Closing Trek Devotional

Closing Devotional for the Trek - EVERYONE is invited!

August 16, 2009 at 6:00pm at the Stake Center...

We'll have a speaker, a DVD presentation and testimonies...

111 Days to the Cove

So I dug up the items that I buried...

I had to dig in two spots as I forgot where they were buried. Remember we buried them back in April! They were all still there and perfectly fine, nothing was damaged or water logged.

I read the note I had written about what I wanted to get out of going on the trek. What I got and what I wanted to get weren't really that different. It was a great experience!

I hope you all take the time to write down your experiences either in your trek journal or your personal journal. I know that when you read them again you will feel the spirit and remember those feelings you had on the trek.

111 Days to the Cove

Final Week #17...

A little over a year ago, my husband and I visited Nauvoo. As we walked through the Old Pioneer Cemetery searching for the grave of an ancestor, I was touched by the peaceful solitude and spirit I felt. I wept as my heart was turned to our forefathers, many of whom had joined the Church and come to Nauvoo. In my mind I asked many questions: Why did they leave their comfortable homes and families? Why did they suffer persecution, sickness, even death? Why did they sacrifice all that they had to come to this place and build a temple? They hardly had shelter, and yet they were building a temple! Why did they do it? And when the temple was nearly completed, how could they leave it behind? As I sat silently contemplating this scene, the answer came forcefully yet so softly to my mind and heart: “ We did this for you.”
Elaine S. Dalton, “We Did This for You,” Ensign, Nov. 2004,89

1) Drive by the temple. Think about what the pioneers sacrificed for you and for our religion.

2) Snuggle up in a quilt. Record your experiences from the trek. Write down your blessings.

On July 24th dig up your container. Do the things inside mean the same to you? Reread the answers you wrote to why you went on the trek, what you wanted to learn and would the trek change you? Would you answer them differently today? Does the fire burn in you? Jeremiah 20:9 ….”but His word was in mine heart as a burning fire”. Commit yourself to being …”an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity”. (1 Timothy 4:12)

111 Days to the Cove

Week #16

Place a rock in the shoes you are wearing on the trek. Take a walk. Ponder how it must have been for the pioneers as they traveled through so many hardships and so many miles with only the shoes on their feet. Think of what “ Faith in Every Footstep” means to you.


Try on your pioneer clothing. Look at yourself in the mirror and imagine yourself as the person who you are going on the trek for. Read the story of the person you are going on the trek for.


Push somebody around in a wheel barrow for 11.1 minutes.



Go on the trek - July 15,16,17!!!

Trek

Tomorrow is the big day! Remember that tonight you have to have to buckets and belongings to the stake center to be loaded in the trucks. Please be at the stake center tomorrow morning at 5:00am, yep A.M.! we will have a devotional, get you in the families that you belong to and off we go to Martin's Cove. You will want to make sure you pack a sack lunch because we won't eat as a group until dinner tomorrow night. So include some wholesome snacks and a good size lunch. You will need a water bottle and I would suggest something with a clip so you don't have to carry it all the time.

We are about to have a life changing experience! Let us be worthy of it!!!!

See you in the morning!

Love,
Sister Browning

Ma and Pa Information

Dear Ma’s & Pa’s

We are down to the final days before our Trek experience. We wanted to leave you with some reminders as you finalize your preparations.

· Sunday announcements in YM/YW:

o Sack lunches: Everyone will need one for the bus ride.

o Shoes-make sure they are good hiking shoes.

· Devotionals:

o Thursday morning before the Martin’s Cove Experience.

o Friday morning before the Rock Creek Experience.

o Sometime before Thursday night let your family members see and hold one of the bags of flour and help them understand this was how much each person was allotted so they will be familiar with it when they receive their own bag.

o Thursday night they need to have their bandannas with them. They are a part of the devotional.

o · Reminders:

o Arrive at the Stake Center at 5:00 a.m. Wednesday.

o Ma’s & Pa’s are not limited to 17 lbs and do not have to use a bucket.

o Whatever we pack in we have to pack out. Decide as a family how you will control garbage.

o Remind them to use the bathroom just before they leave home Wednesday morning. The bathrooms in the Stake Center are being remodeled.

o Pa’s, consecrated oil would be a good thing to bring.

o Pack a hammer to put in tent stakes.

o Each Ma & Pa needs to bring one chest cooler big enough to store all of your family’s sack lunches prepared by the stake for Thursday.

o Each Ma & Pa needs to bring two water coolers to carry in your family handcart.

o Make sure your family members are drinking lots of water.

o Wednesday morning double check the shoes they are wearing. Make sure they are good hiking shoes.

o Bus Activities will be provided by the youth committee. Bring a few of your own if you so choose.

o Contact your aunts & uncles, visit with them, and let them help you. If you do not know who your aunts and uncles are, please contact Tim Smith.

