We celebrate Pioneer Day and hold our ancestors in such great reverence because they suffered greatly for religious freedom. They were horribly persecuted and their stories are harrowing and faith building. Even if you have no ancestors who were Pioneers, as a member of the church you count the Pioneers as your own.
Last weekend we went to a Pioneer Day Celebration at the branch (a small congregation) in Garden Valley. It was mostly the retired crowd, lots of grandparents, and they are extremely nice to our family. They had a nice BBQ, and then we sang old pioneer songs, listened to Doug H. sing with his guitar, Noah performed a little impromptu concert, and of course, we told pioneer stories.

The stories reminded me of a story my grandma, 89 years old, told me about my great great great grandma, Eunice Billings Snow. Her history is amazing and fun to read. But I will just share one story- because I am at the cabin and don't have my family history here, I am going to tell you what I can remember. I would like to elaborate the details for your reading enjoyment, but I won't, I want to keep the story accurate.
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Eunice was good friends with the children of Joseph Smith and would often accompany her parents to sing to him. Eunice crossed the plains with a wagon train when she was a girl. As a woman she and her husband settled an area near Manti in south Utah. The Indians would ask them for food. She was frightened of the Indians but the Prophet had asked them to live in peace with the Indians, so she fed them and welcomed them in her home.
One day her husband, whom she loved passionately, left to go hunting and was brutally killed by Indians (I remember reading the description of this and it was gory - I believe he was scalped too). She was devastated and mourned desperately.
Weeks later, Indians came to her home asking for food. She allowed them to come in and eat at her table. As they were eating she noticed that one of the Indians was wearing her husbands necktie! He was the one who murdered her husband! She quietly grabbed the butcher knife and, prepared to kill the Indian, she made her way toward him. As she moved about the room, her father grabbed her hand and shook his head, "No" at her. She followed her father's advice, the Indians ate in peace and left.
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This story is really nothing compared to some of the things that the Pioneers went through, but it is a story of obedience, faith, and incredible strength. How grateful I am that she recorded it so I can share it with you.
I am thankful for those who were willing to struggle, suffer, and die to be able to worship how they believed. I am blessed to live in a country where we can all have religious freedom.
Happy Pioneer Day!
3 comments:
Good story! I might have to copy you.
Nothing makes you more proud of your country as living outside of it. Your story of your grandma (great great whatever) was amazing. It makes me wonder what I would have done in that situation. Pretty sure he would have been one dead indian! I don't have much faith I fear.
That was a great post.
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