Part Two: Youth Utah Trip and Handcart Trek 

Christ – Yoked with Him / Walking with Him

On Tuesday, June 9^th, after a very cold night in tents we were warmed a little by pancakes, thick syrup, and lukewarm ‘hot-chocolate,’ uplifted by a morning devotional, then journeyed above the pines to an even higher plateau for Day Camp. The trekking included a pause for the Jens & Elsie Nielson story, a ‘men’s call-out,’ a ‘woman’s pull,’ and time for reflection.

Pioneer family portraits

At Day Camp lunch was provided by the amazing food committee. Fun games and activities kept people moving including Styrofoam noodle sword fighting, stick pull, and ma/pa family photo shoots dressed in pioneer clothing and an intriguing paint-by-numbers project.

A little ukulele at day camp

The location was phenomenal with the distant high-altitude vistas, every shade of green, snow fields in the distance, and a stiff cold wind. One of the Lehi families brought a ukulele but it always seemed to be in the hands of one of our group, playing a delightful Hawaiian tune.

Styrofoam sword fighting

Up one more ridge, and after one more story, the famous handcart Kirkwood re-enactment, the company finally descended to the main camp.

Paint by numbers activity

After dinner and some fun free time, all gathered for skits presented by each Ma/Pa family. It was so satisfying to see our Maui youth, one per Ma/Pa family fully engaged and united with their Lehi Stake brothers and sisters. The skits were fun. That evening, before devotional, in front of the whole camp, our Maui youth performed a Hawaiian country line dance, “Uiha Whoa.” They learned the dance on Maui. Their performance was a rousing success. With their matching country hats and smooth hula moves they impressed and raised cheers from the whole company.

Temple replica in camp

On Wednesday, June 10^th, after another very cold night, our Bishop Thompson was invited to speak at the morning devotional. He told his story of conversion, faith and love for the Gospel. He is so dedicated to the youth. The company then broke camp, loaded the trailers and moved on down the road to the final camp site and a beautiful 25 foot wide by 30 foot high and 35 feet deep model temple. (The Lehi Stake doesn’t do anything half way!) Before dinner, in honor of the 1856 handcart pioneer rescuers sent by Brigham Young, all gathered near a stream where a pioneer River Crossing and rescue was re-enacted. Youth shivered as they carried other youth across the cold waste-deep water. With violin and guitar, Sister Hardman and I played, “Ashokan Farewell” over the loud speaker. 

Singing, “All of Me.”

At the evening devotional, four of our young women sang, “All of Me,” written by Barbara Doyle, trek chairman. The whole company then gathered in groups near the stream, around the temple surrounded by the beautiful mountain scene. Much was spoken by assigned leaders about the temple, then each participant was invited to walk through the model temple. Inside they were greeted by the stake president and his wife, Brent and Jana Greenhalgh, as well as a large picture of the Savior made by combining the individual ‘paint by number’ pieces painted by each youth the day before. Under the stars, the company then divided into three groups for testimony meetings around three rousing campfires. Many tender testimonies were shared including by our Maui youth.

Campfire testimony meeting

On Thursday, June 11^th, yes, after another very cold night, tents were again broken down, stored in trailers and a nice warm breakfast served. At the final devotional on the mountain, a special event developed. President Greenhalgh gave a parting message and then invited the Maui group to sing, “Aloha Oi,” a cultural symbol of farewell and remembrance. After a couple verses, the Lehi Stake joined in and sang,

“Aloha ʻoe, aloha ʻoe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace, a hoʻi aʻe au
Until we meet again.”

As the refrains progressed, President Greenhalgh waved his arms in a gathering motion and by the end of the song the entire company was singing as one for perhaps the largest group hug in handcart history, at least on that mountain. It was a happy, cheerful and tearful moment. Over four days and three nights each participant learned they could do hard things. They learned about the faith of pioneers, and how to love and support one another through challenging experiences. They learned to walk with Christ. A closing song and prayer were offered, good-byes were spoken, and the Lehi Stake handcart trek with the Kahului 1^st Ward, concluded. 

Before, during and after the event, much love and preparations were made by the Lehi Stake to welcome and integrate our group from Hawaii. For example, before arriving in Utah, the Maui kids were contacted by their assigned Ma/Pa families and welcomed to participate remotely in trek preparation activities as much as possible. Lehi Stake trek leaders found sleeping bags, pads, tents, buckets, and winter coats for our group so that such would not need to be brought on the air plane. They even gifted ocean blue baseball caps for each Hawaiian group member so they could be distinguished and loved and looked after. Eight host families were called who provided love, food, and housing for our youth and adults during the time in Utah when we were not on trek. Family and friends of our Maui group were also helpful with lunches and dinners. We are so grateful.

On Friday, June 12^th, before returning to Maui, our youth visited BYU and enjoyed a walk through the Wilkinson Center and Book Store. Many purchased BYU swag. One of our girls said, “I don’t want to leave. I like Utah.” As an engineer, I had the privilege of taking some interested youth on a tour of the Engineering Building where a lab manager enthusiastically showed them various things developed by engineers using math, science and various technologies. Then, the group enjoyed an afternoon at Splash Summit, a major water and slide park in Provo. A few from the Lehi Stake even showed up at the water park.

Sister Hardman and I then parted ways with the group. They needed to get back to their host families, pack their rollaway, and attempt to get some sleep before their 6 AM flight out of Salt Lake City. Rumor has it that some skipped the sleep and played games. The group made it safely back to Maui where ward and family gathered to meet them as they came down the stairs at OGG. What a great event it was. What wonderful feelings and friendships were born. Sister Hardman and I returned to Maui a couple days later to complete the last two months of our service mission. We love these people!