Trek West Tribune

A publication of the Nebraska Mormon Trails Association
March, 1996...Volume 1, Issue 1

Leaving Hearth & Home

What was it like for the early Latter-day Saints (nick-named the Mormons) to leave their comfortable homes in Nauvoo, Illinois, cross the mighty Mississippi River, and travel the winding, seemingly endless trail west in the dead of winter? There were no interstate highway systems, no rest areas, and no quick shops along the way. All of the possessions they could carry were in their wagons, if they had wagons, and their power was not in fast engines, but in their God. Religious freedom was what propelled them forward, and the promise of a land beyond the great Rocky Mountains where finally they would be able to dwell in peace, never to be driven from their homes again. What was it like?

Omaha Stake (diocese) Patriarch and historian of the middle Missouri Valley (1700-1870) Gail Homesstates, "there must have been a sense of tragedy, but also a sense of resolve to cling to the gospel despite the high cost to their comfort and their lives."

Holmes believes that part of the answer to the question lies in a journal penned by Brigham Young, an early Church leader. As he stood on the west bank of the river on a bluff overlooking Nauvoo, Young peered at the Saint's temple standing stately in the distance as he wrote, "Our homes, gardens, orchards, farms, streets, bridges, mills, public halls, magnificent temple, and other public improvements we leave as a monument of our patriotism, industry, economy, uprightness of purpose, and integrity of heart; and as a living testimony of the falsehood and wickedness of those who charge us with disloyalty to the Constitution of our country, idleness, and dishonesty." (B. H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol. 3, Chapter 72, pg. 46).

You can find out what it was like by participating in the numerous activities planned for the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Mormon Trails.

NMTA Incorporated

The NMTA became officially incorporated after Articles of Incorporation were signed by specified individuals at the January, 1996 meeting, and then were filed with the Secretary of State. Incorporators are: Brian J. Hill, Nancy Johnson, Janet McIntosh, Ronnie O. Brien, Loren Pospisil, Phil Swantek, and attorney John W. Carlson

The Board of Directors of the NMTA are: Nancy Johnson, Janet McIntosh, Ronnie O Brien, Loren Pospisil, Theresa Ruzelka, Betty Scheinost, and Phil Swantek.

Technical representatives are: Amy Holmquist, Nebraska Department of Tourism; Brian J. Hill, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Gene Hunt, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. In addition, Jim Potter of the Nebraska State Historical Preservation was asked to serve.

OFFICERS of the NMTA are: President Brian J. Hill, Vice-President NancyJohnson, Secretary Ronnie O Brien, Treasurer Leonard Gregory.

NMTA MISSION STATEMENT ADOPTED

The meeting to organize the Nebraska Mormon Trails Association (NMTA) was held in November, 1995. It was decided at that meeting that one member from each of the 23 Nebraska counties should be represented, along with four technical representatives, and three members at large to serve on the Board of Directors, for a total of 30 members. The mission statement adopted by the NMTA is:

The Nebraska Mormon Trails Association is a non-profit, non-denominational organization committed to identifying, protecting, and interpreting the trail and related attractions for Nebraskans and visitors. The Association will coordinate marketing efforts, and develop interpretive and educational materials related to the Mormon Trail.

Kearney Stake President Brian J. Hill, who is an associate professor of tourism at the University of Nebraska Kearney, states, " From my unique position as Director of the Nebraska Tourism Resource Center and as a leading Church official raised in Utah, and with a careful analysis of Nebraska tourism markets and Mormon history pilgrimages, I forecast that from 250,000 to 750,000 visitors (depending on marketing efforts) will travel along portions of the Mormon Trail, primarily in 1997. Approximately 25,000 to 75,000 of those will come from the west to travel in Iowa and Nebraska in 1996. Many more will come on Mormon heritage tours during the next five years. " This represents a substantial and important tourism market for Nebraska.

IOWA MORMON TRAILS 150TH CELEBRATION WILL MAINLY BE IN 1996, WHILENEBRASKA MORMON TRAILS 150TH CELEBRATION WILL BE IN 1997.

