Mormon youth relive history on three-day trek

Teenagers affiliated with the Church of Latter-day Saints from throughout north-central Montana — including those from Havre, Chinook, Malta and Big Sandy — are on a three-day adventure.

The young people will be experiencing what life was like when their ancestors traveled with Brigham Young from Nauvoo, Ill., to Salt Lake City in 1847.

They will carry supplies in a handcart, sleep under the stars, cook their meals by campfire and travel about seven miles per day.

They will be dressed in pioneer clothing and the handcarts will be replicas of those used by their ancestors, said Bryan Slavik, one of the adult organizers whose daughter will take part.

The event will take place on a ranch outside of Great Falls that is well suited with the various types of terrain the pioneers followed, he said.

In the early travels to Salt Lake, five individuals or one family were assigned to handcarts and could bring with them up to 200 pounds of goods.

Just like their ancestors, they will traverse several kinds of terrains. They will go through plains, steep mountains and have to cross streams, Slavik said.

Slavik said the program is designed to help church members understand their history and understand what their ancestors went through during their long trek to Salt Lake City.

But it will also be a spiritual exercise, he said.

While other pioneers traveled west to California and Oregon for adventure or to find a new life, Mormons fled the East and Midwest because of harassment and persecution, he said.

An estimated 70,000 made the difficult trip until 1869 when the transcontinental railroad was completed.

Local church leaders started planning for this reenactment nearly three years ago.

Eldon R. Pfile, Stake President for the Great Falls Montana East Stake congregation explained: “This is a unique and special opportunity.”

“Our youth get to see firsthand the challenges that the pioneers faced and also understand why the pioneers followed their prophet/leader Brigham Young across the plains,” he said.

“This translates into understanding the importance and blessings that come from following their prophet/leader today.”

The re-enactment started Thursday and will be completed Saturday.