Pioneer Stories
Purpose: As you continue with the FHE Time Capsule Series, your family can learn and talk about the pioneers of our church. You can share stories from your personal family history or how you found the church.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 31:6
Lesson: Using a map (either paper or show them briefly on the computer) point out the trail from Navuoo to Salt Lake City.
There were many, many children that walked thousands of miles across the United States to come to their new home in Salt Lake City, Utah. How far was your longest walk? The children, like their family members, often left behind many of their belongings including their homes, furniture, clothes, toys, friends and many other things that make us comfortable.
Below is a story of a pioneer girl and her experience along the trail:
Pioneer Story:
Story of sacrifice involving pioneer Jacob Hamblin and his daughter Ella, as related by C. Vorris Tenney and Colleen Arrott Carnahan, great-grandchildren of Jacob Hamblin:
“As a young girl, Ella’s most treasured possession was a pretty cloth or rag doll, whose face and hands were made of china. She always cuddled it beside her as they journeyed in their wagon, and she would put it to bed at night in a special place nearby.
“One morning the family was awakened early before daybreak and urged to break camp as quickly as possible because of the long journey and hot weather that lay ahead that day. Still half asleep, Ella was placed in the wagon and continued sleeping for the next several hours. By the time she was fully awake and aware of what had happened, they were already several miles into their journey. It was then that she realized her treasured doll was missing. ‘We’ve got to go back and get my dolly,’ she told her mother, who knew that it was out of the question. It was too far and the men and animals were already getting tired. Ella continued to plead for some time, but to no avail. ‘We’ll get you another doll,’ her mother said, but that didn’t stop the tears.
“When Jacob finally heard the crying child in the wagon, he rode up on his horse and asked what was wrong. He listened quietly as Ella explained where she had put the doll to rest on a bed of pine needles at the foot of the big rock where they had camped the night before. He told her he would try to find it and not to cry any more. She watched as he turned his horse and rode back down the long trail from whence they had come.
“The party set up camp that afternoon at the top of a long grade, and Ella sat down to watch the trail for any sign of her father’s return. When Jacob finally appeared in the distance and eventually got close enough to tether his horse in some trees at the bottom of the grade, she still couldn’t see whether or not he had found her doll. He walked up the grade toward her, with his hands behind him. After kneeling down in front of her and looking into her eyes, he brought his hands from behind his back and there was her precious dolly!”
Discussion:
How would you feel if you had accidently left one of your favorites toys and were not able to go back and get it?
How do you think the pioneer children felt about sleeping in a new location every day? What are some of the things they probably ate for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
What do you think the pioneer children did for fun and games?
Would you have liked to be a pioneer?
Time Capsule Activities:
Young Children~ Coloring page
Older Children & Adults~ Time Capsule
Write a story about your family pioneers. Do you have ancestors that crossed the plains? Write about your favorite pioneer story.
Did you, your parents or grandparents join the church first in your family? Converts are all pioneers and share in the rich history of those who sacrifice greatly to follow Jesus Christ. Write your own testimony or conversion stories (or both) and leave this journal entry as your Pioneer Story in your Time Capsule.
Treat:
Homemade Donuts
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1 egg
2 tbsp. melted shortening
1 1/2 c. sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Nuts, raisins, nutmeg or cinnamon (opt.)
1/2 c. milk
1 egg
2 tbsp. melted shortening
1 1/2 c. sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Nuts, raisins, nutmeg or cinnamon (opt.)
Combine milk, egg, shortening. Sift dry ingredients together and add to above. Gently drop teaspoons of batter into hot grease, 365 degrees. Drain on paper towels. While still warm shake in paper bag with confectionery sugar or granulated sugar mixed with cinnamon.
*Photos and coloring page from The Ensign
Put the berries and the remaining 1/4 cup of water into the bowl of a food processor and puree them for 30 seconds. Strain the puree to remove the seeds.
In a pitcher, stir together the cooked syrup, the orange and lemon juices, and the seedless berry puree. Pour the mixture into two ice-cube trays and freeze until firm (generally 6 or more hours). A pitcher or a mixing bowl with a spout will make filling the ice-cube trays easier and neater.
Your Thoughts~