Saturday, August 25, 2018

Hallowed Ground

Martin's Cove

The song "Hallowed Ground" was written by Cheryl Davidsen in 2010. It has become the theme song for the Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission and is beloved by all those serving at Martin’s Cove. "As we stand on hallowed ground and sing this song every heart is touched by the sobering sacrifice made by those early pioneers in the Willie and Martin handcart companies."  We hope you too come to love it as we do.  http://www.cheryldavidsen.com/hallowed-ground/


Here we stand on hallowed ground -- hallowed ground,
Where frozen feet have walked,
Where mother's tears have dropped,
While weary hands dug out another grave.
Where trembling knees have knelt
To beg the Lord for help.
Upon these jagged rocks, they fell and prayed.


  Hallowed ground, holy place
Trail of tears -- trail of faith.
    Can you feel them all around,
          As we stand on hallowed ground.



Here we stand on hallowed ground,
Where winter winds have blown
And buried carts in snow,
Where hungry children watched their fathers die,
Where women young and old
Bravely pushed and pulled,
Where boys turned into men and hope survived.



   Hallowed ground, holy place.
Trail of tears -- trail of faith.
    Can you feel them all around,
           As we stand on hallowed ground.






Where snow and ice transpired into refiners fire.
Where angels came and pushed them up the hill.
How God could show his grace
in such a god-forsaken place
And yet, I feel his presence still.




     Hallowed ground, holy place.
  Trail of tears -- trail of faith.
     Can you feel them all around
             As we stand on hallowed ground.
                   As we stand on this hallowed ground.




We have genuinely loved serving at the Wyoming Mormon Trail Mission and will cherish the memories we have made...of visitors, of trekkers, of missionary friends but especially of those valiant  handcart pioneers of 1856.

Monday, August 13, 2018

As Soon As They Started, They Ended

Trekkers Learning the Martin Handcart
Story at Fort Seminoe

As anticipated, this has been a busy Trekking Season. During our busiest weeks we had as many as 14 groups on the trails at Martin's Cove.  Cherry Creek Campground was often filled to capacity.  The missionaries volunteering here were kept busy all summer manning the Visitors' Center, working with the trek groups and maintaining the properties, but most of all, we had fun.  And, that is how it should be.  On several occasions, Peggy and I took the opportunity to get out on the trails to enjoy the youth that came here.

Youth Orientation in the Trek Center

(L-R) Jay, Peggy, Aubrey, Kim and Bruce





We were excited to have Peggy's niece and family among one of the trek groups at Martin's Cove!


A Sacred Sweetwater River Crossing


Trek Group Crossing River Crossing Foot Bridge

Most of the groups trekking at Martin's Cove this year had special programs, vignettes and musical numbers.

Youth Program at the Statues


Youth Program at Dan W Jones Amphitheater


Youth saying Good-Bye after a long day of Trekking

And, as soon as the treks had started, they ended, leaving the trails at Martin's Cove once again empty until next year.


Until Next Year!