17 Miracles

“When you come to the end of all the light that you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught to fly.” -Edward Teller

I suggest listening to this song while you read. 

I’ve probably written this post a few different times, but it’s never felt quite right. I don’t know why I suddenly feel the need to post about it, but i’m going to. I am about to get all religious on you. These are some things I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. Ever since I saw the movie 17 Miracles, I can’t get this out of my head. 

I have pioneer ancestors, and I swear if my Dad wishes that he could have been a pioneer. I don’t know how many times I heard the phrase, “We gotta be tough, think about the pioneers.” 

Every time my Dad would say that to me, I would roll my eyes. 

After seeing 17 Miracles, my heart began to be softened. 

The early saints sacrificed so much. The faith that they had, was incredible. 

I don’t know if I could have done it. 

I began to have an appreciation for the pioneers.

The Martin Handcart Company left too late into the year, and as a result many perished.

After watching the movie I revisited one of my favorite talks, The Refiners Fire by President James E. Faust.

 “A teacher, conducting a class, said it was unwise ever to attempt, even to permit them [the Martin handcart company] to come across the plains under such conditions.

“[According to a class member,] some sharp criticism of the Church and its leaders was being indulged in for permitting any company of converts to venture across the plains with no more supplies or protection than a handcart caravan afforded.

“An old man in the corner … sat silent and listened as long as he could stand it, then he arose and said things that no person who heard him will ever forget. His face was white with emotion, yet he spoke calmly, deliberately, but with great earnestness and sincerity.

“In substance [he] said, ‘I ask you to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about. Cold historic facts mean nothing here, for they give no proper interpretation of the questions involved. Mistake to send the Handcart Company out so late in the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it and Sister Nellie Unthank whom you have cited was there, too. We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism?Not one of that company ever apostatized or left the Church, because everyone of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted with him in our extremities.

“‘I have pulled my handcart when I was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it.’” He continues: “‘I have gone on to that sand and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the angels of God were there.

“‘Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.’” (Relief Society Magazine, Jan. 1948, p. 8.)

I have thought a lot about their journey, and I realized that I am on my own journey.

I realized that even though I don’t have to physically pull a hand cart, I still will face hard things. I will face my own set of challenges. 

There have been times for me too, where I have felt that “ I can only go that far, and there I must give up, for I cannot pull the load through it.” That’s when my metaphorical hand cart begins to push me. That’s when I know that I have angels surrounding me. Tender mercies remind me that I can keep going. I can face this challenge.

I know that trials have the power to bring us closer to our Heavenly Father. I have seen it in my life. I know that the challenges I face are part of the price that I pay to become appointed with Him. I am so grateful for my testimony. I am so grateful to truly know that there is a God, and he does hear and answer prayers. I am grateful for those who have gone before me. I have truly learned the importance of faith in my life. I don’t know everything, but these things I do know. 

Have a happy Sunday.