Comments on: 2009 Mormon Handcart Trek An Historic Event

By: Sam Maynard

Sam Maynard — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:07:36 +0000

I too was planning on the 2009 BYU Handcart trek, then the 2010 until it was canceled. I’m trying to find another group who is interested in planning or has planned a trip for 2010. Does anyone know of such a group?

By: MoSop

MoSop — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 04:45:23 +0000

Hi Carolee – I’m sorry I do not know Ivan, but perhaps one of our readers will. Best wishes! – Mo

By: Carolee Flewelling

Carolee Flewelling — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:03:35 +0000

I am trying to get a hold of Ivan Kent Steinke who make a trip across Iowa like his descendents did. I was interest in how things went. He was on the news about it and they did an interview with him while walking this long journey. Please forward my email along to him. Ivan play the piano for us at our church for a while while he was in Seminary. Just would be interested of his adventure. Thanks

By: Ivan kent Steinke

Ivan kent Steinke — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:10:28 +0000

I’d like to get in touch with these people. By coincidence I’ve been planning on taking the same route across Iowa, beginning April 29. If we could meet up and maybe travel together it would be really great.

I am a descendent of Handcart pioneers of 1857 (6th Company)

Ivan Kent Steinke

By: mormonsoprano

mormonsoprano — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:18:21 +0000

Scott, thanks for the update. Too bad it is being postponed!

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:35:16 +0000

I am planning on going on the entire trek. (Though it has been postponed til 2010, which makes me a little sad). And while I am excited about the reenactment portion of the trek, mostly I am excited for the educational and recreational aspects of it. For example, many people talk about “backpacking Europe,” and I don’t see this as much different. Its only larger in scale, and set in the Midwest instead. I am looking forward to it, and if, through reenactments, I learn something about my ancestors and the Church’s History, all the better.

Also, you’ll see on the Trek website (handcarttrek.byu.edu) that they do not claim to be a complete reenactment, but are foremost an educational experience.

By: mormonsoprano

mormonsoprano — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:31:06 +0000

S. Faux – I enjoyed your article. I believe the most important thing is to remember our ancestors and to honor our pioneer heritage. There are certainly many ways to do that. Although re-enactments are certainly not for everyone, they can provide some great testimony building moments.

M. Clyde – Wow. Good luck with that! I would be very interested in hearing from you, and other trekkers about the experience.

By: M. Clyde

M. Clyde — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 01:02:23 +0000

My wife and I are participating in the entire reenactment and taking our son who will be 10 months old at the beginning of the trek. (With my little brother joining us for the second half.) We are excited to grow closer together as a family as we struggle together, learning what our ancestors went through.
I love reading and learning about the pioneers, but I don’t think that it is possible to really understand what they went through for us just by reading about them. Truly, we will not suffer nearly as much as they did, but it will give us a much greater appreciation for them than we could ever gain in a book.

By: S.Faux

S.Faux — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 02:47:52 +0000

I wrote the following essay, "Becoming a 21st Century Mormon," which is somewhat critical of re-enactments. I was not aware of this particular event until I read your post. I looked at their route, and it is roughly the same as the original pioneer route. As such, they will be dodging cars or going over non-roads. Either way is a hardship. I REALLY hope someone is not seriously injured. I CANNOT imagine why a modern parent would take a young child on such a trip. As for me, I prefer to study the pioneers from books. And, I love cars.