The second rescue : the story of the spiritual rescue of the Willie and Martin handcart pioneers

In October 1856, President Brigham Young sent rescue teams to the aid of more than a thousand pioneers who were stranded in winter storms on the plains. Little did anyone know of the need of those faithful Saints would have for a Second Rescue -- a spiritual rescue that would begin 135 years later. This story explores an amazing experience that began through promptings to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the realization that spiritual ordinances had not been performed for many of those survivors, as well those that had died during the journey. This book tells of the love and urgency felt by those who were able to perform the spiritual Second Rescue in behalf of those who had passed on The story of the massive 1856 effort to rescue the Willie and Martin handcart companies is one of the most inspiring in Church history. Second Rescue is next chapter in the story of those same pioneers, who were stranded between time and eternity in their spiritual progression. Through inspiration and research 135 years later, priesthood leaders discovered that much of the temple work for these pioneers and their families had yet to be done. With permission from the First Presidency, in 1991 the Riverton Wyoming stake embarked on a labor of love to perform these temple ordinances. Members of the stake also raised money and built monuments at the various 1856 rescue sites. Countless blessings flowed from the efforts of those faithful Church members. This remarkable story will build faith and testimony of family history and temple work as well as of listening to the Spirit. In 1856. President Brigham Young sent rescue teams to the aid of more than a thousand pioneers who were stranded in winter storms on the plains. Little did anyone know then of the need those faithful Saints would have for a Second Rescue-a spiritual rescue that would begin 135 years later. In 1987, the saints of the Riverton Wyoming Stake embarked on a sacred trek of their own, a journey filled with miracles and laden with spiritual blessings. The Second Rescue is the story of that journey. It tells of faithful people working together to provide temple blessings of the Willie and Martin handcart pioneers and for their immediate families. It chronicles their trials and triumphs in their efforts to build monuments and pave the way for others to experience the sacred sites associated with the handcart prioneers.