Over 150 years ago, handcart pioneers traveled West in search of religious freedom and a home where they would be safe from persecution. To honor this seminal event in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 164 youth and 50 adults from the Annandale Virginia Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reenacted the pioneer trek west for its annual youth conference from July 16-18. This event, led by Stake President Doug Bush, took place at the Marriott Ranch in Hume, Virginia. The trek is designed to replicate a typical day’s trek for the handcart pioneers. The 164 youth pushed and pulled 14 handcarts weighing over 250 pounds with all of their belongings. Each handcart was led by a “ma and pa” who provided spiritual and temporal guidance along the way to their family comprised of the participating youth.
The youth, under the watchful eye of adult leaders, were responsible to cook their food and made many of the decisions necessary to complete the journey on the trail, which went through fields as well as over streams and across the hills and rocks. The 14 “families” encountered steep hills, washed out and muddy trails, and more than a few roots and ruts. Additionally, the youth were responsible for making or obtaining their own period clothing and preparing themselves spiritually for the journey. They were presented with scenarios that the pioneers faced to give them a feel for what the pioneers went through physically, spiritually, and emotionally. “We tried replicating the hardships, both physical and spiritual, so the youth would learn more of the sacrifices made by the early pioneers. We also wanted the youth to be able to apply lessons learned in overcoming challenges on the Trek to those that they face in their everyday lives,” said Hank Molinengo, second counselor in the Annandale stake presidency.
Discussions with youth afterwards indicated that lessons were, in fact, learned. This was the second trek for Bianca Thurgood, 18, of the Annandale Ward. Bianca stated: “ I learned that when we are prepared to do hard things, the Lord will help you if you seek his help and listen to the promptings of the spirit.” She also stated that the second time was “much easier; I knew what to expect.” Rachel Sowa, 16 from Springfield , VA, commented that “Trek was really hard but I learned a lot. I learned I could do hard things and persevere. I could push myself physically. “ Lastly, Bianca’s sister, Beatrice Thurgood, 15, stated, “Trek was the hardest , most demanding experience physically and emotionally that I have been through, but I learned that by staying positive and trusting in the Lord that I could handle anything that came my way.”
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There were plenty of fun times on the journey as well. Friday afternoon the group made camp on the side of a small river and participated in various pioneer era games as well as square dancing with music provided by two fiddlers. There was plenty of laughter and friendship throughout the camp.
The 16 mile course was completed in 2 1/2 days. To the amazement of leaders, as youth finished the adventure, they were asking when they could go on Trek again. It was a marvelous experience for all who participated.
