Spiritual Preperation
"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers..." -Malachi 4:6
Return to this site to find activities and stories to use in your personal study and family home evenings to help prepare yourself to spiritually reconnect with our mighty pioneer forbearers, and discover why.
Return to this site to find activities and stories to use in your personal study and family home evenings to help prepare yourself to spiritually reconnect with our mighty pioneer forbearers, and discover why.
Why?
Why?
As you prepare for trek, ask yourself, "Why?"
As you prepare for trek, ask yourself, "Why?"
Why did these faithful saints give so much?
Why did these faithful saints give so much?
Why in some cases their very lives?
Why in some cases their very lives?
Why did they leave comfortable homes, family, friends, to endure harsh conditions to come to a new home called Zion?
Why did they leave comfortable homes, family, friends, to endure harsh conditions to come to a new home called Zion?
Dedicate Your Trek
Dedicate Your Trek
During the Trek this year, we want you to reflect upon the lives of the early pioneers. What the pioneers went through has had an effect on our lives whether we realize it or not. We want to honor them for what they did, and so we want you to pick a pioneer to walk for. This person can be, but does not have to be, related to you. You can do this in one of two ways.
During the Trek this year, we want you to reflect upon the lives of the early pioneers. What the pioneers went through has had an effect on our lives whether we realize it or not. We want to honor them for what they did, and so we want you to pick a pioneer to walk for. This person can be, but does not have to be, related to you. You can do this in one of two ways.
Step 1: Talk to your family.
Step 1: Talk to your family.
Your family may be able to help you identify an ancestor who was a pioneer. If so, then move to step 3, if not, then continue to the next step.
Your family may be able to help you identify an ancestor who was a pioneer. If so, then move to step 3, if not, then continue to the next step.
Step 2: Use the internet.
Step 2: Use the internet.
You can use this website to look through your genealogy for someone who might have been a pioneer. This website does require an LDS account, so you will need your membership number and birthdate to make your own account, or you may be able to use a parent’s account if they already have one.
You can use this website to look through your genealogy for someone who might have been a pioneer. This website does require an LDS account, so you will need your membership number and birthdate to make your own account, or you may be able to use a parent’s account if they already have one.
This website links you to your ancestors using membership records and information submitted over the past several years. Find someone who looks like they may have been a pioneer. Some things to look for: someone who was born outside of Utah, but married, or had a child born, or died in Utah, prior to 1870. If you think you have found someone, or can’t find someone, go to the next website.
This website links you to your ancestors using membership records and information submitted over the past several years. Find someone who looks like they may have been a pioneer. Some things to look for: someone who was born outside of Utah, but married, or had a child born, or died in Utah, prior to 1870. If you think you have found someone, or can’t find someone, go to the next website.
Use this website to search for pioneers. You can search for specific individuals, or you can search by what company they traveled in. If you have an ancestor to search, then put their name in. This site provides the birthdate, death date, and age when the pioneer crossed the plains, which will help you verify you have the correct person.
Use this website to search for pioneers. You can search for specific individuals, or you can search by what company they traveled in. If you have an ancestor to search, then put their name in. This site provides the birthdate, death date, and age when the pioneer crossed the plains, which will help you verify you have the correct person.
If you do not have an ancestor to search for, then go through this website, and choose a pioneer that you would like to identify with.
If you do not have an ancestor to search for, then go through this website, and choose a pioneer that you would like to identify with.
Step 3: Find out what you can.
Step 3: Find out what you can.
Once you have decided on a pioneer, whether it be an ancestor or by choosing a name, find out as much information about them as you can. Where and when were they born? How old were they when they came across the plains? What do they have in common with you? You can ask your family, you can search the internet, or even your Ward family history consultant for help.
Once you have decided on a pioneer, whether it be an ancestor or by choosing a name, find out as much information about them as you can. Where and when were they born? How old were they when they came across the plains? What do they have in common with you? You can ask your family, you can search the internet, or even your Ward family history consultant for help.
As you learn what you can about the lives of these pioneers, and more so as you walk for them, you will gain a greater appreciation for what these pioneers went through, and how it affects you today.
As you learn what you can about the lives of these pioneers, and more so as you walk for them, you will gain a greater appreciation for what these pioneers went through, and how it affects you today.
Additional Activities to Help Prepare
Additional Activities to Help Prepare
Draw Closer to Those Who Came Before
Draw Closer to Those Who Came Before
Choose at least six activities to complete before trek
Choose at least six activities to complete before trek
- Log into FamilySearch.org.
- Find yourself in your Family Tree.
- Add a paragraph (or two) about yourself in your "Life Sketch” section.
- Add a photo or story in "Memories" on Family Search of yourself, your parents, and your grandparents.
- Find an early or modern pioneer in your tree, learn their story, and "take" them with you on trek.
- Study the photos, personalities, and characteristics of your ancestors, and look for similarities.
- Index 50 records.
- Discover a family recipe or tradition and share it with your family.
- Learn of a special sacrifice an ancestor made that has affected your life.
- Find out who in your family was the first member of the church.
- Ask your ward temple and family history consultant to help you find someone in your tree who needs temple ordinances, and do what you can to bring this blessing to them.