Before reading the words of Francis Webster, it is important to note that he did not need to be a hand cart pioneer. He was not poor He had been to the California gold fields, and had done well. He then returned to England, and became branch president in London. He was planning on immigrating with his wife in a covered wagon, but chose to come by hand cart as an example to his branch. He used the money he saved to help others join the handcart company. They were able to help nine others. The links at the bottom of the page will lead you to this article, as well as the original from David O. McKay and an article from Chad Orton with regards to Francis Webster.
Some years ago president David O.
McKay told from this pulpit of the experience of some of those in the Martin
handcart company. Many of these early converts had emigrated from Europe and
were too poor to buy oxen or horses and a wagon. They were forced by their
poverty to pull handcarts containing all of their belongings across the plains
by their own brute strength. President McKay relates an occurrence which took
place some years after the heroic exodus: “A teacher, conducting a class, said
it was unwise ever to attempt, even to permit them [the Martin handcart
company] to come across the plains under such conditions.
“[According to a class member,] some
sharp criticism of the Church and its leaders was being indulged in for
permitting any company of converts to venture across the plains with no more
supplies or protection than a handcart caravan afforded.
“An old man in the corner … sat
silent and listened as long as he could stand it, then he arose and said things
that no person who heard him will ever forget. His face was white with emotion,
yet he spoke calmly, deliberately, but with great earnestness and sincerity.
“In substance [he] said, ‘I ask you
to stop this criticism. You are discussing a matter you know nothing about.
Cold historic facts mean nothing here, for they give no proper interpretation
of the questions involved. Mistake to send the Handcart Company out so late in
the season? Yes. But I was in that company and my wife was in it and Sister
Nellie Unthank whom you have cited was there, too. We suffered beyond anything
you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear
a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? Not one of that
company ever apostatized or left the Church, because everyone of us came
through with the absolute knowledge that God lives for we became acquainted
with him in our extremities.
“‘I have pulled my handcart when I
was so weak and weary from illness and lack of food that I could hardly put one
foot ahead of the other. I have looked ahead and seen a patch of sand or a hill
slope and I have said, I can go only that far and there I must give up, for I
cannot pull the load through it.’” He continues: “‘I have gone on to that sand
and when I reached it, the cart began pushing me. I have looked back many times
to see who was pushing my cart, but my eyes saw no one. I knew then that the
angels of God were there.
“‘Was I sorry that I chose to come
by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we
paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful
that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.’” (Relief
Society Magazine, Jan. 1948, p. 8.)
Sandra K. Ludwig Honestly, Billy, I cannot believe the research you have done! Well done. I really enjoy reading your posts. Thanks for doing it.
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