Utah Rest Area: Echo Canyon Eastbound

The Echo Canyon rest area is unique in a couple of ways.  There is a short hike from the rest area.  It also documents Mormon Pioneer history as well as the Utah War as it pertains to Echo Canyon.

looking to the westbound rest area where there is a wagon

Lyman Wyoming Rest Area, both East and Westbound.

 In Wyoming rest areas are usually accessible from both directions of travel.  This rest area is close to Wyoming.  The rest areas always have some notification regarding the local wildlife.  This rest area also has a memorial to Mormon pioneers.

Talk in the Cold Springs Ward, December 28, 2025: Sacrifice

 I left some of the talk out when I gave it for lack of time, this is the entire talk.

I love to study local history, especially local history as it pertains to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

San Jose, Sam Brannan and the battle of Santa Clara

Manteca, New Hope and Sam Brannan encouraging Brigham Young to come to California, but was refused.

Kingman. Bonelli Family, Oatman family

Brigham Young Called, Bellevue, Come come ye saints, Cutler’s Park, Winter Quarters, window murals, Avaard Fairbanks, 600 deaths mostly children,  Great great great grandmother Sarah Ann Barlow Ashton is buried near Cutler's Park in 1856 with the Martin Handcart Company

Our pioneer ancestors exemplified the law of sacrifice

 TO THOSE PIONEERS WHO DIED ON THE PLAINS

AND WERE BURIED IN LONELY GRAVES ALONG THE TRAIL

Lay him down tenderly under the willows;

Dampen the warm brown earth with your tears;

Then turn your face again to the prairie,

Harden your heart to the lonely years.

We must relinquish him to this wide darkness,

Push toward the goal again, smiling and brave;

The willows will guard him silent and weeping,

No one will know that they shelter his grave.

Lay him down quietly under the willows,

Lay him down gently, gently, and then

Run away quickly, softly, on tiptoe--

We cannot come back to the willows again.

     by Lisbeth Wallis, Improvement Era, July 1943 (Skousen)

Pioneer story, Langley Bailey. Also with the Martin Handcart Company were Isaac John Wardle great great grandfather and his friend Langley Bailey.  Langley became ill crossing Iowa and was pulled on the cart by Isaac and Langley's brother John, then 15.  Upon arriving at Florence for outfitting, Langley's mother had Franklin D. Richards, and apostle give him a blessing.  The apostle promised that he would arrive in Salt Lake alive.  Langley said he had the ague.  Anything he ate would run right through him like a funnel.  Consequently he shared his allotment of food with Isaac and Langley.  Langley would make it to Salt Lake though he only weighed 70 pounds upon arriving.  He was 18.  Langley 60 years later would write Isaac a letter.  Isaac and John pulled him until he was able to ride in a wagon after the rescuers found them.  

Nephi Nov 28/16

Isaac J Wardle Esq

My Dear Most Respected Old Friend. How are you.

I hope and pray that you are well in health in your old age. and prospering.

You and me are in much better condissions than we were at this time 60 years ago, I can remember one morning. every tent was blowed down. but ours. You did stake our tent down strong and firm My dear Brother. I honor and respect you much more than I can explain. You and my brother John (he was a boy 15) hauled me on the hand cart for hundreds of miles. Can I forget you. Can I ever repay, you for your kindness No, No,

I will now Close my dear old boy. I am writing without the use of glasses. my hand is steady in March I will be 79. you are 81.

God bless you. May peace crown your latter days. Please let me hear from you. get someone to write for you

I am yours Very Respectfully

Langley A. Bailey

Langley would attend Isaac's funeral a few years later and was heard to say, I outlived even you.

Melvin J Ballard. April 1992

In my mind’s eye, I see the suffering of those faithful Saints and know that in their extremity,. under circumstances hard for us today to conceive, many of them came to know God in a way that few people will ever understand. (The line about knowing God is attributed to Francis Webster.  He too pulled someone on his cart and said in essence, I have pulled the handcart until I couldn't go any further.  I have seen a sand bar and said I can only go that far and then I must quit.  When I got to the sand bar the handcart began pushing me.  I looked and couldn't see anyone.  I knew then the angels of God were there.  I know God is real, I felt him in my bones with every step I took, and in my extgremnities I became acquainted with God.) … Our pioneer ancestors gave everything, even their lives, for their faith, for the building of the kingdom of God when the Church was in its infancy. … They helped, nourished, and strengthened each other in their extremity and shared unstintingly. Their material means, such as food, clothing, and shelter, were meager, but their love for one another and their devotion to their Lord and to the gospel were boundless.

