2013 Ma and Pa Training Handbook 4 12 13

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MA & PA TRAINING

PIONEERTREKHANDBOOKRIO RANCHO NEW MEXICO STAKE 2013

WWW.RRSTAKETREK.BLOGSPOT.COM


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Version 1 4.19.2013

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TONGUE NORPEN CAN NEVERTELL THE SORROW

It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good tolook 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 dreamsand 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 Gods will and lift and serve those around us.

-PRESIDENTGORDON B. HINCKLEY

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INTRODUCTION : Rio Rancho Stake 2013 Pioneer Trek

As Ma's and Pa's you perform one of the most critical roles in the adventure that our young people have as they

experience Pioneer Trek. The more prepared you are the greater the impact you can have on the youth. The

selection of you as a Ma and Pa was a very careful, deliberative and inspirational process. It was intended toselect those individuals that have the greatest capacity to contribute to this spiritual experience of the young

people who will be joining with us in this adventure. This manual is intended to help you better understand

your role as a Ma and Pa. It will cover some of the basic aspects of the Pioneer Trek program. Please take time

to carefully study what is contained in this manual. This will allow you to focus more on inviting the spirit intoyour trek family.

THE CONCEPTOF PIONEERTREK:

This program is organized to provide opportunities for experiences. Several important principles will be

emphasized, along with the five guarantees. In addition to a group or family experience, this trek is designed toprovide an individualized experience. Each youth should learn lessons that apply to his or her life.

The youth will be asked to do challenging things, but never forced against their will to do anything that they donot want to do. Through the symbolism of the experience and group discussions during the week, the youth

should be able to understand various aspects of the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel on a more personal level.

When questioned, you should testify, teach, and emphasize the positive experiences and benefits that can be

achieved through sincere participation. Remember, you were chosen to be Mas and Pas because of who you

are and what you have done, and because of what you must do. There has been a yoke placed upon you,therefore, may the Lord bless you as you endeavor to accomplish the difficult, though rewarding, task you have

been given.

You have been chosen as a Ma and Pa because of your great example. You have demonstrated in your lifethose unique qualities needed for this challenge; more specifically, we think you have a love for God, a love for

youth, and an ability to relate to and reach into their hearts. The specific training you will receive will only

enhance and complement that preparation which you have already had.

TREK THEME:

Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day the Lord come; for behold, it comethquickly, saith the Lord. Amen. Doctrine & Covenants 87:8.

PIONEERTREKAND THE FIVE GUARANTEES

The Trek will increase faith and make positive changes for everyone involved. There are Five Guarantees for

all who fully participate and give 100% to the Trek experience. However, each person must determine for

himself if he has met this requirement. It entails full participation in the program with a willingness to give and

help spontaneously. The Five Guarantees that were established with the first treks at Brigham YoungUniversity are:

1) Gain a stronger testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.2) Develop a greater appreciation for our heritage and the pioneers.

3) Increased faith and awareness of our self-worth.

4) Learn to appreciate our own families and gratitude for our blessings.5) Learn to love and accept our trek "family" and gain new friends.

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ROLEOF MAS AND PAS

You were called because of who you are--your character and testimony as well as your talents and abilities. You

will lead and help the youth of the Stake on a memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

YOUR TREK FAMILY

You will be assigned young people with whom you will spend the entire time with. These young people will

vary in backgrounds and strengths.

You will have a handcart in which to place the belongings of you and your family. This will include a bucketthat each person in your family will bring containing 17 lbs. (personal items), sleeping bags and coats, tarps,

cooking equipment, 2 five gallon water jugs, and 2 cases of bottled water. As a family, you will pull and push

the handcart together, sweat together, and have your own family camping area at the base camp.

As a Ma and Pa, you will not be pulling the handcart, except perhaps helping in very difficult areas of the trail.

VISION OF TREK

This Pioneer Trek is designed to provide an individualized experience, in a family setting, by teaching generalprinciples that each youth can apply to his or her life. Many of these principles are taught through symbolism

and analogy.

Trek participants are given the opportunity to face and overcome difficult tasks. Part of the challenge comes asthey are asked to pull with people they don't really know, and part of it comes later, when they are asked to pull

the handcart farther than they ever thought they could. They are given the chance to discover their own

strengths and weaknesses, to recognize the strengths of others, and to see where they need to change their ownlives. They are given the chance to see the power of seeking our Heavenly Father's help, and the power of

serving others. With this new knowledge, they can return to their families and homes with the courage to make

changes in their own lives.

YOUR DUTIES

You have many responsibilities as a Ma & Pa, not the least of which is to ensure that the overall Trekexperience is completed safely and without any serious incident. However, perhapsyour greatestresponsibility is to foster an environment where each of our youth participants will have an opportunity to

experience the Spirit. It is important for you to be very careful in how you think about creating opportunitiesfor the Trek participants to feel the whispering of the Holy Spirit.

Study and Know the Pioneer Stories. Find your own Pioneer and individual Ancestor Hero and

study their life. Think about how this persons example or faith can influence your own life. Sharewith the youth how this individual has had an impact on your faith and your actions. If you sacrifice

the time to truly learn about individual pioneers, when you share their stories about their life on thetrail and what they did once they reached the valley the youth will feel the spirit.

Strive to be an Effective Teacher. First of all, remember that teaching is always more effective

where there are strong substantive relationships. Therefore, it is important for you to work hard to

establish a substantive relationship with all members of your family. Second, it is important to relyon sound doctrinal principles when you teach. The combination of effective relationships and

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doctrine can have a powerful impact on individual lives. As you approach the teaching opportunities

you have, please consider the following:

Be effective at asking and answering questions. Elder Eyring has said that this is at the heart

of all learning and teaching. He said, "The Master answered and sometimes chose not to answerquestions in his ministry. The most effective questions invite inspiration. Great teachers ask

those questions".

Use Music Effectively. Music can be an effective tool in teaching. You will have many

opportunities to sing during Pioneer Trek. Included in this training manual are several songs tosing while you are on the trail.

Love Your Trek Family and Create Unity. As with your own family, it is important for you touniformly love every member of your family. Do not show favoritism. Look for positive

attributes in each member and seek for opportunities to reinforce them.

Guide Your Family Throughout the Trek. You will guide the family throughout the Trek. You will

lead by giving responsibility to the youth and supporting them in these responsibilities. For example, in

all family prayers, family scripture study, discussions, assignments, meals and activities.

Listen With Both Your Mind and Heart. Someone once said, "Seek first to understand and then to be

understood". It is difficult for people to listen to you if they do not feel you are not listening to them.

Have Fun. You should help your family have fun as well as have a good experience. Be positive,

encouraging, and enthusiastic. There will be gaps in the schedule. Use gap-fillers and games to keepthings interesting. Bring pioneer stories or experiences from your own family histories and share them

with your family.

Be a Resource to Your Family. To the family you are a resource, not a servant. Your job is to help theyoung people by letting them help themselves.

Allow Creativity. Allow the young people to show their creative skills. When you tell them exactly

how to do everything, step-by-step, or when you do everything for them, you are depriving them the

opportunity to grow and allow them to develop their potential.

Every incident, problem, challenge and idle moment can be turned into something very positive and meaningfulfor the young people and yourself. You have a great resource available to you to do this--the family. You are

the key.

MAAND PA PREPARATION

Spiritual Preparation. There should be every effort made by Mas and Pas to bring their lives in tune withthe Spirit. Here are some suggestions:

Personal and family prayer each day

Pray to listen to the Spirit--then follow promptings

Personal regular study of Book of Mormon and other scriptures

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Bruce R. McConkie said: "No man or woman, whether they be great orsmall, atheist or theologian,

wise or ignorant, can ever be saved in theKingdom of God unless or until they come to know by thepower of theHoly Ghost that this Holy writ contains the mind and will and voice of theLord, unto all

the world. In short, the inhabitants of the earth will rise orfall eternally because of what they think of

the Book of Mormon.

As you read the scriptures, think of the trek while you ponder

Attend the temple regularly

Study of your ancestors and the handcart pioneers

Improve your listening skills

Challenge the Youth to Participate Wholeheartedly. It is important for the youth participants to be engaged

in the Trek activity. Be firm, yet understanding, loving and humble in helping the youth accept the Trekexperience. While you must not force the youth not to do anything against their will, encourage their

participation and do not let them disrupt the experience of others.