Tents:

Here is a copy of an email from quartermaster, Troy Karren:

Head Ma's and Pa's,

I have had calls about large tents recently. We need to clarify some details. For example, if we had someone supply a large 8 person tent or bigger this would not be very feasible. We will only have approximately 6 to 8 youth in each family. If someone supplied an 8 person tent we would have alot of wasted space and become tent short. Let me explain. Each family will have approximately 3 or 4 boys or girls depending on the family. Thus we would use (roughly) two 4 person tents for that family to house the boys and the girls. If we had and 8 person tent supplied we would only be able to 1/2 of the tent for this family of girls or boys thus wasting 1/2 the tent space making us short for someone else. The best tent size for this activity is 3 and 4 person tents respectively. (6 person tents would be the maximum size but not preferred.)

We will not be combining families in tent spaces so we really need these sizes of tents please. Adults will not sleep in the same tents as the youth. Adults will sleep in their own. YM will sleep in their own. YW will sleep in their own. These are the things that we talked about in our general meeting on June 6th. We will appreciate your help in being prepared with the guidelines explained above. Please adjust accordingly if you need to and once again thanks for your help.

Quartermaster staff

· Loading Schedules: Here is a copy of the schedule from Tim Smith:

Ward and estimated number going Drop off and check time

Lewiston 1st -- 30 5:30-5:50

Lewiston 2nd -- 32 5:50-6:10

Lewiston 3rd -- 42 6:10-6:30

Lewiston 4th -- 44 6:30-6:50

Cherry Creek -- 52 6:50-7:10

Cove -- 37 7:10-7:30

City Creek -- 31 7:30-7:50

Richmond 1st -- 27 7:50-8:10

Richmond 2nd -- 18 8:10-8:30

Richmond 3rd -- 40 8:30-8:50

Richmond 4th -- 31 8:50-9:10

NC SA -- 13 9:10-9:30

The estimated number of those in each ward will change as we get closer to our youth conference. Don't be alarmed if you know that the number shown does not reflect the accurate number of those going from your ward. These are the numbers we worked from on 5/9/09.

· Independence Rock:

o After the bus turns north at Rawlins, Wyoming you have 45 minutes to an hour before arrival at Independence Rock. Please gather your family together and prepare them for what they are about to experience.

o Consider a family picture below or on top of Independence Rock.

· Most Importantly:

o Have fun with your family

o Follow the Spirit.

Thank you for all you have done and will do for this experience! You will be blessed.

Please feel free to call us if you have any questions. If we don’t know the answer to your question(s) we will find one.

Sincerely,

Brooks & Sally Tarbet (258-5348)

Lyle & Kimberly Allen (258-3601)

111 Days to the Cove

Week #15

Humbly kneel and ask your Heavenly Father for you to have a spiritual experience on the trek.


Think about a family member or friend who has died and write in your journal about how that person influenced you.


Make Hard Tack.
Hardtack was a staple food for the traveling pioneers.
1 Lb. Wheat flour
2 Tbls. Water
Salt- optional
Mix and roll flat. Poke holes in it. Bake for 1 hr. at 300º . Bite carefully, it is very hard

111 Days to the Cove

Week #14

Ask a grandparent how things have changed from when they were your age and record it.


Make a list and put together what you would take if you had to travel across the plains, not exceeding 17 lbs and reflect on those things you would be leaving behind. Now reflect on those things most important to you.


Write your thoughts on what it means to “Bridge the Gap” between you and your ancestors.

111 Days to the Cove

Week #13

June 27, 1844
“A mob marching from nearby Warsaw to Carthage on 27 June 1844 sang: “Where now is the Prophet Joseph? Where now is the Prophet Joseph? Safe in Carthage jail!” From the east bedroom in the second story of the jail, Joseph, Hyrum, and two members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, John Taylor and Willard Richards, watched the mob arrive. Around 5 o’clock in the afternoon, Elder Richards saw a hundred or more men running around the corner of the jail. Elder Taylor described them as “an armed mob - painted black”. They easily overpowered the jailer, rushed up the stairs, and began shooting into the room. Despite their initial attempts to protect themselves, those in the bedroom were no match for the mob.
Hyrum was the first to fall. Bending over the body of his lifeless brother, Joseph cried out, “Oh dear, brother Hyrum!” As the Prophet moved toward the window, two bullets hit him from the doorway and two struck him from outside. As he fell from the window to the ground below, he exclaimed, “O Lord my God!” (Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History, Garr, Cannon, Cowan)

Read D&C 135 and write your feelings about the Prophet Joseph Smith

Imagine what it must have been like to live in Nauvoo and hear about the events of Carthage jail. What would have been your reaction? Think of the Prophets that have led the Church in your lifetime. What characteristics do you admire about them? How can you be an example to others as the Prophets have been to you?

