Blessed, Honored Pioneers

On July 24^th, 1847 the first group of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. Also fleeing persecution, many others followed in the days, months and years after. Many of the pioneers faced severe trials and hardship. Hearts ached for the suffering of those who survived, and for those who died along the way. Throughout their trials their hope remained steadfast, because through their extremities they came to know God. Through the challenges they faced they learned more and more “the dealings of the Lord" (Mosiah 10:14). 

During this time of year the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remember and honor these pioneers, and their own pioneer heritage – whether they are the first in their family to join the Church, have ancestors who crossed the plains, or anything in between. My husband and I both have ancestors who crossed the plains and I would like to share a few of their stories; stories of faith, the power of prayer, and sacrifice.

The first story is one of faith. David [Crockett] lived with his parents in Vinal Haven Maine where he was introduced to the restored Gospel by Elder Wilford Wodruff, later President of the Church. The following is about David, his wife, Lydia Young, and their family.

“The family felt the urge to join the main body of they Church. The relatives and friends that couldn't accept the gospel at that time made it quite miserable for them….David and his family left their loved ones and their home and traveled to Ohio to join the church members there, but they were already leaving and coming to Nauvoo; so they came on to Nauvoo, Ill….The family was there two years and were eye-witnesses to, and sharers of the manifold hardships that were endured on church members…On [4 July 1949] they left for Salt Lake Valley….They came in the Williard Richards Company. 'The company moved on over the sandy deserts, each day traveling as fast as possible to reach the nearest place of water and then often either not finding any or finding it so muddy they couldn't use it. When it was a necessity to use it they would use their precious oatmeal and boil the muddy water in it so the mud would settle to the bottom--then they would make "Mormon tea" from the water on top. This tea was made with the water and a little milk or cream and sweetened with honey or sugar. They experienced hunger, cold, heat, sorrow, and gladness. It was a very weary journey, often they would pass many strange and awful sights--such as burial grounds of the saints, and demolished cabins. Then they would be afraid to sing around the campfire at night or play games to keep their spirits up, or even do much cooking, for fear the Indians would see their smoke from the fires and raid them. Their shoes were completely worn out from walking. Sometimes they would only get to rest and ride on the wagon tongue for a short period. There was one particular time along the way that they had traveled so far without finding water that the people all became so discouraged that finally when they stopped to look around again for signs of water, Lydia went off by herself to pray, and she prayed in all sincerity that they might be directed to a place where they could find water. She pled with the Lord and told him she knew that he knew how badly they were in need of water. When she rose from her knees she felt light-hearted and she knew her prayers were about to be answered. She walked a short distance from where she had been kneeling and called to the men to bring her a shovel and she could direct them where to find water. They were all amazed but followed her instructions and soon struck a small spring of water. Everyone was rejoicing and thanking their Heavenly Father for this modern day miracle. The spring was marked and all the Saints coming along that trail were able to get water.” (Donna Hopkins Scott, "The Crockett Family", p 14c-d [link to digital version])

Remembering to call upon the name of the Lord and through her faith Lydia was able to bless those who were with her, and the many people who followed afterwards.

The rescue story of Ephraim Hanks, another ancestor, is not easily forgotten. In the summer of 1856 several handcart companies left Ohio for the Salt Lake Valley. They arrived in September of that same year. There were two companies, however, (the Willie and Martin handcart companies) that didn’t leave until August. Some advised them to stay and wait until the next year, but many of the people in the companies wanted to move on. And they did.

In October of that year Brigham Young learned that there were pioneers still on the plains. Following is the address he gave in General Conference:

“I will now give this people the subject and the text of the Elders who may speak to-day and during the conference. It is this. On the 5th day of October, 1856, many of our brethren and sisters are on the plains with handcarts, and probably many are now seven hundred miles from this place, and they must be brought here, we must send assistance to them. The text will be, 'to get them here.' I want the brethren who may speak to understand that their text is the people on the plains. And the subject matter for this community is to send for them and bring them in before winter set in.

