July 8-10, 2010
I had the privilege of helping plan and attend the Indianapolis Stake Youth Conference again this year. This year we planned a pioneer handcart trek...
Faith in Every Footstep...
Learn from the
past,
Live in the
present,
Prepare for the
future.
"The past is behind, learn from it.
The future is ahead, prepare for it.
The present is here, live it."
~ President Thomas S. Monson
We had 117 youth ages 14-18 and 40 leaders attend the 3-day youth conference in Jennings County. It was an amazing experience as we dressed like pioneers and pulled handcarts. We were organized into 12 "families" with a Ma & Pa with 7-10 children. Those of us "extras" were either walking along side of the families or in the leading and following cars. I took the opportunity to walk most of the trek, which was a hard and rewarding experience. I earned blisters on my feet with the majority of the group, but I must say I feel it was a small sacrifice to get a glimpse into the lives of the early pioneers who sacrificed so much for me. I have a greater appreciation for their sacrifice and endurance to the end. Although I don't have direct family ancestors who were mormon pioneers, I am grateful to these pioneers for their sacrifice for religious freedom.
This is all of us "extra" leaders (those who aren't Ma and Pa's).
(I'm the second from the left on the front row...in case you wanted to know).
A beautiful scene of where we walked down a road in between two storm cells. We were constantly blessed in many ways on our trek, one of which was the weather. It was beautiful and amazing to see the storms all around us, but not right where we were. A miracle.
The mobsters. They came into camp the 2nd night a little after midnight to reenact how it may have felt to be made to leave your home because of persecution. I must say that it was a very real feeling, and I even knew it was going to happen. I can't imagine what the saints went through time and time again because of what they believed...but yet, they still persevered.
Each family adopted a baby along the trail. A dear friend helped me make these. I designed the baby and she created the body and dresses (we made 12 of them). I then finished them off with a face and hair. They looked really cute...at the beginning of the trek. I had to let go (emotionally) because not many of them looked as cute at the end, however, they were well loved.
Indianapolis Stake Youth Conference
"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. It is good to reflect upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this world, but out of whose dreams and early plans so well nurtured has come a great harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for each of us, for each of us is a pioneer in his own life, often in his own family, and many of us pioneer faily in seeking to do God's will and lift and serve those around us." ~ Gordon B. Hinckley
Prior to the trek we were asked research a pioneer...someone we could think about while on the trek. I must admit that I was sad that I don't have any family heritage that is a traditional mormon pioneer, because I think it would be really neat to have that connection, however, I have a great appreciation for latter-day pioneers, like my parents. I decided to ask my mom to write down her conversion story, which has quickly become a very cherished family memior for me (and can be found in my journal). I have a great love for the early pioneers, but also the pioneers of our day. I love the Primary song,
To Be a Pioneer
"You don't have to push a handcart, leave your family dear,
or walk a thousand miles or more to be a pioneer!
You do need to have great courage, faith to conquer fear,
and work with might for a cause that's right to be a pioneer!"
(words by Ruth Muir Gardner)
I am very grateful for this opportunity to have a deeper glimpse into my mom's life. I am so grateful for her and all the sacrifices she has made for our family throughout the years. I am grateful for her example...I know that she is not perfect, and honestly, I appreciate that. I appreciate that she has taught me how to make better choices and what I should do when I fall short. She has helped me become who I am today. Thanks, mom!
I'm sorry for the long post, but this youth conference was an amazing experience. One that has changed my life. I have learned the importance of family and how when someone is having a hard day I can give a little more. Then when I am having a hard day someone else will be right there for me, pulling a little extra weight to ease my burden. I learned that it is important to do all within your power for what you know is right, even (maybe especially) when it is going to be hard. I learned the importance of love, courage, committment, devotion, faith and enduring to the end. Of all of these characteristics I know it was because of the faith of the pioneers that they endured each day. As I walked those 3 days my thoughts often turned to the pioneers and the thought of "why did they do it?" I often felt in my heart it was because of their love for God that they endured. It was their devotion to God and the hope of religious freedom. My endurance with blistered feet was only 3 days, however, they walked for 3 months. What amazing people! I have a goal to be more like them. Although I am not asked to experience the same phyiscal struggles they were, I am asked to experience trials and hardships in my life. I have a renewed conviction that I can do hard things! and that I will survive! as long as I put my faith and trust in my loving Heavenly Father.
I want to end this post with another quote that can be found at the back of our trek journals.
"Latter Day Saints need to remember that those who live now are being called upon to wrok out our salvation in a special time of intense and immense challenges. [During] the last portion of The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times...great tribulation and temptation will occur. The elect will almost be deceived and unrighteous people will be living much as they were in the last days of Noah. Therefore, though we have rightly applauded ancestors for their spiritual achievements and we don't and must not discount them now, those of us who prevail today will have done no small thing. The special spirits who have been reserved to live in this The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times will one day be praised for their stamina by those who pulled handcarts." ~ Elder Neal A. Maxwell