Family Dynamics. Remember all families do not need to be the same.

Each family will have its own personality and will develop at its own pace. As you work together tounderstand the promises and objectives of Trek your family will grow in strength and you will realizethe miracle that accompanies the promises. You will need to guide your family development according

to the personalities of those in your family and with the assistance of the spirit.

Take opportunities throughout the Trek experience to understand the thoughts, feelings, and

personalities of each individual family member.Take opportunities to share your feelings and

personalities with them individually and collectively.

Physical Preparation. Pioneer Trek requires physical stamina. That requires physical preparation, obeying the

Word of Wisdom, eating wholesome foods, not overeating, eating a balanced diet and regular exercise. It is

important for you to start now. Physical preparation cannot be completed in a short period of time. Thefollowing are some general guidelines that you might consider.

Walk 4-5 times per week

For 2-3 times per week walk 2-3 miles, and 2 times a week walk 4-5 miles

About 4 times before the actual Trek experience walk longer periods of time uphill

Morning & Evening Hymns and Prayers should take place as a handcart family and should include:

1. Singing of Trek Hymn(s)

2. Company Prayer

3. Reflection

Duties of a Company Captain

The main duties of a Company Captain are:

preside over and conduct company meetings

help pace travel of the handcart train

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support and counsel Mas and Pas as needed

help with night watch

lead your group of trekkers safely to Zion

Company Meetings:

Trekkers will meet together as companies both morning and night, if necessary. Company Captains set the

agenda, preside over and conduct these meetings. The morning meeting should be called when families havefinished their breakfast, had family scripture study and reflection time, and packed their handcarts. The Trek

Colonel and will be watching the progress of the companies and will let them know approximately what time

you will need to hit the trail.

The company meetings each morning will follow the trek leadership meeting and will be conducted by the Trek

Colonel and should take no more than 5 minutes. It will include:1. Short discussion of concerns (if any)

2. Reminder of safety rules

3. Overview of the days itinerary

4. Company Prayer

5. Wagons HO!

At the end of the morning meeting, Captains will direct their company onto the trail and wait for the TrekColonels signal to begin.

Evening meetings will happen after families have set up camp, prepared, eaten and cleaned up from dinner.

Trek Colonel and Trek captains will watch the progress of the companies and let you know when you will needto gather the families for evening meeting.

Evening meetings should take no more than 5-10 minutes. They may include a message form the Company

Captain.

Pacing of the Handcart Train:

It is primarily the duty of the Trek Colonel to keep the entire trek moving along in a timely manner.

However, it is the responsibility of the Company Captain to keep his families together and moving along.The Trek Colonel will signal water stops and activity rotations. Company Captains should ensure that

families are taking advantage of breaks, getting water and checking for blisters and hot spots. Captains

should switch up the order of handcarts each day. When possible, try to keep a 5 minute distance betweencompanies. If a family is significantly slower than the rest, try putting their cart near the front and allowing

others to pass as they move down the trail.

Support and Counsel Mas and Pas:The pioneer trek is intended to be an individual experience within the framework of a family. Mas and

Pas have been counseled and trained to allow trekkers to pull their own handcarts, solve their ownproblems, make their own food, draw their own analogies and make their own friendships all under the

gentle and encouraging leadership of trek parents. We believe that the magic of trek happens in the

family. This will become a close-knit unit and a safe place for learning and growth. Company Captains will

need to help Mas and Pas maintain the integrity of their family unit. Discourage trekkers from visitingother families. Encourage families to space themselves out for camping, game playing, etc. There may be

situations where the Mas and Pas have questions about dealing with members of their family. The

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Company Captain is the first person they will go to for counsel and help. Depending on the situation, it may

be appropriate to counsel the parents to enlist the trekkers in the family to help solve the problem.

Help with Night Watch:

Under the direction of the Trek Colonel, each night, 2-person teams consisting of a Priesthood volunteer andStake Leader will be walking amid the companies to assure that all is really well in Zion. The night will be

divided in three, two-hour shifts. The shifts will be from 11:00pm until 1:00am, 1:00am until 3:00am and

3:00am until 5:00am. Search lights will be provided for this assignment.

TREKRULES

The following are the rules of the trail. They are very important for a safe, harmonious and successful Trek.

Dress Code. The dress code is not to be compromised. When everyone is dressed like a pioneer, a

unique setting and environment is created. All external barriers, images, cliques, pride, and popularityegos seem to be removed. Use all skills necessary to enforce the proper dress code. NOTE: Check

Personal Equipment list for proper dress attire.

Acceptable Behavior. Romances are not tolerated. Be cautious of romances beginning or taking place.

If you are suspicious of a romance or a potential romance, contact your captain.

Handcart Rules & Safety: When pulling the handcart, please observe the following per the handcart

rental company:

Treat handcarts with care; pull or push them by hand. Do not pull handcarts behind

vehicles. No one should ride in the cart, except in an emergency.

Handcarts should not be overloaded. They are designed to hold the gear for only 11 people,

including clothing, sleeping bags, tarps, cooking equipment, and water. The total weight shouldnot be over 400 pounds.

Do not run with the handcart. Trek participants can easily trip and get run over by the wheels.

When stopping the handcart, slowly lower the shaft until it rests on the ground. Never drop the

shaft. Always set it onto the ground gently.

Stay away from the wheels. Some clothing, especially dresses can get caught in the wheels.

No duct tape allowed on any part of the handcarts. Do not deface any surface of the handcarts or

ropes (writing, cutting, carving, painting, etc).

No unapproved river crossing. Additional damage fee may be assessed for any unapproved or

unauthorized river crossing Phillips Handcart Company Must Approve Any and all River

Crossings!

Do not sit or stand on the shaft when it is resting on the ground. Stay away from the wheels.

Some clothing, especially dresses, can get caught in the wheels.

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Each handcart has a 20-25 foot rope that should remain attached to the cart during use. Do not

allow ropes to drag on the ground. Dragging ropes causes rope damage. This rope allows morepeople to pull at once.

When going down steep hills, attach the rope to the back of the handcart and have everyone help

to slow down the cart or turn the handcart around and take it down the hill backwards. Alwayskeep it under control.

When stopping on a hill, place a rock or some other object behind the wheels so that the handcart

does not roll.

Do not pull a loaded handcart sideways on a steep incline (where one wheel is consistently lower

than the other). If all the weight of the handcart is shifted to one wheel, it can break.

Sleeping Arrangements. Each family will have three tents, one for the YW, one for the YM, and one

for you, the MA and PA. Mas and Pas will sleep near the cart in-between the YM and the YW.

Camping areas will be staked out in advance. We will be sleeping on both sides of the river.

Keep your Families Together. It is important to know where your family members are and they are

accounted for. It is critical to the development and bonding of your families and the families of othersthat your family members remain together at all times. Do not let them wander off to friends and other

families.

Toilet Issues on the Trail. Toilets are provided for all participants and staff along the trail. Please

encourage the Trek participants to wash their hands after each potty break. Mas, you should be

aware of the circumstances of the female members of your family who might be in need of femininehygiene products, see that those needs are appropriately taken care of.

Trash. All trash goes into trash bags so it can be hauled out. No trash is to be buried. If trash is left byothers, please put it in bags and haul it out. Do not bury any plastic products.

Other: No electronic devices should be brought on the Trek (including the vehicles to trek) i.e. cell

phones, MP3 players, CD players. iPods, etc. MAs & PAs will be allowed to bring a cell phone;

however, there is no service in Ft. Bridger base camp and coverage in the mountains is minimal.

MEDICALISSUES

Health and safety are essential to a successful trek experience. Please pay special attention to the following

information and instructions:

MedicalSpecialists. There will be Medical Specialists on the Trek to assist with any medical

emergency that arises. Each Trek committee member, including you as Mas & Pas, will receive some

basic medical training to identify and treat potential problems (heat stroke, dehydration, blisters, snake

bite, etc).

Medical Information . During the registration process, each participant will provide personal medical

information. That would include any special medical conditions or medication needs. That informationis held by the Medical Specialists for reference. Medical information on each youthassigned to your

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Trek family will be given to you before the Trek so you can be advised ahead of time of any unique

medical situations.

First Aid Kits. You should have a basic first-aid kit as part of your family equipment. Use it as needed.