Find a quiet secluded place and pray out loud to your Heavenly Father. Ask Him to help you always to be true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that same Gospel that our dear Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum and many others have given their lives for.

Trek Activity

June 18th at 6:00pm

Come join us at the Stake Center for an evening of fun and uplifting activities. This will be a great activity that will help you get ready for the trek in 32 days! Please come and join us. You don't need to wear your pioneer clothes, but you should be prepared for some pioneer fun. If you have selected someone to walk with, please be prepared to share that name. There will be an opportunity - activity for you to write this name on a leather wrist band!

Come and let's "trek" together!

111 Days to the Cove

Week #12

Take a walk wearing the shoes you are planning on wearing on the Trek. If possible walk to the cemetery nearest you. Find a grave of someone who was born in the 1800’s. Look for the “Faith in Every Footstep” markers.


Read and listen to Hymn # 255 Carry On and describe in your journal what those words mean to you today.


Find and read a story about an ancestor in one of the companies or someone close to you.

Ma and Pa Meeting

On Saturday - June 6th there will be a Ma and Pa meeting which will also include all the aunts and uncles held at the Stake Center at 8:00AM. If you have been called as a Ma, Pa, Aunt or Uncle please be in attendance.

111 Days to the Cove

Week #10 - May 31st thru June 6, 2009


Find an item of clothing that you no longer use and donate it. Most pioneers had only 2 outfits; one for everyday and one for special occasions. As you go through your closet and your drawers, ponder which two outfits would you choose if you could only keep two. Would they be warm enough in cold weather? Would they hold up for 111 days if you had to wear them everyday? Would your sense of fashion still have any influence in which outfits you would choose?


Make sure you have the proper clothing you need, as outlined in the Stake’s pioneer trek clothing recommendations.


Read Doctrine and Covenants 97:8. Ponder the sacrifices that the early saints were willing to endure for the sake of their religious convictions. Then write in your journal why you are grateful to belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Trek Essentials

Young Men Should Bring:

• Pioneer looking pants (Docker type). Wear one pair and pack one pair in your 5-gallon bucket. Light colors are best. The 2nd pair is optional depending on personal preference.
NO CARGO, CAMOUFLAGE, OR SPORT TYPE PANTS – PLEASE.

• 2 LONG sleeved button shirts (cotton is good). Light colors are best. You can remove the collars on the shirts. NO TEE SHIRTS – PLEASE.

• 1 Western style hat (no baseball, beanies, or army hats are allowed).

• 1 Pair of soft leather gloves, or cheap garden gloves with non-slip grips for handcart pulling.

• Suspenders (optional)

Optional Items:

• Disposable camera (Put you name on it.)

• Glasses should be worn instead of contacts in most cases. It is difficult to care for contacts in a wilderness setting.

Please do not bring valuables such as jewelry.
Please arrive at the church dressed in pioneer clothing the morning of trek.

NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES MP3s, cell phones
i-pods, etc.)

Young Women Should Bring:

• 1 Bonnet - Light colors are best.

• Mid-calf length, long-sleeved dress, or skirt and long-sleeved shirt. Wear one set and pack one set in you 5-gallon bucket. Light colors are best. The 2nd set is optional depending on personal preference.

• 1 Pair of mid-calf bloomers or shorts (can be made of old sheets, old pajama bottoms, etc.). Light colors are best.

• 1 Apron with pockets. Light colors are best.

• Sweats to sleep in.

• Feminine hygiene supplies

• 1 Pair of soft leather gloves, or cheap garden gloves with non-slip grips for handcart pulling.

Optional Items:

• Disposable camera (Put your name on it.)

• Glasses should be worn instead of contacts in most cases. It is very difficult to care for contacts in a wilderness setting.

Please do not bring valuables such as jewelry.
Please arrive at the church dressed in pioneer clothing the morning of trek.

NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES (MP3s, cell phones, i-pods, etc.)

Everyone Should Bring

This list is provided to help you gather the gear you will need to be successful on your Pioneer Trek. Because of weight and space limitations of the handcart and the attempt to create an authentic pioneer experience, you will be limited in the amount of gear you will bring. You will need the items listed here, but please do not bring anything else.