Instead of physical deprivation and hardship, we face the challenge of remaining true and faithful to gospel principles amidst such evil and destructive forces as dishonesty, corruption, drug and alcohol misuse, and disease often caused by sexual promiscuity. Also, we find ourselves in combat daily with immorality in all of its many forms. Pornography and violence, often portrayed in insidious television shows, movies, and videos, are running rampant. Hate and envy, greed and selfishness are all about us, and families are disintegrating at an ever-increasing pace. In the midst of all of this, my brothers and sisters, we must never forget the source of our abundant blessings.

Sacrifice is a demonstration of pure love. The degree of our love for the Lord, for the gospel, and for our fellow man can be measured by what we are willing to sacrifice for them. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ manifested the supreme example of this love. His life and ministry established a pattern for us to follow. His divine mission was culminated in a supreme act of love as He allowed His life to be sacrificed for us. Having power over life and death, He chose to submit himself to pain, ridicule, and suffering, and offered His life as a ransom for our sins. Because of His love, He suffered both body and spirit to a degree beyond our comprehension and took upon Himself our sins if we repent. Through His personal sacrifice, He provided a way for us to have our sins forgiven and, through Him, to find our way back into the presence of our Heavenly Father.

The sacrifice he requires of us is “a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (3 Ne. 9:20), which can lead us to repentance. When we consider His example, the demands made upon our time or means are slight in comparison. We should, therefore, give gladly and count it as a blessing and an opportunity.

Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit=be humble

Marlin K Jensen First quorum of seventy April 2001

Fortunately, the Savior has given us a model for developing humility. When His disciples approached Him and inquired, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He responded by placing a little child in their midst and stating, “Whosoever … shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Mosiah 3:19. For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Elder Jensen

A story contained in the family lore of Brigham Young’s descendants illustrates the submissive nature of humility. It recounts that in a public meeting the Prophet Joseph, possibly as a test, sternly rebuked Brigham Young for something he had done or something he was supposed to have done but hadn’t—the detail is unclear. When Joseph finished the rebuke, everyone in the room waited for Brigham Young’s response. This powerful man, later known as the Lion of the Lord, in a voice everyone could tell was sincere, said simply and humbly, “Joseph, what do you want me to do?”

Picture of Jesus, Las Vegas Temple, and the same picture is in Winter Quarters on the stairs.  I make it a habit when I see the picture to ask Jesus, what more do I need to do?  What lack I yet?

If we brag about being humble, we’re not.  It can be tricky.  Perhaps another story will demonstrate.  I heard George Pace tell this story.  President Pace was a great teacher.  He was president of our branch at the LTM  One time he shared a parable with us, which let us know of our dependence on Jesus, and the atonement:

   A college student was offered $1,000,000 if he could walk and run a certain distance during the course of a day, leaving at sunrise and arriving before sunset.  This man wanted the money, and knew that he was physically fit enough to make it.  He had a mountain to go over, and then had to go through a swamp to get to the place where he would earn the money.
   In the early going he climbed the mountain and thought to himself that it would be easy to make it as he was extremely fit and strong.  He was also very intelligent and a good problem solver.  However he noticed that by the time he got to the top of the mountain, the sun was lower than he would have liked it to be.  He knew he would still make it, however he would have to quicken his pace.  So he ran down the other side of the mountain, knowing he would make it in time.
   But the sun still seemed to be ahead of him.  He began to run faster.  He knew he could make it.  He was strong and in good shape. 
   After running down the mountain he came to the lowland and swampy area.  He had to hurry, but he could make it.  He felt very strong.
   In his hurry, he was not really watching where he was going.  He stepped onto some mushy ground, and the minute he did he realized he had stepped into some quicksand.  But it was too late.  He quickly sunk to his waste.
   He was no longer focused on getting a million dollars.  That was an ancient goal.  Now he was focused on extracting himself from the filth he was in, and saving his own life.  After reviewing his situation, he figured he could quickly get out of the mucky quicksand with the use of his exceeding strength.  So he started to churn his legs, faster and faster.  But as he tried he only sunk deeper and deeper. 
   He finally stopped, and realized that this was the first time his physical strength had failed him.  He would have to rely on his intelligence.
   He looked around, and noticed a limb from a tree that extended over the pond of quicksand.  The limb was connected to a trunk, which was firmly planted on solid ground.  He realized all he had to do was grab the limb, climb up on top of it, and then shimmy down to the trunk and from there to solid ground.
   He was able to grab a hold of the limb, and began to pull himself out of the quicksand.  He was making it, getting higher and higher.  But the limb began to crack from his weight, and his heart fell as the limb broke, and he found himself again in the quicksand, deeper than before because of the momentum of his fall.
   He was totally broken, and saw no way to cling to life.  He continued to sink into the quicksand, up to his chest, his chin, his mouth, and then about ready to cover his nose.  He didn’t want to die.  He tilted his head back clinging to every last breath.
   He watched a hand extend out of heaven, reaching down to him.   He didn’t stop to think of how illogical     that hand being there was.  He simply grabbed the hand and held on as best he could. 
   He started to climb out, getting higher and higher, but the hand was unfamiliar, and his hand was slippery with muck.  He began to slip.  He clang on for dear life, but couldn’t, and fell back into the quicksand. 
   He quickly looked up for the hand again and it was still there.  He grabbed again, and again he failed.  He tried again, and again until finally he was able to hold fast and reach the safe ground.
(From a talk by President George Pace 12/19/1976.) 

