IOWA CITY, Iowa (12 June 2006) — Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, praised the courage and determination of the handcart pioneers Sunday, saying their trek from Iowa to Utah 150 years also serves as a lesson in the power of faith.
Last Friday marked the 150th anniversary of the day the first group of newly converted Mormons, most having arrived weeks before from Europe, departed Iowa City, pushing and pulling their belongings in two-wheeled, wooden handcarts, on a 1,300-mile journey to the Salt Lake Valley.