Today is a holiday for Mormons called Pioneer Day. We celebrate the arrival of Mormon pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley and also celebrate modern-day pioneers and the sacrifices they have made in faith.

Pioneer Day is a Utah state holiday (since it’s part of Utah history) (fireworks happen twice in July for Utahans), but it’s also celebrated by many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world.

We’ve got a lot of links for you to peruse if you are either curious about what Pioneer Day is about, or if you are looking for stories and reflections about Mormon pioneer heritage.

You can enjoy the recent Pioneer Day Celebration with Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Katherine Jenkins in its entirety on YouTube (what a wonderful blessing social media can be!)

Read more posts from our archives about Mormon pioneers (both 19th-century pioneers and modern-day pioneers), as well as reflections on pioneer stories:

Portraits of Mormon Women: Bindu

Inspired by Mormon Pioneers

Counterparts: Our Pioneer Heritage (Poetry)

First Mormon Church Meetings in Kasane, Botswana (May 2010)

Thoughts on My Pioneer Family by Katy

Here is a list of pioneer posts and stories and links from other websites that we shared last year:

A Mormon pioneer story (video)

Pioneer Stories, Past and Present (at Mormon Soprano)

Handcart Pioneer Companies (many links included on this website)

Teenage Mormon Pioneer Stories

Mi Vida, Mi Historia — stories of Latin American Latter-day Saints. See an online version of the exhibit that was in the Church History Museum. Mi vida, mi historia es la expresión y el testimonio de los Santos de los Últimos Días latinoamericanos que protagonizan esta exhibición. Sus relatos personales de convicción y creencia representan, en forma colectiva, la historia épica de los millones de santos que han aceptado el evangelio de Jesucristo en Latinoamérica. Esta exhibición nos ayuda a comprender la forma en que los santos de Latinoamérica, quienes aportan individualmente las bellezas de su patrimonio nacional e identidad cultural, enriquecen el cuerpo de la Iglesia y fortalecen a cada uno de nosotros, llevándonos a la unidad de espíritu y a un sentido de unión.

A Different Kind of Pioneer – Story of Bindu Sabbavarapu of Visakhapatnam, India

Modern-day pioneers — “Joseph W. B. Johnson — Ghana’s face of light”

Modern Pioneers (by Elder Dallin H. Oaks)

Pioneer Shoes through the Ages (by Sister Mary Ellen Smoot)

The July 2011 and August 2011 Ensign include many pioneer stories as well.

And see how Mormons in various places celebrate Pioneer Day here and here

And here’s a video celebrating modern-day Mormon pioneers.

Finally, read some thoughts on why “Pioneer faith is needed as much in the world today as in any period of time” (from Elder L. Tom Perry).

The post Pioneer Day Posts and Links appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Last year, we asked how Mormon women celebrate Pioneer Day. We compiled answers from several women, which can be found below. We invite other Mormon women (and men!) to share how they celebrate the holiday in the comments section.

Brenda:

We sometimes will have a Family Home Evening lesson about the Pioneers and how their sacrifices have blessed our family.

Last year, I had two Sister Missionaries over for dinner who were both from Tonga. I was interested in how or if they celebrated Pioneer day in their wards and stakes in Tonga. I was very surprised when they said, “Oh yes! We dress up in pioneer clothing, clog and dance, play music and remind ourselves what a blessing it was that the missionaries were sent to Tonga.”

I’d like to see pictures of those ward and stake parties!

Michelle:

We don’t have any particular traditions, except we usually celebrate with some simple fireworks, often with neighbors. We also try to have a lesson about the pioneers, and/or our own ancestors (every family has stories to tell!).

My most memorable Pioneer Day was after doing a 2-day, 25-mile trek when I lived on the East coast. It was so hard, but so rewarding, and helped me ponder more about how hard it must have been to trek across the barren West, often with little more than the faith that burned in their hearts.

There were some beautiful pieces of art in the international art competition display last year that touched me…that expressed how the celebration of the pioneers really isn’t just for those who live in Utah, or for those who have ancestors who were early members of the Mormon Church. The pioneers really can be an inspiration to anyone who is facing their own wildernesses in their lives. I love studying their stories and learning from their examples.

Makakona:

My husband is of good ol’ pioneer stock [his ancestors were Mormons, too, for generations back] and i am a convert. We discuss both types of pioneers with our kids.

We’re not great about any traditions, though. We just attend whatever the stake [a group of local ward congregations] puts on for us and we dress up. I’ve been piecing pioneer dress-up costumes together for my girls bit by bit each year. They’re excited to now have skirts to go with their bonnets and aprons!

Tiffany:

At my house, we only eat homemade food that day and go the whole day without using electricity (except the air conditioner which my DH won’t allow to be turned off). It can be a challenge but it’s fun.

The post Ask a Mormon Woman: How Do You Celebrate Pioneer Day? appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Here is Lesson #9: The First Year in Great Salt Lake Valley. We are almost to the end of this series of Church history lessons that were created in 1930 for the women of the Relief Society by A.G. Pack, who was a missionary in England. We chose to share these lessons because they include glimpses into the lives and thoughts of Mormon women throughout our history. Thanks to Ardis Parshall for doing the work to make these available.

Read past lessons:
Lesson #1

Lesson #2

Lesson #3

Lesson #4

Lesson #5

Lesson #6

Lesson #7

Lesson #8

The post <i>Portraits of Mormon Women</i>: Centennial Lessons — Church History for Women, Lesson #9 appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Today, we share Lesson #2 of the Church history lessons that were created in 1930 for the women of the Relief Society by A.G. Pack, who was a missionary in England.

Women featured in this lesson include Lucy Mack Smith, Mary Ann Angell Young, Vilate Murray Kimball, and Mary Fielding Smith.

For lesson #1, see here.

The post <i>Portraits of Mormon Women</i>: Church History for Women (Lesson #2) appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.

Friday, the Church will hold a Pioneer Day commemoration concert at 7:30 p.m. MST. A live internet stream will be available. The concert will feature the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, with the Osmonds as special guests.

Due to copyright restrictions, this concert will not be rebroadcast.

The post Pioneer Day Commemoration Concert Live Stream appeared first on Women in The Church of Jesus Christ.