West Stake Trek

Come to the Mountain of the Lord was the theme of Trek for the West Stake youth ages 14-18 on July 8-11. One hundred-twenty youth along with Ma and Pa’s, Ramrods and Elwood and Tara Faught as the trail bosses pulled their handcarts along a 13 miles trail through the quaking aspens and pine tress on Cedar Mountain on private land.

“The youth began Trek by getting that “power from on High” that was promised the saints before their journey in 1847. The Saints had refused to leave Nauvoo until President Brigham Young performed their endowment – they knew they would need that power and knowledge of being sealed to loved ones that they might lose on the journey.” Tara Faught.

The youth were divided into three groups and were able to perform baptisms for their ancestors in the St. George Temple, Red Cliffs or Cedar City Temple. They all had the experience of the visitors center too!

Tara Faught shared the following – “Trek was amazing for everyone involved! One of the parts Bro. Faught and I loved was the vignettes that were planned along the trail. We had Indians and temples both big and small, a cart with a family off to the side standing next to a fresh grave with wolves howling in the trees. “

“My favorite was coming to a hill and seeing Tyler Hughes representing Joseph Smith, Jr. digging out the Golden Plates with a life size Angel Moroni hovering a little way away. It was here that Presidents Hollingshead and Pollock would bare their testimonies of just how special that moment was in the history of the world.”

A Ma handcart group of just women went along to remind all that single women and widows wanted to reach Zion too.

The youth had activities and games such as stick pull, nine square, and snap. There were line dancing and square in the evening. The mountain was the perfect place for star gazing. Singing hymns and primary songs on the trail helped them pull their carts. Brinley said, “Some friends invited me to go over to an edge in the forest, and we sang a lot of church songs - my favorite was ‘Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam.’ The star gazing was amazing!”

Devotionals were held each morning and evening and one was a testimony meeting.

A sunrise service was held one morning with the theme ‘light outshines the darkness.’ This was on the edge of the mountain overlooking Cedar Breaks as the sun rose over the eastern line of mountains – it was a spectacular view of God’s creations!

Angie Allen, a Ma, said, “The experience that touched me the most was the women’s pull when the young men are “called away” to join the Mormon Battalion, leaving the women to continue the journey alone. Before we started pulling, we were told we needed to lighten our handcarts by leaving some things behind. At first, the young women thought they would just bring their own things. But then, knowing the men would be missing their belongings, they decided it was only fair to either take everything or leave everything. They were willing to carry the load and do their part. I saw true Christlike love!”

All along the trail of the women’s pull were large poster with pictures of 15 different temples inviting the youth to look forward to going to the temple.

The youth researched an ancestor to walk for – usually a pioneer ancestor if they had one. Aria Jones said, “I walked for James Hughes who came from South Wales and came all the way to Utah. He and his family were one of first six families in Mesquite. They were community builders.”

Adron Klug shared, “The biggest thing I saw was the growth of everyone here! Some people would not even help pull their cart and now, they’re pulling their part. It was amazing to see everyone pitching in to help. No drama, just perfect. Trek is hard, the trail was rough, but we got through it!”

Many of the youth said they did not really know the others in their trek family before they left. Special memories were made and bonds of friendship were formed in the “families.”

Ria Davis said, “I will definitely take these memories home and my testimony. In one devotional they said, ‘don’t leave your testimony in the handcarts’ which I will definitely not.”

Justin Whipple shared the following about serving as a Pa – “Throughout the trek, we were inspired as we watched these young men and women grow in faith, work together and persevere through physical and emotional challenges Their willingness to support one another and maintain positive attitudes strengthened our testimony of the power of unity and faith in Jesus Christ. Some of our favorite memories included the women’s pull, square dancing, activities and attending the sunrise devotional given by President and Sister Hollingshead.”

Saturday at noon as the youth, pulling and pushing their handcarts, entered the open meadow, they were led by rider on horseback carrying the American flag! With parents and family waving white handkerchiefs and cheering, the youth formed a circle the meadow with the handcarts. Everyone felt the excitement as they sang “Come, Come, Ye Saints!” After greeting their parents and family, everyone was treated to a lunch. Sitting on logs or their buckets they enjoyed a meal of grilled hot dogs with all the trimmings and plenty of watermelon! Thank you, Clancy Cox, for bringing your horse and riding in to give authenticity to the trek.

The youth were fed well on the trail – with pulled pork, tacos, beans and rice, biscuits and gravy other great meals. A special meal was prepared on Friday by Danny Allen – beef brisket, light airy rolls, and yummy peach cobbler!

The youth had also prepared for the trek by gathering pioneer clothing – long skirts, long sleeve blouses, aprons and bonnets for the girls and khaki pants, long sleeve shirts and straw or cloth hats for the young men. They had each packed their extra clothing in a 5-gallon bucket with bedding, scriptures and necessities.

The trek committee has worked for months to organize and prepare for this memorable experience for the youth. Many thanks to the cooks, photographers, musicians, and those in charge of activities, vignettes, equipment, transportation, advertising and the welcome home party.