I grew up in Oregon, so Pioneer Day (July 24th) wasn’t a state holiday or big deal, but usually meant a ward service project in the morning and barbecue in the afternoon. Growing up, I enjoyed hearing stories about both kinds of pioneer heritage in my family: ancestors on my dad’s side who crossed the Atlantic ocean and later the American Plains, and my mom who joined the Church when she was 19.
In recent years, I’ve loved seeing more and more stories celebrating all kinds of pioneers, all around the world, and their contributions to their families and the Church as a whole.
Here are three modern-day pioneer women I especially enjoyed reading about:
Sister Rudá Tourinho de Assis Martins, wife of the first Black general authority in the Church
Sister Sareta Dobbs, the first Black woman to receive a mission call
Recent highlights:
Sister Wright shares about an experience she had with a young girl who has special needs: “Every child has a song in their heart that is unique to their story. Some songs are easily understood while others require additional patience and care. It is my prayer that we may seek—through the guidance of the Holy Ghost and through the inspired resources found in the Life Help section of the Gospel Library—to better understand the challenges that many of our children face so we can confidently respond with compassion, assistance, and love.”
8 quotes from Sister Craig in honor of her birthday, including this one: “Don’t let God’s gifts to you, even His less conspicuous ones, go unused or unappreciated. The gifts we each have from our Heavenly Father are meant to be used and shared; our voices meant to be heard.”
Sister Craven shares her testimony of using personal revelation to take care of her body: “Your body is a temple that houses a special, choice spirit from heaven. Heavenly Father wants us to protect it and preserve it as the precious treasure that it is, so we can ask Him for help!”
Sister Eubank joins Elder Holland in sharing about the impact of music on refugees and the Church’s partnership with the AMAR foundation (P.S. Updates on the Church’s efforts to support refugees fleeing Ukraine)
The Church News celebrates Gerry Avant, the first female editor, and the 50 years she spent writing about the Church, including documenting the ministry of 7 presidents and being present for historic occasions such as: “when the Church created its first stake deep in the Amazon in Manaus, Brazil; when the Church’s first temple in Africa was dedicated, in Johannesburg, South Africa; when President Gordon B. Hinckley and his wife, Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley, entered mainland China; and when President Thomas S. Monson and his wife, Sister Frances J. Monson, met with the king and queen of Sweden”
April 2022 General Conference Addresses:
Reyna I. Aburto - “We Are The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”
Susan H. Porter - “Lessons At The Well”
Jean B. Bingham - “Covenants with God Strengthen, Protect, and Prepare Us for Eternal Glory”
Becky L. Craven - “Do What Mattereth Most”
Amy A. Wright - “Christ Heals That Which Is Broken”
Add some inspiration to your Instagram feed:
Primary General Presidency:
Young Women General Presidency:
Relief Society General Presidency