Being in Utah for the Pioneer Day Celebration was a special treat for our family. It was filled with fun, water, food, races, and friends. I got up extra early and ran in the 5K race, followed by the kids each running in their age group races. Then the children chased pigs, chickens and rabbits. After the chases, they each rode a sheep in the "Mutton Bustin" contest. Gabe came by on a float for the youth and absolutely soaked me and Fred with water balloons. Then we moved onto the "Great Race". Each team consisted of 80 something people assigned to different areas. Sherman raced a tricycle, Gabe & Jesse sawed logs, and I bobbed for apples, while Dad, Payton & Marshall cheered us on. Then there was the fireman water fight, lots of playing, ending with a fantastic fireworks display.
I recently read a book called Fire of the Covenant, by Gerald N. Lund. It was such an inspirational book to me about spirit, hope, unfaltering testimony and true human endurance. The Saints were such strong, spiritual people when the church was going through so much persecution. To come from all over to get to the Salt Lake Valley because the Prophet called all the Saints to gather to Zion was such a hardship on many of them. But as I read of their struggles and faith and testimonies, it amazed me to see that they did not consider it a hardship, but a blessing and a time to grow closer to their Father in Heaven. I would recommend it to anyone. I understand more the importance of celebrating the Pioneer Day, so that we, as modern Latter Day Saints, can recognize and be more grateful for the ones who came first and the ones who struggled in persecution to reach the Valley and build the Church to what it is today.
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