“That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess. It is to save the people. This is the salvation I am now seeking for. To save our brethren that would be apt to perish, or suffer extremely, if we do not send them assistance.” (link to article)

Many wagons filled with food and supplies were sent to help. Ephraim at this time was at a conference several miles south of Salt Lake City, not arriving in Salt Lake City until late October. Andrew Jensen, an acquaintance of Ephraim, relates the following:

“This account of the handcart rescue is given by Ephraim K. Hanks himself….He related to me the following…

“Being somewhat fatigued after the day’s journey. I retired to rest quite early, and while I still lay wide awake in my bed I heard a voice calling me by name, and then saying: ‘The handcart people are in trouble and you are wanted; will you go and help them?’

“I turned instinctively in the direction from whence the voice came and beheld an ordinary sized man in the room. Without hesitation I answered, ‘Yes, I will go if I am called.’

“I then turned around to go to sleep, but had laid only a few minutes when the voice called a second time, repeating almost the same words as on the first occasion. My answer was the same as before. This was repeated a third time.

“When I got up the next morning I said to Brother Brown, ‘The handcart people are in trouble, and I have promised to go out and help them;’ but I did not tell him of my experiences during the night.”

He then hurried to Salt Lake City, arriving on October 20^th. They were asking for more volunteers to help the stranded handcart companies.

“When some of the brethren responded by explaining that they could get ready to start in a few days, I spoke out at once saying, ‘I am ready now!’ The next day I was wending my way eastward over the mountains with a light wagon all alone.”

“The terrific storm which caused the immigrants so much suffering and loss overtook me near the South Pass, [it] was simply awful….I have seen no worse. When at length the snow ceased falling, it lay on the ground so deep that for many days it was impossible to move wagons through it.

“Being deeply concerned about the possible fate of the immigrants, and feeling anxious to learn of their condition, I determined to start out on horseback to meet them…and began to make my way slowly through the snow alone.”

He met some of the relief parties that had helped the Willie Handcart Company and were returning to Salt Lake to report of the conditions they had witnessed. About 5 more days into the journey, on November 10, he continues:

“As I was preparing to make a bed in the snow with the few articles that my pack animal carried for me, I thought how comfortable a buffalo robe would be on such an occasion, and also how I could relish a little buffalo meat for supper, and before lying down for the night I was instinctively led to ask the Lord to send me a buffalo. Now, I am a firm believer in the efficacy of prayer, for I have on many different occasions asked the Lord for blessings, which He in His mercy has bestowed upon me. But when I, after praying as I did on that lonely night in the South Pass, looked around me and spied a buffalo bull within fifty yards of my camp, my surprise was complete; I had certainly not expected so immediate an answer to my prayer. However, I soon collected myself and was not at a loss to know what to do. Taking deliberate aim at the animal, my first shot brought him down, he made a few jumps only, and then rolled down into the very hollow where I was encamped. I was soon busily engaged skinning my game, finishing which, I spread the hide on the snow and placed my bed upon it. I next prepared supper, eating tongue and other choice parts of the animal I had killed, to my heart’s content….

“Early the next morning I was on my way again, and soon reached what is known as the Ice Springs Bench. There I happened upon a herd of buffalo, and killed a nice cow. I was impressed to do this, although I did not know why until a few hours later, but the thought occurred to my mind that the hand of the Lord was in it, as it was a rare thing to find buffalo herds around that place at this late part of the season. I skinned and dressed the cow; then cut up part of its meat in long strips, and loaded both my horses with it. Thereupon I resumed my journey, and traveled on till towards evening. I think the sun was about an hour high in the west when I spied something in the distance that looked like a black streak in the snow. As I got near to it, I perceived it moved; then I was satisfied that this was the long looked for hand-cart company, led by Captain Edward Martin. I reached the ill-fated train just as the immigrants were camping for the night. The sight that met my gaze as I entered their camp can never be erased from my memory. The starved forms and haggard countenances of the poor sufferers, as they moved about slowly, shivering with cold, to prepare their scanty evening meal, was enough to touch the stoutest heart. When they saw me coming, they hailed me with joy inexpressible, and when they further beheld the supply of fresh meat I brought into their camp, their gratitude knew no bounds….

“A prophecy had been made by one of the brethren that the company should feast on buffalo meat, when their provisions might run short; my arrival in their camp, loaded with meat, was the beginning of the fulfillment of that prediction; but only the beginning, as I afterwards shot and killed a number of buffalo for them as we journeyed along.”

