Pioneer Stories
Pioneer stories are the very essence of Trek. We want you to more fully connect with the experiences of our pioneer ancestors so you too can develop similar faith in Jesus Christ, hope in His eternal promises and determination to face life’s challenges.
There are several pioneers, including families, from the 1856 handcart and wagon companies listed below. We invite you to click on their names to be linked to their inspiring stories, spend time reading their stories and then select one of these pioneers to take with you on Trek. Put their name or picture on your Trek bucket!
These pioneers, their stories and the stories of other pioneers are found in the books below, and are posted here with permission.
You can also click on the link to the Church History Biographical Database and find a different pioneer to take on Trek, including a pioneer from your own family tree! You will need a Family Search account to find a pioneer from your family tree.
Pioneer Women
“If I had my life to live over again, I would not want to avoid any of the hardships that I have passed through. I would not want it any different.” - Mary Hurren (Wight)
Pioneer Men
“I have walked day by day by the side of the hand carts as they were rolling, and when the people would get weary I have seen them by dozens on their knees by the road side crying to the Lord for strength, … and some who were weak and feeble at the start grew stronger every day. So long as you kept the bundle on the hand cart and stimulated them to lay hold of it, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and it seemed as though angels nerved them with strength.” - Millen Atwood
Pioneer Families
“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 . . . 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 they may be required to pass thru for the Kingdom of God’s sake.” - Elizabeth Horrocks Jackson