During
the spring of 1991 the Stake Presidency of the Riverton, Wyoming Stake
received the inspiration that much of the temple work for the Willie and
Martin Handcart Pioneers needed to be researched and completed. During
a stake meeting, all members were asked to participate in the spiritual
rescue of these pioneers who died within the boundaries of the Riverton
Wyoming Stake.
President Gordon B. Hinckley asked President Scott Lorimer why the work
had not previously been done for the pioneers who perished on high plains
of Wyoming and told him "President, don't you stop till it's finished".
The summer of 1992, Elder James E. Faust visited the youth pioneer trek
over the rough handcart trail. He told the youth and their leaders about
Francis Webster. He paused in the middle and proceeded to give everyone
present a blessing. Few have had the opportunity of hearing anyone bear
witness of the Savior the way Elder Faust did at Radium Springs.
All through the summer the people of the Riverton Wyoming Stake researched
the names of the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies. Members spent hours
in the church library using the new computers, secured by President McKinnon,
to find names and dates to be used in the temple work.
After hundreds of hours of research, more then 4,000 ordinances were performed
in the Ogden Temple by many youth and adults. Temple trips became common,
especially for the youth 12 and up. The Bishoprics spent many long hours
driving to and from Wyoming to Ogden Utah where they assisted in the temple
work. One Bishop related "Words cannot express the feelings and Spirit
felt while the youth were being baptized. That day I gained a sure knowledge
of life after death and just how thin the veil can be at times".
Along with the temple work being done, members of the Stake wanted to
create a memorial to the pioneers they came to know and love. The Stake
Presidency asked the Priesthood of the Stake to construct a monument in
Martin's Cove. The idea was expanded to construct two additional monuments
at Willie Rescue Site and the other on Rocky Ridge. President Lorimer
told members he hoped that everything to do with the monuments could be
done within the Stake. This request stretched the Stake to the limit but
enthusiasm never waned.
At the conclusion of the Second Rescue three monuments were dedicated
by President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor in the First Presidency,
on August 15, 1992. The monuments were at Rocky Ridge, the Willie Rescue
Site , and Martin's Cove.