The lesson today is titled “The Pioneer Heritage
of Faith and Sacrifice”. I have talked about pioneer heritage before and every
time, because of my own lack of pioneer ancestors, I feel somewhat excluded. Many
of us do not all have Mormon pioneer ancestors. So, and sorry if by now any of
you are surprised by this, I decided to deviate from the lesson a little. Because
this is Relief Society and because it’s International Women’s Week and because
I’m a bit of a feminist, I decided to talk about a pioneer history we all
share. That of women. Not to worry, I’ve included some female LDS pioneers as
well.
First of
all I wanted to list some qualities essential to a pioneer. (Ask class, but
these are the ones I came up with)
Faith, Perseverance,
Strength, Sacrifice
As
President Hinckley describes in the manual, there is more than one way to be a
pioneer.
Societal
(for a large group of people), Familial (for your family), and Personal. I’m
going to start with a few examples of societal pioneers, because I think it is
easiest to see these traits manifest in these unique individuals. There are so
many of these, I urge you to get online and look up more, their stories are
truly inspirational. These are the ones I picked (you may pick and choose which
ones you like).
Malala
Yousafzai: Malala Yousafzai is a
Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize
laureate (2014 age 17). She is known mainly for human rights advocacy for
education and for women in her native Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
northwest Pakistan, where the local Taliban had at times banned girls from
attending school. The Taliban famously attempted to assassinate her in 2012.
Malala's advocacy has since grown into an international movement. -Wikipedia
“Let us
remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” -Malala
Yousafzai
Emmeline
Pankhurst: Pankhurst’s slogan
'Deeds, not words' defined her life. We would have got the vote without her,
but her bravery and radicalism shocked society into a new pattern that could
not be reversed. Pankhurst and her daughters were jailed repeatedly – and even
then they staged hunger strikes to secure better conditions. When war broke
out, they encouraged women to support the common cause and work in industrial
production. In 1918 the Representation of the People Act granted votes to women
over the age of 30. -the Guardian
Marie Curie: was a Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person and only woman to win twice, the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two different sciences, and was part of the Curie family legacy of five Nobel Prizes. She was also the first woman to become a professor at the University of Paris, and in 1995 became the first woman to be entombed on her own merits in the Panthéon in Paris.
Her achievements included the development of the theory of radioactivity (a term that she coined[3][4][5]), techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes, and the discovery of two elements, polonium and radium. Under her direction, the world's first studies were conducted into the treatment of neoplasms, using radioactive isotopes. She founded the Curie Institutes in Paris and in Warsaw, which remain major centres of medical research today. During World War I, she developed mobile radiography units to provide X-ray services to field hospitals.
-Wikipedia
Mary Fielding Smith: was a stalwart example of a
faithful pioneer. She was the widow of Hyrum Smith and traveled west with her
brother Joseph Fielding and her son Joseph F. Smith. One morning, they awoke to
find several of their oxen missing. Joseph and his nephew searched for them,
but had no success.
When they returned to camp, they found Mary kneeling in prayer. Afterwards, she went to look for the oxen herself. She walked along, even when a herdsmen stopped to tell her where he had last seen her oxen (in the opposite direction she was heading). Mary found the oxen, in a clump of willow trees. The herdsmen had hidden them there with the intention of stealing them.
However, at Winter Quarters Mary would lose many of her oxen and horses. She improvised by hooking two of her wagons together, having her oxen pull twice the load. One of the men told her to stay behind, saying she would be a burden and slow the company. Her response: “I will beat you to the valley and will ask no help from you either.”
Along the trail, one of Mary’s oxen fell to the ground, convulsing as if poisoned. Many of the company believed he would die, but Mary asked that the ox be given a blessing with oil. It was done and the ox healed. Not long after, another of Mary’s oxen fell to the ground and also healed with a blessing. She continued on, and true to her word, Mary arrived in the valley a whole day before the rest of the company (I Walked to Zion ; “Mary Fielding Smith—Mother in Israel”).
When they returned to camp, they found Mary kneeling in prayer. Afterwards, she went to look for the oxen herself. She walked along, even when a herdsmen stopped to tell her where he had last seen her oxen (in the opposite direction she was heading). Mary found the oxen, in a clump of willow trees. The herdsmen had hidden them there with the intention of stealing them.
However, at Winter Quarters Mary would lose many of her oxen and horses. She improvised by hooking two of her wagons together, having her oxen pull twice the load. One of the men told her to stay behind, saying she would be a burden and slow the company. Her response: “I will beat you to the valley and will ask no help from you either.”
