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.