Recently my sister Shanna and her family participated in "1856-The Musical". The play ran in Utah for a week and then here in Arizona for a week. It's the story of the Mormon handcart companies' making their trek to the Salt Lake Valley, as well as the rescue of a handcart company that got a late start and were caught in storms on the plains. I went to the play once with my parents and then again with some friends from work. The play was very well done and very inspiring. I kept thinking...this REALLY happened. I'm so inspired by the early saints of the church. Their commitment and faith is an inspiration and a testimony to me of the truthfulness of this gospel. Below is one of my very most favorite pictures, with an explanation below. Even though our trials and tests of commitment are different, there are angels all about us today to help us and buoy us up in our earthly journey. I am grateful for my trials. Through them, I truly do become 'acquainted with God'.
"I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it." [And a wife with a baby in her arms by his side]. "I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there."
"Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then no any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company." -a member of the Martin Handcart Company
"I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot in front of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it." [And a wife with a baby in her arms by his side]. "I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there."
3 comments:
I have always loved this picture. I know that this is the how we all get through trials and hard times. When we feel like we can't go on anymore or we can take anymore. I thought a lot about Missy today as I fasted for her today. I'm so glad she has a strong testimony as she goes into what I would imagine is the hardest trial one individual could go through. May the Lord bless and comfort her in her time of need.
I loved this post...I love to learn about church history adn so enjoyed my trek experience a few years ago. I was in awe of the pioneers before, but after my litle trek, I couldn't fathom what they had really done. Amazing.
I love this picture too.
I have that picture and have told that story in several lessons over the years. I LOVE IT and wish I could have seen the play. I'm sure it was amazing and uplifting!
Post a Comment