Shallow graves mark the path followed by the Willie and Martin handcart companies, as many as 200 emigrants died on the journey, but more than 1,000 lived and shared their stories.

The book "Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story" will be in bookstores Tuesday. The book is part of a two-year project in commemoration of the sesquicentennial crossing of the Willie and Martin handcart companies begun by documentary filmmaker Lee Groberg and author Heidi Swinton.

The book includes detailed maps, rarely seen pioneer photos, journal entries and historical accounts. Complete lists of the members of the Willie and Martin handcart companies, the Hunt and Hodgett wagon trains and the rescue companies remind readers of that sacrifice made by the early pioneers to settle the Salt Lake Valley. The book also features 80 works of original art by 43 artists. Two of these artists are BYU professors Robert Barrett and Robert Marshall.

Marshall, a good friend of Groberg, began talking with Groberg about the Sweetwater Rescue project about a year and a half ago.

"We were thinking of ways to expand the project beyond the documentary," Marshall said. That's where the idea for the inclusion of artwork originated.

Marshall has two oil paintings featured in the Sweetwater Rescue book and exhibit. "Endurance" is a painting of women and children pushing handcarts. Marshall's other painting, "Tennant Farm," is a romantic portrayal of the farm left behind by Thomas Tennant, who converted to the church in the United Kingdom. He sold his farm for a significant amount of money that he donated to the perpetual immigration fund.

Marshall wanted to convey the occasional longing Tennant must have felt for his home as he made the difficult journey across the plains. Tennant was part of the Martin and Willie handcart companies. Though he died on the journey, his contribution was directly responsible for hundreds of other pioneers being able to complete their journey to the Salt Lake Valley.

Marshall, who primarily paints landscapes, said the project was "a nice opportunity to shift gears a little bit." Marshall has done previous work for the church, including murals for LDS temples.

Barrett has also done quite a bit of work for the church on and off over the years and said that was probably how he was identified by Groberg and invited to participate in the project. Groberg had two specific pieces he asked Barrett to draw, "Wait Until Spring" and "Bring Them Off the Plains," but he also encouraged original ideas from the artists.

Barrett's own original painting "When Daylight Came," was inspired by the testimony of pioneer Elizabeth Horracks Jackson.

"Elizabeth gives a very strong testimony about how her sacrifice will be recognized in the heavens," Barrett said.

"When Daylight Came" portrays Jackson after she awakes to find the lifeless body of her husband and realizes he has died during the frigid night. She was unable to bury her husband's body because the ground was frozen solid. Jackson had to leave his body in the snow and continue the difficult journey to Salt Lake as a widow with three children.

Despite the daunting trials and heartache Jackson endured, Barrett said the message of "When Daylight Comes" is uplifting. "Though the story is tragic, there is a ray of light over her left shoulder. In spite of the bad things, things will get better. There's a feeling of hope," Barrett said.

Church history has previously been the subject matter for Barrett's work. His painting "The Pioneer" in the Conference Center shows a woman in a field picking wildflowers in a shadowy forefront with a covered wagon in the background. Barrett said he hopes people who view "The Pioneer" will see the joy, in spite of the sacrifices and heartache the pioneers endured while crossing the plains.

"Crossing the plains was a challenge, but there was romance and beauty along the way," Barrett said.

The original artwork featured in the book will be displayed at the LDS Church History Museum and the Utah Art and History Museum from Sept. 29, 2006, to Oct. 31, 2006. The exhibit will continue to be displayed at the LDS Church History Museum until Jan. 2, 2007.

In conjunction with the book, Groberg produced and directed a one-hour documentary "Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Companies." The script for the documentary was written by the book's author, Heidi Swinton. The documentary will first air on KBYU Oct. 1, 2006, at 7 p.m. following "The Making of Sweetwater Rescue", a special that will run on KSL-TV at 4 p.m. after the second session of General Conference. The documentary will then air nationwide on PBS Dec. 18. Featured in the documentary are hundreds of Latter-day Saints from Utah, Wyoming and England who participated in the re-enactment.

"Our love is for the pioneers," re-enactor Carol Barnes told the Casper, Wyoming Star-Tribune. "It's a humbling experience to know that they were here. It helps us to see the whole area differently. Our ancestors were here for the real experience. This is a way we can show our honor to the pioneers by recognizing their efforts and dedication."

The documentary will be available on DVD in stores Sept. 27, 2006, prior to its television airing. The DVD contains additional features, including an interview with LDS Church President, Gordon B. Hinckley.

Sweetwater Rescue: The Willie and Martin Handcart Story

Book release: Sept. 19

Art Exhibit: Utah Art and History Museum Sept. 29 to Oct. 31 and LDS Church History Museum Sept. 29 to Jan. 2, 2007

Documentary released on DVD: Sept. 27

Documentary television premiere: KBYU Oct. 1, 7 p.m.

"The Making of Sweetwater Rescue": KSL-TV Oct. 1, 4 p.m.

Documentary to be aired nationwide: PBS Dec. 18

Copyright Brigham Young University 15 Sep 2006