The Iowa Mormon Trails Association (IMTA) has worked diligently to organize every county in Iowa along the Mormon Trail. The Exodus Chapter of the IMTA represents Lee County in the extreme southeastern sector of Iowa. It is located across the Mississippi River from beautifully restored Nauvoo, Illinois. These two lovely places are an excellent place to begin your journey west, especially if you hitch yourselves up to a wagon train (see Westward Ho the Wagons!)

Short or long wagon rides on the trail will be the specialty of the Montrose Wagon Company. A cultural center, demonstrations on the construction of a wagon, with seminars for the serious "wagontraineer," and pioneer craft shows are planned.

Wayside exhibits along the Iowa Mormon Trail will tell the story of the Saints migration west through an interpretive panel. A statewide brochure and map is available to guide the traveler along the trail. Call Helen Fowler at 319-463- 7673 for more information about Exodus Chapter events.

A Michael McLean Concert was held March 8 & 9 in Council Bluffs, Iowa to promote the premiere of "Come Home to Kanesville" pageant, which is in the same league as other Latter-day Saint pageants. Scheduled for August 1-3, 6-10, & 12, "Come Home to Kanesville" promises to become an exciting annual event. Contact Francis Beck at 712-323-1952 for more information.

The "Refuge and Rest" pioneer cantata, a new and exciting musical production by Jo Fankhauser and Daniel L. Carter, Latter-day Saint composers, is scheduled for July 12-14, 1996 at the Grand Encampment in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Auditions are 7-9 pm, March 29, at the LDS Church 3000 Old Cheney Road in Lincoln, Nebraska, and 1-4 pm, March 30, at the LDS Church 14680 California Street in Omaha, Nebraska. Singers, dancers, stage technicians and instrumentalists are needed. Call Fankhauser at 402-457-4808 tofind out how you can take part in this wonderful event.

Come Celebrate the Great Pioneer Experience

The Iowa Mormon Trail History Symposium will be May 3 & 4, 1996, in Des Moines, Iowa. Seating is limited, so reserve your space now by calling Bill or Sid Price at 217-453- 2233.

Many Grand Encampment events are scheduled in Council Bluffs the weekend of July 12-14, 1996. Some of these events include a Michael Martin Murphy concert, barbecue, and 1840's dance. Food vendors, memorabilia, and volunteers are needed. Contact Sheila Amdor at 712-328-9773 for more information.

The mustering of the Mormon Battalion will take place on July 13, 1996. Several women and 500 men are needed to re-enact the calling of the Battalion to service by the United States Army. There is talk of a march to Fort Leavenworth by one of the companies. Phone Deniece Beck at 712-323-1952 to enlist.

The great "City of Joseph" pageant will be held August 2-3 & 6-10. Plan your accommodations early. Call 800-452-0022 for additional information.

Westward Ho the Wagons!

They're hitchin up the wagons and getting ready to roll. Two wagon trains recognized by the IowaSesquicentennial Commission will travel the Mormon Trail across Iowa in 1996: The JL2 Authentic WagonTrain and the Iowa Mormon Trails Wagon Train. The JL2 will leave Nauvoo, Illinois June 17, and arrive inOmaha, Nebraska three weeks later. Call Larry England at 515-664-3364 to join.
The IMT Wagon Train will depart from Montrose, Iowa June 24, and arrive in Council Bluffs July 12. CallMike Foley at 319-372-5229 to join.
Information about the Skunk River Wagon Train which will roll June 1-8 can be obtained by writing Skunk River Wagon Train, Box 212, Roland, Iowa 50236.
There are many events and activities planned by the communities through which the wagon trains will travel such as parades, play productions, dances, and living history dramatizations.

