Pioneer's day

It's late but i had to post about "Pioneer's day" ON "Pioneer's day."  I've been thinking of the Pioneers for a couple of weeks because i gave a sharing time on Sunday about them.  I was interested in learning facts about them to go along with their stories. 

For example, did you know that the definition of "PIONEER" is one who goes somewhere or does something first and shows others the way to follow? or that they fled Nauvoo in February of 1846 because of mobs and the Saints were scattered everywhere?  "at no period since the organization of the church have the Saints been so extensively scattered.  The goal of the Twelve was to located the isolated productive place where the Church was to be reassembled...send an advance pioneer group west to find a route and settlement site (led by Brigham Young)....send large pioneer companies to establish a settlement at that site...have the Saints who are waiting to go to develop temporary farms and homes for those to follow ...and gather the Saints."  I think they did a pretty good job, don't you???

"Pioneer's day" is celebrating when Brigham Young recognized Utah (which at the time was Mexico territory) as the site in his vision on the 24th of July.  His team arrived 2 days earlier but since he was sick his wagon was the last to arrive.  I can't even imagine being pushed from my home and following the prophet through the uncharted wilderness (not in the U.S) and walk around until something looked familiar. AMAZING!  P.S.  7 months later the war was over and Mexico territory became the U.S.

The Governor of Missouri in 1976 FINALLY rescinded the Extermination Order that declared the Mormons enemies and should be driven from the State issued in 1838 by Gov. Boggs.

Pres. Young sent US Pres. Polk a letter that said we were leaving for our freedom and chance to worship in peace.  He of course sent men to enlist 500 of our strong"strong men" to join the army.  Which we did and used the $$ to help the pioneers.  They basically walked to CA and back again to their families hungry and tired. 

I will leave you with one last fact... After Brigham Young's first party arrived in UT on July 24, 1847 he had some men stay to set up the settlement site and the rest returned to Winter Quarters for their families just 32 days after they got there.  It was 1300 miles taking them 16 weeks. At least this time they would save about 300 miles since they weren't going back to Nauvoo.

I am so grateful for the sacrifices the Pioneers faced.  i for one could not have been that strong but am truly honored to have family members who made the decision to "follow in faith" and hope to be able to uphold their name.