Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The 8th Pigeon
The 8th and final pigeon arrived Saturday morning after resting overnight Friday. I can't help but think of the handcart companies or the individual pioneers that got separated from their families and original companies because they needed to stop and rest, nurture and care for the sick and ailing, yet still made it to Zion a day (or days) later. All of the pigeons from our trek had to stop to water along the way due to the intense heat they were not accustomed to flying in, while also navigating unfamiliar terrain home! The last pigeon carried the following messages:
"I learned the pioneers had it tough so respect them." Jon Boyer
"I learned that it would be hard to be a pioneer." Beau Caldwell
"I learned how to dance like the pioneers. I was professional." Keaton Secretan
" I learned that it got really hot in the day and cold at night, so it must have been really hard to keep warm." Katie L.
"We love you guys a lot and miss you, but if I had the choice I'd do it all again." Jessica Stirling
"I have learned to appreciate the pioneers in a way I could not have otherwise. This has been a faith building experience for me personally. I have also learned that our youth are true pioneers. They are wonderfully positive, grateful, and willing to serve. They are our pioneers for tomorrow. As we send this message we are tired but gazing on the beauty of the valley called Zion." Bishop Greg Cook
"I learned the pioneers had it tough so respect them." Jon Boyer
"I learned that it would be hard to be a pioneer." Beau Caldwell
"I learned how to dance like the pioneers. I was professional." Keaton Secretan
" I learned that it got really hot in the day and cold at night, so it must have been really hard to keep warm." Katie L.
"We love you guys a lot and miss you, but if I had the choice I'd do it all again." Jessica Stirling
"I have learned to appreciate the pioneers in a way I could not have otherwise. This has been a faith building experience for me personally. I have also learned that our youth are true pioneers. They are wonderfully positive, grateful, and willing to serve. They are our pioneers for tomorrow. As we send this message we are tired but gazing on the beauty of the valley called Zion." Bishop Greg Cook
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Messages From Our Pioneers
Homing (aka carrier) pigeons are selectively bred to be able to find their way home over extremely long distances. The farthest recorded travel distance is just over 1,118 miles. In case you were wondering, the record was not set on our trek! Their average flying speed over moderate distances is around 30 mph, but they can achieve bursts of speed up to about 59 mph.
Seven thirsty pigeons delivered messages on Friday evening. It was the hottest day of the year so far at 103 degrees! In a similar fashion to how the true handcart pioneers arrived into the valley, these valiant messengers arrived within both minutes and hours of each other. The 8th and final pigeon had not arrived as of 9:00pm. Pigeon #1154 arrived at 4:29pm, #1101 arrived at 5:51pm, #1017 arrived at 5:58pm, #483 arrived at 7:01pm, #1232 arrived at 7:53pm, #1153 arrived at 8:03pm; and #1056 arrived at 8:42pm. The messages were wet and muddy when they arrived.
We appreciate being able to feel the Spirit and catch a glimpse into the lives of our ward pioneers on their trek through these messages.
From the Miller family (Dave, Tammy, JJ, Jerrick, Keaton, Missy, Brooke, and Valerie):
Message #1 - "Day One: Joseph Smith movie, pulled handcarts and beautified the earth, blue grass band and wonderful square dancing!"
"Day Two: Climbed Big Mountain!! Almost to Zion!!"Message #2 - "From our Pioneer ancestors we learned that through Obedience, Gratitude, Faith, Steadfast, Love, Hope and Sacrifice, the Lord will carry us through our Trials."
From the Osguthorpe family (Russ, Mary, Brittany, Natalie, Kaitlin):
"We are dying but we love it. We love you a million. This has been an incredible experience. We are learning so much and our testimonies are growing. Wish you were here. We miss you but we will see you tomorrow."
From our Youth and Leaders:
"Well, I didn't make it to my destination, I broke my leg. Just kidding." Rhett R. 81
"I am so grateful for the pioneers! The pioneers' strength was definitely from the Lord. Amazing!"
"The standard of truth has been erected. Take a Drink!" John David, Jake Palmer, Preston Chapman, RO
" After living as the pioneers did and seeing a fraction of how they lived there is no way I could possibly deny the church. Neither I nor the blessed pioneers, who walked all this way, would do it just for fun. Even doing it now, the Spirit is there with you, telling you it's right. Even today I can feel God's hands, as we push and pull our handcarts. Looking out between the beautiful mountains, I can't see it without knowing there is a God. He loves me very much. What I know and believe is true." Aleicia Britsch
"I have learned that you have to trust the others around you and be able to have others trust you, like when we had to carry the handcarts with just the girls." Brandi Perkins
"This was a very spiritual and emotional day, as we walked on the actual trail of the pioneers and really felt their spirit. The 'messengers' along the way were inspiring and contributed greatly to the spirit of the day. I have felt the Spirit in abundance." Julie Cook
"This is the right place." Sandy Henderson
"I am so grateful to have been on the trek." Dorene Larsen
"Thanks for the special pigeons. They are like their owners." Ken Nickell
"So happy I was a small part of this spiritual event."
Darylene Nickell
"Bob the Builder died today and we are mourning. Wow, the people who did this trek across the west must have been so very determined. Thank you, pioneers!"
"My testimony is stronger because of this trek. There is no denying the truth of the church because of the pioneers."
