Heritage Gateways

Margaret Clark Journals

June 29, 1997

Location: Pacific Springs, Wyoming

Summary: Sunday--the day of rest --at South Pass Campsite at Pacific Springs

Journal entry: We had an absolutely beautiful day today, sitting on a sagebrush covered ridge, feeling a soft breeze (just enough to keep the bugs at bay) against our faces, the beautiful snow-capped WindRiver Mountains as our backdrop for church. The skies are a lovely summer blue and the clouds are white, puffy little things. We bring our folding chairs or our blankets and gather together to take the Sacrament, sing hymns together, and listen to speakers. Nobody cares what you wear and that what you ARE wearing you wore every Sunday for the last 10 weeks. It really doesn't matter that you haven't had a bath for several days, and your once-white socks are now South Pass sand brown. Most of the women have their hair hidden under bonnets or sunhats. We know it has been awhile since we have had a good shampoo. But the Spirit is strong here and we feel an extra special bond with our Wagon Train Family. Brother Cornell already talks about when this ends and what an emptiness there will be. Pres. Brian Hill tells about meeting two Indian men at a sauna-sweatroom in Riverton. They talked about the wagon train and the areas we are passing through. One of the Indian gentlemen mentioned that he had seen the Wagon Train at Sweetwater Station when we were there. He told his friend he could see that our God was with us. He could also sense that our God was not making this an easy journey for us. (Art's comment was that it was two days later that we had a combined total of 40 flat tires on our vehicles.) We also heard from a great man who leads and guides our wagon train, Leon Wilkinson. This man has been a wonderful influence in the day-to-day operation of the train. As Pres.Hill said.....Leon is a great peacemaker- and is able to resolve conflicts that arise among the wagon train participants. He is a great organizer and solves many of our administrative problems. Besides that, he is such a happy person. You just can't help but like him. Leon told us about his dealings with the Iowa Wagon Train last summer and told about many of the places they went along the trail. He really has been a great man in the success of this event. We can never thank you enough, Leon.

This afternoon was the preparation of meals, resting, writing in journals and catching up on letters. We had Primary for the children, and choir practice for the Wagon Train choir that will be singing at special events later on.

Tonight we had a fireside with Hyrum Smith who told about the events leading up to the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith. He is a very interesting speaker. Being here is almost like being at home, except we live on the trail and live in tents and RVs. But so much that we learn to depend on at home, is here. The Church is such an important part of our lives, the meetings and activities. We do all of those things here.

The women are working to put a quilt together. This is taking a lot of time and effort. But it is a worthy project and it is fun. We have to either do the sewing by hand, or find a place with electricity for the sewing machines. There has been a lot of hand sewing of bonnets, dresses, slips, pantaloons, aprons, and quilt squares. I have a much greater appreciation of the pioneer women who sewed their clothing by hand. It takes a lot of time.... and patience. I have watched Amy sew a dress...by hand....and make bonnets. Maren has made two of the quilt squares by hand, as have many of the ladies. It will be a wonderful memory quilt of this Wagon Train.

It must have been a very wise God who gave us the Sabbath. It has been a really nice day today. HappyNetTrekking!