hear us tell stories and teach them square dancing. We are privileged to be trail guides. The trekkers experience a small portion of what the Handcart Pioneers endured and accomplished. When the youth do this they work in teams, they unplug from the world, and they have time to get closer to one another and to The Lord. We will learn much more about the purpose of the handcart sites after we have served there awhile. We are humbled and excited.
