5 Days Until Trek - Trek Families

Many Latter-day Saints emigrated to Zion as part of a family. You will be part of a family on Trek. You'll have a "ma," "pa," and "siblings." You'll do a lot with your family - pull and push handcarts, eat together, sleep around your handcart, etc. Make great memories with your family; memories you'll enjoy the rest of your lives.

"The family is among the few universal institutions of humankind; and migrating was a family affair among the [Latter-day Saints], differing in nature from the experiences of Oregonians and Californians. Most religiously inspired migrations are family affairs - for example, the Pilgrims, the Puritans, and the Dutch in South Africa. Since [Latter-day Saints] believe that the family unit remains intact in the next world, they have highlighted the importance of family and community among believers probably more than any other people. The Saints moved as villages on wheels - a whole faith, culture, and people.

"Moving as families was not only the natural thing to do, but it also minimized the trauma of being uprooted and thrust into a new and often challenging environment and society. Not only did the [Latter-day Saint] family provide security and comfort, but the common bond of religion strengthened the sense of community while crossing the Atlantic in immigrant ships, while traveling by train, boat, or wagon to their various points of departure, and, especially, while crossing the plains to their New Zion. The community of faith became a substitute for the old way of life in their former community."

Selection from Stanley B. and Violet T. Kimball's 2011 book, Villages on Wheels: A Social History of the Gathering to Zion.