It seemed like a scene from yesteryear. A Latter-day Saint eagerly looking for loved ones among an wagon train of pioneers. Today, 150 years after the Mormon pioneers first entered the Salt Lake Valley, this was what 11-year-old Kyle Worwood was doing.

As throngs of cheering spectators were welcoming the Mormon wagon train re-enactment to This Is the Place State Park July 22, Kyle, a member of the Nephi (Utah) 6th Ward was looking for one covered wagon in particular. And when he saw it, he shouted. Driving the wagon was his grandfather, Dale Worwood, also of the Nephi 6th Ward. Sitting behind was Kyle's grandmother, Dennel Worwood.When the wagon came to a stop, Kyle quickly climbed up with his grandparents. Sister Worwood, in describing her grandson's greeting and the wagon train's arrival to cheering crowds, simply said, "Wonderful," with her eyes brimming with tears. Kyle told the Church News he had ridden with his grandparents on the trail in Wyoming for two days and was proud of their accomplishment - coming all the way from Winter Quarters, Neb.

Tears were common as the wagon train finally rolled to a stop and the welcoming ceremonies continued. As missionaries from the Utah Salt Lake City Mission, carrying flags of many nations, marched through the crowds singing "Called to Serve," Jan Harris of the LeGrand (Ore.) 2nd Ward could barely operate her video camera for the tears. She was filming the event for her daughter, Sister Lori Jo Harris, who is serving in the Philippines Cebu Mission.

Sister Harris' great-grandmother was a Mormon pioneer who walked "every step of the way" form New York to Utah. "I just wanted Lori to feel the spirit of this," Sister Harris said.

A poignant touch to the welcoming festivities were baskets of fruit and other goodies prepared by local LDS families to present to wagon and handcart families. Waiting with a basket was Doug Call of the Bountiful (Utah) 53rd Ward and members of his extended family. As with other "basket families" lining the route, Brother Call had never met his "wagon family" - Wayne and Mary Ann Scott of Farmington, Utah, and their sons, Stephen, 24; and Ryan, 18.

Finally, they found the Scotts and Doug Call's brother, Bishop Bruce Call of the Arimo (Idaho) Ward, presented the basket. Afterward, he expressed to the Church News his gratitude "to be a tiny part of history."

The emotions continued through the program. As the crowd and pioneers sang "Come, Come, Ye Saints," those who walked the route from Nebraska - many pulling bandaged feet from boots and shoes - wiped tears from their cheeks.

And fatigue began to show, especially with children. One little blond boy, about 3 years old whose parents were among the walkers on the trail, rolled onto his stomach and slept soundly through the program.

Fifty years from now, when he's commemorating the pioneer bicentennial, that little boy may not remember all that happened this day. But he will hopefully continue the legacy instilled in him by his 1997 "pioneer" parents.