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LDS general authority speaks of motivation, protection of pioneers

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A Pioneer | 10:19 a.m. July 24, 2009
I look forward each year to the Pioneer Day parades and festivities, marking the arrival of the first company of pioneers into the Salt Lake valley. There are numerous U.S. flags waved. Unfortunately I never see a Mexican flag displayed. This is not right, as the Utah area was Mexican territory in 1847. Mexico was the refuge to which Brigham Young brought the Saints. Decades later, Mexico again became a Mormon refuge for polygamists. Mexico, rather than the U.S., deserves recognition on the 24th. This holiday is not a patriotic holiday, it is a holiday marking the pioneer spirit and deliverance from oppression. Although a U.S. citizen, veteran (1970-76 including Vietnam), faithful husband and father and active LDS, I love Mexico and hope that someday the LDS church openly honors Mexico.

Anonymous | 10:38 a.m. July 24, 2009
"Utah's Mormon pioneer settlers were motivated by a cause and protected by the armor of faith..."

My family left Camp Far West because they had burnt all their bridges in Missouri. Their journey was a Mormon Dunkirk. It wasn't like they always dreamed from living in Utah. The "cause" of many, was mere survival.

AS for the armor of faith; lets review the history of Martin Handcart Company. They were advised my their church leaders not to worry about getting a late start god's armor would be protecting them on their journey. God's armor failed to protect 145 pioneers.

God works in strange ways. There's the fall back: "God was merely testing people's faith by the cryonics of Wyoming's challenging climate.

How many Mormons, today have the fire in their bosoms to camp in Wyoming in November without winter rated gear? Ye of little faith.
And let's not forget... | 11:39 a.m. July 24, 2009
...that One Day In September.
Comments continue below
Obama Republican | 1:22 p.m. July 24, 2009
@ A Pioneer,

great point, with all the GOP flag waving done in Utah, it is sad that we forget the Pioneers were leaving the USA. They knew that it was a territory of Mexico.

Talk about revisionist history, The Republican Party was founded with 2 main items on the agenda. Ending the "dual forms of Barbarism" slavery and Mormon polygamy.

On this day of remembrance let us think of those good saints who fled a country which condemned them for the Marital Preference and struggled to have their way of life accepted!
Not to be Pedantic . . . | 2:12 p.m. July 24, 2009
The story of David and Goliath is found in I Samuel, not Genesis.
RE: Obama Republican | 2:27 p.m. July 24, 2009
Talk about revisionist!

IT was NEVER meciacn terrritory,

The coloized it, they NEVER posseseed.

YOU can make all the claims for mexico you want but it was NEVER mexican territory.

I know indian tribes who would beg to differ. Who have NEVER considered themselves mexican.


And besides, the american-mexican war SETTLED ALL CLAIMS.

So the point is moot.

The fact is the Mormons were the first to settle the area and claim land-ownership


Also it was the republicans who fought a civil war to end slavery, several hundred thousand men shed blood over it.,

then a hundred years later they fought to pass the civil rights act,

What did the southern (or northern) DEMOCRATS do about slavery?

HEck the DEMOCRATS still embrace that KKK member Sen. Byrd.

So who is revising history?
RE: Obama Republican | 2:29 p.m. July 24, 2009
Sorry about those first few lines, here they are corrected:

Talk about revisionist!

IT was NEVER mexican terrritory,

They NEVER colonized it,
they NEVER posessed it.
LS | 2:59 p.m. July 24, 2009
I'm annoyed that most of the above comments have really nothing to do with the event mentioned in the article. Hey, ya'all did you attend the sunrise service at 7:00 a.m. this morning? Many people did. It was wonderful. The music was very enjoyable, stirring, and, at times emotional. What a great way to start a Utah holiday that celebrates the pioneer spirit in this wonderful free country. Yeah Utah!! Go USA!!
Anonymous | 8:55 p.m. July 24, 2009
Humble thanks to the blessed, honored pioneers!!!
Proud Descendant | 11:25 p.m. July 24, 2009
Amen to the comments of LS. I will continue to forge ahead with a pioneer spirit in spite of people that have nothing better to do that attack others. (Especially the anti-lds internet trolls)
Thomas | 12:06 a.m. July 25, 2009
Lame article.
Randy | 9:00 a.m. July 25, 2009
Great Article!
grateful descendant | 9:44 a.m. July 25, 2009
Why aren't members nowadays humble like their pioneer ancestors? Nowadays all SOME members want to do is gossip and mouth-off about how wonderful they are. The article is good, but many of the members living today are not humble.
Ed Clinch | 10:39 a.m. July 26, 2009
Each person and group who sacrifieced should be honored for contributing to a rich Utah/Church/American/human history.

God bless them. Happy Pioneer's Day.

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Laura Seitz, Deseret News

The colors are posted by the Mormon Battalion at the sunrise service and flag ceremony at the Salt Lake Tabernacle Friday.

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