A Great Heritage!!

I come from a great heritage.... Who can't say that right.

So because we're celebrating Pioneer Day today I thought I say a couple of things about some amazing people who have really touched my life.

I feel truly blessed for all those pioneers who have made sacrifices in their lives so that I might have the freedom and opportunities that I have now. My Grandma being one of those amazing people. She is a modern day pioneer. She was born in Rotterdam Holland just before World War II. The beginning of her life was faced with more hardship than I can even fathom. I think she is a very strong woman of faith. She is someone that I have looked up to in so many ways and for a time I had the priviledge to live with her. A time in my life I have always cherished.

Then, there are my ancestors of long ago who came across the oceans and then the plains to Utah. I have a Great, Great, Great Grandma that I have recently read about who had an amazing life as well. My Mom gave me an article written about her by The Daughters of Utah Pioneers. She was interviewed and it was truly amazing. This article states and I'm quoting verbatim: "Our first story in this chapter deals with the life and accomplishments of Mary Field Garner who lived to be 107 years of age. Her records show she was born in England, lived in Nauvoo-the-Beautiful, and as far as we have been able to ascertain she was the last living witness of the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith."

I read ten pages of an amazing womans' struggles in life and she said this about Joseph Smith's Teachings : "We were glad to attend church and listen to the Prophet Joseph and the other leading brethren teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us. We marveled at Joseph's superior intellegence of the Gospel and the simple way he could explain it to the Saints so that the most unlearned member could know and understand the truth." She later talked about her journey across the plains: "The journey was long and tiresome one, filled with many trials and hardships. Some died along the way and were buried by the roadside, fires being burned on their graves so the Indians would not disturb their final resting place. Our food supply was nearly gone. We were put on a strict ration, but during all of these hardships no one complained. The Saints rejoiced, for their knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their spirits were undaunted by suffering. Westward, Ho! was the cry of evey Latter-Day Saint. Just to be in Salt Lake Valley with our prophet and leaders and the rest of the Saints was the greatest desire of our hearts."

This is just a tiny part of what I read. I am so amazed at her devotion to the Lord.

I am so thankful for my other ancestors who settled Gunnison Utah. I am thankful for the family and people who kept records so that I could know about their special and unique lives.

So whether you come from modern day pioneers or those from long ago take this day to remeber those special people.

-A