Trek Prep Devotional - Richard & Leslie Pollock

As a Boy Scout in 1972, living in El Centro,CA., my troop retraced the small portion of the Mormon Battalion March in our sub-sea-level desert of the Imperial County.  The feeling of reverent exhaustion that overcame our troop later focus our respect to dedicate a monument to their memory at the adjacent freeway rest area.  Pioneers had sacrificed for the kingdom but, I think this church event tested their very patriotism.  I like this quote from the lds.org website: (http://www.lds.org/library/pio_sto/Pioneer_Trail/12_Council_Bluffs.html ).

"Church President Heber J. Grant, whose own parents walked across those bitter plains, spoke of the episode more than 70 years later:

"When the Latter-day Saints were being driven from their homes . . . driven from the confines of the United States onto Mexican soil, the [U.S.] government called on Brigham Young for 500 men to help fight Mexico. Show to me, if you can, in all the history of the world another case of a people being expatriated, being driven from their own country, from their own lands which they had purchased . . . the last remnant of them crossing the Mississippi River in the dead of winter, on the ice, nine babies being born during the night of that terrible expulsion, with no shelter . . . going forth on their journey of a thousand miles in the wilderness, after having appealed to the president of their republic, who could only say: "Your cause is just, but we can do nothing for you" (see Endnote 1)—show me another people, I say, who under like circumstances would have furnished 500 men to fight their country's battles! Show me greater patriotism and loyalty to country than this! It can't be done."¹²

And yet it could not have possibly been loyalty to country that impelled many of the Mormon Battalion soldiers, wives and children. They walked half a continent. They blazed a road. They etched their names in history.

But this was a conquest of faith."

Reference: 12-Conference Report, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, October 1919, 33.

Richard & Leslie Pollock

Trek Prep Devotional - Jason & Bobbilyn Hogge

One of the greatest blessings in our family's journey has been living in the Midwest and New York.  In both locations we took full advantage of being so close to church history sites and visited them every time we got  the chance.  The spirit in these sacred places was undeniable.  Nauvoo has always a favorite of mine, but I'll never forget attending the Nauvoo temple for the first time as it was dedicated.  All temples have an immediate calm and comforting spirit that speaks to our spirits from the moment we enter the doors, but Nauvoo for me has always had such a tangible undeniable spirit that penetrates my soul.  I not only feel the overwhelming love of our Heavenly Father and the Savior there but also the deep love, devotion, and dedication of the early saints who gave their last pennies and most prized possessions along with countless hours of manpower to build their beautiful temple so that they could worship and serve there.  I can't imagine the tremendous feeling of loss and sadness as they watched as it was burned to the ground.  It's almost too much for me to comprehend.  But as I visit now I can feel that amazing spirit of those early saints, their love, incredible faith, and tremendous joy that their beloved temple has been rebuilt. What a powerful witness of their their devotion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Elder L. Tom Perry taught “There is a special spirit in these older temples, which were constructed at great sacrifice by the early pioneers. … As we progressed through the temple session, I could hear in every room those early pioneers saying, ‘Look at what we built with our own hands. We had no power equipment. No contractors or subcontractors were involved in the construction, no fancy cranes to lift up the heavy stones. We performed this labor under our own power.’”

Reflecting on this heritage that the early pioneers left, Elder Perry remembers the words of a former president of the United States, who talked about “[going] back to the past way of thinking.”

“His counsel still resonates within me,” Elder Perry says. “There is something about reviewing the lessons of the past to prepare us to face the challenges of the future. What a glorious legacy of faith, courage, and ingenuity those noble early Mormon pioneers have left for us to build upon. My admiration for them deepens the longer I live.”

I love this thought of taking the immense gift of their sacrifice and building upon it.  I'm grateful for this opportunity in a very small way to remember and review these incredible lessons from the past.

Jason and Bobbilyn Hogge

Trek Prep Devotional - Zack & Sarah Serad

Elder Uchtdorf said, " healing comes when we choose to walk away from darkness and move toward a brighter light."

Certain events in our lives and in the world rob us of peace, wound us, and make us vulnerable. We may feel as though we are surrounded by darkness. But, God promises the hope of His light. To find this light though takes an act of faith. We must flip the switch and make that first step. 

"It is better to look up." We all need to understand and accept that darkness exists. But light also exists and that is where we should choose to dwell. God's light is real and available to all. We can find joy and hope by living the standards of the restored gospel and turning to our Savior. 

Zack and Sarah Serad

Trek Prep Devotional - Brien & Annie Reed

"You don't have to push a handcart, or leave your family dear.  Or walk a thousand miles or more to be a Pioneer."

"You do have to have great courage.  Faith to conquer fear, and work with might for a cause that's right to be a Pioneer."

I do not come from Mormon Pioneer heritage.  There were never any stories growing up of any of my Reed ancestors pushing handcarts or making their way across the plains.  However, there were the stories of my Mother's conversion in her early 20's and of the choices my parents made to "pioneer" our family into the Light of the Gospel.  In the dictionary, one of the definitions of pioneer is to: "develop, or be the first to use or apply a new method, area of knowledge, or activity.  And so it was with the Ricke and Anni Reed family.  My mom and dad made the decision to apply a new method to build the Reed family spiritually and it paid great dividends.  Of the six of us kids, three have served missions, one is finishing his, and the "baby" will be leaving in August.

