Eight of the ten handcart companies came to Salt Lake without tragedy. This is like life, most of us experience normal challenges, rather than extraordinary challenges. We can’t afford to forget that whole remembering the extraordinary variants.
I didn’t realize that the winter storms hit the Willy and Martin handcart companies two weeks after the rescue parties had been dispatched from Salt Lake.
- Do not underestimate what we can do to rescue others.
- Keep a positive attitude in the face of adversity. Our goal should be to live optimistically on the sunny side of the street.
- Set aside consistent time to faithfully contemplate the Savior’s Atonement. (Sacrament meeting and Temple worship are prime examples.)
I had not been inside the Casper Temple prior to the dedication. When I entered the foyer, my attention was immediately drawn to an original handcart painting titled Between Storms. The painting was clearly not intended to depict the tragedies that had occurred. As I gazed at it, I thought, “This painting is correct; the vast majority of handcart pioneers did not experience tragedies.” I could not help feeling that this is like life in general. Sometimes we are between storms and sometimes between clouds and sunshine.
When I turned to the original painting on the other wall, titled Heaven’s Portal, I realized that this beautiful summer painting of what was called “Devil’s Gate,” with the calm and clear Sweetwater River flowing through it, presented the beauty of the Lord’s creation, not just the challenges the pioneers faced in that horrible winter season.
Focus is important. Both of those paintings depict things that carry brutal memories but beautiful, uplifting scenes outside of those exceptional experiences.
The combined number of pioneers in the Willie and Martin handcart companies was approximately 1,100. Some 200 of these precious Saints died along the trail. Without the timely rescue, many more would have perished.
These were very large companies—about twice the size of the average size of the other 8 handcart companies. These two averaged 550 people while the other 8 companies had about 1900 people combined for an average under 250. It occurs to me that their larger size might have been a contributing factor in their difficulties.
John and Maria Linford and their three sons were members of the Willie company. John died hours before the first rescuers arrived. He had told Maria that he was glad they had made the journey. “I shall not live to reach Salt Lake,” he said, “but you and the boys will, and I do not regret all we have gone through if our boys can grow up and raise their families in Zion.”
In the heroic effort of the handcart pioneers, we learn a great truth. All must pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. Yet this is part of the purging to become acquainted with God.
James E. Faust
Faith in Every Footstep
April 1997
While sin can play a significant role in our trials, life’s adversities are compounded by mistakes, bad decisions, evil actions by others, and many things outside of our control.
- Do not underestimate the importance of doing what we can to rescue others from physical and especially spiritual challenges.
- Gratefully accept the Savior’s Atonement. We all should strive to exhibit joy and happiness even as we face the challenges of life. Our goal should be to live optimistically on the sunny side of the street.
- Set aside consistent time to faithfully contemplate the Savior’s Atonement. …Attending sacrament meeting and partaking of the sacrament are especially significant. Equally important is regular attendance in a temple where possible.
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