If you are interested in learning more about pioneers you need to check out “The Pioneer Story” on the church’s website. This is a great resource, which is available to you and your family. It is especially helpful as you think about Pioneer Day and any activities that you have planned.
The site is interactive and includes several different spots along the trail west. The way the site works is that you click on a certain spot, such as Martin’s Cove. The site will provide a little background information regarding what happened at this point on the trail. It will then include journal entries written by the pioneers about that particular spot along the trail. When pictures of the pioneers are available it includes them as well.
One thing to keep in mind as you browse this site is that this is a collection of events, which happened to the pioneers. The pioneers moved west in wagons from 1847 to approximately 1865. There are twenty years worth of crossings in which different events happened. They are not necessarily in chronological order; rather you follow the trail west and find out happened along the trail. Make sure that you read the dates as you go.
This site shares the testimonies of the pioneers who sacrificed so much for the beliefs, which they embraced. It is truly inspiring to read the stories, and see the struggles that each of these individuals went through. The lives they lived were their testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel. It is inspiring to read the stories, especially of those who were in the Martin/Willie Handcart companies.
I encourage you to take the time to read this collection of experiences of the pioneers. Even if you are not related to a pioneer, it is your heritage as well. Do not forget that there are modern-day pioneers who are forging the way in their own countries and families. Pioneer Day honors them all.