WHAT IS TREK?

From 1856 to 1860, about 3,000 Latter-day Saints pulled handcarts across the American plains to gather in the Salt Lake Valley. These pioneers trekked more than a thousand miles through heat and cold; through mud, sand, and sometimes snow; and through rivers and over mountains. They faced trials that required great faith and perseverance. 

To help youth learn from the experiences of the handcart pioneers, our stake is planning a handcart trek reenactment for our youth.

Treks provide powerful opportunities for youth to:

• Strengthen testimonies.

• Build unity.

• Do family history.

• Learn and appreciate Church history.

• Feel gratitude for the sacrifices of the pioneers and the heritage they provided.

• Appreciate their blessings more fully.

• Seek and find guidance to overcome challenges.

• Focus on serving and rescuing others.

• Learn core gospel principles.

Treks that focus on gospel principles that the pioneers exemplified will have lasting impressions on the youth.

WHY GO ON TREK?

EACH OF US IS A PIONEER IN HIS OR HER OWN LIFE
“It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future.  It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before to gain strength for whatever lies ahead.  It is good to reflect upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in the world, but out of whose dream and early plans so well nurtured has come a great harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for each of us, for each of us is a pioneer in his own life, often in his own family, and many of us pioneer daily to do God’s will and lift and serve those around us.” 
-Gordon B. Hinckley