Every summer, thousands of LDS faithful across the country go on a Pioneer Trek. You can even buy your own pioneer outfit for the low, low price of $75.50 plus shipping. Not to mention the costs of food, labor, transportation, etc. On these treks, youth learn the value of physical labor, adults learn to respect each other and the youth for the mental and physical strength, and every person bonds to become a more united whole.
We focus on our ancestors in part because we want to understand the strength and traits they possessed to help us be where and who we are today. But what about our progeny? What are we creating for them to make them stronger?
One can only speculate what our ancestors would think of our “treks.” Some would be proud, while others would be amused – in the words of today, thinking, “Well isn’t that precious.” Some would be upset with the ridiculous commercialization of a journey that built the foundation for millions of lives across the world. Mostly, I wonder if they’d be asking, ‘But what are you doing to build a better world for your future?”
We focus on, and celebrate, our pasts for many reasons. For example, the 4th of July unites all Americans in a joy for freedom and love for our country.
As far as pioneer treks go, I wonder, “Why are we living in the past?” Have we done no more hard things since the 1800s? Do we have no other learning and growing experiences? Are we not supposed to be creating a legacy every day, yet we continue to look backward instead of forward? We can gain the same bonds and strength through serving our fellowman at shelters, helping the sick, loving our neighbors, building homes – things that make a real difference in the world around us today.
Our progeny are better served through what we can do in our present and future to continue improving and strengthening our society.
I use this as an example because I feel we all-too-often look backward instead of forward in the church. We glorify all of the difficult things in the past so much that our youth are left feeling less-than because no challenge they have could be compared to a trial such as freezing to death on the plains. We throw countless dollars on supplies for our treks, when perhaps that money would be better served donated to a homeless shelter after a day of service.
We need to find activities and projects that will build our futures, not simply glorify the past.