Mole skin and duct tape is a must.

Water Use and Guidelines. Only drink water that is provided for you in the water jugs or from the base

camp. Never drink rainwater, stream water, lake water, pond water, or from puddles or creeks. Serious

sickness can occur from drinking impure water.

Dehydration. This is one of the most frequently encountered medical issues along the trail.

Each handcart should have at least 5 gallons of water and the opportunity to refill if necessary.

The whole train of carts will stop frequently for water breaks based on the Trek Colonels signal.

Watch for signs of dehydration (if you are thirsty you are already dehydrated).

Dehydration and heat exhaustion often go hand in hand. Make sure water goes in and also keep

the outside of their bodies cooled down with wet bandanas around the neck.

Food. The base camp will be providing the cooking and meals for most meals on the trek. The base

camp will also provide food for youth with food allergies or restrictions.

Trail Sickness. Trail sickness is headache pain, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, depression, always weak

and tired. It is caused by physical exhaustion and dehydration. Drink water throughout the day. If it is

hot make sure everyone gets a spoonful of Gatorade in their water.

Blisters. Blisters can ruin the Trek experience for some people. It is important that individual Trek

participants take preventive measures to make sure that their feet are adequately protected wearing two

pair of socksa thin pair underneath and a more substantial pair on the outside. It is a good idea tohave a periodic foot inspection to identify blisters and see that they are treated by the medical team.

Insects. Your insect repellant should take care of mosquitoes and other bugs.

Ticks. There are ticks in the area of the Trek. Each family member should check himself/herself twice

a day. Trekkers should wear light clothing, both because it is cooler, and so they can see ticks. They may

want to tuck their pants or bloomers in their socks. Spray insect repellant on shoe tops, socks and lowerpant legs. Make sure you have adequate repellant. Have a medical person remove the tick if it has

become imbedded in the skin. Avoid touching ticks with your bare hands.

Lightning. Since lightning usually seeks out objects which are more highly elevated, the best advice is

to make yourself as low a profile as possible. In other words, if you are caught out in an open area,

spread out and crouch down. If you are in the woods, don't position yourself close to any tree trunk.

Hypothermia. Hypothermia is the lowering of the body core temperature to the point that death occurs.

Symptoms. Symptoms start with intense shivering and turn to violent shivering, with difficultyin speaking, and poor judgment. Later the shivering decreases, total amnesia, muscle rigidity and

they act irrational, or in a stupor, pulse and respiration slows.

Treatment. Start with prevention, go prepared, eat plenty of food and drink lots of fluids.If the

youth do show signs of hypothermia take off the wet clothes and get them into a sleeping bag.

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ASSIGNMENT OF FAMILIES

Family assignments will be made prior to the trek. You will not know who your family is until the day of thetrek except those requiring medical attention or assigned to Spanish speaking families. Remember to act excited

when you first meet your family. The assignment of families will be made by the Colonel, a member the Stake

Presidency and representatives of Stake YM/YW leaders, along with the help of Ward YM/YW leaders. The

following process will be used:

A sincere effort will be made to seek inspiration in the assignment of families. This is very

important. In the past many family members have felt that being in a particular family was inspired.

Those who are good friends will be assigned to separate families (Experience has shown that this

is essential for them to develop new friendships).

All relatives are separated. This includes brothers and sisters, children and parents. Experience

has shown that having family members together diminishes the experience for them and for others in thegroup

Younger participants will be mixed with those who are older.

YM and YW will be evenly distributed.

TREK COOKING TIPS

Proper Dutch oven cleaning is important for maintaining the oven. More often than not, cleaning cast iron

Dutch ovens is much easier than scrubbing pots and pans. For cast iron, the cleaning process is in two steps.

First, food is removed and second, maintenance of the protective coating. To remove stuck on food, place somewarm clean water into the oven and heat until almost boiling. Using a plastic mesh scrubber or coarse sponge

and NO SOAP, gently break loose the food and wipe away. After all traces have been removed, rinse with clean

warm water. Soap is not recommended because it will break down the protective covering and will get into the

pores of the metal to taint the flavor of your next meal.

After cleaning and rinsing, allow the oven to air dry. Then heat it over the fire just until it is hot to the touch.

Apply a thin coating of oil to both the inside and outside of the oven and the top and underside of the lid. Allowthe oven to cool completely. If you do not oil the outside of the oven, then with use, the protective barrier will

break down and the oven will start to rust. As a suggestion, it is a good idea to keep a scrubber for cast iron and

never use it with soap.

A Few Dutch Oven No-Nos

1. NEVER allow cast iron to sit in water or allow water to stand in it. It will rust despite a good coating.2. Never use soap on cast iron. The soap will get into the pores of the metal and won't come out very easy,

but will return to taint your next meal. If soap is used accidentally, the oven should be re-seasoned,including removal of the present coating.

3. Do not place an empty cast iron pan or oven over a hot fire. Aluminum and many other metals cantolerate it better but cast iron will crack or warp, ruining the metal.

4. Do not get in a hurry to heat cast iron, you will end up with burnt food or a damaged oven or pan.

5. Never put cold liquid into a very hot cast iron pan or oven. They will crack on the spot!

EXPERIENCES

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EXPERIENCE: WOMENS PULL

In the late afternoon of the first day of the Trek, following a Ma and Pa Meeting that will be announced, wewill have a Womens Pull; a distance when the women pull the hand carts alone in a significant nod to

those pioneer women who did it in their own time. During the womens pull, brothers are asked not to talk

or use their physical strength, and must still find ways to help their sisters. The Trek Colonel will signal theCaptains to pull the brothers off the carts and will ask for silence.

This should be a sacred, spiritual experience for those participating, as well as those helping along the trail. We

each pull our own handcart, our burden, with us. Whether we travel alone or with the aid of others, our little

handcart is what we try so hard to bring along for the ride. The contents may change over timebe it illness orsorrow, death or change, even happiness and blessingswe pull our handcart and its contents over hills and

valleys. It is easier with others and nearly impossible alone.

Even though this is in the context of a Womens Pull, the burdens in our hand carts are not limited to women.

These loads are no respecter of persons. We can all most likely identify with many people in our livesboth

male and femalewho struggle with the burden of a handcart, sometimes successfully pulling and sometimes

not.

In our own lives we need to recognize when we have been pulling our cart up a hill, not wanting anyone or

anything to help us, shouldering this burden by ourselves. The womens pull can help us realize that our

Heavenly Father loves us, is aware of our suffering, and is more than happy to help carry our burdens. His Son,

our Savior is willing to make our handcarts light.

EXPERIENCE: SWEETRIVER CROSSING

On the second day of the Trek, designated young men and Pas will carry members of their family across the

Sweetwater River. On November 4, 1856, the Martin Company, assisted by members of theGrant rescue party, forded the Sweetwater River under extreme conditions of cold and wind. The rescuers

names have been immortalized for the heroics performed that day for the company. After crossing

the river, the company made its way to a sheltered cove, which became known as MartinsCove.

Few stories of this massive rescue effort have captured thehearts of Latter-day Saints like the story of rescuers from the Salt

Lake Valley carrying members of the Martin Company across the

Sweetwater River. The thought of individuals risking their health

and possibly their lives by spending an extended period of timein a freezing and ice filled river to assist virtual strangers who

had become physically and emotionally drained by what they had

endured is both touching and inspiring.

President Thomas S. Monson shared the following about the experience, The handcarts moved on November

3 and reached the [Sweetwater] river, filled with floating ice. To cross would require more courage andfortitude, it seemed, than human nature could muster. Women shrank back and men wept. Some pushed

through, but others were unequal to the ordeal.

Three eighteen-year-old boys belonging to the relief party came to the rescue; and to the astonishment of all

who saw, carried nearly every member (600 total) of that ill-fated handcart company across the snow-bound

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stream. The strain was so terrible, and the exposure so great, that in later years all the boys died from the effects

of it. When President Brigham Young heard of this heroic act, he wept like a child, and later declared publicly,That act alone will ensure C. Allen Huntington, George W. Grant, and David P. Kimball an everlasting

salvation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end.