Great Events Happening on the Mormon Trail

  • Dr. Paul Larson and his wife are collecting obscure biographies and auto-biographies of individuals who traveled the Mormon trail 1846-1852 for a book he is writing. He will be publishing from at least 20 of the bios. If you have anything to share, please phone him at 402-289-9870.
  • The Kanesville Tabernacle in Council Bluffs, where Brigham Young was made President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is scheduled for completion by July 13, 1996.
  • An eternal flame taken from one of the bonfires for the Mormon Trails 150th Celebration kick-off is being preserved at a local utility company for later installation at the tabernacle site. For more information with regard to the tabernacle contact Bob Schulze, President of the IMTA, at 712-366-3272.
  • To become involved with the Mormon Trail Speaker s Bureau, phone Gwen Beck at 402-330-2556.
  • The Pioneer Research Library and Gift Shop at 21 Benton Street in Council Bluffs, is open and volunteers are needed. Call Darlene Vergamini at 712- 323-5661 for more information.
  • The new Mormon Trails Center located at the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery is scheduled for completion in April, 1997.
  • In the planning stage is an amphitheater at Hummel Park, located north of Omaha, Nebraska. A production called "Trails of Tears" which is a theatrical portrayal of the Mormon migration west with an emphasis on their movement into the Omaha area is part of that planning. More information will be forthcoming in subsequent issues of the Trek West Tribune.
  • The "Sesquicentennial Event Reliving 150 Years" sponsored by Harrison County SesquicentennialCommission, is scheduled at the Woodbine Community Building in Woodbine, Iowa August 9-11, 1996More information will be available later.
  • The "Festival of Iowa Folklife" is scheduled August 22-25, 1996 on the State capitol grounds in Des Moines, Iowa. This event is sponsored by the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission .
  • On March 23, 1996 the dedication of Iowa Mormon Trails and Old Town Macedonia Monument took place at 2:00 pm. This event was sponsored by the East Pottawattamie Trails Organization.
  • Nebraska Mormon Trail celebrations will be mainly in 1997. If you or your community have an event planned, submit it early so that it can be listed in the Catalog of Events that the Division of Tourism publishes in the Fall. The NMTA logo can be attached to your event in the catalog so that travelers can see at a glance that your event is associated with the 150th trail celebration. Contact Brian Hill at 308-865-8727 for an events application. Deadline date for the catalog is October 1, 1996.
  • The Nebraska Department of Tourism is publishing a Nebraska Mormon Trail brochure which will describe the route of the Mormons through the state of Nebraska, and it will list the major points of interest along the route. Community events can be inserted into the brochure.
  • The next NMTA meeting will be April 24, 1996 at the Kearney Public Library, 2020 1st Avenue, Kearney, NE. This will be a video Conference with sites at Scottsbluff, North Platte, and Lincoln, NE. Call Brain Hill at 402-308-865- 8727 for info.


    To list an event in the TWT, send info. to Georgina Draur, 1220 Edgewood Blvd., Papillion, NE.68046, Fax 402-339-8009, or E-mail rdraur@aol.com by 6/1/96.

    To get information regarding the overland trails via Internet: listserv@bobcat.etsu.edu, then enter subscribe overlandtrails.

    Become a Member of NMTA Today!

    Nebraska counties needing chapter organization are : Dodge, Buffalo, Washington, Kearney,Saunders, Phelps, Colfax, Dawson, Butler, Gosper, Platte, Lincoln, Polk, Keith, Nance, Garden, Merrick,Morrill, Hamilton, and Scotts Bluff.

    Committees that need your help are : Brochure Development, Mormon Trail Marketing, NMTAPromotion and Publicity, Trail Identification and Marking, Educational Curriculum, Fundraising, andSpecial Events.

    Communities wishing to become involved in the 150th anniversary of the Mormon Trails might : Identify local historical attractions, re-enact trail happenings, or celebrate with other special events. Possible activities might include: Wagon train welcomes, meals, or festivals.

    TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE NEBRASKA MORMON TRAILS ASSOCIATION, COMPLETE THIS FORM, AND RETURN TO:

    Brian J. Hill
    President NMTA
    1411 5th Avenue
    Kearney, NE. 68847

    (Check one or more spaces below)
    O Enclosed is $10 for individual or family NMTA membership.

    O Enclosed is $20 for organizational NMTA membership.

    O I am willing to help develop a county chapter of the NMTA.

    O I am willing to serve on a NMTA standing committee.

    Name: __________________________
    Organization: ___________________
    Address: _______________________
    Phone: (___) _________________
    County: ______________________

    If you have any questions about membership, trail celebrations, or other matters related to the NMTA please contact Brian Hill at:
    Phone: (308) 865-8727
    Fax: (308) 865- 8669
    E-mail: hill@platte.unk.edu
    Return to The Mormon Pioneer Trail or to Nebraska Mormon Trails Association