Selecting an Honored Pioneer
The trek is a time to reflect upon the blessings that you have received from family members that have gone before you and who prepared the way for blessings that you enjoy today. In the world-wide Church there are lots of folks who don’t have handcart pioneers in their family history. Your ancestors don’t have to have crossed the plains in order to be important and to have been a blessing to you in your life today.
We would like every trek participant to choose at least one ancestor that they would like to honor and think about as they trek. As you prepare, find an ancestor that has had a pioneering influence on you and your family. Or, choose a teacher, a leader or other mentor that has blessed your life in a profound way. The term “pioneer” usually means someone who goes first or who prepares the way for others. Your Honored Pioneer for the trek could be a traditional Latter-day saint pioneer or someone else equally important to you that set an example or laid a foundation for your life. The first in your family to join the Church. The first to help you learn the Gospel. The first to come to America, or the first to move to Utah or to Cedar City. The first to get sealed in the temple. The first to bring you to Christ. The first to serve a mission. The first to be a great example. The most important thing is to discover a pioneer in your family and to appreciate how their life and example have blessed you.
As you choose a pioneer to remember and honor during the trek learn as much as you can about them and what makes them special. What was their family like? Did they have brothers or sisters? What hardships did they have to overcome in their life? What blessings did they enjoy?
Finally, as the time for the trek arrives, have a story about the special Honored Pioneer in your life that you can share with others.
We would like every trek participant to choose at least one ancestor that they would like to honor and think about as they trek. As you prepare, find an ancestor that has had a pioneering influence on you and your family. Or, choose a teacher, a leader or other mentor that has blessed your life in a profound way. The term “pioneer” usually means someone who goes first or who prepares the way for others. Your Honored Pioneer for the trek could be a traditional Latter-day saint pioneer or someone else equally important to you that set an example or laid a foundation for your life. The first in your family to join the Church. The first to help you learn the Gospel. The first to come to America, or the first to move to Utah or to Cedar City. The first to get sealed in the temple. The first to bring you to Christ. The first to serve a mission. The first to be a great example. The most important thing is to discover a pioneer in your family and to appreciate how their life and example have blessed you.
As you choose a pioneer to remember and honor during the trek learn as much as you can about them and what makes them special. What was their family like? Did they have brothers or sisters? What hardships did they have to overcome in their life? What blessings did they enjoy?
Finally, as the time for the trek arrives, have a story about the special Honored Pioneer in your life that you can share with others.
