During the pandemic, I’ve often thought of people in past generations who have gone through difficult, long-lasting trials and journeys. The “Mormon pioneers” have been among the people who have come to mind. Cast out from place to place, they were compelled to walk across the barren plains of then unsettled territory in the United States to find a new place to settle. July 24, 1847 was the day that the main company arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. In Utah, Pioneer Day is celebrated every year to mark this day. But members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all over the world celebrate Pioneer Day in different ways, and also sometimes celebrate their own pioneers in their respective lands, areas, or families.

COVID-19 has changed a lot of things, but it has also allowed for resources to reach across the globe. For example, BYU Women’s Conference this year was all virtual, and you can get access to 35 different presentations for six months. And there are free presentations available as well at the following links.

RootsTech (the “world’s largest celebration of family” [genealogy, family history, family connection] even before 2021) reached 1.5 million people in 240 countries. Because of this impact, the 2022 conference will all be virtual.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can find online resources to celebrate Pioneer Day no matter where they are in the world. For example, an Evening from the Pioneer Museum will be held this week on July 22 from the Museum on Facebook Live: By Trail, Sail, and Rail: Pioneer Journeys to Zion.

You can also find links to many Pioneer Day Concerts from past years here.