• SACK LUNCH (for the first day)

• Water bottle

• 1 Plastic 5 or 6 gallon bucket with lid that fits and is attached. Put your name on it. This will hold your gear. (You will be allowed 17 pounds which is what the pioneers were allowed.)

• 1 WARM sleeping bad. Place in duffel, waterproof bag, or doubled, heavy-duty plastic garbage bags. Pad to put sleeping bag on.

• 1 Piece of plastic visquene at least 10x15 to cover sleeping bag in case of rain.

• 1 Coat (WARM)

• 2 HEAVY-DUTY plastic bags (30 gallon size) or rain poncho.

• 1 Pair old shoes for water – or water socks- NO FLIP FLOPS

• 1 Pair of hiking boots or sturdy athletic shoes to hike in. (Make sure they are broken in.)

• 3 Pair of sturdy socks

• 3 Pair sock liners (Optional)

• 3 Sets of underclothing

• A comb or brush

• 1 Toothbrush with travel size tooth paste

• Small flashlight

• Prescribed medications only, insect lotion, sunscreen (SPF 15+) and Chap Stick (SPF15+)

• Book of Mormon and a pen placed in a plastic bag for protection.

I am Walking With....

This is Eva Slate Gray. She is my Great Great Grandmother. She was born in North Carolina in 1866 and died in South Carolina in 1914. Her oldest son, Dennis Gray was my Great Grandfather. His daughter, Eleanor DuRose Gray Fitzgarrald was my Grandmother. Her oldest daughter, Julie Lynn Fitzgarrald Browning, is my mother.

Eva had a hard life. She was a widow at a young age and had to raise three small children on her own. Because of their poverty she put my Great Grandfather in an orphanage so he could eat and gain an education.

I am walking with her for a couple of reasons. One is that I admire her so much for the sacrifices she made for her family. I don't think our family will ever understand fully just what those were until we are all together again in the next life. The second reason is that, our family needs some help from beyond the veil to complete her temple work, both for her and her family. There have been many doors open already, but there are many left that are locked.

She is a pioneer to me. I know that she will be with me and that we will walk the trail of Martin's Cove and sit in Rock Creek Hollow together. I know she will feel the importance of the work both here on this earth and in the spirit world. With her help, we will get the necessary information to get her temple work done so she can become a member of the fold and be called by our Savior as His Own and we can be a forever family.

Have you found someone to walk with? The time is now! You need them as much as they need you.

111 Days to the Cove

Take notice in all the beauty that surrounds us. Take time to appreciate the simple things that we tend to take for granted: the mountains, the blue sky, or even the sound of rain. Imagine what an adventure it must have been for the pioneers to explore their new surroundings. Go sit somewhere outside, somewhere quiet away from all distractions for 20 minutes and take notice of your surroundings; from the smallest blade of grass, to the wide expanse of the mountains or sky. Record you impressions either in writing, with a drawing, a photo or in some other way.


This is a picture of beauty that surrounds me...Any ideas where this was taken?

111 Days to the Cove

Week #9 - May 24 thru May 30, 2009


Read a patriarchal blessing of an ancestor. Read 2 Nephi 1-3 to see the blessings given by Lehi to his sons. Why are patriarchal blessings and father’s blessings important? Begin to today to prepare to receive your patriarchal blessing. If you have received your blessing, take time to read and pray about the promises given to you.

Take notice in all the beauty that surrounds us. Take time to appreciate the simple things that we tend to take for granted: the mountains, the blue sky, or even the sound of rain. Imagine what an adventure it must have been for the pioneers to explore their new surroundings. Go sit somewhere outside, somewhere quiet away from all distractions for 20 minutes and take notice of your surroundings; from the smallest blade of grass, to the wide expanse of the mountains or sky. Record you impressions either in writing, with a drawing, a photo or in some other way.

Have a parent or grandparent share a story about their childhood with you. Put flowers on the grave of an ancestor for Memorial Day. ( May 25)

Stake Activity

Great ready for a great stake activity...June 18th at 6:oopm at the stake center.  This is an activity for everyone involved with the trek - youth, leaders, Ma's, Pa's, aunts, uncles, etc.

Come join us for a great time!

111 Days to the Cove

Be Thou an Example…

Week #8 - May 17 thru May 23, 2009  

1)FYI- Did you know that in the vegetable family, onions have the highest concentration of sugar? The rescuers brought onions for the starving pioneers to eat. For a taste of Pioneer life, take a bite out of a raw onion. Imagine that being your “sweets” for the day.

2)For Family Home Evening, have everyone in your family share a talent. This is what the pioneers did around the campfires at night for entertainment and to lift their spirits.

