In Their Footsteps

At 8 a.m. on the fifteenth of July, some two dozen youth and local youth leaders of Kamiah 2nd Ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints left Clearwater with two authentic hand-made handcarts holding loaded buckets and food, and started a strenuous trek along rough back roads that would last four days. The trek was made in honor of their Latter-Day Saint ancestors who crossed Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming between 1846-1857 to gain religious freedom; they endured countless hardships, including death, and eventually entered the Salt Lake Valley of what later became Utah State.

This year a committee was formed to plan and prepare for this trek; endless hours of planning extended over long months brought about the final results. Amish handcart kits were ordered from the East, and were put together by several young men who would be participating in the handcart trek. Several historical reenactments were put into play, including the “Mormon Battalion” incident where the men were called away to fight in the Mexican war, leaving the woman to pull the handcarts on their own.

Activities such as square-dancing, dutch-oven food and pony express delivery occurred, teaching Latter-Day youth more about traditions in the times of their pioneer ancestors, historical facts and to “appreciate that the first Saints remained cheerful despite disheartening circumstances,” says Deborah Wadsworth, Trek Committee Member and Young Woman President of Kamiah 2nd Ward.

“This trek was planned so that the youth would understand and appreciate the sacrifices endured by early members of the Church,” Wadsworth continues. “So they would understand how to endure to the end, and the significance of religious freedom. This doesn't just apply to our Church. It's comparable to the sacrifices made by the pilgrims on the Mayflower. Anyone who wants religious freedom endures whatever hardships come to attain it.”

The weather remained beautiful for the trek's duration, but that didn't stop this trek from having a few setbacks—some planned, some not. One evening dinner didn't arrive, as it had on previous nights. Youth Leaders offered 1/2 cup of flour, with water, and three tablespoons of wheat berries to the youth—the only food with them—to try and sate their hunger. This meal was similar to what the pioneers had to eat on the Mormon Trail. After the youth had eaten this, the real food arrived; stark contrast to the tiny portions they first received. Unplanned, however, was surgery, when one leader got an infection on his foot. A pocketknife and disinfectant were the only tools available.

Letters, written by real parents and loved one were delivered by pony express to the youth.

Wednesday evening found the trek participants with an opportunity to share their feelings about the trek, as well as bear their testimony to the group. Heartfelt emotions filled the atmosphere as youth and adults felt near-inexpressible gratitude for the sacrifices made by pioneers so long ago.

On July 18, tired, dirty and smiling, Kamiah 2nd Ward pulled the sturdy handcarts back into Clearwater some thirty-miles later with newfound love and understanding for their ancestors, having walked in their footsteps.

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Clearwater Article, Draft 1
(c) Melissa Wadsworth