Celebrating Pioneer Day
by Connie Sorensen, staff writer

Pioneer Day is July 24th and in Utah, the celebrations rival those of the USA?s Independence Day. There are parades, barbeques, picnics, programs, fireworks and all manner of merry-making. Many stakes and branches around the world also celebrate this festival of heritage each year. How can we make this commemoration special in our families?

Let?s begin with a little of the history of the Mormon Pioneers. From "Our Heritage," we read: Leaders of the Church had talked since at least 1834 about moving the Saints west to the Rocky Mountains, where they could live in peace. As the years went by, leaders discussed actual sites with explorers and studied maps to find the right place to settle. By the end of 1845, Church leaders possessed the most up-to-date information available about the West.

As persecutions in Nauvoo intensified, it became apparent that the Saints would have to leave. By November 1845, Nauvoo was bustling with the activities of preparation. Captains of hundreds, fifties, and tens were called to lead the Saints on their exodus. Each group of 100 established one or more wagon shops. Wheelwrights, carpenters, and cabinetmakers worked far into the night preparing timber and constructing wagons. Members were sent east to purchase iron, and blacksmiths constructed materials needed for the journey and farm equipment necessary to colonize a new Zion. Families collected food and housekeeping items and filled storage containers with dried fruits, rice, flour, and medicines. Working together for the common good, the Saints accomplished more than seemed possible in so short a time.

The evacuation of Nauvoo was originally planned to take place in April 1846. But as a result of threats that the state militia intended to prevent the Saints from going west, the Twelve Apostles and other leading citizens hurriedly met in council on 2 February 1846. They agreed that it was imperative to start west immediately, and the exodus began on 4 February. Under the direction of Brigham Young, the first group of Saints eagerly began their journey. However, that eagerness faced a great test, for there were many miles to be covered before permanent camps gave them respite from late winter weather and an exceptionally rainy spring.

To seek safety from their persecutors, thousands of Saints first had to cross the wide Mississippi River to Iowa territory... Many faced hardships, illness and death...

The faith, courage, and determination of these Saints carried them through cold, hunger, and the deaths of loved ones. William Clayton was called to be in one of the first groups to leave Nauvoo and left his wife, Diantha, with her parents, only a month away from delivering her first child. Slogging through muddy roads and camping in cold tents wore his nerves thin as he worried about Diantha?s well-being. Two months later, he still did not know if she had delivered safely but finally received the joyful word that a "fine fat boy" had been born. Almost as soon as he heard the news, William sat down and wrote a song that not only had special meaning to him but would become an anthem of inspiration and gratitude to Church members for generations. The song was "Come, Come, Ye Saints," and the famous lines expressed his faith and the faith of the thousands of Saints who sang in the midst of adversity: "All is well! All is well!" One of the hardest parts of the trip was the journey across Iowa. Winter Quarters was called "The Valley Forge of Mormondom" by Brigham Young?s son John. Although it was a miserable time for many, life went on. Men, women and children worked to build homes that could be inhabited by later companies of Saints. In January 1847, President Brigham Young issued the inspired "Word and Will of the Lord concerning the Camp of Israel" D&C 136:1

which became the constitution governing the pioneers westward movement. Companies were organized and charged to care for the widows and fatherless in their midst. Relations with other people were to be free from evil, covetousness, and contention. The people were to be happy and show their gratitude in music, prayer, and dance. Through President Young, the Lord told the Saints, "Go thy way and do as I have told you, and fear not thine enemies"

On 21 July 1847, Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow of the first pioneer company preceded the emigrants into the Salt Lake Valley. They saw grass so deep that a person could wade through it, promising land for farming, and several creeks that wandered through the valley. Three days later, President Brigham Young, who was ill with mountain fever, was driven in his carriage to the mouth of a canyon that opened onto the valley. As President Young looked over the scene, he gave his prophetic benediction to their travels: "It is enough. This is the right place." (Chapter 6)

These few words, generally quoted as, "This is the place," spoken on July 24, 1847, are the reason for Pioneer Day. This holiday is a time for us to reflect on the courage and strength of the early leaders and members of the church. As you can see this is a very special heritage to all LDS people, whether or not their direct ancestors crossed the plains all those years ago. We are taught about the "grafting in" or adoption if you will, of all people to the true gospel, this includes owning the heritage of pioneers. This isn?t just a fun thought. There is much to be learned from the early members of the church. The trials they had to undergo and the sacrifices they made were astonishing. It is a time to celebrate their tenacity and willingness to give all to follow the truth. It is a time for us to resolve to be more faithful in following the things that we know is true.

