The pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness as stated in the Declaration of Independence by our Founding Fathers is not without sacrifice. Under persecution the pilgrims left their homelands crossed the Atlantic Ocean to be free of tyranny. The Prophet Moses led his people out of bondage to live freely and worship God according to the dictates of their conscience.
In 1846, history repeats itself. After religious persecutions and the martyrdoms of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith, the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints led by Brigham Young left their homes and the United States of America to live freely. They crossed over 1000 miles to a desolate valley which belonged to Mexico. July 24, 1847 the courageous pioneers arrived and the Prophet Brigham Young declared, “This is the place.”
Today we continue to honor our religious freedom and celebrate our pioneer heritage. The congregations of the Santa Margarita Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints want to invite everyone to join the festivities on Saturday, July 20th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, at the Altisima Park 30082, Melinda Rd., RSM 92688. Free admission includes live music, burgers, hot dogs, pies, and frozen ice cones. Pioneer food tastes better wearing Pioneer or Western attire.(not required)
The Mormon Battalion Color Guard will present colors at 5:00 pm. There will be a Family History Tent to help look up your ancestors. Find out if you’re related to someone who lived during the wild west, or panned for gold or fought in the revolutionary war. Let’s celebrate them!
As Christians, we choose to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. Secondly, we choose to love thy neighbor as thyself. Matthew 22:37-40. To overcome the weaknesses of prejudice and discrimination the pragmatic application is to just serve one another. The Savior Jesus Christ said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40.
For Pioneer Day, there will be a Just Serve Tent led by Kevin Christiansen. They will have materials to make NEGU JOY JARS. This is a non-profit pediatric cancer organization. Officially “Never Ever Give Up” gives these plastic jars filled with hospital approved toys and fun things to children battling cancer in all 50 states and over 50 countries.
NEGU is not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We embrace their generous goals to show sick and suffering children that people care. When we serve someone or alongside someone, whom we don’t even know, surprisingly compassion and love grow exponentially in our heart. The act of kindness in a world of differences results in unifying our diversities enabling us to achieve the ethereal Godly love for one another.
Special demonstrations by the California History Missionaries will show us how to make handmade butter, which you can taste on homemade sourdough bread. Also, learn rope making the pioneer way. These skills may come in handy, when the power is out or the Wi-Fi is down.
Shared games, activities, food, and service projects create bonding experiences and friendships in our diverse community. Everyone is welcome to join us to commemorate the pioneers who persevered to establish a western frontier to live freely and worship God according to the dictates of one’s conscience.
Submitted By: Ululani Cook
Interfaith Council of Greater Santa Margarita.
