Carrying the Pioneer Legacy

Today we celebrate and honor the pioneers who made the long trek west to the Salt Lake Valley. This is an important day for my church and for all who are a part of the pioneer legacy. Their journey was not easy. It came with great sacrifice and firm faith. These pioneers left the comforts of their homes and filled their wagons/handcarts with very few possessions. They put their trust in the Lord and crossed the prairie plains in severe weather conditions. Many died and lost loved ones along the way. Food was limited and so was warm shelter. Some men, women, and children made the journey alone without any of their family members along their side. Many of the pioneers had left their country and came over sea. Amidst the struggle, pain, hunger, fatigue, and limited provisions, the pioneers pushed onward and did not lose hope. These brave men and women settled the Salt Lake Valley of Utah. We will forever be grateful to them for their faith and courage; but most importantly, we will follow in their footsteps of being strong and firm believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We too can continue the legacy and be a modern pioneer today.

 “We are all needed to finish the work that was begun by those pioneering Saints . . .The Lord isn’t asking us to load up a handcart; He’s asking us to fortify our faith. He isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He’s asking us to … attend regularly the temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life," Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the October 2008 general conference.

Below is a link to a short video commemorating the lives of those faithful pioneers:

https://www.lds.org/youth/article/be-part-of-the-pioneer-legacy?lang=eng

A Shining Example

Have you ever wondered or felt that there is more to why you are here on Earth? Everyone at some point or another has or will come across this question in their life. Well, let me be straight forward and simple in my answer: Yes, YOU have a great and significant purpose in being here on the Earth. You might be thinking, "okay, great. Someone who doesn't even know me, is saying that I have purpose. What does she mean by this?"

In the book of Matthew, chapter 5, we read of the Savior's Sermon on the Mount. Included in this chapter are several profound scriptures which tie in with who YOU are and why you are so important.

Matthew 5:14-16

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

You have the capability of doing good and the potential of accomplishing great things. We each have been given and blessed with the light of Christ. This is not a physical light that beams out from within us; rather it is felt and seen by the good works we do for others. The light of Christ is anything that is good and uplifting-- that causes us to change for the better, and become what He would have us be. I have the desire and need to share this light with others. My testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and His Gospel is something I wish to share with all who come into my life.

Sometimes it can be difficult to express or share what I believe because I am doubtful of myself or worried about what others might think of me. This is one weakness that I have struggled with. I cringe when I hear the Lord's name used casually and in a crude manner by people whom I care about. Opening my mouth and saying, "Hey, can you please not say that? Jesus is my friend and His name is sacred", is SO hard for me. Yet then I am reminded of this scripture, (Matt. 5:14-16). Why would I hide or shun my beliefs just to be accepted and feel part of the norm? It takes faith to speak up, and courage to stand by what you firmly believe in--even if others may ridicule and laugh at you. This is something that I am slowly learning and hoping to do better with--and I can! I know that as I exercise faith in Jesus Christ, He will bless me and help me in these difficult situations. My purpose is to be a missionary and a light to those who struggle and are in need of a helping hand or uplifting/encouraging words.

What does it mean to be the light of the world? Why are we asked to let our light shine?

~Breanna