3)Visit the Richmond Utah Stake Trek 2009- Be Thou an Example blog and spend at least 20 minutes reading through the journal entries, essays, stories and the pictures. Write in your journal thoughtfully about something you learned.

Go to: http://bethouanexample-richmondutahstake2009.blogspot.com

111 Days to the Cove

Week # 7 

“…the hymns can greatly benefit us as individuals.  Hymns can lift our spirits, give us courage, and move us to righteous action.  They can fill our souls with heavenly thoughts and bring us a spirit of peace.”  (First Presidency Preface; page x of the hymnbook)

1)Download your favorite hymns from the church website.  Make a playlist, CD or tape with your favorite hymns.  Listen to only that collection this week.  How has that affected your mood, thoughts and how you treat others?  Why do you think the pioneers sang the hymns of Zion on their journey?  Did those hymns give them courage or lift their spirits? Share your favorite hymn from this week with someone.  Tell them why it is your favorite and what you feel when you sing it

2)Learn the words to the hymns that will be sung while we are on the trek:

  Hymn # 30 - Come, Come, Ye Saints

          Hymn# 36 - They, the Builders of the Nation

          Hymn # 255 - Carry On

3)Participate by singing all the songs in Sacrament meeting and look up the scriptures that are listed at the bottom of the hymn.  Mark them in your scriptures.

Stake Dance

Don't forget the stake dance on Thursday at 7pm at the stake center. Its going to be alot of fun!

111 Days to the Cove

Week #6 - May 3 thru May 9, 2009

Go outside tonight and look up at the sky. Is it cold? Can you see stars shining? Can you see the moon shining brightly? Think about this sky as being the same sky and moon that the pioneers looked at each night as they slept in a tent, warm or cold. Pretty amazing, Huh?

Make a fire with buffalo dung. Just kidding. Well, just imagine how FUN that must have been?

Think about the blessings the gospel brings into your life. Write your thoughts in your journal.

” If you want to go to Zion you must be prepared for blisters.” Gerald Lund, Fire of the Covenant
Be prepared so you won’t get blisters! This week find your good walking shoes and some padded socks. Mole skin is a good think to take in your pack. It doesn’t weigh very much and can be cut into any size to cover a “hot” area that feels like a blister is coming. As your mom to put mole skin on her grocery list.

111 Days to the Cove

Week #5 - April 26 thru May 2, 2009

James Kirkwood, age 11 was from Scotland. He was traveling with his widowed mother and three brothers, one, Thomas, was 19 years old and crippled so he had to ride in the handcart. His mother and his 21 year old brother had to pull him across Rocky Ridge. That left James to look after his 4 year old brother, Joseph, who had frozen feet. As they climbed Rocky Ridge, it was snowing and there was a bitter cold wind. It took the whole company 27 hours to travel 15 miles. James had no choice but to carry his little brother, sometimes on the front and sometimes on his back. They were left behind the main group as they traveled 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 overexertion.” (Remember by the Riverton Wyoming Stake)

D&C 88:113 Art thou a brother or brethren? I salute you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in token or remembrance of the everlasting covenant,… in a determination that is fixed, immovable, and unchangeable, to be your friend and brother through the grace of God in the bonds of love….

Carry someone younger on your back for 5 minutes. Think about having to do that for 27 hours.

The handcart companies were made up of people from different countries speaking different languages. How alone those must have felt that couldn’t understand anyone around them. Think about what you could do to help someone in that situation. What if you were that person? At school or church, look around to see if you see someone that looks left out or alone. Be the first to reach out to that person and help them feel more comfortable in the situation. Think about how you feel. Write your feelings in your journal.

Read “ The Introduction to the Book of Mormon”. Write your thoughts in your journal.

111 Days to the Cove

Week #4 - April 19 thru April 25, 2009

“The Mormon trail proved to be a testing ground and learning experience for virtually all who made the journey. It further bonded together a people who would establish hundreds of permanent settlements in the Mountain West and make it Mormon country. Among those making the trek as youngsters were future Prophets, Apostles, Relief Society presidents, and other valuable leaders in the Church. To learn of the skills and testimonies they forged as young pioneers is to better understand what would later enable them to serve successfully as leaders in their communities and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” (Susan Arrington Madson, I Walked to Zion)

Think about the qualities that the pioneers had that you would like to have too. Write those qualities in your journal and try to incorporate them into your own life. Work on them one at a time!

