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Shelley Osterloh ReportingOne hundred fifty years ago, two ill fated handcart companies of pioneers set out to cross the country, headed for Salt Lake City. Their story has spawned two documentaries, a book and two art exhibits.
It is hard for us today to imagine the kind of hardships those early pioneers endured on their journey to Utah, but the artists and film-makers who tell their stories hope those who see and hear the tale will be inspired.
In 1856, 1200 emigrants traveled from Iowa City to Salt Lake City, under the guidance of John Martin and Edward G Willie. Seven hundred miles from their destination, they were trapped by heavy snow, with inadequate food or shelter. Their story and of that of the 300 men sent to save them, are the subjects of the documentary called "Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story."
Lee Groberg, Producer, "Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story": "This is a story of America. It's a story particularly of the Mormon faithful, but it's a story that goes beyond that, it's the story of the building of this nation."
Lee Groberg also asked some 45 artists to depict the journey in 80 original works. Those paintings and sculptures were compiled into a book. They are also on display at two locations: The Museum of Church History and Art and the Museum of Utah Art and History.
The show's curator says the artists captured the spirit of the people.
Robert Davis, Curator, Museum of Church History and Art: "I find that people are very often moved by the images and also the quotations that appear here."
The story is so compelling, KSL video editor Jack Hubbell also created a documentary, it's called, In Their Footsteps of Faith." Shot in high definition video, the documentary tells the story in the pioneers own words, taken from their journals.
Jack Hubbell, "In Their Footsteps of Faith": "This is a story of self sacrifice, of devotion of caring for one another. And I think those are qualities that are valid today as they were in 1856."
"In their Footsteps of Faith" airs on KSL, Sunday at 1:00 with a simulcast on KSL Radio. Then at 4pm, KSL will air the behind the scenes story of "The Making of the Sweetwater Rescue." At 7pm the documentary, "Sweetwater Rescue: The Martin and Willie Handcart Story" airs on KBYU at 7pm.
The book is on sale at local bookstores and the art exhibit, at both museums, opens today. Groberg's film will open nationwide on PBS in December.