EXPERIENCE: PONY EXPRESS/SOLO

A Pony Express rider will ride into camp on his trusty steed and delivery mail from home to each trek

youth. Following the mail delivery, Captains will organize their companies into a group of girls and a groupof boys. They will be told to take a sleeping bag or something to set on, their letter from home, scriptures, apen or pencil and their journals, and spend some time alone in contemplation. Boys will be separated on one

side of the camp and girls on another. Each should be spread out so that they do not see each other. On solo

trekkers will spend a quiet hour in prayer, scripture study, meditation and listening for the Spirit

EXPERIENCE: CONTEMPLATIONAND REFLECTION ON TREKEXPERIENCES

On Saturday morning, as a Ma or Pa, you will have the opportunity to conduct a group activity calledcontemplation and reflection. It is an essential part of the Trek experience, and its success will, to a great

extent, make the difference between a good and a bad experience for the participants.

Reflecting is a lot like a family council. It is the exchange of spiritual insights by the members of the group. It

provides a vehicle to internalize the gospel as its principles are related to various Trek activities. A good

reflection session does not happen automatically; it requires considerable preparation and reflection on yourpart. As you participate in the Trek, keep in mind the events and how they relate to gospel principles. This

offers the youth a chance to ponder what is going on both spiritually and physically and how it affects everyday

life.

Remember that the youth should have their agency and not be forced into a situation where they feel they

have to share their feelings. We want them to remember the spirit rather than leave feeling embarrassed

or mad because they were forced to talk.

Guidelines for Family Contemplation and Reflection

Sit in a Circle. The family should sit in a circle. The buckets used for personal equipment can

be used as chairs.

Setting the Stage. After the circle is formed, ask them to think about the previous day

experiences [or the experience you want to discuss]. Invite them to think of a parallel to life, their

relationship with their Father in Heaven, their Savior, their own families, or any gospel principle.

Getting Started. One way to get the discussion going is to start at one point on the circle and

have each participant respond in turn to the question: "If you could choose one word to describe how

you felt last night, what would it be?" Some of them will be very negative, and some positive. Next you

might ask certain individuals why they said what they did. You can continue this process, asking fordetails and changing the topic where necessary.

Reinforcement. For many of the youth this will be a new experience. Try to encourage everyone

to share, but don't force anyone to do it and don't force the parallels. This is not a time to preach to theyouth. It is their time to teach themselves. After you ask a question you should sit back and listen.

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No Right Answers. You may need to ask additional questions to help the youth think about what

has happened to them, or to help them to understand their feelings. However, you should never ask aquestion that looks for a specific answer. Don't force yourfeelings on them. There is no pre-determined

right answer, just their insights and feelings. What matters is that they are made.

Be Yourself in Developing your Own Processing Techniques. You are an individual and the

way that you approach contemplation and reflection might be different than others. There is not

necessarily a right way.

The techniques or ways in which you conduct your reflection time is your own

choice. Follow the Spirit and help your family to search for insight

Dont let the participants laugh at each other or talk while someone else is sharing.

You should listen carefully to each participant.

On the last day of Trek challenge the youth to take home what they have learned and

to make some small and simple changes to become like Christ.

EXPERIENCE: SCAVENGER HUNT

The Scavenger Hunt is a scheduled event on day 2, for the entire company to participate in together. This

activity that has the potential to be a very thought-provoking, memorable experience for trekkers. The key to asuccessful Scavenger Hunt is to let the youth set the direction, answer the questions and draw the analogies.

To set up the Scavenger Hunt, the youth will gather with their families, cover their eyes with their bandanasand come silently to an open space. To do this, trekkers join hands and walk linked together. One parent leads,

the other takes up the rear. Only the Ma and Pa may speak as they carefully guide their family to a designated

open area.

Once you have quietly arrived to the open space, have youth sit on the ground (they will need help to do thissafely). Do your best to get things calm and quiet.

A leader will give the following instructions:

1. Remind them to remain silent during this activity (remind them what that means)

2. Tell them this is an individual activity, they will have to do this alone and silently

3. Give them five items to find, making sure that one or more of the items will be difficult, but not

impossible, to find blindfolded (ex. Find something hard, something soft, something dead, something

livingsuch as a rock, twig, blade of grass, etc. but only the general item, rather than a specific, will be

mentioned)

4. Tell them: When you think you have found all five objects, sit down and wait for further instructions.

Mas and Pas assist their trekkers in standing and help guide them towards the general direction of the field.The group will have a designated time to go exploring. Only interfere if they try to go in a group or if they go

completely off track. Interfering would mean to silently separate groups, or silently herding a trekker that has

strayed too far. When many are sitting, Mas and Pas will be instructed to reverently begin singing hymns. Atthis point, some of the trekkers sitting nearby will usually get up and come to the music, but not all. Those

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further away or those still moving about may not hear at first. There will also be many who will hear fellow

trekkers heading towards the singing and will join them. Eventually, most return home.

When those who have decided to come to the singing, their Ma and Pa will silently greet them, touch their

shoulder or arm to guide them to a place close by to sit and wait for the others. They will remain silent andblindfolded as the singing continues.

There will be several who remain in the field, either sitting still or still wandering. Mas and Pas may gather a

few of their family, 2-3 trekkers, joined together by holding hands, and silently lead them through the field totheir family member who has not returned. Their hand might placed on the shoulder or arm of the family

member to let them be the one who ultimately helps the missing member return. They can hold hands, or link

arms, or whatever, to guide them back along with their chain led by by a Ma or Pa.

When the entire group has successfully returned, a leader will tell them that you are all here together again andthey may remove their blindfolds. To help the trekkers process the experience, the leader will ask open-ended

questions, telling the youth that there are no wrong answers and giving positive feedback for comments made.

Please note that there may be other groups still doing the Scavenger Hunt when you have finished. Keep yourgroup quiet so as not to ruin the spirit in the other groups. Remain together until instructed by a trek leader to

leave your area. It is important for all trekkers to have the same quiet, contemplative experience. If your groupis the first finished, time could be spent with testimonies or further discussion about what this experience taught

them.

EXPERIENCE: HAIR WASHING

The hair washing experience will be a welcome relief to the trekkers, in other words, a tender mercy. Bucketsand shampoo will be be provided, as will ample water for each Trek family. Brothers help sisters. Sisters help

brothers.

GAP FILLERS & GAMES

We often claim that everything done on Pioneer Trek has a purpose. One of these purposes is to have good oldfashioned fun. The pioneers certainly did when they could. There are occasions on Pioneer Trek when you will

find extra time on your hands. These gaps often occur between meals and scheduled events, or when there is

some unforeseen hold-up in the scheduled events. Rather than sending your restless family off to find trouble,you can initiate one of the several activities. The following is a list of some games and activities that can be

used as gap fillers:

Name Game: This is the first game that you will do as a Ma and Pa with your family. The purpose is foreveryone to get to know each others names. Mas and Pas will go by their real last names but youth will be

given a name tag with our own name on one side and their "pioneer name" on the other. Pioneer names are the

names of real people from the handcart companies.

Everyone stands in a circle. The Ma or Pa says his/her name and then throws a soft object to the person to theirleft. Continuing in one direction each person says their Pioneer name and passes the ball until it gets back to the

leader. The leader then calls out someones name and then throws the object to them. That player then calls

another name and throws, and so on. Once people are getting an idea of names, introduce another object, and

then another as it gets easier.

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Guess Whose Ancestor:As usual with a trek, we want to get youth excited for the trek by helping themidentify one of their pioneer ancestors and their ancestors journey. For youth who don't have pioneer ancestry,

they may wish to learn about one of their ancestors who joined the Church and was thus a "pioneer" for their

family. In addition, we are hoping that the following activity will help them get to know their ancestor betterand share more of their stories.

Please give the following assignment to each young man or young woman who is participating in the trek:

Each youth will prepare and bring to the trek a lunch-sized paper sack with three to five items in it that tellsomething about their ancestor. Please do not bring heirlooms or original photos make a copy or take a photo

of them. Suggestions of what to include may be: a map with the place where they were born marked, an item

that suggests their occupation, a picture of them, a war medal, a story about them, etc. The Ma and Pa of eachfamily will collect each persons sack and store them all together so no one knows which is which. During

family time, a sack will be chosen, opened and the items will be shown. After one or two guesses as to whose

ancestor it may be, have the owner of the sack explain the items.

