Blessed, honored pioneers!

Minerva Teichert (1888-1976), Washday on the Plains, 1938, oil on canvas, 42 x 94 1/2 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, gift of the Teichert Family Collection.

This week we celebrate Pioneer Day on July 24, which is Utah’s state holiday. Minerva Teichert produced scenes of her Mormon Pioneer heritage in the living room of her Cokeville, Wyoming ranch home and participated in civic celebrations of Pioneer Day. Washday on the Plains conveys the resolute commitment of the pioneers’ posterity to remember the heroism and dedication of their forebearers in trekking to the Mountain West. Minerva made sure that the vital role of women in this epic was not forgotten. These industrious pioneers embody both strength and beauty in their crisp patchwork fashions.

Pioneer Christmas by Taffy Lovell

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 Pioneer Christmas

Ma, where will we be for Christmas this year?

In the Salt Lake Valley.

Will we get there before Christmas?

I hope so, little one.

But isn’t it Christmas right now?

No, dear, not yet.

But there is so much snow.

I know. Come along.

But my feet hurt.

Let me see them. I have a little material. Let me wrap them up.

Will we get Christmas dinner when we get to the Valley?

Grandma will have dinner ready for us.

 I’m hungry now.

We all are. I have a little shoe leather left. Chew it as we walk.

Ma, will Pa be home for Christmas?

No, love, he can’t be with us anymore.

Where is he?

We buried him in Martin’s Cove.

Will we see him again, Ma?

Yes.

Will he be sad to miss Christmas?

I think he will be sad to not be with us. Do you know who was born on Christmas?

Jesus?

Yes.  And His Mother and Father loved him very much.

Did He grow big like me?

Yes He did. And one day Jesus had to leave His family even when He didn’t want to leave.

Just like Pa.

And just like Jesus, Pa is in Heaven.

Pa gets to spend Christmas with Jesus?

Yes he does.

Then Pa gets to have the best Christmas.

I think you’re right.

I still wish Pa was with us, pulling me in the handcart.

Do you want to get in the handcart now?

May I? The rocks are hurting my feet now.

Let me put you in with sister.

Sister is so cold, Ma.

Wrap your arms around her and hold her close.

Will she spend Christmas with Pa?

I would miss her terribly if she did, dear.

Ma? Can you hear the singing?

It must be the other Saints singing.

I can’t see no other handcarts. Didn’t angels sing when Jesus was born?

Yes.

Ma, I think the angels are singing for us tonight so we are not alone.

I believe you are right, little one.

This is an original poem I wrote after we went on a pioneer trek through Martin's Cover, over Rocky Ridge and stopped in Rock Creek, where fifteen pioneers--men, women and children--were ubried in a mass grave.

The Best Plan

"I have a plan. It will save every man."

Every plan does not work out for every person. I am sure my stake leaders are finding this out again the hard way. Every person is different. Every person acts or reacts to the same situation differently.
Our stake is going to Martin's Cove, Rocky Ridge and Rock Hollow on Trek not too long from now. It's been interesting to watch this process unfold as the youth have not only planned the trip out but are also the Ma's and Pa's.
I'm anxious to watch how each deals with heat, dirt, dust, blisters, sunburns and plain tiredness. (I have included myself in my anxious watching!)
I can't help each person in my Trek family overcome their obstacles nor should I, but I hope I am ready to give help in the form of encouragement and even more, spiritual strength.

"I have a plan. It is better for man. Each will have to decide what to be. In choosing I know, you'll learn and you'll grow."

There are plans for medical, food, pioneer and spiritual knowledge. But no plan except one is fool proof.