This year commemorates the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley.
But other pioneers — those who go before and show the way — preceded that trek.
Moses, the great lawgiver, was a pioneer who led the children of Israel from bondage. Another pioneer was Ruth, who forsook her people to join her mother-in-law, Naomi, in worshiping the Lord with his people.
John the Baptist offered his message of faith, repentance, baptism by immersion and the gift of the Holy Ghost by priesthood authority.
Later, John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, Calvin and Tyndale pioneered reformation that preceded yet another pioneer, the prophet Joseph Smith. He "was the instrument in the hands of the Lord through whom mighty revelations pertaining to the establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" came.
Scriptural history testifies of the ultimate pioneer — Jesus Christ, whose life and ministry transformed the world. He taught us to serve, forgive and love, and offered his life as ransom for all. "Like the true pioneer he was, he invited: 'Come follow me.' "