I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ - 3 Nephi 5:13

Our collective preparation is a key component to the success of the upcoming stake trek. We need to prepare in two key areas – spiritual and physical. The following are some suggested activities that you may do with your family to help with this effort. Feel free to select the ones that work best for you or create your own! 

--President Smith

Spiritual Preparation

• ·         Read the Book of Mormon daily.

• ·         Pray daily – consider including your prayer your trek family members (Ma’s and Pa’s too!) by name.

• ·         Go to the temple (take a family name and perform their ordinances).

• ·         Read 3 Nephi 5:13 and consider the characteristics of a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discuss challenges the pioneers faced and compare to challenges we face today.

• ·         Attend your church meetings (Sunday meetings, seminary, youth activities)

• ·         Read pioneer stories – identify pioneers in your own family history and find someone for whom you could trek. Additional stories at www.vineyardstaketrek.com.

• ·         Read Joseph Smith History and discuss reasons why the pioneers were willing to face such hardships and sacrifice so much for their beliefs.

• ·         Watch a pioneer movie as a family – Legacy, The Fighting Preacher, 17 Miracles.

• ·         Take a tour of the church history museum in Salt Lake.

• ·         Talk to your parents and ask them about the first person baptized in their family. 

• ·         Memorize the words to your favorite hymn or scripture (maybe Come, Come Ye Saints or D&C 4).

• ·         Read/Listen to President Nelson’s talk from our most recent General Conference.

• ·         Read Elder Ballard’s talk, “You Have Nothing to Fear from the Journey” (May 1997, Ensign).

• ·         Dedicate your fast in June to the trek experience and everyone that will participate.

• ·         Reach out to a member of your trek family that you don’t know well and get to know them better.

• ·         Reach out to your Ma and Pa and get to know them better.

• ·         Create a piece of art, a poem, or a song about a historical event at Martin’s Cove and share it with a friend or leader.

• ·         In a journal, write down your thoughts to the question: Why am I important to the Lord?

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Physical Preparation  

• ·         Go on walks as a family – help each other become more physically fit before trek.

• ·         Gather the necessary belongings and clothing for trek (see packing list).

• ·         Run or walk 2 miles on varying terrain 3 times a week – build up to a 6 mile walk.

• ·         Break in your hiking/walking shoes.

• ·         Get used to drinking 2 liters of water a day (aka “Pre-hydration”).

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Whether you have an ancestor who crossed the plains with the Saints, or you are the first member of the church in your family, everyone has a pioneer heritage that they can honor.  Learning about your personal pioneers will help the trek to take on more meaning. Keep in mind: There are many pioneers in the church who didn’t cross the plains to the Salt Lake Valley.  A pioneer is one who goes before, preparing the way for others to follow.

Research and learn about your pioneer ancestors or those who came before you who converted to the gospel and made it possible for you to have the gospel in your life.  Take a look at the Youth & Family History website to help you get started.

Attend the Temple

Attend the temple at least once before the Trek and take the name of a personal ancestor or an ancestor of a member in your branch or ward.  Strive to be baptized for your own ancestor on that day.

Keep a Journal

Get a small notebook or journal to write down your thoughts as you prepare for the Trek. Write about your own life, your challenges, and parallels you find to the early Saints.

Take the notebook with you on the Trek, and write your experiences as you go.  Include the mundane as well as the spiritual; sketch the scenery; write about your physical challenges, the food, and sleeping arrangements and about the things spoken to your heart.

Learn Hymns

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” – Doctrine & Covenants 25:12

Music was important to those traveling to the Salt Lake Valley.  Music has the capacity to lift the spirit, encourage one of failing strength, comfort the mourning, and express delight and joy, no matter the circumstance!

Most of the following hymns were included in the first hymnal put together by Emma Smith.  Memorize the lyrics and tunes of some them.  You will be amazed how your Trek experience is enriched by your ability to sing along the way.  Hymn singing keeps our hearts focused on the spiritually rich experience of a Trek, whether the songs are solemn or exuberant.