What is a Pioneer?

Saturday, July 26th, 2014 Fresno North Stake Celebrated Pioneer Day

In the evening, nine wards gathered at the Stake Center for a celebration. There was a blow-up bounce house, a blow-up slide/entertainment center and water games for the children, and mingling and snow cones for everyone. The latter was appreciated in the 106 degree heat.

For dinner we had pulled-pork burgers, cole slaw, watermelon, and baked beans. Yummy.

After dinner there was a short program. People filled the cultural hall. Although all were invited to do so, only two wards presented skits, the Young Adult Ward and the Pioneer Park Ward, which is composed of Hmong people. Many of the older people still only speak Hmong, but the next generation speak both, and the youngest generation speaks some. Missionaries sent to one of the two Hmong Wards, learn the language to speak to them in their own language.

The young adults did a short and really cute little skit, with one young man singing a short song to win the girl. It was exceptional – and yes he did win the hand of the girl.

The Pioneer Ward presented 4 short scenes, showing the Hmong people coming to Fresno and joining the Church. The Stake President later spoke of how they are true pioneers as well as the Church pioneers we celebrate. They had to escape from Laos to come to the US. He had those, who had escaped, stand. There may have been about 20 +, including the Bishop and his wife in the Pioneer Park Ward. 

The Story of Laos Pioneers: as told by those who were in that flight.

1. In the Laotian Mountain villages the Hmong people lived a very simple family life, living together with children and grandparents, all of whom had daily responsibilities. They were up early, grandma having prepared the rice for lunch, and they all went to the fields to farm. Babies were carried on their backs.
2.  War came to their country and if they were sympathetic to the USA they were suddenly warned to flee, taking only what they could carry.
3.  They fled through the jungles to the Mekong River, which they had to cross at night. Soldiers lined the river and anyone  caught leaving was shot.
4. They finally made it from Laos to Thailand and then to America where they settled in Fresno. One day two 'white' Elders rang the doorbell. They listened and were converted. Their legacy remains. A Hmong youth choir of about 20 youth, attired in native dress,  sang “Come, Come Ye Saints” and as a closing song “I Am a Child of God”. They are a beautiful and a humble people.  They value education and do all they can to improve each generation's lives.

These are the head-dresses OUR Hmong wore in the  play (but traditional work clothes). 

Here's a little more about the HMONG, that might interest you:

-1977 Fresno had one Hmong family

-four in 1978 and five in 1979

-1980 there were 2,000 Hmong in Fresno

-1981 this increased to 7,000

-1982, 12,000 Hmong lived in Fresno

-1989 there were about 26,000 Hmong in Fresno

-1993 there were about 35,000 Hmong in Fresno... one of the 2 largest Hmong populations in USA. 
WE MAY ALL BE PIONEERS in one way or another when we begin a personal journey that is new to us and our families. Do you remember some of OUR pioneer stories? We have several people on just my side of the family who crossed the plains with the pioneers. There are also many on Dave's side as his fraternal line runs through Martin Harris Jr.

Christian Jensen
Edward Hyrum Parry Jones
Elizabeth Nuttall Bradshaw
Jens Poulsen
John Baugh
John Leishman
Joseph Barnes Woodward
Joseph Hague Woodward
Joseph Price Jones
Maren Poulsen
Martha Sutcliff
Robert Urquhart Leatham

HOW else could someone be a pioneer? Who do you know that is a pioneer? We have met many members here who are pioneers in that they are the first in their family to join the church. It takes courage and much faith to be a pioneer. In the Pioneer Day Fireside in Ogden this year, President Uchdorf expresses how we can show appreciation for our pioneer heritage:
       “The best way we can honor the pioneers—the best way for us to repay our debt of gratitude to them—goes beyond making and hearing speeches, marching in parades, or attending fireworks celebrations.
    “The best way we can show our gratitude is by incorporating into our own lives the faithfulness to God’s commandments, the compassion and love for our fellowmen, the industry, optimism, and joy the pioneers demonstrated so well in their own lives.”

This is what I hope for myself and our family, that we will be faithful, have compassion and joy in our lives of service to the Lord.

A little HOT humor for the day-    

 

It has been 106, or close, for most of the week.

It was 106 degrees yesterday too...HOT!!