My Pioneer Trek Dedication

I recently participated in a Pioneer Trek re-enactment with the youth of our Church from Ridgecrest.  The theme of this Trek was "Remember".



In the Church we are proud of the deep pioneer heritage we have, where tens of thousands of Church members in the mid-1800's pulled handcarts to carry themselves and their families over a thousand miles into a desolate basin today known as the Salt Lake Valley in Utah.  They did it not only to escape the persecution of mobs when even the President of the United States himself refused to protect them at the plea of the Prophet Joseph Smith or even the infamous extermination order given by the Governor of Missouri, but they did it because they believed that the Church was the true Church of Christ.  They demonstrated great faith in the Savior through the many trials they faced.

In our Pioneer Trek, we not remember those early pioneers who crossed the plains, but other pioneers in our own families who are pioneers for other reasons.  Each of us was asked to dedicate our Trek to someone.  Many chose a pioneer ancestor of their own who crossed the plains or an ancestor who inspired them in some way.  We wrote their names on leather bracelets that we wore during the Trek to remind us.

I chose to dedicate my Trek to my grandfather, James F. Gough.  I currently wear the ring he wore his whole life as a reminder of him and the principles he stood for.  It has his initials on it.



He was born and grew up in New York City.  He served in World War 2 as part of the effort that fought the German Nazis at the end of the war.  Later, he married my grandma and they lived in Wyoming.  They later were taught the gospel and were baptized.  Since their baptism, they have always been diligent in serving in whatever capacity they have been called to serve in the Church.  My grandpa served over 18 years as a part of a Branch-Presidency or Bishopric.  In 1974, he was ordained a High Priest by an apostle, Thomas S. Monson.  Elder Monson is today the President of the Church and the Prophet.  My grandpa was also a Patriarch in the Church, giving many blessings.  He one time estimated that he had driven over 50,000 miles to fulfill his Church responsibilities.

My grandma and grandpa apparently could not have children of their own, so they adopted three children:  my aunt Mary, my uncle Jimmy, and my mother.

When I knew my grandpa, he had Parkinson disease and he shook pretty badly.  He was also legally blind, so he walked using a walking stick you see blind people using.  He also had thick glasses.



My mother passed away in September 1992.  Afterwards, we had a conversation and he asked me if I knew why my mother was taken away.  I said no.  He said he would tell me in 6 months.  He passed away 4 months later.  I still find that interesting to this day.



By dedicating the Trek to my Grandpa, it helped me have more purpose in the Trek and remind me of the tradition of great diligence and faith I have in my family.  I hope to carry on that same level of diligence and faith that he had.

As I walked with the youth during this Pioneer Trek and helped push and pull those handcarts, I asked each one I could who they were dedicating their Trek to.  I heard many wonderful stories from them as I listened.  I hope it helped those youth find special purpose and meaning by sharing about their pioneer dedication.