Mormon Teens Reenact Spiritual Ancestors' Journey with Pioneer Trek

Nearly 100 Mormon teens from around Connecticut recently spent five days reenacting the trek their pioneer ancestors made across the United States.

The group of teens, ages 14-18 years old, was broken into temporary “families” of 10 siblings overseen by a “ma” and “pa,” a married couple in charge of the teens, according to a release.

Each “family” had to first build their handcart, a two-wheeled cart, typically heaped high with the family’s possessions and pulled by people instead of oxen. The Mormon pioneers used these instead of covered wagons.

The teens’ spiritual ancestors, members of the Church of the Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pulled the carts 3-4 months on their journey west across hills and rocks and through streams. Girls and women did it all clad in the long skirts of traditional pioneer garb.

Tens of thousands of Mormon pioneers made the 1,300-mile trek over plains and mountains to reach Salt Lake Valley, Utah, beginning in 1856, according to lds.org. 

“…the mostly European immigrants built their handcarts, put in about 500 pounds of supplies, organized themselves into companies, and pulled and pushed the handcarts to what is now Utah. Because they came mostly in families, many children and elderly were among them,” the release said.

Today, the reenactments typically occur only once every four years, according to the release. In Connecticut, the group began in late June. Previous treks were held in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 2009. 

In Connecticut, the group gathered in Cockaponset State Forest. After trekking for a couple of days well into the dark of night, the kids and leaders set up a base camp. There was time for pioneer games and dips in the watering hole; for learning wilderness skills; for quiet contemplation alone; and for a barbecue feast and a dance. At base camp, they hauled water and tarps, kettles and firewood. 

Despite the difficult and tiring physical labor (and an order to leave the electronics at home) the Connecticut teens overwhelmingly reported that the trek was one of the best experiences of their lives.

The teens “learn to rely on spiritual strength because we believe our spirits are a big part of who we are,” said Bruce Stratford, President of the New Haven Stake. “The trek is an opportunity for them to learn to draw from that power for additional strength in trying physical circumstances. It’s a wonderful event.”

Many of the teens said the physical ordeals taught them that they could do hard things. Many spoke of the peace and immediacy of life with no electronic distractions and of coming to understand what the pioneers of their faith went through to get to and cultivate a society out of actual wilderness.  Many said they felt an increased love for their own parents and almost all spoke of “an amplified spiritual comprehension, and especially of gratitude for their Heavenly Father.”

A “pa” of one family, Jeff Carlson summed up the experience: “This is a master class in spirituality, brothers and sisters.”

The release noted that the experience was especially poignant as construction on the first LDS temple in Connecticut is due to begin in Farmington in the next month or so.