The Rest of the Story
Francis Webster (start of story by Brock & Lexi Stuart given at Florence)
"Amy was born to Ann and I on the plains of Nebraska
September 5th. Ann fervently
prayed I would receive help from above.
“I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and wary from illness and
lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead 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.
I have gone 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 the angels of God were there. 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 Co.”
The Rest of the Story
Elizabeth
Bradshaw (start of story told by Lindsee Thomas at Florence and prior to Women's Pull)
On
October 19th, as we crossed the Icy North Platte River, I carried my
6 year old son on my shoulders. The
river was swift and deep and Richard was swept downstream. I would not let him go. Others cried “Save yourself….” I struggled on and finally made it to the
opposite side where I give firm witness that God had protected and saved my son
and I. My son Samuel was later
pronounced dead. In a priesthood
blessing prior to coming to Zion, I was promised I would take all of my
children to Zion. I asked the Elders to
anoint Samuel with oil and administer him.
After they did so, Samuel recovered and lived.
The Rest of the Story
Elizabeth
Horrocks (start of story told by Jaime McCleary prior to Women's Pull)
"I
have a desire to leave a record of those scenes and events, thru which I have
passed, that my children, down to my latest posterity may read what their
ancestors were willing to suffer, and did suffer, patiently for the Gospel's
sake. And I wish them to understand, too, that what I now word is the history
of hundreds of others, both men, women and children, who have passed thru many
like scenes for a similar cause, at the same time we did. I also desire them to
know that it was in obedience to the commandments of the true and living God,
and with the assurance of an eternal reward - an exaltation to eternal life in
His kingdom - that we suffered these things. I hope, too, that it will inspire my
posterity with fortitude to stand firm and faithful to the truth, and be
willing to suffer, and sacrifice all things that they may be required to pass
thru for the Kingdom of God's sake."
Amy Britwell Loader--Martin
"As the
weather became colder and provisions as scarce as 4 ounces of flour per day,
Amy made these scant rations into little biscuits to eat throughout the day,
thus having a bite or two for the children when they were tired and faint. One
day, a man lying by the roadside, when asked to get up, said he could not, but
if he had a mouth full of bread he could. As her 10-year-old son, Robert,
watched, Amy gave the man some food and he got up and went on. In Salt Lake
some time later, this man stopped Amy and thanked her for saving his life."
Agnes Caldwell, 9 yrs old-- Willie
“I can yet close my eyes and see everything in panoramic
precision before me—the ceaseless walking, walking, ever to remain in my
memory. Many times I would become so
tired and, childlike, would hang on the cart, only to be gently pushed
away. Then I would throw myself by the
side of the road and cry. Then realizing
they were all passing me by, I would jump to my feet and make an extra run to
catch up.”
Betsey Smith, 13 years old
“After we lost our cattle, we kept sacred the Sabbath day for worship and rest, and felt better for it.
“September came, and we were on half ration and had cold weather but we never forgot to pray, and we sang “Come, Come Ye Saints” with great zeal and fervor.
“I will not dwell upon the hardships we endured , nor the hnger and cold, but I like to tell of the goodness of God unto us. One day the wind blew and the clouds arose. The thunder and lightning were appalling. Our captain said, “Let us pray.” And there was offered such a prayer. He told the Lord our circumstances. He talked to God, as one man talks to another, and as if the Lord was very near. I felt that He was and many others felt the same. Then the storm parted to the right and to the left.””
Elizabeth Cunningham, 12 from Scotland
“I was left for dead the other night. They thought I was frozen to death. They wrapped me in a blanket and laid my
body on the ground and hurried on to make camp, as it was getting dark. My determined mother felt impressed to come
back for me. She had been promised in
Scotland that if she was faithful, she and all her family would reach Zion in
safety. She found me undisturbed by the
wolves. She carried me back to camp and
worked over me. Some hot water was spilt
on my foot and it caused a quiver to go through my limb. Convinced I was still alive, they kept up
their efforts until they brought me back to life. I will arrive in Zion and I will live to be a
mother to thirteen children and foster three others.”
Maryann James
“When we started out on the trail each morning there was
always something new to see. Maybe it
was a bird running along the road which we chased but never did catch. There was always flowers and pretty rocks to
pick. This land was so different from
the one in England that it kept us interested.
We were constantly being warned to not get too far away from the trail, but I
can’t remember that we heeded the warning until we had one or two experiences
which made us more careful.
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