Thursday, July 16, 2009
Crossing the Sweetwater River
On Thursday we went on our final trek (4 miles) and crossed the Sweetwater River three times. At first we just crossed a bunch of mud and thought that was the first crossing -- it wasn't. Poor Brother Boyd fell and was completely covered in mud!
At the last crossing everyone got to play in the water and have a big water fight. Many got thrown in but I stayed at a safe distance -- protecting my cameras!
We hiked a little further and stopped for lunch before finishing the hike.
At the last crossing everyone got to play in the water and have a big water fight. Many got thrown in but I stayed at a safe distance -- protecting my cameras!
We hiked a little further and stopped for lunch before finishing the hike.
Rock Creek Hollow
One of the things I was most worried about before going on the trek was the heat. But it really wasn't bad at all. The temperature was in the mid-80's and there was always a breeze and so for the most part the temperature was comfortable -- much to my relief!!
At Rock Creek Hollow we saw the monument for the 15 saints who died in one night, one of which was James Kirkwood.
The story of James Kirkwood is one of the stories that touched me the most while I was on the trek. He carried his little four year old brother through the snow all those miles and then died from exposure and exhaustion.
"James was from Glasgow, Scotland. On the trip west, James was accompanied by his widowed mother and three brothers, one of whom, Thomas, was nineteen and crippled and had to ride in the handcart. James’s primary responsibility on the trek was to care for his little four-year-old brother, Joseph, while his mother and oldest brother, Robert, pulled the cart. As they climbed Rocky Ridge, it was snowing and there was a bitter cold wind blowing. It took the whole company twenty-seven hours to travel fifteen miles. When little Joseph became too weary to walk, James, the older brother, had no choice but to carry him. Left behind the main group, James and Joseph made their way slowly to camp. When the two finally arrived at the fireside, James “having so faithfully carried out his task, collapsed and died from exposure and over-exertion.” "(Private letter, Don H. Smith to Robert Lorimer, 20 Feb. 1990, quoting account of Don Chislett.) James E. Faust, “A Priceless Heritage,” Ensign, Nov 1992, 84
I can't imagine how that mother must have felt. As I listened to the stories from the saints I often pondered on what the mothers went through. The trek I went on as a youth was incredible and life changing. But this one was a little different since I now looked on the experiences of the pioneers from a mother's perspective. I can't imagine the pain it must have been for these mothers to watch their children suffer from hunger and cry themselves to sleep at night.
We finished out our trek at Rock Creek Hollow with a testimony meeting in the outdoor amphitheater area. There was a neat spirit there as the youth shared their testimonies. Rock Creek Hollow was a beautiful area. When we first arrived I thought, "This is much greener and prettier than Martin's Cove -- why didn't we camp here?" But as soon as the sun started to go down, the mosquitoes came out in full force. They had been bad at Martin's Cove, but this was much worse and most of us were out of bug spray by this time. We were racing to grab our final meal (while waving and swatting like crazy) before seeking shelter in our van! The mosquitoes were bad on this trip, but I was vigilant about applying bug spray (has it been five minutes yet? I had better put more on!) and I only came away with a couple of bug bites -- and I got those on the last evening. I was pretty proud of myself because I usually get eaten alive.
We had lots to think about during this trek. President Jensen and I asked ourselves why the pioneers had to suffer so much. Why didn't God temper the weather so that they didn't have to go through the horrible afflictions that they went through? After all, it was an early winter which really made things difficult for them. I still don't understand it completely, but I know that those who suffered were ensured glory and eternal salvation and they left behind a legacy for generations to come -- not only for their direct descendants, but for all of us.
I just read this quote from James E. Faust (James E. Faust, “A Priceless Heritage,” Ensign, Nov 1992, 84) and so I will include it here:
"I cannot help wondering why these intrepid pioneers had to pay for their faith with such a terrible price in agony and suffering. Why were not the elements tempered to spare them from their profound agony? I believe their lives were consecrated to a higher purpose through their suffering. Their love for the Savior was burned deep in their souls, and into the souls of their children, and their children’s children. The motivation for their lives came from a true conversion in the center of their souls. As President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, “When there throbs in the heart of an individual Latter-day Saint a great and vital testimony of the truth of this work, he will be found doing his duty in the Church.” (Ensign, May 1984, p. 99.)
Wow. Would I be willing to consecrate my life to a higher purpose if it involved great suffering? It is a sobering thought. I am so grateful for the pioneers and the sacrifices they made for all of us so that we can have the blessings of the gospel today!