            This story was given in response to the words of King Benjamin:

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man, and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord…  (Mosiah 3:19). 

Sometimes we must be in the gunk before we can humble ourselves enough to see God's hand which is extended to us.

What can I do for my part to come to Jesus and take advantage of the law of sacrifice.  The Christmas Song “In the bleak mid winter,” if I were a shepherd I would give a lamb, if I were a wiseman I would do my part. what can I give Him? Give Him my heart. 

Elder Ballard

My brothers and sisters, we must not lose the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by the handcart pioneers. Some of the Lord’s choicest blessings await those who practice this eternal principle through extending themselves in service to God and to their fellowmen. The sacrificing spirit and the happiness that come through service to others can bring peace and joy even amid trials.

Elder Ballard

Be an example of reverence

Generous fast offering

Supporting missionaries

Honest tithing

Accepting callings and serve with a happy heart

Family and personal prayers, personal and family scriptures, and teach each other in family home evening

Be good neighbors, take care of widows, poor and less fortunate

Be worthy to bless others with priesthood.

Today we are not called to pull handcarts through the snow-swept plains of Wyoming. However, we are called to live, foster, and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our privilege to invest our means and our time to bless others. Each one of us must do all we can to preserve our Latter-day Saint way of life. A vital part of this preservation is a willingness to set aside personal desires and replace them with unselfish sacrifice for others.

In conclusion a primary song is worth noting

To Be a Pioneer

1.

You don’t have to push a handcart,

Leave your fam’ly dear,

Or walk a thousand miles or more

To be a pioneer!

2.

You do need to have great courage,

Faith to conquer fear,

And work with might for a cause that’s right

To be a pioneer!

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Visit to the Mormon Trail Center at Winter Quarters for my Birthday

 I chose to go to the Pioneer Trail Center.  It is always a fun place to go and they tell the story of the pioneers really well; Nauvoo to Salt Lake City.  The part I like best is dressing everyone in pioneer clothes and getting a picture with the handcart.

With grandchildren

Our entire group

I learned that the pioneer graves are mostly unmarked, but the headstones at the cemetery are from the local community after the Mormons had left.  The large statue marks the area for the Mormon deaths.  More than three hundred pioneers and as many as 600 are buried here.

Special Witness - Elder Rasband

Being the great-great grandson of pioneers in the Martin handcart Company, I was very touched by this testimony.  He talks of his heritage of faith and endurance, of family who had a testimony of the Lord jesus Christ.  This legacy has helped forge his own testimony.

What Does Pioneer Day Mean to Me

Since yesterday was the 24th of July, pioneer day, I have been putting thought into what significance this day has for me.  When I lived in Salt Lake it was a day to have off work.  Growing up it was a day to head to Mendon in the evening and watch some good softball and maybe visit the snack shack. 
However, as I have become more involved it has become a time to become more nostalgic and remember my forbears.  This includes many who crossed the ocean by sail boat, and then the planes by foot.  There are those in the family who did not make it.  Little babies buried in Saint Louis, or Boston, and on the planes.  And also great great great grandmother Ashton who passed away shortly after giving birth, and is buried in the vicinity of Winter Quarters.  These babies and children and adults have not been visited after their burials, in fact, in most cases, burial sites are not known to the family. 
And then of course there are those ancestors who survived, and provided a pioneer heritage of fortitude, and perseverance, and faith in God.  Who dared come to a new land, take on the life of farming, and make a living for themselves.
It is to these ancestors I am grateful for the heritage they have left me.  I try to respect that heritage in my daily activities.