In addition, please make the youth aware that they can request a copy of their direct-line ancestors patriarchal

blessing! This can be done quickly and easily through lds.org. After signing in, click on the "Tools" drop-downbox, then "Patriarchal Blessing." There are a high number of requests, so unfortunately, we dont think the

youth would receive the copies of patriarchal blessings in time for the trek. However they would still beamazing for the youth to receive and read at a later date.

Most Embarrassing Moment: Each person in a circle shares his or her most embarrassing moment.

Strengths and Fears: Each person in a circle shares one of their greatest fears. When everyone has shared afear you should go around the circle again and ask everyone to share one of their greatest strengths. This is an

activity that can be processed.

Person to Person: Everyone has a partner. Players mingle about the area until the leader calls a command.

When a command is given the players must find their partner and follow the command. For example, if the

leader calls Nose to hand players must find their partner and touch their partners nose with their hand. Anycombination of body parts, within reason, may be called. The last pair to find their partner and follow the

command is eliminated. Play is continued until only one pair remains.

Mingle Have the group wander around in a close area while you yell, Mingle, Mingle At a good point, yellout a number under 10. The youth must then get in groups of that size. Anyone not in a group of that size is ou

and must wait till the game is over to participate again. Continue mingling and yelling out numbers until only

two remain. These are the winners.

Champion the Cause; In a circle, one person shares a peak experience that they have had-one that has meant

a great deal to them for some reason or another. When they have completed sharing their experience, the other

members of the group share their observations about that persons outstanding characteristics. This is continueduntil everyone has had a chance to be championed.

Tangle: Stand in a tight circle. Have everyone put their right hands in the middle and instruct them to jointheir left hands with someone elses right hand. No one should join two hands with the same person. Now,

without letting go-the group must become untangled.

States; Sit players in a circle and have everyone choose a state (or a fruit or famous person, etc). Go around

the circle twice, having each person name their state so that the players can memorize them. IT stands in the

middle with a hat or bandanna and approaches a player who must name another state (belonging to another

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player) before IT hits them on the head. IT must hurry to the person whose state was named and try to hit them

before they can name another state. Whoever is hit on the head before naming another state is IT. If a playersays their own state or a state not included in the game, they become IT.

Wink-um: Pairs of players from a circle with the girls sitting and the guys kneeling behind them (or visaversa). There is one empty spot where there is the person behind but no person in front. The person kneeling

without anyone in front winks at one of the sitting people. The person sitting then tries to run to the empty spot,

while the person kneeling tries to detain her. If the person escapes there is a new winker, if the person sitting

does not escape-the same person winks again.

Do you love your neighbor?: Players stand in a circle-formation with one person in the middle. The middle

person is IT. IT asks one of the people in the circle, Do you love your neighbor? If the player answers YES,the players on each side of him must switch places before IT can take their place. If the player answers NO he

must then say whom he does love. He will say something like No, but I love everyone wearing blue. Then,

everyone wearing blue must switch places before IT can take their place. The person left without a place is thenew IT.

Stick Pull: 2 people sit opposite each other with the soles of their feet touching and their knees bent. Eachperson grips a pole that is placed in the center between them. When given a signal, both pull until one person

pulls the other over.

Bandanna Snatch: One person loosely holds a folded bandanna in his hands. The second person tries tosnatch the bandanna before the second person has a chance to close his hands.

Log Balance: 2 people stand on a log and try to push each other off by pushing on each others open palms.Any contact other than palm to palm is illegal. This game can also be played on the ground. The loser is the

first person to move his feet.

Poor Kitty/ If You Love Me Baby, Smile! : This is the classic try-not-to-smile game. Have players sit in a

circle. One person is it. They choose a person to try and make smile. They can say Poor Kitty! or If you

love me baby, smile three times, trying to cause a smile. If they succeed, the smiler is now it. If they dontsucceed, they have to choose a new victim.

10 sticks: Have each player collect 10 sticks. Have someone start by telling the group something they have

never done (ie: Ive never been to Disneyland, Ive never put my hair in a ponytail, etc.). Anyone who HASdone that thing has to throw a stick in the middle. The last person holding sticks wins.

EveryBODY Laugh: Have one person lie on the ground on their back. Have the next person lie with their headresting on the stomach of the first person. The third person lies down with their head on the second persons

stomach, etc. Continue this to the last person, creating a kind of herringbone pattern on the ground. After all are

in position, have the first person say in a loud voice, HA, HA, HA, HA! This will make the next persons

head bounce, causing them to laugh. The effect is a chain reaction of laughter through the whole family.

Spelling Game: The object of this game is to NOT end the word. A person starts by saying a letter. The next

person adds a letter, the next person another, etc. Keep taking turns to spell words. Be careful not to end theword! If you do, you get an O. If you end it again, you get a U. The last time you end it, you get a T and,

you guessed it, you are OUT. Note: you have to have a word in mind when you add a letter. You cant add a

ridiculous letter just to avoid ending the word.

Psychologist: Have all the participants sit in a circle. Choose one person to be the psychologist. Have another

person leave the area. While they are gone choose another person who will be the patient. When the person

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comes back, he or she will need to guess who the patient is. He may ask yes or no questions to try to figure it

out. (The trick is that the psychologist and the patient will be sitting in the same position!)

Leg Wrestling: Have two people lay on the ground on their backs, facing opposite directions, their hips just

touching. Using the inside legs, have them raise them three times, counting one, two, three and then theyhook legs at the knee and try and turn the other one over.

Erk and Zoom: Have participants sit in a circle. One person will start by looking at the person on one side

and saying, Zoom. That person then has the option to either say Erk or Zoom. If Zoom, play continues inthe same direction with the person on the other side having the option to either say Erk or Zoom. If Erk,

then play reverses direction back to the person that just Zoomed it. Basically, Zoom keeps it going in the

same direction, Erk reverses it. If you Erk or Zoom when it is not your turn, youre out.

HANDCART PIONEER HISTORY

Handcart Pioneer HistoryNote: The information for this section is taken from Handcarts to Zion by LeRoy R. Hafen andAnn W.

Hafen.]

"As They Walked and Walked and Walked and...

The sun burns mercilessly overhead The cloudless sky gives no hint of reliefDust chokes cracking lips.Swollen tongues ache for rationed water. And the pioneerswalk and walk and walk and walk... and... ask

questions. On the trail your family willoften ask questions about the "real" pioneers. "How far did they go?";

"How manywere there?"; "What were their wagons like?". Whether their questions are sincereinquiries,attempts to decrease boredom, or mischievous attempts to distract your attention, your answers should come

quickly, easily, and accurately. The following is abrief history of the Mormon Handcart Expedition:

The Perpetual Emigration Fund, established in 1850, brought 50,000 saints to Zion. The funds werecontributed by American saints and used to bring foreign converts to the West. The emigrants then settled in

Utah and worked to repay the Fund.

In 1855, cricket clouds replaced rain clouds and the harvest was cut in half. Tithing and Perpetual Emigration

donations were reduced to a mere trickle. Brigham Young announced that a lack of funds should not, and could

not; limit the passage of saints to Zion.

This proclamation, coupled with the prevailing economic situation, created a demand for a cheaper mode of

transportation.

In 1855, the Church leaders officially introduced the handcart plan.

"Let all things be done in order, and let all the saints who can, gather upfor Zion and come while theway is open before them. Let the poor alsocome, let them come on foot, with handcarts or

wheelbarrows, let themgird up their loins and walk through, and nothing shall hinder or staythem.

Brigham Young estimated that the saints could cover 15 miles a day initially, and would increase their

mileage to 20, 25, even 30 miles per day, completing the journey in 90 days. Brigham Young went on to assert

that:

"The system of ox-trains is too slow and expensive, and must give way tothe telegraph line of handcarts

and wheelbarrows. It would be much moreeconomical both in time, labor, and expense. On the arrival

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of a companyof saints on the frontier, they could have the necessary handcarts readyand load them

and be 200 or 300 miles on their Journey, with the sametime and labor that would otherwise beexpended in getting started. It isonly to those who have traveled the plains with ox-teams that the

advantages of doing without them will appear in all their force. Theyalone can realize what it is to get

up on a sultry morning, spend an houror two in driving up and yoking unruly cattle, and while waitingto start,hear that some brother has an ox missing, then another hour, or perhapshalf a day is wasted

and finally, when ready to start, the pleasant time fortraveling is past, during which a company of

handcarts would haveperformed the greater part of an ordinary day's journey.

