courage

The pioneers and their stories have always held a soft spot in my heart. Their stories are full of spirit, passion, determination, and grit. My 4th great grandma, Jane S. Richards, was healed from a priesthood blessing and courageously got baptized the next day by her brother in a hole cut out of the frozen river. Three hundred people attended, many who felt determined to arrest and imprison her brother for baptizing her. She traveled across the plains with many long, sick days; losing a father, brother, and children. She traveled much of the time without her husband who was serving a mission.

Reading through many pioneer stories this month, I have come to see the tremendous hardships these men and women have had to overcome. They amaze me! Yet, I have come to truly believe that the pioneers didn’t want to be remembered for their hardships. They wanted us to remember their courage.

In the song Come, Come Ye Saints, one line reads, “fresh courage take”. I love that!! How many of us need a little courage today? How many of us need a little courage to start going to the temple more regularly? How many of us need the courage to pursue that new talent/skill we keep putting aside? How many of us need courage to befriend a new neighbor? Or to forgive someone who has hurt us? How many of use need the courage to connect better with our children? Or to find time for scripture study? How many of us need courage to commit to make time for family history? 😉

Today is truly a day to honor these great men and women. Not just to remember them, but to honor them as we take courage.

What show of courage will you do today to honor these pioneers?

KAYLA BERRETT

IG: @kaylaberrett

Woman Holding Book of Mormon and Basket of Flowers- **Jubal Aviles Saenz**

“In July of 1847, the first company of pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley after having trekked across the American West in search of a new home where the Saints could worship the Lord free of persecution. Many members in North America can trace their heritage back to these pioneer ancestors. But for most members of the Church worldwide, their pioneer heritage began elsewhere, either with recent ancestors who joined the Church or perhaps even with themselves as they became the first person in their family, community, or nation to embrace the gospel.

This month, as we celebrate our pioneer ancestry, you could ask yourself: Where did my legacy of faith begin? What sacrifices did the pioneers in my ancestry make to dedicate their lives to the Church? How can I honor and share their legacy?” (Liahona, July 2019)

While Pioneer Day is a big holiday within the LDS community, there are still many of us who do not have ancestors that crossed the plains with Brigham Young. Earlier this week Carolynn shared the idea to rely on the Pioneer ancestors of others as their stories still play a big part in the history of our faith. Although we are not related to them by blood, we can still feel a great connection to and be inspired by them. Another great way to celebrate pioneer day is to recognize and honor the pioneers from our own families who showed great faith and courage in their own ways, and to also recognize the ways in which we can emulate the pioneers in our own lives.

We would love to hear about YOUR legacy of faith. Who are the pioneers in your family? How do you display the pioneer spirit?

SARAH GARNER

thekindredpress.com
IG: @thekindredpress

Pioneer Courage

KAYLA BERRETT

Legacy of Faith

SARAH GARNER