"Hi, Bella!" Kaitlin Miller
May we all pause to reflect upon how greatly our lives are blessed because the pioneers journeyed west. May our thoughts and hearts turn to the "8th pigeon" in our lives -- those who are still wandering lost, those who endured to the end, and those in need of rescue to make it home.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Why do we Trek?
First Presidency Message: A Priceless Heritage
James E. Faust
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=c51876e6ffe0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
They Came by Handcart
By Paul H. Peterson
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=86ec57b60090c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
Faith in Every Footstep
By Elder Robert L. BackmanEmeritus General Authority
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e9fa9527730eb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
James E. Faust
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=c51876e6ffe0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
They Came by Handcart
By Paul H. Peterson
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=86ec57b60090c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
Faith in Every Footstep
By Elder Robert L. BackmanEmeritus General Authority
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=e9fa9527730eb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
The Schedule
Mahogany 4th Ward Youth Conference
Thursday July 31st
7:00 am – Arrive at Stake Center
Breakfast of Juice and Muffins, donuts
Organize into families
7:45 am – Load Up
Memorize Standard of Truth
Car drivers will make sure that the right youths are with them
8:45 am – Arrive at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building
View the movie “Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration”
10:30 am – Load Cars
Car drivers will make sure that the right youths are with them
12:00 pm – Arrive at East Canyon State Park (Riverside Campground)
Eat Lunch
Stand and recite “Standard of Truth”
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecution may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done. (Joseph Smith)
1:30 pm – Hike 1 mile to trailhead
2:30 pm – Pioneer Handcart experience
Load supplies into handcarts (sleeping bags, duffel bags)
Read the pioneer story at markers
Do handcart activities
6:00 pm – Arrive at Mormon Flat Campground
Retrieve tents and set up camp
Each family will have a predetermine location
7:30 pm - Dinner
Eat as families
8:30 pm - Evening Activities
Create family shout
Family games
9:00 pm – Fireside
Bishopric member or special speaker
9:45 pm – Family Time and Family Prayer
Friday August 1st
7:30 am – Load tents, sleeping bags and duffel bags on trailer
8:30 am – Breakfast
9:15 am – Begin Big Mountain Trail
Storytellers along the way
12:00 pm – Lunch
Lunch top of Big Mountain
4:00 pm – Arrive at Camp Affleck
Each family retrieve gear
Set up camp
5:00 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Evening Activities
Family Shouts
Square Dancing
7:00 pm – Bishopric Time
8:30 pm - Fireside
Guest speaker
9:30 pm – Snack
9:45 pm – Family Time and Prayer
Saturday August 2nd
7:30 am – Load tents, sleeping bags and duffel bags on trailer
8:30 am – Breakfast
9:30 am - Pioneer Games
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Hike to Little Dell Reservoir
2:00 pm – Load up cars
Travel to Emigration Canyon
Signs of Pioneers
Donner Hill
3:00 pm – Arrive at Ensign Peak
Climb Ensign Peak
Write in Journals
Special Presentation
Testimony Meeting for all who desire
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm - Load up cars for return to Stake Center
Snack Provided
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm - Arrive at Stake Center
Retrieve Gear
Thursday July 31st
7:00 am – Arrive at Stake Center
Breakfast of Juice and Muffins, donuts
Organize into families
7:45 am – Load Up
Memorize Standard of Truth
Car drivers will make sure that the right youths are with them
8:45 am – Arrive at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building
View the movie “Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration”
10:30 am – Load Cars
Car drivers will make sure that the right youths are with them
12:00 pm – Arrive at East Canyon State Park (Riverside Campground)
Eat Lunch
Stand and recite “Standard of Truth”
“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecution may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done. (Joseph Smith)
1:30 pm – Hike 1 mile to trailhead
2:30 pm – Pioneer Handcart experience
Load supplies into handcarts (sleeping bags, duffel bags)
Read the pioneer story at markers
Do handcart activities
6:00 pm – Arrive at Mormon Flat Campground
Retrieve tents and set up camp
Each family will have a predetermine location
7:30 pm - Dinner
Eat as families
8:30 pm - Evening Activities
Create family shout
Family games
9:00 pm – Fireside
Bishopric member or special speaker
9:45 pm – Family Time and Family Prayer
Friday August 1st
7:30 am – Load tents, sleeping bags and duffel bags on trailer
8:30 am – Breakfast
9:15 am – Begin Big Mountain Trail
Storytellers along the way
12:00 pm – Lunch
Lunch top of Big Mountain
4:00 pm – Arrive at Camp Affleck
Each family retrieve gear
Set up camp
5:00 pm – Dinner
6:00 pm – Evening Activities
Family Shouts
Square Dancing
7:00 pm – Bishopric Time
8:30 pm - Fireside
Guest speaker
9:30 pm – Snack
9:45 pm – Family Time and Prayer
Saturday August 2nd
7:30 am – Load tents, sleeping bags and duffel bags on trailer
8:30 am – Breakfast
9:30 am - Pioneer Games
12:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – Hike to Little Dell Reservoir
2:00 pm – Load up cars
Travel to Emigration Canyon
Signs of Pioneers
Donner Hill
3:00 pm – Arrive at Ensign Peak
Climb Ensign Peak
Write in Journals
Special Presentation
Testimony Meeting for all who desire
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm - Load up cars for return to Stake Center
Snack Provided
5:30 pm – 6:00 pm - Arrive at Stake Center
Retrieve Gear
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