THE ARMY OF HELAMAN CAME TO MARTIN'S COVE !!

Yesterday we had a literal "army" of missionaries come to Martin's Cove to help us.  Our 200 handcarts are stored inside the largest buildings all winter long to protect them from the elements, and in case you didn't know, this winter has been a doozey!

They began taking the handcarts out of the Barn and up along the road towards the Staging Area.

Many of us have been walking all winter around the perimeter of those handcarts,

 and now it looks so empty in there!

Then they moved over to the Trek Center and emptied it.

They loved being outdoors and doing some physical labor,

and we loved them for doing it!

They posed for a group picture.

On the other side of the mountain behind them is Martin's Cove.

Elder Whitlock help "rover" them back and forth  . . .

. . . and took them to the Visitors' Center 

to learn more about the handcart pioneers.

Then we fed them lunch at the Gathering Room.

They ate everything in sight!

After lunch we took them out on the trail.

First they went to Martin's Cove, where they walked reverently and thoughtfully, 

remembering all that the handcart pioneers endured to bring their families to Zion.

At the top of Martin's Cove they listened to more pioneer stories, 

and marveled at their faith and their courage. 

Next they visited the Statues and heard the story of the young men

 from Utah - the "Valley Boys" - and their great sacrifice to carry many of

 the freezing, starving, exhausted pioneers across the icy Sweetwater River.

They wanted to know just how cold that river was, so some took off their shoes and socks and dangled their feet in the freezing water until they couldn't stand it anymore.  
Then they understood just a little of what the Martin Company and their rescuers had endured.

It was a marvelous day at Martin's Cove 
thanks to the "army" of missionaries who came to help us.  

Shall the youth of Zion falter?  The answer is a resounding "NO!"

They are awesome!