Showered with promises, the plan was also soaked in reality. President Richards warned the saints that:

"It is our constant desire not to mislead the saints concerning thedifficulties of the journey to Utah. Wewish them calmly to make up theirminds that it is not an easy task, and to start with faith, trusting in

Israel'sGod of success, and seek of him constantly, by prayer and supplication.

The plan was implemented in 1856. Saints spent 38 to 65 days at sea and then traveled by train to Iowa City

where they received their handcarts. The handcarts, used by the different companies varied in size and

construction, but the general pattern was uniform. The open handcart was made of hickory or oak, the shaft andsidepieces of the same material, and the axles were generally hickory. The side pieces and shafts were about six

or seven feet long, with three to four binding crossbars spaced intermittently from the front to the back. At thefront there was a three to four foot single tree or front bar yoke. The cart bed was about nine inches deep and

four feet wide. The wheels, often constructed without metal, were four feet in diameter. Approximately fivepeople were assigned to each cart and each person was allowed to bring 17 lbs. of luggage (this included

clothing, bedding, and utensils).

The first two companies left Iowa City two days apart, but arrived in Salt Lake City simultaneously.

Combined they had 100 handcarts, 5 wagons, 24 oxen, 4 mules, and 25 tents. Averaging about 21 miles daily,

they traveled 32 miles in a single day on two separate occasions. The saints arose to a 5:00 a.m. whistle andafter prayer and breakfast, began pulling. At night, the handcarts circled. Smoke from fires built outside the

cart circle provided a mosquito deterrent.

Five handcart companies crossed the plains in 1856. The first three experienced few deaths and, though

difficult, were considered successful. The last two, the Willie and Martin Companies, started from Florence in

August. They experienced tragic suffering, sickness, and loss of life when their late start, combined with an

early winter, caught them unprepared in icy mountain passes. In 1857, two more companies successfullytraversed the plains. Threats from Johnston's Army temporarily halted the treks in 1858, but 1859 saw yet

another handcart train cross the wilderness. In 1860, the last two companies crossed the plains. Incredibly, the

last train did not report a single death.

By 1860, Salt Lake Valley had blossomed and it became economically feasible to send teams from Salt

Lake, across the plains and back in a single season. They were called the Down and Back Companies. This

gave employment to Utah saints and saved the enormous amount previously invested in the purchase of wagonsand oxen. This system was used to gather the saints until the coming of the railroad in 1869.

From 1856 to 1860, nearly 3,000 emigrants traveled to Zion by handcart. They employed 653 carts and 50wagons. The eight trains that left Missouri in June or July came through without undue casualties. Without a

doubt, handcart travel was an exacting ordeal, for both the body and the spirit. Concern for material welfare

alone could never have produced the handcart migrations. It took consecrated resolution strengthened by thesustaining conviction of a deeply religious faith.

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Elizabeth Horrocks Jackson with the Martin Handcart Company told this story of her husband Aaron

Jacksons death.

"At about 9:00 o'clock I retired. Bedding had become very scarce, so I did not disrobe. I slept until, as itappeared to me, about midnight. I was extremely cold. The weather was bitter. I listened to hear if my

husband breathed, he lay so still. I could not hear him. I became alarmed. I put my hand on his body, when to

my horror, I discovered that my worst fears were confirmed. My husband was dead. I called for help to the

other inmates of the tent. They could render me no aid, and there was no alternative but to remain alone by the

side of the corpse till morning. Oh, how the dreary hours drew their tedious length along. When daylight camesome of the male part of the company prepared the body for burial. And oh, such a burial and funeral service.

They did not remove his clothing--he had but little. They wrapped him in a blanket and placed him in a pilewith thirteen others who had died, and then covered him up with snow. The ground was frozen so hard that they

could not dig a grave. He was left there to sleep in peace until the trump of God shall sound, and the dead in

Christ shall awake and come forth in the morning of the first resurrection. We shall then again unite our heartsand lives, and eternity will furnish us with life forever."

Thomas Giles of the 3rd Handcart Company

Thomas Giles, a Welsh convert who joined the Church in 1844, suffered much in his lifetime. He was a miner,and while he was digging coal in the mine, a large piece of coal hit him on the head and made a wound nine

inches (23 cm) long. The doctor who examined him said the injured man would not live longer than 24 hours.But then the elders came and blessed him. He was promised that he would get well and that even if he wouldnever see again, he would live to do much good in the Church. Brother Giles did indeed live but was blind the

rest of his life.

In 1856 Brother Giles and his family moved to Utah, but before he left his homeland, the Welsh Saints

presented him with a harp, which he learned to play well. At Council Bluffs, Iowa, he joined a handcart

company and headed west. Though blind he pulled a handcart from Council Bluffs to Salt Lake City. Whilecrossing the plains his wife and two children died. His sorrow was great and his heart almost broken, but his

faith did not fail him. Near Fort Bridger, Elde Giles became seriosly ill. After holding the company for two

days, Captain Bunker ordered the camp to move on, leaving two of the men to bury the sick man when he died.

It was expected that death would come in a matter of hours. Remarkable faith and the frequent administrationsof the Elders who attended him kept the patient alive until evening when Parley P. Pratt the Apostle, who had

know Brother Giles in Wales, reached the camp. Elder Pratt gave Brother Giles a remarkable blessing. In it he

made these promises: that he should instantly be healed and made well, that he should rejoin his company andarrive safely in the Salt Lake Valley; that he should there rear a family and that because of his faithfulness he

would be permitted to live as long as he wanted. These blessings were all fulfilled in their entirely. When

Brother Giles arrived in Salt Lake City, President Brigham Young, who had heard his story, loaned BrotherGiles a valuable harp until his own arrived from Wales. Brother Giles traveled from settlement to settlement in

Utah, gladdening the hearts of the people with his sweet music.1

History of "Come, Come Ye Saints"

Although it is generally believed that William Clayton wrote "Come, Come, Ye Saints" on the journey

between Winter Quarters and Salt Lake City, the hymn was really written, while Brigham Young's Companywas traveling from Nauvoo to Winter Quarters.

President Young, feeling great anxiety because there were murmurings in the camp of Israel, called ElderWilliam Clayton aside and said, "Brother Clayton, I want you to write a hymn that the people can sing at

their campfires, in the evening; something that will give them succor and support, and help them to fight

the many troubles and trials of the journey. Elder Clayton withdrew from the camp and in two hours

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returned with the hymn familiarly known as "Come, Come, Ye Saints." His personal testimony is to the

effect that it was written under the favor and inspiration of the Lord."

Oscar Winters, President Heber J. Grant's father-in law, relates the following story:

One night, aswe were making camp, we noticed one of our brethren had not arrivedanda volunteerpartywas immediately organized to return and see if anything had happened to him. Just as we were

about to start, we saw the missing brother coming in the distance. When he arrived, he said he had

been quite sick, - sosome of us unyoked his oxen and attended to his part of the camp duties. After

supper, he sat down before the campfire on a large rock and sang in a very faint, but plaintive andsweet voice, the hymn"Come, Come, Ye Saints. " It was a rule of the camp that whenever anybody

started this hymn, all in the camp should join, but for some reason this evening nobody joined him. He

sang the hymn alone. When he had finished, I doubt if there was a single dry eye in the camp. The nextmorning, we noticed that he was not yoking up his cattle. We went to his wagon and found that he had

died during the night. We dug a shallow grave and after we had covered the body with the earth, we

rolled the large stone to the head of the grave to mark it--the stone on which he had been sitting thenight before when he sang, ",and should we die before our journey's through--Happy day! All is well ".

Truly, "Come, Come, Ye Saints" is worthy to be placed among the great hymns of Christian literature. Withit, Clayton catches the spirit and sentiment of an oppressed people and crystallizes them into simple verse that

arouses the interest of the multitude.

"Come, Come, Ye Saints" has served the purpose named in President Young's request: it was sung at everycamp-fire, it gave succor and support to the saints, and it has helped pioneers, both of yesterday and today, to

lay aside useless cares and to "fight the many troubles and trials of the journey."

Willie & Martin Handcart CompaniesIt was not without some hesitation that the Willie and Martin companies left Florence at so late a date. John

Chislett, of Willie's Company, writes:

"The elders seemed to be divided in their judgment as to the practicalityof our reaching Utah in safety

at so late a season of the year and the idea was entertained for a day or two of making our winterquarters on theElkhorn, Wood River, or some eligible location in Nebraska, but it did notmeet with

general approval. A meeting was called to consult the peopleabout it.

