For the Reporter
Kent area youth and adult leaders recently took a step back in time to embark on a challenging journey – a trip resilient Mormon pioneers made more than 150 years ago.
The teenagers and leaders, approximately 140 strong and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, completed the Mormon Pioneer Trek near Prosser in July.
Rather than cross the plains of the Midwest, they put their shoulders to the wheel in Bing Canyon, south of Kennewick, near the Washington-Oregon border.
The church’s Kent Stake organizes the journey every four years, along with pioneer treks re-enacted by LDS youth throughout the world.
Youth pulled handcarts with gear like those used by the early pioneers who began their journey between 1856-1860. The handcarts are approximately 6-by-8 feet in size, with two large wagon wheels and a bar for pulling and pushing the cart along.
Youth donned pioneer attire similar to that worn in the 1800s, cooked their meals on the trail, were treated to period music and slept under the stars.
The teens were assigned to a family consisting of approximately nine youth, plus a “Ma” and “Pa.” Each person received a wrist band with the name and biography of a real pioneer.
The trek took place on a barren desert trail approximately 18 miles in length. Throughout the trek, youth heard pioneer stories and encountered some of the ordeals of early pioneer life.
The trek was strenuous and hard, which was part of the appeal. Over the course of three days, youth pulled the handcarts approximately 17 miles across hot sand, sagebrush and dirt.
The end of the trek for the youth found familiar faces, green grass, food and a popular hair washing station. They were able to view a list with the names of the pioneers on their bracelet to see if the person they were assigned survived the journey.
After returning home, youth shared their experiences. They felt a connection to the Mormon pioneers.
“This is the best church activity I’ve ever been a part of,” said Brandon Jessup, 16.
In preparation for the trip, youth learned pioneer era dances, were assigned a pioneer personality to research, and were encouraged to learn about their own family history.
Approximately 70,000 Mormon pioneers crossed the plains after the migration began in 1846. Prior efforts to settle in the Midwest were met with varying degrees of hostility by locals and government officials.
Most pioneers made the journey in covered wagons pulled by teams of oxen. Approximately 5 percent made the trip pulling handcarts, which was a less expensive and a sometimes faster way to travel.
The pioneers largely blazed their own trail, avoiding conflicts with those heading to California for the Gold Rush, or those following the Oregon Trail.
The westward journey from Iowa City, Iowa to Salt Lake City, Utah was approximately 1,300 miles, though most pioneers began their journey in Europe before immigrating to the United States.
– Patrick Hanis contributed to this story.
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