Brent C (B.C.) Moore Journals
June 29, 1997
Location: Pacific Springs, Wyoming -
Summary: Sabbath
at Pacific Springs
Journal entry:
I woke up to the warm sun after sleeping under the stars last night.
A few of us had laid last night under the handcarts and marveled
at the sky. Shooting stars criss-crossed the sky all night.
We held church today outside at the edge of a hill overlooking
South Pass. Each member of the presidency spoke to us, each centering
their remarks on the need for unity. We do need to be unified to
make it to Salt Lake. The same is true in any group effort. President
Hill pointed out that as members of the church back home, we only
can achieve great things if we have faith, work hard, and have unity.
All of us are tired. We have all walked, driven, ridden, and worried
for almost 1,000 miles, and the distance is wearing on all of us.
With only a few weeks left, you'd think that by now we would have
discovered a good way to put aside our major disagreements, but
aggravations have continued to build. Amy and I have talked the
past few days about how we can best try to build more unity and
stop contention. We decided we will try not to take sides on issues,
and we won't criticize those in charge.
This afternoon, I took a nap in the Cache valley wagon driven by
Farris Thurston. It was a glorious nap. Covered wagons have natural
air conditioning: they are shaded from the sun, and the breeze blows
in one end and out the other. I imagine that many of my ancestors
did the same thing to escape the afternoon heat.
Bob Johnson, one of our full-time walkers, carries an American
flag every day with him. He handed me this explanation of why he
carries it:
Why?
The Mormon Trail - 1997
Sometimes I think of the Trail as a battlefield. We have battled
wind, rain, cold, heat, mosquitoes, federal, state and wagon train
regulations; aches, pains and blisters, mechanical, economic and
physical problems, personal egos and eccentricity, and yes, we
have occasionally battled each other. But, my love of country
comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly "to
the battlefield". All the blissful moments that I have enjoyed
come crowding over me and I feel most deeply grateful to God and
our forefathers that I've enjoyed them for so long.
I have no misgivings about or lack of confidence in the cause
in which I am engaged. "It is a very important enterprise, a very
important undertaking, where a statement is made throughout the
entire world as to the Church and Kingdom (of God) here on the
earth." (Elder M. Russel Ballard)
I know how great a debt we owe to those who went before, some
with bloodshed and suffering, and I am perfectly willing to lay
aside everything for a "moment" to help celebrate the building
of the great nation, honor those valiant builders and make a payment
on that debt.
I am sharing an incommunicable experience that has increased
my passion for life. My heart has been touched with fire. The
Mormon Trail led to freedom in 1847. Today the flag I carry still
stands for that freedom. It is a symbol that we of this church
and wagon train bear proudly and humbly. It says to all Americans
that we are their friends, that we love liberty and this country,
that we will join with them in upholding the rights of the people,
the constitution and the laws of our land.
I am grateful to be living in America where God has made us free
and pray that we will never forget those who lived and died to
save that right. I have no doubt about my love for this choice
land. God bless the U.S.A.
Robert M. Johnson
Box 142
Orderville, Utah 84758
(Note: Some of the above reflect statements made by S. Ballou and
O. Holmes about the Civil War) |
