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Summarized by Kent Larsen
Pioneer Day Celebrated, Noted Elsewhere
Lawrence KS Journal-World 23Jul00 N6
By Calder Pickett
NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- As Mormonism's Utah minority anticipated the approach
of its Jul 24th celebration of Pioneer Day, the majority of Mormons
celebrated the arrival of the pioneers on Saturday at Church activities and
on Sunday in Church services. Keeping with the LDS Church's suggestion two
years ago to commemorate the Mormon Trek with service activities, many LDS
congregations included service projects with their picnics and other
activities.
The day was also recognized in the media, as the New York Times included the
arrival of the Mormon pioneers in its "On This Day" column. Other this day
in history columns around the US also recognized the day.
The Lawrence Kansas Journal-World carried the reminisces of columnist Calder
Pickett, who grew up in Utah. Pickett says that Pioneer Day celebrations
there were once bigger than those for the 4th of July, involving rodeos,
parades and carnivals, and involved communities in Utah and Arizona as well
as those in Utah.
Pickett also recommends two histories of the Mormon Trek, observing, "you
don't have to be a Mormon to be an admirer of Brigham Young and what he
accomplished." He says that among the best descriptions of the trek are
Wallace Stegner's "Gathering of Zion" and Bernard de Voto's "The Year of
Decision: 1846."
Source:
July 24 holiday meaningful to Mormons
Lawrence KS Journal-World 23Jul00 N6
By Calder Pickett
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More about "The Gathering of Zion" at Amazon.com