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Journal of the Trail
A reverence for sacred things gives context to all of life's experiences. That context is especially important when we learn about distant places and people who lived long ago. With the assistance of the Spirit, events that took place along the Mormon Trail can touch our hearts and inspire us to greater commitment. The journals kept by the pioneers seem to cry out for us to see the hand of the Lord in the events described there, and when we begin to feel a spiritual kinship with those who walked these trails, our lives are strengthened and enriched.
189 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 25, 2017
Stewart Glazier did an excellent work compiling these accounts. My favorite was his work on Ephraim Hanks. I know Stewart and he is such a wonderful man. I loved this book!
March 9, 2019
Must read!!!
March 25, 2019
Stories from the pioneer trail.
July 16, 2019
This book was very insightful of the struggles and journey the pioneers went through. I just found it hard to focus and keep reading.
August 24, 2021
All I can say about this book is wow! The cover says it all! I recommend everyone to read this book if you haven’t yet.
January 6, 2023
I dare you not to cry while reading this
April 10, 2023
Holy cow, this is touching must read. It is especially touching and heartrending if you had ancestors on the trail or those that were founders of the church, or in my case, both.
February 7, 2011
The stories in this book are amazing and the suffering of the poor handcart pioneers was awful. I was amazed at how so many of them made it to the Salt Lake valley despite the terrible hunger and bitter cold that they suffered.
I am getting excited about the Trek this summer (my first) and reading this book helped me to have a much better understanding of what these faithful saints endured.
The only thing that kept me from giving this book a higher rating was the way the journal entries were put together. It was confusing at times because it skipped from one group to another and I had a hard time putting some of it together.
I am getting excited about the Trek this summer (my first) and reading this book helped me to have a much better understanding of what these faithful saints endured.
The only thing that kept me from giving this book a higher rating was the way the journal entries were put together. It was confusing at times because it skipped from one group to another and I had a hard time putting some of it together.
August 17, 2011
I loved reading the first-hand accounts of the handcart pioneers, particularly so soon after I returned from the places where they had suffered so much. At the same time, it felt "jumpy" to me, switching back and forth between the original 1847 pioneers, the Martin Company, and the Willie Company. Also, there were times that I thought I was reading the words of a pioneer, only to figure out that it was actually the editor inserting an explanation. There was nothing to designate between the editor's words and the actual journal records, and it became somewhat confusing at times. Overall, interesting and amazing stories, but not edited particularly well.
April 21, 2012
In preparation for Trek I've going to be reading several pioneer books. This was my first. It follows three distinct stories, the original 1847 group with Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff, the 1856 Willie hand cart company and the 1856 Martin hand cart company. Most of the book has been taken from journal entries along with a few small narrations. I'm not sure how the journal entries were picked, but many of them seemed to be the same even described but multiple people, almost the identical words used... Anyway this was a good reference and gave me a feel for what those poor people went through.
June 2, 2009
Of course the journal entries themselves are poignant and heart-breaking. But as for what the editors of the collection contributed -- the organization is terrible. Unless you are planning to read sections while you visit specific geographic sites, it makes no sense whatsoever. I was constantly having to remind myself about which company I was reading, if it was November or had doubled back to October, or even if they had thrown in one of the 1847 excerpts. There are much more cohesive accounts of the handcart companies out there.
December 31, 2015
Loved reading the journal excerpts from the lives of people who traveled in the Willie and Martin handcart companies. Some of them were so touching. I walked away with a better appreciation for what those pioneers went through. However, the organization of the book was terrible. It jumped from 1847 to 1856 and then back to 1847 again. It also jumped a lot between the different companies. I had to keep reminding myself which company I was reading about and where they were on the trail. It definitely could have been compiled much better to make reading it a little easier.
April 30, 2012
This book was well put together and I actually enjoyed a lot of the journal entries (surprising for me since I'm not a big fan of this topic). I wish there had been a more detailed map of the places mentioned. Although in the introduction the order of the journal entries was addressed, I was still a little confused as to where places were. Each journal entry was dated, which helped, but I think a more detailed map would have addressed this concern for me.
January 26, 2013
A really good read for anyone interested in first-hand experiences of the pioneers in the Willie and Marten handcart companies. The journal entries are organized by time and location, so you can see what different people were feeling, thinking, experiencing as they made the trek towards Utah. This book will help you appreciate what they went through and the sacrifices they made along the way. Highly recommended for anyone going on a Pioneer Trek.
July 3, 2013
Whether you are Mormon or not, you should read this book to appreciate the Pioneers. They themselves deserve a five rating, but the editing was not five stars.
If you are struggling or something or think you have a hard life, this is a good book to read to get things in check. We have it so easy compared to them. I really appreciate all the sacrifices they made in my behalf.
If you are struggling or something or think you have a hard life, this is a good book to read to get things in check. We have it so easy compared to them. I really appreciate all the sacrifices they made in my behalf.
August 10, 2008
This book is great because it has most stories that are in a lot more popular books but with more detail. It was a perfect book for preparing to visit Martin's Cove. A lot of research must have gone into this book but it's not like all the others out there!
September 23, 2008
Advice: Just don't ever read this when you can't be seen crying. It was really good. I don't like the church books about fictional people and fictional testimonies, so I really liked that this is actual journal entries.
October 3, 2008
I really liked this book. I learned a lot of good insights about the mormon pioneers. And I started to see them differently, more like you and me. It was definitely a good book, and definitely worth reading.
October 12, 2008
This is a remarkable record of diaries kept during horrible snowstorms that pounded a group of pioneers crossing the plains. After reading this book, you simply have to find your way up to Wyoming-Independence Rock, Martin's Cove and Rock Creek.
April 2, 2009
This is a compliation of journal entries from the LDS pioneers who crossed the plains to come to Salt Lake City. Their faith and steadfastness amazes me and it made me really stop and count my blessings. There were a few really sad parts to read but overall it was interesting.
May 9, 2009
We received this book years ago while preparing to be a Ma and a Pa on the Stake Pioneer Trek. I can hardly read these stories and episodes without the spirit testifying of their hardships and trials. What a blessing it is to have pioneer heritage.
October 9, 2011
Reading this book made me appreciate the LDS pioneers more than I ever did. Reading the Willie and Martin handcart companies' journal entries about their journey really touched my heart. This has one of the best reads I've had.
February 1, 2008
It really gave me a stronger testimony of the pioneers who came here to Utah so that LDS people could worship in freedom.
April 15, 2008
I read this before we went on our Stake Youth Conference to Martin's Cove. I can't believe what these people had to go through and how strong they were!
June 24, 2008
Journal entries of the sacrifices made by early pioneers.
July 30, 2008
It was a good book to read to prepare me for a "mock Pioneer Trek".
April 5, 2009
Wow. Will leave you in tears.
June 7, 2009
The time period for this book is 1847 to 1856 with corresponding Journal entries from pioneers of the church to Salt Lake City.
July 8, 2011
This is an amazing book that shows what the pioneers went through and what they had to do to survive. It makes me even more excited to go on trek.
July 8, 2011
Incredibly moving stories about an amazing and inspiring group of people. REMEMBER!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews