Blessed, Honored Pioneer!

Today is Pioneer Day. I realize that officially this is a Utah holiday but we always celebrated growing up and I am trying to carry on the tradition with my own family.  I have many fond memories of dressing up in the pioneer costumes my mom had sewn, decorating our little red wagon with  a cover to make a miniature Conestoga wagon, running around shooting cap guns and hearing pioneer stories from my mother.  As I got older I spent a few Pioneer Days in Utah watching the “Days of ‘47” parade in Salt Lake City, having cook outs and picnics at the park,  playing pioneer games and visiting with family. I have always loved this holiday!

This year, our ward is having a Pioneer Day activity but I thought of some activities I want to do with my own kids:

• I made a playlist so we can listen to pioneer/western music all day. (I started to do this with my sister but I couldn’t post the list on my blog to share so I ended up doing one of my own with many of the same songs).
• When my children woke up this morning they found cap guns waiting for them at their places at the breakfast table. They have been shooting them all morning.
• I was perusing the internet looking for pioneer art to share with my children and found this blog by fine artist Glen S. Hopkinson. Check it out. His paintings are both beautiful and moving.

• I also plan on baking bread today (bread and milk was a favorite pioneer supper) and taking every opportunity to share the pioneer stories I know (like the Miracle of the Seagulls) with my children. 

(I love this painting by Minerva Teichert) When I think about the faith and devotion of the pioneers and the sacrifices they made I am filled with love and admiration for them. Maybe it is because I have pioneer ancestors or maybe it is just because I am trying to be a sort of pioneer myself. Whatever it is, this hymn sums it up nicely:

They, the builders of the nation,
Blazing trails along the way;
Stepping-stones for generations
Were their deeds of ev’ry day.
Building new and firm foundations,
Pushing on the wild frontier,
Forging onward, ever onward,
Blessed, honored Pioneer!

Service ever was their watch-cry;
Love became their guiding star;
Courage, their unfailing beacon,
Radiating near and far.
Ev’ry day some burden lifted,
Ev’ry day some heart to cheer,
Ev’ry day some hope the brighter,
Blessed, honored Pioneer!

As an ensign to the nation,
They unfurled the flag of truth,
Pillar, guide, and inspiration
To the hosts of waiting youth.
Honor, praise, and veneration
To the founders we revere!
List our song of adoration,
Blessed, honored Pioneer!

~Ida R. Alldredge

Happy Pioneer Day!