Along the trail, one of Mary’s oxen fell to the ground, convulsing as if poisoned. Many of the company believed he would die, but Mary asked that the ox be given a blessing with oil. It was done and the ox healed. Not long after, another of Mary’s oxen fell to the ground and also healed with a blessing. She continued on, and true to her word, Mary arrived in the valley a whole day before the rest of the company (I Walked to Zion ; “Mary Fielding Smith—Mother in Israel”).
Jane Manning James: was one of the first
African-American Saints. She and several other members of her family joined the
Church and Jane led nine of them on an 800 mile journey to Nauvoo.
These early black saints showed amazing faith in prayer. Along the journey, their shoes became worn to nothing and soon their feet bled. Jane writes that “we stopped and united in prayer to the Lord, we asked God the Eternal Father to heal our feet and our prayers were answered and our feet were healed forthwith.” Later on their journey, a baby became ill and when they prayed for the infant, it too was healed.
Despite wading through cold rivers and sleeping out in the snow, she says that “we went on our way rejoicing, singing hymns, and thanking God for his infinite goodness and mercy to us, in blessing us . . . protecting us.” They kept a strong spirit all the way to Nauvoo, where they were invited into the prophet Joseph’s home and told him their story.
She gave birth at Winter Quarters and traveled the rest of the way to Utah. Jane would always be known as a woman of strong faith and charity (Ensign article “Jane Manning James: Black Saint, 1847 Pioneer”).
These early black saints showed amazing faith in prayer. Along the journey, their shoes became worn to nothing and soon their feet bled. Jane writes that “we stopped and united in prayer to the Lord, we asked God the Eternal Father to heal our feet and our prayers were answered and our feet were healed forthwith.” Later on their journey, a baby became ill and when they prayed for the infant, it too was healed.
Despite wading through cold rivers and sleeping out in the snow, she says that “we went on our way rejoicing, singing hymns, and thanking God for his infinite goodness and mercy to us, in blessing us . . . protecting us.” They kept a strong spirit all the way to Nauvoo, where they were invited into the prophet Joseph’s home and told him their story.
She gave birth at Winter Quarters and traveled the rest of the way to Utah. Jane would always be known as a woman of strong faith and charity (Ensign article “Jane Manning James: Black Saint, 1847 Pioneer”).
Arabella “Belle” Smith: became a member of
a group of pioneers traveled to settle the San Juan Mission in the
southeastern part of Utah. However, their situation looked grim with a fast
approaching winter and a large group of people who did not have the supplies to
wait through it. The company decided to take a risky short cut instead.
The short cut was the Hole-In-The-Rock, a narrow crevice in the wall of Glen Canyon. It was a very precarious route to take, with a 2,000 foot drop at a 45 degree angle. The company worked hard to widen the hole, make a trail down, and set up a ferry to cross the river at the bottom.
In order for covered wagons to go safely down the steep path, the wagon breaks were put on and several men would pull the wagon back with ropes and chains to keep it from careening down the slope at breakneck speeds. Elizabeth M. Decker wrote that the first wagon to go down had ten men pulling it back.
Joseph Stanford Smith helped others with their wagons all day long. His wagon and family were the only ones left, but despite Stanford’s assistance, the rest of the company seemed to have forgotten his family and ferried across the river. Stanford did not believe they could go down the slope alone, but his wife, Arabella, said that she would pull the wagon back. They left their three children to wait and hooked up a horse to the back of the wagon to help Arabella.
When they started down, Arabella and the horse were immediately thrown from their feet. The poor horse fell on its haunches and was dragged most of the way down. Arabella managed to regain her footing, though not before a sharp rock gave her a horrible gash from her heel to her hip. She pulled back as hard as she could and “crow hopped” the way down as she put it.
After retrieving their children, the Smiths continued on their way and met up with five men from the company. They had finally remembered that they had left the Smiths behind and came to help. Stanford told them “forget it, fellows . . . My wife here is all the help a fellow needs.” (Ensign article “Hole-in-the-Rock” ; General Conference talk “The Future History of the Church”).
The short cut was the Hole-In-The-Rock, a narrow crevice in the wall of Glen Canyon. It was a very precarious route to take, with a 2,000 foot drop at a 45 degree angle. The company worked hard to widen the hole, make a trail down, and set up a ferry to cross the river at the bottom.
