Messages From Our Pioneers

Our youth and their trek families had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send messages home to their families and to the ward on Friday, August 1, 2008, thanks to Gordon and Jill Smith's homing pigeons.

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.