“ We camped at the Sweetwater River. A meeting was held. It was decided that we could go no further, the snow so deep and no food. We were doomed to starvation. They gave me a bone of an ox that had died. I cut off the skin and put the bone in the fire to roast. And when it was done some big boys came and ran away with it. Then I took the skin and boiled it, drank the soup, and ate the skin, and it was a good supper. The next day we had nothing to eat but some bark from trees…” Peter Howard McBride ( Age 6 at the time of the handcart journey)

When you eat dinner tonight, think about this short story and remember to be thankful for all that you have to eat.

Read 1 John 4:19. We love Him ( The Savior) because he first loved us. Be the first to show kindness to someone that needs kindness today!

Trek Clothing

I found a website with inexpensive mens shirts. They also have womens clothing. But we need to place a $100 order. I know of several interested people. So if you want to look the site is www.sercal.com and click on pioneer trek items. Then let me know ASAP so we can place the order and get it back in time. Traci Jensen

111 Days to the Cove

My experience with standing in the snow in bare feet for 30 seconds. It brought tears to my eyes. Not just because it was cold and wet, but also because these faithful pioneers had nothing and did this every minute of every day in the winter of 1856. I could go into my warm house, put on my furry slippers and get warm fast. They didn't have that luxury. How thankful I am for faithful Saints whose "fire burned within them"!

111 Days to the Cove

Week #3 - April 12 thru April 18, 2009

1. Prepare a family home evening. Share with your family information about the pioneer you are walking for. Share with your family what you have learned so far about what Zion means to you, your testimony of the first vision and why your pioneer wanted to come to Zion.

2. Do not use the phone, email, your cell phone or text anyone for one day. The pioneers left friends and family without any communication for several months.

3. Read the words to Hymn #30. Read Doctrine and Covenants 59:1-4. What do the words "All is Well" mean? Write you thoughts or share them with someone.

111 Days to the Cove

Week #2 - April 5 thru April 11, 2009

1. Look up the meaning of Zion in the bible dictionary. Every time you hear the word Utah - shout out loud "Hurrah for Zion"

2. Put your bare feet in snow or ice water for 30 seconds. The early saints felt as the Nephites of old; 3 Nephi 11:3 "...it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn." That burning kept the Satins going even in the bitter cold. Do you feel the same burning as the early Saints? What does Zion mean to you? Write your thoughts or share them with someone.

3. Pray and fast if needed to get help in finding a name of a pioneer that you will be walking for. Write down the name of your pioneer and place it in your scriptures on page 428 of the Book of Mormon.

111 Days to the Cove

Week #1 - Be Thou An Example - 111 Days to the Cove
Burying some things I care about... an antique salt shaker from my Grandmother, my pocket hymnbook and my white handkerchief used for the hosanna shout at the Nauvoo and Draper temple dedications.

111 Days to the Cove

Week #1 - March 29 thru April 4, 2009

“Should we be surprised if we are called upon to endure a little criticism, to make small sacrifice for our faith when our forebears paid so great a price for theirs? Without contention, without argument, without offense, let us pursue a steady course.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

1. Why are you going on the trek? What do you want to learn? Do you think participating in the trek will change you? In what ways? Write your thoughts. Choose something that belongs to you that you care about and put it in a container with your written thoughts. Bury it. Plan on leaving it buried until you complete the trek. Those who went before us left many precious things including loved ones along the trail.
2. Read and pray about the first vision. Think about the handcart members. How did the first vision impact them? Write your thoughts or share them with someone.
3. Ask your parents or grandparents if you had relatives who came across the plains by wagon or handcart. Write down their names.

111 Days to the Cove

Our "111 Days to the Cove"

You should be well into the first week of the "111 Days to the Cove" preparation project. Within the pages of "111 Days" you will find ways to help you prepare for the Trek to Martin's Cove and Rock Creek Hollow. We must all prepare to be "spiritually fed, to make new friends and to endure some of the physical hardships experienced by the saints."

Remember..."The Lord needs you, the stake needs you, your leaders need you, your family needs you and your ancestors need you! They need you to "be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith in purity."

111 Days to the Cove

Hope everyone enjoyed the Kick Off devotional. We'll be starting the "111 Days to the Cove" activity this coming week, so be sure to get a copy from your Young Women and Young Men leaders. Plus watch for the interactive posters in each building. We start our prep trek on Sunday.

Kick Off Devotional

DON'T FORGET THE KICK OFF DEVOTIONAL ON SUNDAY...6:00PM IN THE CHAPEL AT THE STAKE CENTER, SO SUNDAY DRESS. IT WON'T BE YOUR TYPICAL DEVOTIONAL.

Perpetual Funds...

What is the difference between the Perpetual Emigration Fund and the Perpetual Education Fund we have today? If you don't know, take some time to find out...