The account continues with stories of miraculous healings. Ephraim continues,

“Truly the Lord was with me and others of His servants who labored faithfully together with me in that day of trial and suffering…. In scores of instances, when we administered to the sick, and rebuked the diseases in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the sufferers would rally at once; they were healed almost instantly. I believe I administered to several hundreds in a single day; and I could give names of many whose lives were saved by the power of God.”

Despite all the help the Martin Company received, many of the saints suffered from freezing limbs – and some losing them. Courage to keep moving on, despite the difficulty, was still required for these pioneers to survive.

“Soon more relief companies were met and as fast as the baggage was transferred into the wagons, the hand carts were abandoned one after another, until none were left.

“I remained with the immigrants until the last of Captain Martin’s company arrived in Salt Lake City on the thirtieth of November, 1856.” (link to account)

Ephraim Hanks was a great example of obedience, courage, and faith, and because of his help (and the help of numerous other rescuers) many of the pioneers were able to make it to the Salt Lake valley. The pioneers, themselves, had to continue pressing forward in faith despite the physical, emotional, spiritual, weather, and other challenges they faced.

Another ancestor, John Tanner, is an example of great faith and humility. This version of the story is the one recorded by my mother.

“The following was taken from my third great-grandfather’s John Tanner’s biography, it tells that he had a painful disease, which he was told, was incurable, in fact its character was unknown by the medical fraternity. His left leg from the thigh down was covered with black sores through which the muscles of the limb had formed into hollow tubes projecting outwards to the surface, and it was continuously oozing.

“He employed seven of the most eminent physicians in the country, but he received no relief. The last one, Dr. Black, frankly told him that he could keep running up a medical bill, but he was beyond the reach of medicine.

“For six months Grandfather Tanner had neither let his diseased limb hang down nor his foot touch the floor. He had to keep it at a right angle with his body and resting on a pillow. But his mind was active. Knowing his days were limited he decided he would spend the rest of his days doing good for his fellow men. He had a cart constructed that would hold his leg straight out in front of him so he could get around.

“Early in September 1832, (it was in March 1832 Jared Carter was sent on his mission [see Doctrine & Covenants 79]). There was a circular sent out that two Mormon missionaries would be preaching not far from John Tanner’s home. He was very well versed in the Bible, and he thought this was an excellent opportunity to help his fellow men, by disproving any heresy that he thought these Mormons were propounding. An hour before the meeting he arrived and took his place directly in front of the Elders so he could heckle them, sincerely believing they were impostors. They missionaries were Simeon and Jared Carter. Long before the discourses were over a wonderful change came over the mind of Mr. Tanner. After the meeting was over he invited them over to his home where he talked to them until eleven o’clock. He then told the missionaries that he was ready to be baptized, but he could not receive the ordinance. When they asked him why, he said “because of my lameness.” He explained that he had not put his foot to the floor for six months and there was no way he could do so now.

“Simeon Carter asked him if he did not think there was power in the Gospel of Jesus Christ anciently to heal all kinds of illnesses, to which he said yes. He then asked him if the Lord performed miracles then why could he not heal now. Mr. Tanner said he had never thought of it in that light. But yes he thought the Lord could heal him. Whereupon Elder Jared Carter demanded him in the name of Jesus Christ, to arise and walk. “I arose threw away my crutches, walked the floor back and forth, praised God and felt as light as a feather” was the way he described the event.

“That night he walked three-quarters of a mile to Lake George and was baptized by Simeon Carter. Walking back he gave thanks to God for his complete restoration to health.”

In a box containing many family documents, my grandmother found another story about John Tanner, and the sacrifice he was willing to make for the Lord's kingdom.

