Ode to Pioneers!

I have often been told to "Learn from the past, live in the present, and prepare for the future." After spending a semester in Nauvoo increasing my testimony of our pioneer heritage, and learning all that I could about the Prophet Joseph Smith and the early Saints, I take a quick moment to pause and thank those who paved the way for my family, and many others as members of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. After being forced out of many cities, losing our prophet, and suffering much pain for the Church, the saints walked through Nauvoo toward the Mississippi River on the Trail of Tears, or what I call the Trail of Hope, toward Utah. Upon reaching Utah, Brigham Young exclaimed "This is the place." Since then, the Gospel has reached the ends of the Earth. I owe so much to the pioneers, and will be ever grateful for their example of courageous righteousness.