Saturday, December 14, 2013

Winter Quarters Visitors Center

My Granny is a recent convert to the church, so what better way to spend their one day in Omaha than going to a famous church history site here in Omaha? The pioneers stopped here for a winter on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. They had many hardships, deaths, sickness, and had to cross a cold, icy river to get to where they were going. There is a temple here, called the "Winter Quarters Temple", and it is built next to the cemetery where the pioneers buried their loved ones. They lost over 400 people there that winter, I can't even imagine the pain they felt, not only to lost those beloved, but have to leave their burial site when the winter was over. Such strong men and women who did such a brave and noble thing so that we could celebrate and live our religion without (as much) persecution and trials. I am very grateful for their sacrifices and could feel their spirit while we were there. 


On a not so serious note, the sister missionary who was giving us the tour had us pull a handcart around.. it's super easy, until she puts rocks in front of the wheels. Derek and I barely got over one single rock with both of our strengths and nothing inside of the cart. I know for a fact those pioneers didn't get to pull their carts on perfectly smooth, carpet covered fields .. they were rough, and tough, and they got through and made it still. 

Things like this humble me. I'm nowhere near as strong as these men and women were, and I'm just so grateful for everything they did for the future of our church. 

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