Do these programs strengthen your testimony of our Prophets and that the Lord directs this church?

Perpetual Funds...

The Perpetual Emigration fund...

"Missionary work in Great Britain was so successful that by 1850 there were 30,747 Church members in Britain compared to only 11,380 in Utah. While most of those Saint wanted to gather to Zion, many were too poor to pay for their passage, barely subsisting from week to week. By 1856, only 5 percent of those who wanted to emigrate had been able to do so."

Brigham Young said the purpose of the Perpetual Emigration Fund was "to deliver the honest poor, the pauper...from the thraldom of ages, from localities where poverty is a crime, ...where every avenue to rise in the scale of being to any degree of respectable joyous existence forever closed."

"Through this fund, the poor were advanced part of the money they needed for the journey to Utah. After arriving, they were expected to repay the fund in cash, commodities, or labor. The replenished fund could then be used to help others."

("The Price We Paid" - Andrew D. Olsen)

Clothing

For information on clothing, contact Sister Pam Ward who is the head of the historical committee. There will be information at the kick off devotional as well.

Kick Off Devotional

"Want to have one of the best summers of your life? Walk in the steps of the Willie and Martin Handcart companies. All youth 14 and older interested in going on the trek, their parents, youth leaders and those called to help are invited to attend the "TREK KICK-OFF DEVOTIONAL" Sunday March 15, 2009 at 6:00pm in the chapel at the stake center. Learn what's in store for the best summer you'll ever have!

Ma and Pa Meeting - February 28, 2009

The "Yellow" Resource material was given out at this last meeting. This information included books that can be read to help prepare for the Trek, some suggested songs of Zion and lesson plans for developing some of the devotionals needed by Ma and Pa couples. Please use these resources to know the stories of this great and grand experience so they can be shared with the youth as they make their own trek through the plains of Wyoming.

If you are interested in purchasing the book: "Journal of the Trail" by Glazier and Clark, it will be available at the Kick off devotional for $5.

"As on the roads the carts were pull'd
'Twould very much surprise the world,
To see the old and feeble dame
Thus lend a hand to pull the same!
And maidens fair will dance and sing,
Young men more happy than a king,
And children, too will laugh and play;
Their strength increasing day by day.

For some must push and some must pull,
As we go marching up the hill;
So merrily on the way we go
Until we reach the Valley-O!"

One verse and the chorus from "The Handcart Song"

The songs that the youth will be singing at some point of the Trek will be "They The Builders of the Nation, Hymn #36; Come, Come Ye Saints, Hymn #30 and "Carry On", Hymn #255

Willie Handcart Company - 1856

Thursday, May 8, 1856, aboard the Thornton, Willie Company Journal.

"This morning sea sickness remained, though gradually recovering. At 10:00am the bell tolled, a signal that the hour had arrived when we were to consign the remains of our beloved Sister Curtis to the sea to await the resurrection of the just. Great solemnity prevailed among all present. President Willie offered up a prayer to the Almighty. She was buried in the mighty deep."

Journal of the Trail - Glazier & Clark

Martin Handcart Company - 1856

Martin Handcart Company, 1856

"After a month at sea, on June 26 the Saints began to see driftwood and other encouraging signs that land was near. The next day, June 28, the Horizon finally skimmed into Massachusetts Bay. Describing that day, John Jaques wrote: "Beautiful calm morning. Many small vessels seen. A thin sandy broken black streak was pronounced land, which proves to be true, being Cape Cod. Great rejoicing at this...It was truly refreshing to see the houses, trees, and the green landscape after being deprived of the privilege for some time. We cast anchor at 6p.m. within a mile or two of Boston."

The Price We Paid - Andrew D. Olsen

Martin Handcart Company - 1856

Martin Handcart Company, 1856

The Saints of the Martin Company crossed the Atlantic on the vessel named "Horizon" captained by a Captain Reed. John Jaques, a 29 year old English convert was the company's historian. The Horizon carried 856 passengers. Seventy-five percent - 635 people - received assistance of the "Perpetual Emigration Fund".

"While crossing the Atlantic, the Saints experienced the joys of marriage and birth - and the heartache of death. Four couples were married on the ship. Four babies were born, including one girl and one boy who were given Horizon as a middle name. Five people died, including two of the babies who were born at sea

Willie Handcart Company - 1856

"Willie Handcart Company, 1856

Thursday, May 1, 1856, Liverpool, England, Willie Company Journal:

The passengers arrived at the dock and boarded the Thornton. They took possession of their berths as allotted to them. By evening, order and tranquility prevailed throughout the whole ship. On this day, Jennet McNeil from Haddington, Edinborough, England, had a baby boy at 5:00p.m. The number of passengers are as follows: 560 adults, 172 children, 29 infants."

