The 24th of July marks 164 years since the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. They have left behind a great heritage and are an inspiration to all of us. They have showed us what those who have desires to follow Christ would be willing to do. There are lots of stories that show their faith, but I will share one that really inspires me. It’s about the rescue party sent out to find the Martin and Willie handcart companies. They were stuck near Devil's Gate Wyoming in blistering cold winter weather. Their food was all but depleted and they had suffered many deaths already. Brigham young had sent a crew from Salt Lake to help.
"Rescue party leader Captain George D. Grant described the scene to President Young in a letter sent by courier on the morning of 3 November 1856: 'You can imagine between five and six hundred men, women and children, worn down by drawing carts through mud and snow, fainting by the wayside, children crying with cold, their limbs stiffened, their feet bleeding, and some of them bare to the frost. The sight is too much for the stoutest of us, but we go on doing our duty, not doubting, nor despairing. Our party is too small to be of much of a help. … We have prayed without ceasing, and the blessings of the Lord have been with us' (as quoted in Improvement Era, Jan. 1914, 209).
"Solomon F. Kimball continues: 'Those of the handcart people who were unable to walk were crowded into the overloaded wagons, and a start was made; the balance of the company hobbling along behind with their carts as best they could.
'When [they] came to the first crossing of the Sweetwater west of Devil’s Gate, they found the stream full of floating ice, making it dangerous to cross, on account of the strong current. However, the teams went over in safety. … When the people who were drawing carts came to the brink of this treacherous stream, they refused to go any further … , as the water in places was almost waist deep, and the river more than a hundred feet wide. … [They] remembered that nearly one-sixth of their number had already perished from the effects of crossing North Platte, eighteen days before. … They … cried mightily unto the Lord for help.
'After … every apparent avenue of escape seemed closed, 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 of that ill-fated handcart company across the snowbound 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’' (They Came by Handcart)."
This story really shows how these young men cared for those around them and followed the savior teaching to love one another (John 13:34). Those 3 really loved they risked their lives for their brothers and sisters. Which the Lord describes as the greatest example of love (John 15:13).there are still men and women who do this today. Some are the only members in their family, some are the only members in their school, community, etc. they have hardships and struggles just as the people in the 1800's. The Mormon Tabernacle choir will be celebrating this by broadcasting a concert on July 23, 2011, at 7:00 p.m. MDT in several languages. this year they will be "paying tribute to those pioneers who left their homes and families to settle the West” and "will also focus on men and women who have served in the military" (Learn More).
No comments:
Post a Comment