Handcarts in Fall Storm

Technique & Style

Figurative, Painting

Figures

pioneer

Symbols

handcart

Notes

“In 1856, my great-great-grandfather Francis Webster traveled to the Salt Lake Valley as a member of the Martin Handcart Company. During the journey, the company was caught in an early fall snowstorm in the wilderness of Wyoming. Of this experience, Grandpa Webster later recalled: ‘We suffered beyond anything you can imagine and many died of exposure and starvation, but did you ever hear a survivor of that company utter a word of criticism? Not one of that company ever apostatized or left the Church because every one of us came through with the absolute knowledge that God lives, for we became acquainted with him in our extremities.’ This painting is a depiction of those handcart pioneers traveling across the wilderness just before the storm hit. Since this was one of my ancestors, I wanted to paint this event.” —Scott Baird

Exhibition History:

• “Our Heritage of Faith,” Church History Museum online exhibition, 2005

Church Name

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints