Inger Kerstine Madsen — Divine Protection of Feet During 1863 Trek

At the age of 14, Inger Kerstine Madsen emigrated from Denmark and walked the entire distance across the American plains to Utah in 1863. According to family records in the DUP History Collection, her shoes wore out completely during the journey, forcing her to walk barefoot over rugged terrain, sharp rocks, and areas thick with prickly pear cactus. Inger recounted that she prayed fervently for the strength to continue and for protection from injury. Despite the harsh conditions that caused many others to suffer from severe sores and infections, Inger's feet were remarkably preserved and remained uninjured throughout the remainder of the trek, a circumstance she and her descendants attributed to divine intervention and the 'power of the Lord' sustaining her.