Your Pioneer

Pioneer History
Trekking With A Pioneer

Louis and Mary Beus arrived in Salt Lake City with the Edmund Ellsworth Company in 1856. They came with the first handcart company to cross the plains.

More than 90% of the Mormon pioneers who crossed the 1,300 miles of wilderness to Salt Lake City, Utah did so with the aid of covered wagons pulled by oxen or horses. Less than 10% pulled handcarts, however, these saints inspire us today because of their devotion and perseverance to their faith and family. For three months these saints pulled small wagons by hand, step by step, mile by mile. 8 of the 10 handcart companies struggled to get to Salt Lake, but incurred a relatively low loss of life. The remaining two companies, lead by James Willie and Edward Martin both faced horrific conditions resulting in over 210 deaths along the way. Roughly 1 in 5 died along the trail.

We honor these great men, women and children by reflecting on their experiences and remembering their sacrifice. Trek provides an opportunity for us to gain some insight into their experiences. Your Trek experience will be wonderful and life changing. Incorporating the spirit of an actual pioneer will amplify your experience. Please spend some time prior to Trek learning about these ordinary people who did amazing things. Hearing their stories will give you a glimpse into their ordeals, empathize with their struggles, and rejoice in their triumphs.

Each of you will be asked to “take a pioneer with you” on Trek. You have the option of either selecting a family ancestor (if you have one who was a pioneer) or having a pioneer name assigned to you. 

If you choose to walk for your own ancestor, select a family member who crossed the plains that risked it all to get to Zion. Please let your ward leaders know by May 1st if you have an ancestor you wish to walk for.

The pioneer you "take with you on trek" should be kept in your thoughts as you participate in Trek. This could be someone who survived the journey or someone who didn’t. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about that person and be prepared to share their story while on trek with your family.