As I
think about our pioneer heritage, one of the most moving things that come to
mind is the hymn “Come, Come, Ye Saints” (Hymns, no.
30). Those who made the long journey to the Salt Lake Valley often sang this
hymn during their trek. I am very much aware that all was not well with these
Saints. They were plagued by sickness, heat, fatigue, cold, fear, hunger, pain,
doubt, and even death.
But despite having every reason to shout, “All is not well,”
they cultivated an attitude we cannot help but admire today. They looked beyond
their troubles to eternal blessings. They were grateful in their circumstances.
Despite evidence to the contrary, they sang with all the conviction of their
souls, “All is well!”
Our
praise for the pioneers is empty if it does not cause inner reflection on our
part. I mention a few of their attributes that inspire me as I contemplate
their sacrifice and commitment.
Compassion
The
pioneers cared for each other irrespective of social, economic, or political
background. Even when it slowed their progress, caused inconvenience, or meant
personal sacrifice and toil, they helped each other.
In our
goal-driven and partisan world, individual or party objectives can take
precedence over taking care of others or strengthening the kingdom of God. In
today’s society, reaching certain ideological goals can appear to be a measure
of our worth.
Setting
and achieving goals can be a wonderful thing. But when success in reaching
goals comes at the expense of disregarding, ignoring, or hurting others, the
cost of that success may be too precious.
The
pioneers looked after those in their company, but they also considered those
who came after them, planting crops for the wagon trains that followed.
They
knew the strength of family and friends. And because they depended
on each other, they became strong. Friends became family.
The
pioneers serve as a good reminder of why we must break away from the temptation
to isolate ourselves and, instead, reach out to help each other and have
compassion and love for one another.
Work
“Come,
come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear.”
This
phrase became an anthem to the weary travelers. It is difficult to imagine how
hard these great souls worked. Walking was one of the easiest things they did.
They all had to pull together to provide food, repair wagons, tend animals,
minister to the sick and feeble, seek and collect water, and protect themselves
from the pressing dangers of the elements and the many hazards of the
wilderness.
They
woke up each morning with clearly defined purposes and goals that everyone
understood: to serve God and their fellowmen and to arrive in the Salt Lake
Valley. Every day those purposes and goals were clear to them; they knew what
they needed to do and that each day’s progress mattered.
In our
time—when so much of what we desire is so easily within our reach—it is
tempting to turn aside or give up whenever the road ahead seems a little bumpy
or the slope tends to rise steeply before us. In those moments, it might
inspire us to reflect on those men, women, and children who did not allow
sickness, hardship, pain, and even death to deter them from their chosen path.
The
pioneers learned that doing hard things deepened and strengthened body, mind,
and spirit; magnified their understanding of their divine nature; and
heightened their compassion for others. This habit firmed their souls and
became a blessing to them long after their trek across the plains and mountains
had ended.
Optimism
When
the pioneers sang, they voiced a third lesson: “But with joy wend your way.”
It is
one of the great ironies of our age that we are blessed with so much and yet we
can be so unhappy. The wonders of prosperity and technology overwhelm us and
shower us with security, entertainment, instant gratification, and convenience.
And yet all around us we see so much unhappiness.
The
pioneers, who sacrificed so much, went without and hungered for even the most
basic of necessities to survive. They understood that happiness doesn’t come as
a result of luck or accident. It most certainly doesn’t come from having all of
our wishes come true. Happiness doesn’t come from external circumstances. It
comes from the inside—regardless of what is happening around us.
The
pioneers knew that, and with that spirit they found happiness in every
circumstance and in every trial—even in those trials that reached down and
troubled the deep waters of their very souls.
Trials
We
sometimes look back on what the pioneers endured and with relief say, “Thank
goodness I didn’t live in that time.” But I wonder if those courageous
pioneers, had they been able to see us today, might not have voiced the same
concern.
Though
times and circumstances have changed, the principles for facing trials and
successfully living together as a caring and prospering community under God
have not changed.
From
the pioneers we can learn to have faith and trust in God. We can learn to have
compassion for others. We can learn that work and industry bless us not only
temporally but also spiritually. We can learn that happiness is available to us
no matter our circumstances.
The
best way we can honor and show gratitude to the pioneers is by incorporating
into our own lives faithfulness to God’s commandments, compassion and love for
our fellowmen, and the industry, optimism, and joy the pioneers demonstrated so
well in their own lives.
As we
do so, we can reach across the decades of time, take the hands of those noble
pioneers in ours, and add our own voices to theirs as we sing with them: “All
is well! All is well!”
Teaching from This
Message
You may
want to begin by singing “Come, Come, Ye Saints” (Hymns, no.
30) with those you visit. You could share an experience when you or someone you
know has applied the principles of compassion, work, or optimism. If prompted,
you could testify of the blessings that come from living these principles and
promise those you visit that they can receive similar blessings.
Youth
Keeping a Record
President
Uchtdorf compares our day to the times of the pioneers. While you may not have
crossed the plains, you are more like the pioneers than you may think! You also
can show compassion, hard work, and optimism. And just as we know that the
pioneers demonstrated these qualities because of the records they kept, your
posterity can get to know you through your journal too.
Take a
few minutes to record a little about yourself in your journal. You can write
about spiritual things, like how you gained your testimony or overcame
challenges with Heavenly Father’s help. You can also help your
great-great-grandchildren (who might read your journal someday!) to know what
your daily life was like. What projects are you doing in school? What does your
room look like? What’s your favorite memory of your family?
As you
begin writing a little bit every day, you will not only be able to see more
clearly how Heavenly Father helps you through your daily life, just as He
guided the pioneers, but you will also be leaving a legacy for your own future
posterity.
Children
Following the Pioneers’ Example
President
Uchtdorf shares a few ways that the pioneers showed love for Heavenly Father.
You can follow their example. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Compassion
Write a
kind note or make a treat for someone who is sad.
Help a
classmate with his or her homework.
Work
Set a
goal. Do something every day this month to help you reach your goal.
Help
your parents make dinner.
Optimism
Make a
list of 10 happy things in your life.
Smile
at everyone you see.
“Our
Attitude”
cji
7/1/15
What
motivates us in reality
fear,
incentives or internal
calling
upon us through ages
endure –
but endure all well
all have
trials – tribulations
many
invite them in obedience
choosing
not the worldly way
but
Heavenly Father’s will
our
attitude in our reflection
what we
see and some others
internal
and enduring all things
being
thus happy inside and out!
Copyright © 2015 – cji
