The pioneers were regular people, too

Every time I turn around I see my people (i.e. the Mormons) attempting to re-create the Pioneer Experience. Handcart treks, for instance, are all the rage right now. In fact, my son's best friend forever just returned from one.

ME: How was it?

SON'S BFF: Hard. Also hot. The leaders made us drink a lot of Gatorade.

ME: That's totally what the pioneers did! They pulled their handcarts and drank a lot of Gatorade!

My brother and his talented family are currently in Nauvoo, participating in the pageant there. When I asked my mother what they're doing, she replied that my fabulous niece is busy teaching fellow cast members how to play the fiddle and clog.

ME: The pioneers clogged?

Who knows? Maybe they did. It's a well-known fact that many pioneers came from places where people actively clogged. Wikipedia says that "clog dancing was a common pastime in 18th century England. ... Clogging is also traditional in Wales and is a regular feature of both local and national eisteddfodau (arts festivals). Competitions can be energetic with the dancers leaping over brooms."

So there you have it. Pioneers clogged and also jumped over brooms. Dude! Those guys had a LOT of energy!

Which is why I was soooooo ambivalent about pioneer stories while growing up, frankly. They were told to inspire, but instead they just made me feel like a Potato-Chip-Eating-La-Z-Boy-Recliner-Loving-Loser.

Compared to the pioneers I couldn't do anything. Hunt buffalo. Trap. Sing. Suffer. Clog. Jump over brooms.

Whatever.

Clearly, the pioneers were full-on, cape-wearing, card-carrying superheroes. How could I ever measure up?

BRIGHAM YOUNG: You can't. So don't bother to try.

At least that's what I thought Brigham Young would say if he ever met me.

And then a few years ago I embarked on a serious project that took me deep into pioneer research. I read books and looked at old documents detailing the experiences of the people who trekked here.