This is the day – Pioneer Day 1977 – when Utahns commemorate the arrival of the first company of Mormon Pioneers in Great Salt Lake Valley 130 years ago. Actually, many Utahns will do their celebrating tomorrow, to be observed widely as a holiday since the anniversary falls on Sunday. Typically, numerous communities of the state are holding “Twenty-Fourth-of-July” commemorations. The biggest one here in Utah County is at Spanish Fork – the annual Fiesta Days. The pioneers who settled in Salt Lake Valley – ”a thousand miles from anywhere” – made the “desert blossom as a rose,” Through their thrift and industry, they laid the foundation for an inland empire that has become widely envied. Possibly the pioneers of 1847 would be surprised by the flourishing state of today, but we have an idea it would be a happy surprise for the most part. Succeeding generations have expanded on their work developed business and industry, fostered education and culture, and progressed on some fronts the pioneers perhaps could not have foreseen, True there are problems, things to be accomphished – pollution to tame, poverty to deal with, social and moral challenges, buildings to build, payrolls to develop, cultural activities to promote. But generally Utah can look back on 130 years of satisfying growth and progress. Perhaps unlike any other state, Utah was founded as a spiritual empire. Religion was the prime motivator. Others went on to California to find wealth in gold and land, but generally the Mormons stayed with the soil and its own home industries in Ut ah Territory, The widsom of this, in keeping with the goals of the pioneer leadership, has been evident. Today, Utah’s own holiday, is a good time to reflect on the objectives, sacrifices, and accomplishments of the pioneers and to borrow from them qualities that can help us meet the challenges of today.