Sugar House Stake Trek

Our Stake Trek was absolutely wonderful. My favorite part is not actually included in the pictures below, but it took place in the Dan Jones cove right before we walked through Martin's Cove. This is where we heard some stories of the pioneers who came through the cove from the Martin Handcart Company, heard from our Stake President, and then heard a beautiful song by one of our young men. Then we had one member of each family represent one of the pioneers that had lost their lives along the trail. We read the stories and called each individual representing that pioneer to the front where they became "dead" to their families. For the next few hours, they couldn't help push the carts, talk, or converse in any way with their families. This left a great impact on many and as we repeated the stories of these pioneers that sacrificed their very lives to come to Zion, the spirit entered our group.

What a beautiful place is Martin's Cove! I learned so much, I wish I could write it all here, but most of all I learned several lessons about what it means to truly "endure to the end" and face our adversities with faith and high spirits, and not bitterness and resentment. I loved this experience.

Trek Ma and Pa

Here's two boys in our stake breaking it down during our "Ho Down"

The whole crew

So we were actually pretending to help this family push their cart; Since I'm pregnant, I couldn't push or pull and we usually got to float between the different families and check on everyone. It was also my job to hand out candy when families sang the Handcart song successfully.

Four boys were chosen to carry some of us across the Sweetwater River. One of the Pa's played his harmonica at this part. It was a great exerience.

After the crossing of the Sweetwater, we had the Women's Pull which symbolized how difficult it must have been for some families that lost their husbands or brothers during the trek. This was a tough feat for some of the carts who only had a few women. The men waited and watched at the top of the hill. After the each cart was pulled up the hill successfully, we sang "The Spirit of God" together.

Once we returned to camp, the kids got to play in the Sweet water where we had Tug-O-War competitions and the Stick Pull.