My Entry for Priya's Contest

My entry for Priya's Historical contest is a Mormon Pioneer named Cynthia Beckstead. She is from 1844.

A tribute to Mormon pioneers

Cynthia Beckstead, age 10

She is a Latter Day Saint journeying with the hand cart company.  After her house being burned by persecutors, (Mormons were persecuted for their religion back then) the Becksteads follow Brigham Young west. Cynthia is terrified to retreat from the life she knew before, and angry that this is happening to her. She and her 5 siblings (the youngest is 9 months and the oldest is 13) all leave Nauvoo, Illinois and journey toward a better life. Winter comes harshly, and On their way there Cynthia's mother dies, and her father never returned from going to find trapped pioneers. Now being orphaned, Cynthia and her oldest siblings must lead the younger ones. Cynthia has experienced hardships but continues unswayed, her faith and determination leading her on. Another pioneer couple, the Stoddards, take the Becksteads under their wings, and just want this journey to end. Cynthia wants to give up and stop after all she experienced. Then, unexpectedly Cynthia becomes so ill she is on the verge of death. When she recovers she finds that her youngest sister has died of the same sickness.

 Cynthia becomes weak, and will remain so for the rest of her life. When the Becksteads reach Winter Quarters, the Stoddards want to adopt the Beckstead children. When Cynthia and her new family reach the promise land of Salt Lake, Utah Cynthia is glad she was able to see such happiness an peace at last.

I know you thinking that this story was way to sad, but it's realistic. Mormon pioneers did not travel through the path of ice cream and butterflies. It was hard, unbearably so. I like how Cynthia symbolizes courage and faith, staying strong even when everything is falling apart. I know this is a little close to Kirsten's story and time period but this seemed like an interesting piece of history.

Happy Friday!