Blessings from Handcart Pioneer Suffering

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.
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 hardcart 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 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 or any minute of my life since then. 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."

"The speaker was Francis Webster, and when he sat down there was not a dry eye in the room. We were a subdued and chastened lot. Charles R. Mabey who later became governor of Utah arose and voiced the sentiment of all when he said, 'I would gladly pay the same price for the same assurance of the eternal verities that Brother Webster has.'" 

Francis Webster had previously given up his chance to cross the plains more comfortably with a wagon company in order to aid other Saints in coming to Zion (see CH story 249). This tribute was recorded:
"Men of faith like this man are needed always in the Church to give it strength and guidance. Francis Webster held during his long and active life almost every office the people of Cedar City and the Church could confer upon him. He was a wise, dependable leader in business, livestock, civic and Church affairs. He was one of the stalwarts of the Southern Mission." 

(Compiled and written by David Kenison)