Ye Receive No Witness Until After the Trial of Your Faith by Ayden Overson

My attitude for Trek before it began was very indifferent. I knew it would be spiritually strengthening, but I knew it would be hard, too. I felt no burning passion to share the experiences of my ancestors. It wasn't long into the pulling that I began to feel the true desire and faith of the pioneers. Pulling a handcart is a hard, frustrating task. The smallest rock hitting a wheel just right will throw the yoke right or left, forcing big guys like Payden Nielsen and me -let alone our smaller sisters- to stumble and knock into each other and the frame. My experience was only with mildly cold rain with periods of warmth. The pioneers endured deep snow and freezing rivers. Ours was only a three day journey, theirs were months.

I make these comparisons to illustrate the very tough, strenuous, and frightening ordeal the pioneers had. I do not believe that they could have done any of it without unshakeable testimonies and enduring faith. Faith in themselves, others, and God. I had my own trial and strengthening of faith in my Trek experience.

I gained greater faith in myself on the first day. I had a wavering faith in myself when I struggled up the mountain we crossed, and when I was falling asleep while pushing the handcart late into the night. I did not know if I could keep going at times. In Ether 12:6, it says, "And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." I knew that I could do those things. With each step, I knew I could take the next. My faith in myself grew with my trials.

My faith in others definitely grew also. I learned to love my family through struggling together. Some of them I knew well before the Trek, others, I had just met. I began to have faith in them through our hard work. I knew they would push and pull right alongside me, and pick up where I faltered. In the "nature walk" activity that we had, faith was a key point of the lesson. I was led along by my trek sister Kynzie, and I pulled my brother Tanner. During the time we were blindfolded and silent. I knew that I would not let either of them go. I had to strain to an uncomfortable point quite a few times to keep both of them with me. I had faith that Kynzie would not leave me, and I would not let Tanner go to be lost or confused. My faith was once again put to light in my dependence on others.

This activity also represented faith in God. We were stopped eventually and told to do a difficult task, one which had very unlikely odds of us accomplishing. Each of us became lost at some point, unable to figure out what we should do. Eventually we were called to a spot where our leaders sat singing hymns. Our blindfolds and confusion signified how we are in daily life. Trying to go the right way, but not knowing how or where. The leaders' singing represented Jesus Christ's teachings and the teaching of his prophets. We have to look to them and have faith in their love and support for us. The pioneers had incredible faith in order to leave their homes, friends, and jobs, in order to follow the will of God. To hike and pull handcarts through plains and mountains and deserts, is a testament to their faith in Heavenly Father.

I witnessed no great miracles on Trek. I had no divine beings testify to me of the gospel. I did have small confirmations throughout the journey of Heavenly Father's and Christ's love for me and their knowledge of my worries and problems. My faith, testimony, and love for them was strengthened. I know that Heavenly Father is most deserving of my faith because he has never abandoned me. He has always been there for me when I needed him and simply asked. My trials have strengthened my faith in Him, and they will continue to do so as long as I rely on Him.