“In the fall of [1834, John Tanner] sold his two large farms and twenty-two hundred acres of timber land preparatory to moving to Missouri the coming spring. About the middle of December, he received an impression by dream or vision of the night, that he was needed and must go immediately to the Church in the west. He told his family of the instructions he had received and forthwith made preparations for the journey. While his neighbors regarded what they considered an insane purpose on his part, they did their utmost to dissuade him, but he knew the will of God in the present crisis and nothing could deter him from what he considered his duty. On Christmas day he commenced his journey, a distance of 500 miles, with all his earthly effects and in the dead of winter. He reached Kirtland about the 20^th day of January 1835. On his arrival there, he learned that at the time her received the impression, that he must move immediately to the body of the Church, the Prophet Joseph Smith and some of the other brethren met in prayer meeting and asked the Lord to send them a brother or some brethren with means to assist them in lifting the mortgage on the farm upon which the [Kirtland] Temple was being built. On the second day of his arrival in Kirtland, by invitation of the Prophet, John Tanner and his son Sidney met with the High Council, where he was informed the mortgage on the temple block was about to be foreclosed. Thereupon he loaned the Prophet $2,000, and took the Prophet’s note at interest [which he never redeemed, and gave back to Joseph in April 1844]. With this amount, the block or farm was redeemed. Mr. Tanner also loaned to the Temple Committee…$13,000 in merchandise, and took their note…This amount and that loaned the Prophet were not included in his liberal donations to the building of the temple. He also signed a note with the Prophet Joseph Smith and others for $30,000 of goods, in which he had no pecuniary [monetary] interest…His openheartedness was a very striking proof of his confidence in the Prophet and in the validity and importance of the work he had embraced.”

I found it interesting to read the “rest of the story” from his son, Nathan’s, record – found in the same box.

“This left father without anything….Father and family left Kirtland with a borrowed team, and had only one old broken down stage horse, and an old turn pile cart, and keg of powder, and $7.50 in cash.”

John Tanner was willing to sacrifice all of his worldly goods to help build up the Lord’s kingdom. When he returned the note to Joseph Smith in April 1844, we see more of his generosity, and the blessings that came to him, and his posterity, because of it.

“The Prophet asked him what he wanted done with [the note]. ‘Brother Joseph, you are welcome to it.’ The prophet then laid his hands heavily on Elder Tanner’s shoulders saying, ‘God bless, Father Tanner, your children shall never beg for bread.’”

My last story is a very simple one, as recorded by my grandmother. Not as detailed as the others, but really touched me. I think it was the example of love and sacrifice they made to remember their ancestry.

“Jane Zerilda Baker…came to Utah with her older sister Mary Rosina, and Father in the Amasa M. Lyman Co. 19 Oct 1848 when she was eleven years old.

“Just before Mother died she gave me a pickle dish, and told me it was the last piece of the set of dishes that came from England, that belonged to my Great Grandmother. In spite of the crowded wagon, her Dad must have brought this special set of dishes all the way across the plains for Zerilda.”

Many, many others crossed the plains. Many, many others are the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lattter-day Saints in their family. Be it what it may, we are all modern-day pioneers with an unknown future ahead of us. President James E. Faust said,

“As modern-day pioneers looking to the future, we must be willing to go into the unknown, having the same confidence and commitment in following [the Prophet] and the other constituted authorities of the Church.

“Believing involves faith and good works. We cannot be passive; we must actively avoid evil.” (link to talk)

Life is not easy, and isn't meant to be, but we can still find hope and peace amidst the storms. We need to actively follow the Lord. We need to build unwavering faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, and in His Prophet. Elder Russell M. Nelson says the following about having faith for the future.

“Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord ‘shall suffer persecution.’ That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives.” (link to talk)

President Boyd K. Packer gives up hope for these perilous times in which we live, also referring to Paul’s prophecy of the last days.

“In Paul’s revelation [2 Timothy 3:1-7], in addition to the list of challenges and problems, he also tells us what we can do to protect ourselves:

‘Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

‘And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.’

“The scriptures hold the keys to spiritual protection. They contain the doctrine and laws and ordinances that will bring each child of God to a testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer.” (link to talk)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland expounds a little deeper on the importance of the scriptures in our day; specifically the Book of Mormon.

“The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth. If we think of this as a form of spiritual destruction, it may cast light on another latter-day prophecy. Think of the heart as the figurative center of our faith, the poetic location of our loyalties and our values; then consider Jesus’s declaration that in the last days ‘men’s hearts [shall fail] them.’…

“Brothers and sisters, God always provides safety for the soul, and with the Book of Mormon, He has again done that in our time. Remember this declaration by Jesus Himself: ‘Whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived’—and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you.” (link to talk)

As we strive to follow the Prophet on the earth, daily immerse ourselves in the Book of Mormon, daily pray individually and as a family, paying our tithing, and other things as we have been counseled, we will be blessed. As we “always remember Him”, the Lord can grant “his spirit to be with [us]” (see Doctrine & Covenants 20:77) to guide us in the path of safety and peace, as we move forward on our own pioneer journey into the unknown.