Mormon Movie Review: ****^Legacy (to hst)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulLvUw-c96o
This move tells the Mormon story.  It is based on historical happenings, but is told through the eyes of a fictional family, the Williams.  This is the story of Eliza Williams, who is presented as a contemporary of Joseph Smith.  She embraces the gospel as a young girl of 13, is present at the Missouri persecutions, Independence and Haun's Mill.  She receives a blessing from Joseph Smith's hand in Commerce (later to become Nauvoo.)  She participates in the construction of the Nauvoo Temple.  Her boyfriend, husband is a stone cutter recently arrived from England.  She is part of the trek across Iowa and Winter Quarters.  Her husband, David Walker is part of the Mormon Battalion.  She takes the part of Mary Fielding Smith and blessing her ox.
This movie gets me every time when Eliza's father falls in the mud crossing Iowa.  The Tabernacle Choir is singing "Come Come Ye Saints" and that part makes me cry every time. 

Music Review: Pioneer Day Celebration 2006 (to mmboe)

I have been watching the Pioneer Day Celebration of 2006, sesquicentennial of the handcart pioneers.  This concert features the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra.  It also features the Brett Family Singers.  I taped it on VCR when it was presented on BYUtv.  The choir sang four folk songs arranged by Mack Wahlberg.  The Brett Family Singers sang songs from musicals and other popular songs: "The Impossible Dream," "Where Is Love," "You Build Me Up" and "Let There Be Peace."  "The Impossible Dream" is one of my favorite, but I didn't care for their arrangements with an echo quality throughout.  However the other songs were well done.  "You Build Me Up" was dedicated to President Hinckley.
There was a violin solo as part of the choir song "Lead Thou Me On."  It was very moving.  The choir also sang to excerpts from the film "Sweetwater Rescue."  This portion concluded with the song "Dear Zion," which was commonly sung by the pioneers.  President Hinckley spoke briefly.  "We should never forget the pioneers and their sacrifice."  The performance then concluded with " Come, Come Ye Saints."  Very moving.  My only regret is I could not find it on the LDS Website or You Tube to share.

Mormon Movie Review: ****Faith in Every Footstep: The Epic Pioneer Journey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1zDMnx56SMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6cyIDUMNWA&NR=1

I found links in two parts to this movie on Facebook.  I have a copy from the distribution center at home, and it is part of the "Church History: Home and Family Collection".  It was originally shown in conference April, 6, 1997 to commemorate the 150 years of the pioneers.  It is narrated by the first presidence at the time.  Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust.  It follows the trek of the first company, while also talking of the handcart companies.

James E. Faust narrated the part about the handcarts, and made this analogy for our day.  He said, "In the heroic effort of the handcart pioneers we learn a great tuth.  All must pass through a refiner's fire.  And the insignificant and unimportant in our lives would melt away like dross and make our faith bright and tacked and strong.  There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who seek to do right and be faithful, yet this is part of the purging to become 'acquainted with God.'"

It was Frances Webster who used those words initially.  He and his wife chose to go by handcarts, so the money they saved could help others.  He suffered from hunger, overwork and cold.  Yet he did not become bitter, but was thankful he could become acquainted with God in this way.  He knew there were angels helping him along.

President Hinckley concludes the movie, talking about Ensign Peak.  "Rising above the Salt Lake Valley is a come shaped peak.  Brigham Young saw it in a vision before the Saints left Nauvoo.  He saw an ensign descend upon the hill and heard the voice of Joseph Smith say, 'Build under that point and you will prosper and have peace.'"  President Hinckley then explained how the leadership of the church climbed the peak a couple days after arriving in the valley.  Brigham said, " This is where we will plant the soles of our feet, and where the Lord will place his name amongst his people."

President Hinckley smoke of the millennial vision as quoted in Isaiah, "And he shall set up an ^aensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth."

President Hinckley then concluded with this statement, talking of the pioneer blood which flows in our veins, "It's the essence of our courage to face modern day mountains and our commitment to carry on.  The faith of those early pioneers burns still, and nations are being blessed by latter-day pioneers who possess a clear vision of this work of the Lord.  The footsteps that made such a deep impression over the heartland of America, makes similar impressions in countries across the world... Step by faithful step we walk together to a glorious destiny, building the Kingdom of God on Earth, and preparing the hearts and minds of people everywhere to come unto Christ, the Redeemer and Savior of the World."

It is my humble hope that I can continue in this work.