"The emigrants were entirely ignorant of the country and climate. Theywere simple, honest, and eagerto go to 'Zion' at once ... Under thesecircumstances, it was natural that they should leave their

destination inthe hands of the elders. There were but four men in our company who hadbeen to the

Valley, viz. Willie, Atwood, Savage, and Woodward, but therewere several at Florence superintendingthe emigration, among whomelders G. D. Grant and W. H. Kimball occupied the most prominent

positions. These men all talked at the meeting just mentioned, and all,with one exception, favored

going on.

"Lehi Savage declared that they could not cross the mountains with amixed company of aged people,

women, and little children, so late in theseason without much suffering, sickness, and death. He

therefore advisedgoing into winter quarters without delay. Savage was voted down, themajority beingagainst him. He then added, 'Brethren and sisters, what Ihave said I know to be true, but seeing you

are to go forward, I will gowith you, will help you all I can, will work with you, will rest with you,will

suffer with you, and, if necessary, I will die with you. May God in hismercy bless and preserve us.'"

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November 30, 1856, was a Sunday. The faithful Saints were assembled in the Tabernacle, with President

Young presiding. Having been apprised of the imminent arrival of the belated handcart emigrants, he spoke tothe congregation:

When those persons arrive, I do not want to see them put into houses by themselves. I want to havethem distributed in this city among the families that have good and comfortable houses, and I wish all

the sisters now before me, and all who know how and can, to nurse and wait upon the newcomers and

prudently administer medicine and food to them. To speak upon those things is a part of my religion,

for it pertains to taking care of the Saints.

"As soon as this meeting is dismissed, I want the brethren and sisters to repairto their homes, where

their Bishops will call on them to take in some of this company, - the Bishops will distribute them as thepeople can receive them.

"The afternoon meeting will be omitted, for I wish the sisters to go homeand prepare to give those whohave just arrived a mouthful of somethingto eat, and to wash them and nurse them up. You know that I

would givemore for a dish of pudding and milk, ora baked potato and salt, were I inthe situation of

those persons who have just come in, than I would for allyour prayers, though you were to stay here allthe afternoon and pray.Prayer is good, but when baked potatoes and pudding and milk areneeded,

prayer will not supply their place on this occasion; give everyduty its proper time and place.

"Some you will find with their feet frozen to their ankles, some are frozento their knees and some havetheir hands frosted... we want you toreceive them as your own children, and to have the same feeling

for them.We are their temporal saviors, for we have saved them from death.

**For more of this story, please see Ensign, December 2006, Go and Bring Them In

MUSIC

Come, Come, Ye Saints

1. Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;But with joy wend your way.Though hard to you this journey may appear,

Grace shall be as your day.Tis better far for us to striveOur useless cares from us to drive;Do this, and joy your hearts will swell

All is well! All is well!

2. Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard?Tis not so; all is right.Why should we think to earn a great reward

If we now shun the fight?Gird up your loins; fresh courage take.

Our God will never us forsake;And soon well have this tale to tell


3. Well find the place which God for us prepared,

Far away in the West,Where none shall come to hurt or make afraid;There the Saints will be blessed.Well make the air with music ring,

Shout praises to our God and King;Above the rest these words well tellAll is well! All is well!

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4. And should we die before our journeys through,Happy day! All is well!We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;

With the just we shall dwell!But if our lives are spared againTo see the Saints their rest obtain,Oh, how well make this chorus swell


Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel

1. The world has need of willing menWho wear the workers seal.Come, help the good work move along;Put your shoulder to the wheel.

[Chorus]Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,Do your duty with a heart full of song,We all have work; let no one shirk.

Put your shoulder to the wheel.

2. The Church has need of helping hands,

And hearts that know and feel.The work to do is here for you;


3. Then dont stand idly looking on;

The fight with sin is real.

It will be long but must go on;


4. Then work and watch and fight and prayWith all your might and zeal.Push evry worthy work along;


The Spirit of God

1. The Spirit of God like a fire is burning!The latter-day glory begins to come forth;The visions and blessings of old are returning,And angels are coming to visit the earth.

[Chorus]Well sing and well shout with the armies of heaven,Hosanna, hosanna to God and the Lamb!

Let glory to them in the highest be given,Henceforth and forever, Amen and amen!

2. The Lord is extending the Saints understanding,

Restoring their judges and all as at first.The knowledge and power of God are expanding;The veil oer the earth is beginning to burst.

3. Well call in our solemn assemblies in spirit,To spread forth the kingdom of heaven abroad,

That we through our faith may begin to inheritThe visions and blessings and glories of God.

4. How blessed the day when the lamb and the lion

Shall lie down together without any ire,And Ephraim be crowned with his blessing in Zion,

As Jesus descends with his chariot of fire!

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

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1. We thank thee, O God, for a prophetTo guide us in these latter days.We thank thee for sending the gospel

To lighten our minds with its rays.We thank thee for every blessingBestowed by thy bounteous hand.We feel it a pleasure to serve thee

And love to obey thy command.

2. When dark clouds of trouble hang oer usAnd threaten our peace to destroy,

There is hope smiling brightly before us,And we know that delivrance is nigh.

We doubt not the Lord nor his goodness.Weve proved him in days that are past.

The wicked who fight against ZionWill surely be smitten at last.

3. Well sing of his goodness and mercy.Well praise him by day and by night,Rejoice in his glorious gospel,

And bask in its life-giving light.Thus on to eternal perfectionThe honest and faithful will go,While they who reject this glad message

Shall never such happiness know.

The Handcart Song

When pioneers moved to the West,

With courage strong they met the test.They pushed their handcarts all day long,And as they pushed they sang this song:For some must push and some must pull,

As we go marching up the hill;So merrily on our way we go

Until we reach the Valley-o.

Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked

Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked.

Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked.

They washed at streams and worked and played.Sundays they camped and read and prayed.Week after week, they sang as they walked

and walked and walked and walked and walked.

To Be a Pioneer

1. You dont have to push a handcart,

Leave your famly dear,Or walk a thousand miles or moreTo be a pioneer!

2. You do need to have great courage,Faith to conquer fear,And work with might for a cause thats rightTo be a pioneer!

Well Bring the World His Truth

Army of Helaman

1. We have been born, as Nephi of old,To goodly parents who love the Lord.

We have been taught, and we understand,That we must do as the Lord commands.

2. We have been saved for these latter days

To build the kingdom in righteous ways.We hear the words our prophet declares:Let each whos worthy go forth and share.

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3. We know his plan, and we will prepare,Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.

Daily well learn until we are calledTo take the gospel to all the world.ChorusWe are as the army of Helaman.

We have been taught in our youth.And we will be the Lords missionariesTo bring the world his truth.

Whenever I Think about Pioneers1. (Boys) Whenever I think about pioneers,

I think of brave women and men.I like to remember that children came, too;

I would like to have been a child then.

2. (Girls) Yes, Id like to have learned to play the games they playedAnd joined them in their fun.And Id like to have slept under bright starry skiesWhen each days measured journey was done.

3. (Boys)* I would like to have sung with the pioneersWhen voices rang out loud and strong,Hosanna, Hosanna, weve found our new home,

Joy and thankfulness filling their song.

4. (Girls)* I would like to have sung with all the pioneers,With voices loud and strong,

Hosanna, Hosanna, weve found our new home,Joy and thankfulness filling their song.

The Life of a Pioneer

(Verse 1)If I had the life of a Pioneer (Pioneer)

Into the hills I would fly (Id fly)There to remain as a Pioneer (Pioneer)

Until the day that I died. (I died!) CHORUS!

Chorus:

Ooh-la-la, ooh-la-la, ooh-la,

Ooh-la-la, ooh-la-la-la.Ooh-la-la, ooh-la-la, ooh-la,Ooh-la-la, ooh-la-la-la.

(Verse 2)If I had the smell of a Pioneer (Pioneer)Into the tub I would fly (Id fly!)

There to remain as a stinky Pioneer (Pioneer)Until I scrubbed with the lye (the lye!) CHORUS!

