1998
Handcart Memorial Dedicated
December 1998


“Handcart Memorial Dedicated,” Ensign, Dec. 1998, 66

Handcart Memorial Dedicated

Elder Hugh W. Pinnock of the Seventy, President of the North America Central Area, dedicated on 19 September a new, life-size statue of handcart pioneers at the Mormon Trail Visitors’ Center at Historic Winter Quarters, near modern-day Omaha, Nebraska. The statue was sculpted by Franz Johansen of the Provo Sixth Ward, Provo Utah Edgemont Stake.

“The handcart pioneers were a successful group of emigrants even though tragedies occurred in some of the companies,” Elder Pinnock said before offering the dedicatory prayer. “We are aware of the tragic loss of life in the Martin and Willie handcart companies. However, there were some companies where not a single life was lost.”

Those in attendance at the dedication ceremony included Nebraska governor E. Benjamin Nelson, Omaha mayor Hal Daub, state senator Dan Lynch, and several Church stake and mission presidents.

“I felt spiritually moved by this great movement across our country and particularly across the state of Nebraska,” said Governor Nelson, “because of the wonderful relationship that people developed, where they had to rely on one another and themselves, and understanding that together they were better.” Elder Pinnock presented the governor with a copy of the governor’s family history.

The Mormon Trail Center at Historic Winter Quarters in Nebraska features this new handcart pioneer statue. (Photo courtesy of Lorelei K. Perkins.)