I have my own family now, and we continue to apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ every day.  We "pioneer" every day as we cross through the hills and valleys of life.  We are constantly developing our spiritual pathways, and pushing forward with the hope of a better tomorrow.  We love life and are blessed beyond words.  Having said that, we are not "jumping for joy" to go on Trek.  We are not, how should you say it, "outdoorsy" people.  But, we love the gospel, we support our leaders, and we were called to do this.  We believe in honoring and sustaining those who are over us and accept their inspiration, knowing that we will be blessed and strengthened.  We love the youth.

We do not believe in coincidences.  It will not be a "chance" meeting when we meet with our trek families.  We will be prepared to do and say the things that the Lord would do and say if He were there.  There will be youth that will need to hear our voices and our stories.  Sixteen years ago, I went on Trek.  Bishop and Sister Usery of Bellingham were my Pa and Ma.  Sister Usery told us that she was the only member of the church in her family.  She decided to be the pioneer and to be baptized when no one else in her family would.  Her story touched me then and strengthened me and my testimony of temples and of Eternal Families.  Her courage, strength, and resolve still brings tears to my eyes after all these years.  She was prepared to say the things that I needed to hear and that left a lasting impression on me.  

We will be ready to work hard, sweat, sing, laugh, and cry with our youth.  We will be ready to bear powerful testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and of His Atonement.  We will share our stories with them and will encourage them to share their story with us.  We will see miracles.  May we be ready for this life-changing event...is my humble prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Brien and Annie Reed

Trek Prep Devotional - Troy & Tina Clark

As Troy and I discussed the topic of this devotional we felt that we could use the reminder of balance in our lives.  We as Ma's and Pa's have a lot to do before trek which is approaching quickly.  If you are like us, you have many family obligations, work obligations and church callings that need your attention.  Thinking about preparing for trek can sometimes bring on a feeling of being overwhelmed with the tasks that are required of us.  Finding balance in our lives, is what helps bring peace to us as we day by day, sometimes minute by minute accomplish our responsibilities. We have learned when we consecrate our performances unto the Lord as instructed in 2 Nephi 32:9, things go smoother, even when the task at hand seems overwhelming or just plain impossible. We experienced the importance of consecration a few years ago during a remodel of our home.  We were trying to save as much money as possible so decided to do all the tile work on our own.  We had plans to tile kitchen, dining room, hallways, bathrooms and laundry rooms.  No small job. Neither of us had tiled before.  We did some studying, asked a few experts for some advice, bought all our supplies and prepared to tile.  Our first room was the kitchen, of all places to tile for the first time, but as we started Troy said, "You know we better consecrate this unto the Lord, he knows this is important to us and will help us."  We learned a lot in that remodel, and the tile work came out beautiful, in fact we get many compliments.  We know Heavenly Father guided us as we cut, set and grouted each tile into its place.  This may seem a small thing, but because it was important to us it was important to our Heavenly father.   These young men and young women who will be in our care for those few days need us to be prepared for them.  Satan knows what an instrument we can be to God during this time and will try to keep us "off balance" so that we may not be as prepared as we would want to share in the spiritual and physical growth experiences that come with trek.  We encourage all of us to consecrate our trek performance unto the Lord.  Our experience tells us that we will be blessed as we move forward with the tasks we have been assigned.

Troy and Tina Clark

Trek Prep Devotional - Justin & Catherine Yeates

In April conference Elder Scott gave a talk on bringing peace into our homes.  As it has been pointed out in previous devotionals, some of the youth that are coming on trek may not have that peace in their homes or lives.  What a wonderful opportunity we have to help them unplug from the world and tune-in to the peace and love that only Christ can bring (John 14:27).  This will be a challenge for many of the youth and some will surely resist.  Emulating the Savior's patience and love will help soften the rebellious hearts.  Elder Scott said, "Recognize the good in others, not their stains. At times a stain needs appropriate attention to be cleansed, but always build on his or her virtues."

I recommend this talk in our preparation, so that we can gain our own, personal insights on how to best bring the Spirit to our trek families.

"For Peace At Home"  Elder Richard G. Scott (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2013/04/for-peace-at-home?lang=eng)

Justin and Catherine Yeates

June Trek Tips

It will be hot on the Trek trail. Some trekkers carry a small “mister” spray bottle for cooling (but remember everything has to fit in a 5-gallon bucket and a Big Bag Ziploc).

http://www.amazon.com/MistyMate-10025-Hand-Held-Personal-Mister/dp/B0009KBKQ4/ref=pd_sim_lg_5

Another option is a handmade cooler scarf. An American Legion Auxiliary group makes these for US troops. You can find instructions at http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=vawDKXGBLSc&feature=fvwp. The polymer gel crystals for the scarf can be purchased at garden nurseries or craft stores (Michaels, Hobby Lobby, etc.). A commercial product is shown below.

A pair of work gloves may help prevent blisters for those pushing/pulling the handcarts. Finger-less gloves may be more comfortable and cool. Bicycle gloves would work. They are light weight and compact.