We are nearing the month when we commonly celebrate our pioneers who, in July of 1847, began to gather themselves into a very desolate Salt Lake Valley. They hoped to make it blossom as a rose. Are there any in our day that can say that they did not succeed? Moses speaking to the Israelites, after wandering in the desert for forty years and just before crossing the river Jordan to enter the promised land, said: ”Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me.” (But Moses knowing the Israelites temperament then said) “Thou…shall do evil in the sight of the Lord thy God, to provoke him to anger: …the Lord shall scatter you among the nations…And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands…which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.”
After just a few generations in the Promised Land (Canaan), his prediction came true; Israel did evil in the sight of God and they were scattered. Then in 1836, the young prophet Joseph Smith, of the newly organized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, prayed as follows: “But thou knowest that thou hast a great love for the children of Jacob, who have been scattered upon the mountains for a long time…We therefore ask thee to have mercy on the children of Jacob, that Jerusalem, from this hour, may begin to be redeemed…and the children of Judah may begin to return to the lands which thou didst give to Abraham, their father.” In answer to his prayer the Lord advised, “…they shall be gathered again, but they shall remain until after the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” (D & C 45:18) After the first hundred years of the Latter Day Elders gathering the Gentiles (1840s /1940s). Then in 1948 (+/-) those primarily of Jewish descent were restored to Jerusalem, their homeland, by an international organization.
The Prophet Jeremiah, about 640 B.C., was privileged to see our day, the day of gathering, and the great gospel “Dispensation of the Fulness of Times.” “Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger…” ( Jeremiah 32) The Jews were to be gathered to the land of their inheritance in Palestine and the seed of Joseph, primarily Ephraim, were to be gathered in the land of America (the land of Nephi), for their inheritance. Until the young church, organized in 1830, was strong enough to stand alone, the newly converted saints were advised to gather here in America. Now converts are advised to stand where they live and strengthen their stakes. July of 1847 was the month and year the pioneers entered this great valley but there are new converts all over the world that need to be honored for their courage, strength and pioneering efforts. Of the 220 countries in the world, the church is now recognized and has been given governmental approval to proselytize in 188 of them. That’s Pioneering! I will close this thought with what President Gordon B Hinckley said about pioneers: “It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead. It is good to reflect upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this world, but out of those dreams and early plans, so well nurtured, has come a great harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for us all, for each of us is a pioneer in his own life.” I like to think of myself as a pioneer and or a pilgrim, both endured hard times and accomplished great things. They were for-runners and those who went fearless into uncharted waters and lands with faith that God would be there to protect and to bless.