Heritage Gateways

Official Sesquicentennial K-12 Education Project
sponsored by the Utah State Board of Education, the BYU-Public School Partnership and the Utah Education Network

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Margaret Clark Journals

May 17, 1997

Location: North Platte, Nebraska - Location: 41:07:26N 100:45:54W Elevation: 2800 feet

Summary: Quotation of blessing by Elder Ballard.

Journal entry: Below is a copy of the blessing given to the participants of the Sesqui-centennial Mormon Trail Wagon Train by Elder M. Russel Ballard of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.

May 17, 1997
Our beloved Heavenly Father, by and through the power of the Holy Priesthood and the Apostleship held by Elder Holland and myself on this unique situation here in North Platte, Nebraska, we pronounce a special priesthood blessing on this people. We ask thee Father to reach down from thy throne above and bless each and every man, woman and child that they may have comfort and peace come to them from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet, that they may walk not only with faith in every one of their footsteps, but also that they may walk with the positive assurance, Holy Father, that this is a very important enterprise, a very important undertaking, where a statement is made throughout the entire world as to the Church and kingdom here upon the Earth. We ask thee to bless the animals that they may be strengthened, that they may, from the water they receive and the hay they partake of, be strong and able, that they may fulfill their responsibilities on this trek. We pray for those that are walking, that their limbs will be strong, that their hearts will be strong, that their limbs will have the capacity to carry them safely along. We pray for those pulling the handcarts, that when it gets difficult, they will have the very same experiences of knowing those who have gone before are capable of coming and pushing the carts at their side. Heavenly Father, bless them, protect them, walk with them and see them safely into the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. For this blessing we very humbly pray and leave it in the name of thy beloved Son and through the holy Apostleship, all which we do very humbly in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.