(Unauthorized and unsanctioned verse)

If I had the wife of a Pioneer (Pioneer)Into the woods I would fly (Id fly!)There to remain as a crazy Pioneer (Pioneer)Until the day that I died. (I died.) CHORUS!

Nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, nag, nag.. (you get the idea)

Give Away

(Background)

Give away, do, do, do, doGive away, do, do, do, do

Oooooh, ooooh, ooooh!

(Verses)1. Give said the little stream as it boogied-on down the hill

Im small I know but wherever I go, the grass grows greener still.And Im singing all the day!(SCAT)

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Give away!

2. Give said the little rain as it fell upon the flowers

Ill raise their droopy heads, I say, as I pour those swinging showers.And Im singing all the day!(SCAT)Give away!

3. You got to give your love away; theres nothin wrong with thatSo take a tip from a stream thats hip, givins where its atAnd Im singing all the day!

(SCAT)Give away!

YANKEE DOODLE

1. Fath'r and I went down to camp, Along with Captain Good'inAnd there we saw the mean nd boys As thick as hasty puddin

2. And there we see a thousand men, As rich as Squire David;And what they wasted every day, I wish it could be saved.

3. And there was Captin Washington Upon a slapping stallionA-giving orders to his men, i guess there was a million.

4. And then the feathers on his hat, They look'd so very fine, ah!

I wanted pesk-i-ly to get To give to my Jemima.

CHORUS:Yankee Doodle keep it up, Yankee Doodle dandy

Mind the music and the step, And with the girls be handy.

SHOO-FLY, DON'T BOTHER ME

Shoo-fly, Don't bother me! Shoo-fly don't bother me! Shoo-fly don't bother me!I belong to compn'y ___________ (sing your family name).

I feel, I feel, I feel; I feel like a morning star. I feel, I feel, I feel; I feel like a morning star.

OH, MY DARLING CLEMENTINE

1. In a cavern, in a canyon, Excavating for a mine

Dwelt a miner, forty-niner, And his daughter Clementine.2. Light she was and like a fairy, and her shoes were number nine;Herring boxes without top-ses, Sandals were for Clementine.

3. Drove she ducklings to the water, Ev'ry morning just at nine;Hit her foot against a splinter, Fell into the foaming brine.4. Ruby lips above the water, blowing bubbles soft and fine;Alas for me! I was no swimmer, So I lost my Clementine.

CHORUSOh my darling, Oh my darling, Oh my darling Clementine;You are lost and gone forever, Dreadful sorry, Clementine.

SHE'LL BE COMIN' 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN

1. She'll be Comin' 'Round the mountain when she comes,She'll be Comin' 'Round the mountain when she comes,

She'll be steam in and a puffin', andShe won't stop for nothin'; She'll be Comin' 'Round the mountain when she comes.2. She'll be driven' six white horses when she comes,She'll be driving six white horses when she comes,

She'll be drivin' six white horses, She'll be driving six white horses,She'll be drivin' six white horses when she comes.

3. Oh, We'll all go out to meet her when she comes.Oh, we'll all go out to meet her when she comes,

We will kill the old red rooster, We will kill the old red rooster,And we'll all have chicken dumplings when she comes.

OH! SUSANNA

1. I came from Alabama with a banjo on my knee,

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I'm goin' to Louisiana, My true love for to see, It rained all night the day I left,The weather it was dry, The sun so hot I froze to death, Susanna don't you cry.2. I had a dream the other night, when everything was still I thought I saw Susanna

A-comin' down the hill, The buckwheat cake was in her mouth, The tear was in her eye; Say I am coming from the south, Susanna don't you cry.

CHORUSOh! Susanna Oh! Don't you cry for me, I've Come from Alaabama with a banjo on my knee.

Polly-Wolly-Doodle

1. Oh, I went down South for to see my Sal, Sing Polly Wolly Doodle all the Day;My Sally am a spunky girl, Sing Polly Wolly Doodle all the day.

Fare thee well, Fare thee well, Fare thee all, my fairy fayFor I'm goin to Louisiana For to see my Susy-ana Sing Polly Wolly Doodle all day.

2. Oh my Sal, she am a maiden fair, Sing Polly Wolly Doodle all the Day;

With curly eyes and laughing hair, Sing Polly Wolly Doodle all the Day.Fare thee well, Fare thee well, Fare thee all, my fairy fay

For I'm goin to Louisiana For to see my Susy-ana Sing Polly Wolly Doodle all day.

Abide with Me; 'Tis Eventide, no. 1651. Abide with me; 'tis eventide.

The day is past and gone;The shadows of the evening fall;The night is coming on.Within my heart a welcome guest,

Within my home abide.

[Chorus]O Savior, stay this night with me;

Behold, 'tis eventide.O Savior, stay this night with me;Behold, 'tis eventide.

2. Abide with me; 'tis eventide.Thy walk today with me

Has made my heart within me burn,As I communed with thee.

Thy earnest words have filled my soulAnd kept me near thy side.

3. Abide with me; 'tis eventide,And lone will be the nightIf I cannot commune with thee

Nor find in thee my light.The darkness of the world, I fear,Would in my home abide.

They, the Builders of the Nation, no. 361. They, the builders of the nation,Blazing trails along the way;Stepping-stones for generations

Were their deeds of ev'ry day.Building new and firm foundations,Pushing on the wild frontier,Forging onward, ever onward,

Blessed, honored Pioneer!

2. Service ever was their watchcry;Love became their guiding star;

Courage, their unfailing beacon,Radiating near and far.

Ev'ry day some burden lifted,Ev'ry day some heart to cheer,

Ev'ry day some hope the brighter,Blessed, honored Pioneer!

3. As an ensign to the nation,They unfurled the flag of truth,

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Pillar, guide, and inspirationTo the hosts of waiting youth.Honor, praise, and veneration

To the founders we revere!List our song of adoration,Blessed, honored Pioneer!

America the Beautiful, no. 3381. Oh, beautiful for spacious skies,For amber waves of grain,For purple mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!America! America!

God shed his grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea.

2. Oh, beautiful for pilgrim feet,Whose stern, impassioned stressA thoroughfare of freedom beatAcross the wilderness!

America! America!God mend thine ev'ry flaw,Confirm thy soul in self-control,Thy liberty in law.

3. Oh, beautiful for heroes provedIn liberating strife,Who more than self their country loved,

And mercy more than life!America! America!May God thy gold refine,Till all success be nobleness,

And ev'ry gain divine.

4. Oh, beautiful for patriot dreamThat sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam,Undimmed by human tears!

America! America!

God shed his grace on thee,And crown thy good with brotherhoodFrom sea to shining sea.

Press Forward, Saints, no. 811. Press forward, Saints, with steadfast faith in Christ,

With hope's bright flame alight in heart and mind,With love of God and love of all mankind.

[Chorus]

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2. Press forward, feasting on the word of Christ.Receive his name, rejoicing in his might.

Come unto God; find everlasting light.

3. Press on, enduring in the ways of Christ.His love proclaim thru days of mortal strife.

Thus saith our God: "Ye have eternal life!"

As Sisters in Zion, no. 309

1. As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together;The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.

We'll build up his kingdom with earnest endeavor;We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.

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2. The errand of angels is given to women;And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:To do whatsoever is gentle and human,

To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.

3. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.

Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuitionCan give us the wisdom to truly succeed.

Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah, no. 83

1. Guide us, O thou great Jehovah,Guide us to the promised land.

We are weak, but thou art able;Hold us with thy pow'rful hand.

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,Feed us till the Savior comes, [Alto and Tenor: Savior comes.]

Feed us till the Savior comes.

2. Open, Jesus, Zion's fountains;Let her richest blessings come.

Let the fiery, cloudy pillarGuard us to this holy home.Great Redeemer, Great Redeemer,Bring, oh, bring the welcome day, [Alto and Tenor: welcome day!]

Bring, oh, bring the welcome day!

3. When the earth begins to tremble,Bid our fearful thoughts be still;

When thy judgments spread destruction,Keep us safe on Zion's hill,Singing praises, Singing praises,Songs of glory unto thee, [Alto and Tenor: unto thee,]

Songs of glory unto thee.

How Firm a Foundation, no. 85

1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!

What more can he say than to you he hath said,

Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

2. In ev'ry conditionin sickness, in health,In poverty's vale or abounding in wealth,At home or abroad, on the land or the seaAs thy day

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