Happy Pioneer Day!

"Pioneers: Folllowers of Jesus Christ"
watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessages (sorry i cant figure out how to put the video on my blog)

July 24th is Pioneer Day. In the 1800's the first members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were persecuted for their beliefs and forced to leave their homes (most of them had gathered in Illinois and Missouri but countless others were still in Europe and locations throughout the globe) They trekked westward (ultimately many ended up in Utah) in search of a land where they could worship the Lord in peace. Countless passed away in their noble efforts. How grateful I am for their sacrifices. I’m sure they smile from heaven as they look down at a church who has grown to be more than 13,000,000 members and in more than 150 countries. Thank you thank you for the foundation you laid with your journey of faith, pioneers. And thank you to the outstanding examples of new members of the church who are in their own right, pioneers, as well! I am able to be joyful because of my knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Visit lds.org or mormon.org if you want to learn more about what we believe.