Sixth Crossing's New Visitors' Center

Sixth Crossing's New Visitors' Center
Photo by Elder Rogers

This past week, the new Visitors' Center at Sixth Crossing opened. This was a much anticipated event as the center has been in the planning stages for years. The center is not only a new facility, but it

1856 Pioneer Family Display

comes with new displays and a new film specifically produced for this site.  Both Peggy and I have had an opportunity to take groups of visitors through the center on tours.  It has been a wonderful experience for us as we relate the rescue of the Willie Handcart Company and tell many of the pioneer stories we have come to love.  I tell those who come here that upon arriving at Sixth Crossing I was fortunate to be able to relate some truly inspirational pioneer stories.  As time passed, however, these stories have become personal life experiences as told by those who traveled with the Willie Handcart Company in their journals.  Now, as I have come to know these Mormon pioneers, I take the opportunity to tell visitors about my pioneer friends who traveled in 1856 to Salt Lake sacrificing everything to:

   
  "find a place which God for us prepared,
        Far away in the West,
        Where none shall come to hurt
        or make afraid;
        There the Saints will be blessed.
        We'll make the air with music ring,
        Shout praises to our God and King"
       (by William Clayton 1814-1879)





Many of these early pioneers were driven from their homes in Europe by mobs. In the Salt Lake valley they hope to be sealed to their family for eternity.  Plus, they wanted to be obedient to a latter-day prophet's call to gather out West.

Modern Day Pioneers preparing to go Trekking

Since arriving at Sixth Crossing, Peggy and I have come to know with a certainty that these early Mormon pioneers walked with Jesus Christ as they met, endured and overcame one adversity after another.  Their journals tell of miracles.  I often ask the the descendants of the pioneers who visit here if they feel the sacrifice of their ancestors was worth it.  Inevitably they all answer: "YES!".

We pray you find joy and happiness as you journey through this earthly life.  Remember family and friends, in the end, we all need rescuing, and our rescuer is our Savior Jesus Christ.

                                                         

Painting in the Visitor's Center: The Lost Lamb by Del Parson

Elder and Sister Bowden

Let The Treks Begin

 Trekking with Youth from Utah

After spending weeks preparing, trekkers begin arriving at Sixth Crossing to experience life as an 1856 pioneer crossing the plains of Wyoming.  Our first trek consisted of approximately 170 youth from Utah.  We had a wonderful time relating experiences of the Mormon saints in the Willie Handcart company.  Dressed in pioneer clothes this youth group pulled handcarts over original trails to Poison Springs, View Ridge, and the Linford Monument.  We had lunch in the Willie Meadow, then talked about the miraculous rescue of this beleaguered handcart company, by men sent by Brigham Young from the Salt Lake, after they were stranded here on the Sweetwater River in a freezing, blinding snow storm.  Together, we trekked over four miles, before returning to camp for the night.  There was a sweet spirit here at Sixth Crossing as we related to the youth these pioneers' love for our Savior Jesus Christ and a love for each other.  These early Mormon pioneers sacrificed much so they could live a life free from religious persecution.  Many of the young and old lost their lives traveling west, but in the end the pioneers who made it to Utah said it was worth the sacrifice.  

Relating Pioneer Experiences

Emily Hill, a poet of some accomplishment and a member of the Willie Handcart Company, wrote of her handcart journey:

        Not a morsel to eat could we anywhere see,

       Cold, weary and hungry and helpless were we,
       On the brink of the tomb few succumbed to despair,
       Our trust was in God, and our strength was in prayer.

Suzanna Stone Lloyd writing of her experience with the Willie Handcart Company said, "I am thankful that I was counted worthy to be a pioneer and a handcart girl.  It prepared me to endure hard times in my future life.  It was hard to endure, but the Lord gave us strength and courage."

Preparing to leave on a Family Trek

Imagine our delight when a couple of days later, two of our daughters, and four of our grandchildren visited us at Sixth Crossing. They dressed up in pioneer clothes and were anxious to pull a handcart.  It was fun spending time with them and providing them also with an opportunity to experience pioneer life. Together we pulled a handcart for six miles, relating many experiences of these wonderful pioneers as we traveled along the Mormon trail.  They were so excited to find arrowheads near some "buffalo bones" along the way!

Modern Day Pioneers

While our family was visiting, we also took time to show them other fun Wyoming sites such as:

Fort Seminoe at Martin's Cove

Hot Springs at Thermopolis

an Indian Village in Lander

Fishing on the Sweetwater River

Climbing Independence Rock

Recognizing we are all pioneers, we pray your pioneer experiences prove worthwhile,
Elder and Sister Bowden