The Cove and The Sweet Water Crossing

When we were done pulling our handcart, we walked further on the trail, heading up behind the hill.  This was the actual cove, or shelter where the Martin handcart company set up camp and waited out a snowstorm.  Many saints froze to death here.  And many lived.  All were faithful. 
It didn't seem like much of a place to shelter, but I guess the arms of the hills protected the saints somewhat from the Wyoming winds and snow drifts.  I can't possibly imagine what it would be like to wait out a storm for several days with no food but flour, and little of that, while I watched my children or husband freeze to death. 

The missionaries told us stories from journal entries while we were in the cove.  What kind of faith would it take to move a family from a suitable home in England, across a vast, fathomless sea, then onto a crowded railway car for days?  And after all that, having spent all the money for passage, to take a bundle of clothes, barefoot children, and a handcart across the plains on a thousand mile journey to a place you had never seen? 

It was a pretty place, but what was it like in winter?

A story is told of the weary, desperate saints arriving at another crossing of the Sweet Water River.  They gazed on the river with fear and anticipation of death.  Many sat down and cried, knowing their emaciated, weakened bodies would not recover after wading through the freezing water.  They looked upon the water as a sure death sentence.

A rescue party from Salt Lake had joined the handcart company a little further back, and among them were some young, hardy boys.  These young men looked upon the fear and desperation of the weary travellers and, being filled with compassion, determined to carry the saints across the river.  This they did, one by one, old and young, men, women, and children.  Taking no thought for themselves, they suffered the freezing waters over and over again to spare the handcart companies. 

Those Christlike gifts of service and self-sacrifice are noted in heaven. 

 On Earth we remember them to inspire us to develop compassion and charity in ourselves. 

Memorial Statues At the Sweet Water Crossing

Lift mine eyes Lord,

to the burdens of others.

Give me the patience

To bear with my brothers

The burdens they carry

the load each does bear

 

Inspire my heart

as their sorrows I share. 

Though my own body

be troubled and worn

Give me the courage

 

To bind up the torn

Sick or afflicted

Sinfilled or weak,

Inspire my heart

To champion the meek.