I have to admit I was skeptical about going on a church history tour. On a bus. For days on end. With strangers. At the mercy of an unknown tour guide. I'm not sure which I was more worried about--the lack of independence or the lack of alone time. Even on family trips with my five favorite people (yes, that's hubby and kids) I get a little on edge about so much compromise and togetherness. So spending two weeks with 52 people? There is no choice in that situation--you just have to go with the flow and hope for the best.
And it was the best! Of course they weren't all strangers--twelve of the passengers were from my family. And certainly the highlight was spending time with my siblings, their spouses, my parents and two teenage nieces. The pleasant surprise, however, was the joy it was to get to know the "strangers." They weren't strange at all. They were just like all my favorite people I've collected throughout life, but with new faces and names. I wouldn't go so far as to say we had "the movie-star, the professor, and Marianne," but we did have a cast of characters. Each so different--some a bit mysterious, others outright hilarious, yet all aboard with a unifying purpose. To trace the footsteps of early pioneers.
What is the point? Sometimes I've wondered that, too. Our mormon culture seems to nearly worship pioneers. What with trek reenactments, movies, mega-series novels, and vast merchandising. But there is something about it that won me over--not only did I learn the history of my own heritage, my own ancestors, but I felt an emotional connection to these
actual people who came before. I felt not only a deep gratitude, but also a spiritual kinship. I can't presume to relate to the hardships of the pioneers, but I can
try to comprehend it. And I can
hope I would be as faithful and courageous. I can probably even meet my own trials and concerns with more faith and courage.
We tend to romanticize the aspects of daily pioneer living: baking bread in a brick oven, dipping candles, weaving rugs, building furniture with hand tools. But really, it all looks exhausting. On top of all that arduous work, heap a pile of illness, pestilence, and persecution. And then in the middle of
that, build a temple. It's almost too much to fathom. The only explanation is FAITH. It was so humbling to step back in time, and encounter such great faith.
5 comments:
Sounds like a great experience! It's always good to remember where we as a people came from, and what our history is.
i would love to do that some day.
lucky, lucky you!
What great insights! I'm glad you gained from it. Even seeing the pictures of how the Book of Mormon came to be in the newest Ensign is more meaningful--an "I was there" kind of awareness.
And the idea,"If they could do why can't we?" was presented strong the very first evening and became a reoccurring theme throughout the tour. That has been very helpful to me.
You covered it so well and I am glad all the "strangers" are now dear friends. That's usually how it goes - the Spirit everyone brings and that comes when discussing these sacred events always creates this amazing feeling as we share this history together. Thanks for your post! Your mom sent me the link and I thoroughly enjoyed your post. Maybe we'll actually meet, someday. All the best to you and yours! Patty Steadman
Thanks for sharing your insights.
It was great spending two weeks with you. Let's go to England/Wales next.
Post a Comment