We’re Going to Make it to Zion


This was written in honor of fearless pioneer women and inspired by the beautiful photos included.  They are photos of my niece who recently went on Pioneer Trek in Wyoming.  She and her husband took their two young children, a toddler and a baby, with them.  These photos of her holding her baby were taken as she stood a distance away from the rest of her company as they held a testimony meeting.  To me, they perfectly capture the essence and spirit of the brave, faithful pioneer women who, with hearts full of hope, faith and I’m sure some worry and trepidation, fearlessly faced their harrowing journey to Zion. ~ Jenny


I once came across a print that had the following statement:

 “Tie on your bonnet sister, we’re going to make it to Zion!”  (simply fresh designs)

I read it and instantly loved it!  To me it holds a wealth of meaning.  It makes me think of strength.  It makes me think of the faith and grit and strength of so many faithful pioneer women, including my own ancestors, who were determined to make it to Zion.  I could just picture my great, great, great grandmother, Grace Slater Wignall, a member of the Martin Handcart Company, perhaps in a moment of hopelessness or defeat, or when she just didn’t feel that she had anymore to give, saying to herself, “I can do this! I’m going to make it to Zion!”

Grace Slater Wignall and her husband, William,  joined the Church in Lancashire, England.  They wanted to join the other saints in Zion, so they began preparations for their journey to Utah.  Grace and William had five young children who made the journey with them.   I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like for Grace to pack up her few precious belongings, say goodbye to her family, and, on that final day in England, shut the front door of her home, and bravely step outside to face an unknown future in a foreign land.  I’m sure she had no idea what she was about to embark upon or just how harrowing her journey to Zion would end up being, but I do know that she had the courage and the faith to trust in her Father in Heaven that He would help her get there.  I know that she had a testimony of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ burning in her heart and I know that she was ready and willing to do whatever would be required of her on this journey.

The journey of the Mormon pioneer handcart companies was brutal.  It was faith testing – a journey harder than I can even begin to imagine.  These stalwart pioneers endured months of freezing temperatures, fierce winter storms, starvation, sickness, and death, on a journey that must have seemed endless, but their faith remained unwavering in the face of such unimaginable hardship.  There are many accounts of the trials they endured and experiences they had.  I’ve read many of them and although they tell of sorrow and suffering, they also tell of great faith, bravery, strength, and powerful testimonies forged from the “fire of the covenant” that “burned in their hearts.”  (Brigham Young)

The following account, was written by Grace:

“I proceed to give you an account of what I saw while crossing the plains in the handcart company of 1856. I will give you one circumstance out of the many. On this 28th of October, Sunday afternoon, we crossed the Platt River for the last time. That evening the snow fell about 18 inches deep. Monday morning the camp moved about 9 miles to a bluff, called by us, the Red Point. We were there 9 days; the snow was then about two feet deep. We had only one fourth of a lb. of flour per day to eat. My husband was taken sick. I called the elders to administer to him, and he was healed immediately. I went to bed and a Heavenly messenger came to my bedside and said to me, “Cheer up Sister Wignall–there are mule teams, horse teams, and ox teams coming to meet you with provisions and clothing from the valley and tomorrow when Mary Ann (Riley) is combing your hair, there will be a man with 2 pack mules come into camp.” Sure enough just as she was combing my hair about 9 a.m. (there was a great shout). Joseph A. Young and a man, I have forgotten his name, rode into camp, just as I had been told, telling us that at Greasewood Creek, there were teams waiting for us.”

I wonder, if I were required to make such a journey, if I would have had what it takes. Would I have been willing to leave everything I love, trusting in an unknown future?  Could I have endured pushing my handcart over the rocky trails through bitter cold with seemingly no end in sight?  Would I have been strong enough to helplessly watch as my children suffered and cried with hunger?  Would I have been brave enough to cross the icy rivers or bury a newborn baby in the frozen ground?  Would I have had the kind of faith to have my prayers miraculously answered?  Would I have been as courageous and fearless as the pioneer women in my family?  Would I have made it to Zion?

Each of us has our own journey to travel through this life. We are going to encounter times of trial and our faith will be tested.  It may take everything we have to survive it and some days we may feel like giving up.   Our handcarts may feel heavy and those icy rivers may seem impossible to cross, but as we put our faith and trust in God, He will help us make the journey.

How grateful I am for my great, great, great grandmother Grace, and the many valiant pioneer women who had such faith and courage in their hearts.   I am thankful that she has paved the way and paid the price so that I can have the blessings of the restored gospel.  She has left a priceless legacy of faith.  She survived the near impossible journey and she made it to Zion.

As I think of Grace now,  I can almost feel her standing next to me and bravely whispering to me,   “Tie on your bonnet sister, we’re going to make it to Zion!”

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