When we are feeling discouraged, we can take heart because our ancestors set such a great example. They did things that were unthinkable to the rest of the world, and we can be as strong as they were in facing our own challenges and journeys in this phase of our lives.

Memories of Pioneer Days Past

Sue Nielson, Monroe 2nd Ward, Monroe Utah Stake, USA has lived in Monroe nearly her whole life. As a girl in the 1940's she recalls:

"We always got to have a beautiful new dress for Pioneer Day. There was lots of fun the night before as well. We girls always got together to have a sleep out. We had to find some way out places so that the boys wouldn?t find us and drench us with water, which was their main aim every year. One year we slept at the top of a haystack, one year in an orchard outside of town. Of course we had to sleep out with curlers in our hair so that we would be beautiful for the celebrations in town the next day. It was always the biggest day of the year, along with the 4th of July."

Dawna Stevens, Salt Lake Hunter West Stake, UT, USA has these memories,

"The week of Pioneer Day, a time when Primary was held during the week. We would dress up as pioneers, with decorated bikes etc. There was a carnival and parade held in the church parking lot. A lot of games, dunking booth, fun things to eat. Then on the actual pioneer day we would go to downtown Salt Lake early in the morning, find a comfortable place to sit on main street and would watch the Days of 47 parade as it came down main. It started at Temple Square and ended down at liberty Park. My favorite was when we go liberty Park and wait for the parade rather than being downtown. It gave us more time to play. After the parade we would have a picnic with some cousins and grandparents, play at the park for awhile. Some years we would actually go to Cottonwood Canyon and have the picnic, placing the watermelon in the stream while we hiked around or waited for lunch."

Sorensen Family, Gunnison Utah Stake, USA

"Usually the Saturday before Pioneer Day we would have a primary parade and dress up like pioneers or decorate our bikes with crepe paper streamers and ride to the park in town and have a barbeque. It was fun. We always loved to go to our grandparent?s house in Monroe because they live on Main Street and we could sit in the front yard to see the parade and gather the fistfuls of candy that the people in the parade threw. One of the most fun years was when our grandpa, Russ Nielson, was a clown in the parade. Other years he rode in the Lion?s Club Car and threw candy. Then we would go to the park for games, races and food. At night there would be a program and fireworks. One year we won a Dalmatian puppy in a raffle at the fireworks."

Ways to Celebrate

Pageants: There are several throughout the US. These are wonderful experiences, either as viewer or cast member. The Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti Utah runs before Pioneer Day, but is a wonderful way to get into the spirit. The pageant is presented by a cast/crew of over 600 and will be viewed by thousands of people from all over the world. (For further information visit www.mormonmiracle.org or call (435) 835-3000)

The Nauvoo pageant is all new this year for the commemoration of the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The pageant runs from July 8 to August 5. More information is available at www.historicnauvoo.net, or you can also call 1-800-453-3860 x-20188 for pageant participation information.

One of the oldest pageants, first held at the Joseph Smith farm in 1917, moved to the Hill Cumorah in 1934. Information regarding this fabulous pageant is available at www.hillcumorah.org

These are but three well known pageants that celebrate LDS history. There are other programs and celebrations held world wide; check with your ward or branch leadership for dates/times.

City/State Celebrations: In Utah, the "Days of ?47" are held around Pioneer Day each year and include picnic/barbeques, a youth parade on July 23 a big parade in Salt Lake City on the morning of Pioneer Day, this year celebrated July 25, as the 24th falls on Sunday. For a full list of the many Days of 47 activities available please visit: www.daysof47.com

Many smaller towns in Utah have their own celebrations as well, complete with programs, food, parades, games and fireworks.

Ward/Stake Celebrations: Those church members unable to celebrate Utah style can still participate in this fun holiday. Many wards and/or stakes provide their own celebrations as varied as primary parades, fishing trips, picnics and programs.

Family Celebrations: If the place you live doesn?t have some sort of community/church celebration, you can still celebrate. You can dress your kids up like pioneers; turn the "little red wagon" into a Conestoga with a bit of cardboard or wire and a bed sheet. You can have your own days of 47 rodeo with pets or lots of imagination. If it is legal you can light sparklers or other fireworks. You can visit the wonderful cyber-history available on the Official Church Website: www.lds.org/churchhistory/ . This holiday is for all to remember our rich heritage and enjoy learning about it with our families.