On Pioneer Day, many LDS congregations may be reminded of great LDS pioneer stories like the touching deep-winter crossing of the Sweetwater River in which three brave 18-year-olds risked their lives to carry the desperate group across the river. It's an inspiring story, but several important details may be wrong and this could be a good time to update our history so we can tell the story more accurately and give broader credit to the many people who sacrificed to help the Martin Handcart company survive. Toward that end, please read the thoughtful and carefully researched article by Char Orton in BYU Studies, "The Martin Handcart Company at the Sweetwater: Another Look" (BYU Studies, vol. 5, no. 3, 2006). The story we have heard frequently comes from one person's account, but now we have access to many other accounts to help us piece together what happened. There may have been quite a few more than three people in the water helping with the crossing. None were exactly 18, and it's not clear than any of them clearly died early because of that exposure, though it's possible for some. It's also unlikely that President Brigham Young said that anybody would get eternal life for one act of heroism--the concept of enduring to the end in accepting Christ still prevails as far as I can tell. The apparent errors are interesting lessons in their own right as Chad Orton traces them down and seeks to understand what people knew and meant. Wonderful historical investigation work, and a great way for us to refine our appreciation of the Pioneers on this Pioneer Day.

For those who haven't read the article and continue to rely on what has been most commonly published and told, let's be patient! No snickering today when the old version of the story is retold. We are all humans and have limited access to information. It takes time for understanding to spread and to become updated. The possible errors in a popular account are par for the course in a world of humans keeping records and recalling and retelling what they've heard. Nothing to fall to pieces over. And if you're looking for reasons to be offended, this little issue is just not worth the trouble. There are better and bigger stones of offense to stumble over, and there are plenty of maps on the Internet to take you to them.

Happy Pioneer Day!

(Hat tip: "17 Miracles: The Faithful and Foolhardy Willie Handcart Company" at Mormon Heretic is where I found the link to the Sweetwater publication.)
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