In order for covered wagons to go safely down the steep path, the wagon breaks were put on and several men would pull the wagon back with ropes and chains to keep it from careening down the slope at breakneck speeds. Elizabeth M. Decker wrote that the first wagon to go down had ten men pulling it back.
Joseph Stanford Smith helped others with their wagons all day long. His wagon and family were the only ones left, but despite Stanford’s assistance, the rest of the company seemed to have forgotten his family and ferried across the river. Stanford did not believe they could go down the slope alone, but his wife, Arabella, said that she would pull the wagon back. They left their three children to wait and hooked up a horse to the back of the wagon to help Arabella.
When they started down, Arabella and the horse were immediately thrown from their feet. The poor horse fell on its haunches and was dragged most of the way down. Arabella managed to regain her footing, though not before a sharp rock gave her a horrible gash from her heel to her hip. She pulled back as hard as she could and “crow hopped” the way down as she put it.
After retrieving their children, the Smiths continued on their way and met up with five men from the company. They had finally remembered that they had left the Smiths behind and came to help. Stanford told them “forget it, fellows . . . My wife here is all the help a fellow needs.” (Ensign article “Hole-in-the-Rock” ; General Conference talk “The Future History of the Church”).
Familial
The example that comes to mind for me is that of my mother. She converted when she was 25, despite the fact that her parents disowned her. On her own, she got a master’s degree in music before she met and married my father. She gave birth to six children and adopted five more, raising us in the gospel but encouraging us to find faith on our own. When my father had a stroke 25 years ago, she returned to school to get a Phd in Psychology and supported our family for the rest of her career. Because of her example, we were raised in the church, firmly believed in the value of education and hard work and knew the difference that the strength and determination of one woman can make.
The example that comes to mind for me is that of my mother. She converted when she was 25, despite the fact that her parents disowned her. On her own, she got a master’s degree in music before she met and married my father. She gave birth to six children and adopted five more, raising us in the gospel but encouraging us to find faith on our own. When my father had a stroke 25 years ago, she returned to school to get a Phd in Psychology and supported our family for the rest of her career. Because of her example, we were raised in the church, firmly believed in the value of education and hard work and knew the difference that the strength and determination of one woman can make.
Encourage the class to share some of their own
family pioneers.
Personal
We’ve all heard the phrase “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. I want to make sure you know that this is a lie. At any point in our lives we can be our own personal pioneers. We can achieve new goals, change our behaviors and adjust our own attitudes throughout our lives.
I have recently been reflecting on the things I need to change to live a more Christ-like life. (Share a personal goal or ask people to share theirs. Mine is to love others more. I have been known to say that I don't like people. Due to the example of a dear friend who expressed her love for others often and vocally, I have decided I need to adjust this attitude. While it may seem simple, for me, an avid introvert, it will be a pioneer-worthy task) In order to be a pioneer, we have to change. Read quotes on change:
We’ve all heard the phrase “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. I want to make sure you know that this is a lie. At any point in our lives we can be our own personal pioneers. We can achieve new goals, change our behaviors and adjust our own attitudes throughout our lives.
I have recently been reflecting on the things I need to change to live a more Christ-like life. (Share a personal goal or ask people to share theirs. Mine is to love others more. I have been known to say that I don't like people. Due to the example of a dear friend who expressed her love for others often and vocally, I have decided I need to adjust this attitude. While it may seem simple, for me, an avid introvert, it will be a pioneer-worthy task) In order to be a pioneer, we have to change. Read quotes on change:
1 “You must be the change you wish to see in
the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
2 “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
3 “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman
2 “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela
3 “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman
4 “Remembering you are
going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have
something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your
heart.” -Steve Jobs
5 “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” Carol Burnett
6 “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou 7 “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
5 “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” Carol Burnett
6 “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou 7 “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
Remember that pioneer is not just a noun. It is also a verb and
a verb implies action. As you reflect on these stories I invite you to go
pioneer. I would love it if you all affect some kind of societal change because
of my lesson, but remember that the most important person to change is
yourself.
8 “Each person’s task in
life is to become an increasingly better person.” -Leo Tolstoy
Gordon B. Hinckley said:
“Behind us is a glorious history. It is bespangled with heroism,
tenacity to principle, and unflagging fidelity. It is the product of faith.
Before us is a great future. It begins today. We cannot pause. We cannot slow
down. We cannot slacken our pace or shorten our stride.”
