Pioneer Day

Today is Pioneer Day, which really doesn't matter a whole lot anywhere in the world except for Utah. I guess it matters somewhat to LDS people around the world, but as Parker described in his talk today, celebration really only involves the primary kids singing a few fun primary songs, and then it passes.

However, it is huge in Utah, and one can never really realize how huge it is until one is actually in Utah for Pioneer Day. Heck, it's even an official holiday, meaning lots of people get a day off work for this holiday (including me, but I need the money so I'm going in anyway).

I've never really celebrated this holiday or paid a whole lot of attention to it before, but after transcribing a show on the Willie and Martin Handcart companies last week and the amazing sacrament meeting and Relief Society lesson we had today that centered around pioneers, it really has been a great holiday.

I mean, I've been on trek, and I've heard lots of stories about the pioneers before and I've always appreciated what they did and really been in awe of the things they accomplished and the sacrifices they made, but there's just been something especially sacred today as we've talked about the amazing feats the pioneers accomplished, and as we've talked not only about the traditional pioneers but pioneers in our own families who have converted to the church and the ways that we in this day and age are pioneers, and how all of it centers around hope - hope in Christ and hope for ourselves.

I am grateful for the pioneers, for their example and faith, and I am especially grateful to be in Utah today.