Journal of the Trail - pg. 27

Remembering

In the scriptures, the word "remember" is mentioned several times. This year the theme of the trek is "Be Thou An Example through Faith in Jesus Christ". The pioneers were our example of faith in Jesus Christ. Whose example will we be?

Helaman 5:12
"12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

What rock are you built on? Will you have faith in Jesus Christ and make the "walk" and weather the mighty winds, storms and whirlwinds?

Ward Bulletin Announcement - 8 February 2009

"Walk in the steps of the early pioneers, the youth of the stake are making the trek to Martin's Cove and Rock Creek Hollow - July 15-17, 2009

Join our facebook group: "Be Thou An Example Trek - Richmond Utah Stake 2009" or check out our blog at bethouanexample-richmondutahstake2009.blogspot.com. These sites are a great source of information and inspiration. You can also email any questions you may have about the trek to "richmondstaketrek@gmail.com". Don't forget the Kick-off devotional March 15, 2009 at 6:00pm at the Stake center. All youth 14 and older, their parents and youth leaders are invited to attend."

Registration Form

Here is the registration and medical form for anyone planning on participating in this year's trek. It must be filled out and returned to the stake prior to going.

Links

Check out the face book group page (Be Thou An Example Trek - Richmond Utah Stake 2009) for links to some great sites. I've posted the link locations below and am hoping they will work. You should be able to click on them but may have to copy and paste them into your web browser.

Pioneer Clothing:

http://www.pioneertrekdesigns.com/trek

The Pioneer Search - find your ancestor's company:

http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanysearch/1,15773,3966-1,00.html

The Pioneer Story - interactive maps of the Pioneer Trail:

http://www.lds.org/gospellibrary/pioneer/pioneerstory.htm

Our Mission of Saving...

"Now, I am grateful that today none of our people are stranded on the Wyoming highlands. But I know that all about us there are many who are in need of help and who are deserving of rescue. Our mission in life, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a mission of saving...

If we are to build that Zion of which the prophets have spoken and of which the Lord has given mighty promise, we must set aside our consuming selfishness. We must rise above our love for comfort and ease, and in the very process of effort and struggle, even in our extremity, we shall become better acquainted with our God.

Let us never forget that we have a marvelous heritage received from great and courageous people who endured unimaginable suffering and demonstrated unbelievable courage for the cause they loved. You and I know what we should do. God help us to do it when it needs to be done."

President Gordon B Hinckley - "Our Mission of Saving", Ensign, Nov. 1991

Handcart Pictures

If anyone needs a photo for their binder of a handcart, I have some from the last trek and would be happy to print some off.

Sister Browning

Next Ma and Pa meeting...

The next meeting for all Ma's and Pa's will be held at the Stake Center - February 28, 2009 @ 8:00am. Resources will be discussed which will include:

Lessons - pioneer stories
Devotionals
Music
Books

Please bring your binders and come prepared to share your "Fire of the Covenant" experiences.

Thanks for your willingness to serve!

Reading Resources to help you get ready...

Here is a list of reading resources to help you get prepared for a great experience on the plains of Wyoming...

I Walked to Zion - Susan Arrington Madsen
Recollections of a Handcart Pioneer of 1860 - Mary Ann Hafen
Journal of the Trail - Compiled by Stewart E. Glazier
111 Days to Zion - Hal Knight and Dr. Stanley B. Kimball
Handcarts to Zion - LeRoy R. Hafen and Ann W. Hafen
The Second Rescue - Susan Arrington Madsen
Fire of the Covenant - Gerald N. Lund
Journey to Zion - Carol Cornwall Madsen
Their Faces Toward Zion - Richard Neitzel Holzafel
Remember - Compiled and written by Riverton, Wyoming Stake
The Gathering, Mormon Pioneers on the Trail to Zion - Maurine and Scott Proctor
Latter-day Saints' Emigrant's Guide - W. Clayton Edited by Stanley B. Kimball
Trail of Hope - William W. Slaughter and Michael Landon
Tell My Story, Too (Stories of the Handcart Pioneers) - Jolene Allphin

Look to the past ...

"It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and the perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtue 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 who's 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 daily in seeking to do God's will and lift and serve those around us."
President Gordon B. Hinckley

Trek Dates

"Mark your calendars now to walk in the footsteps of the pioneers…The Youth of the Richmond Stake are going to Martin's Cove and Rock Creek – July 15-17, 2009.

For more information come to the Kick-Off Devotional – March 15 at the Stake Center."