Thankful Thursday-PIONEERS

Having just recently been a part of our youth Pioneer Trek, my gratitude for the pioneers is still fresh and deep in my heart. This "Thankful Thursday" lands on a perfect day as it is Pioneer Day, July 24. And I want to say thanks to the first pioneers of my family. I have had to do a little bit of research to find out exactly who all the first are.

George Q. Cannon
My Dad's Great Great Grandfather, George Q. Cannon, at the age of 13 and his family joined the church in 1840 in Liverpool. Soon thereafter took the journey overseas to join the saints in Nauvoo.

John Beutler and Anna Vollenweider both were baptized in Switzerland in the early 1900's and took the trek overseas to be with the saints in Nauvoo, Anna having been disowned by her family. They are my Great Grandparents.

George Isaac White Miles & Martha Elizabeth Obray Miles
My Grandma's family,(my mom's mom, Ruth Miles Morris) Miles and Obray, all immigrated from Wales in 1854. I am not sure exactly when they joined the church, but my guess is before 1854. They spent alot of time in Canada.

My Mom's Great Great Grandparents on the Morris side came from England, Salt Lake City, Switzerland & Australia; but, mostly settled in Newhouse, Beaver & Milford Utah where they were baptized in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

Isaac Morley
Steve's Great Great Great Grandfather, Isaac Morley, was converted to the church by Oliver Cowdery and his missionary companions in Ohio in 1830.

Hurricane Pioneers
I think it goes as far back as Steve's Father's Grandparents,George & Lilly (Petty) Spendlove; Great Grandparents, Lorenzo & Ellen (Isom) Spendlove and Frank & Sarah (Brown) Petty; and his Great Great Grandparents, John & Mary (Davies) Spendlove who were some of the first pioneers of Hurricane, Utah. The Spendloves all came from England.

So what I am trying to say is that I have alot to be thankful for on this Pioneer Day. For as George Q. Cannon said, "All that I am Mormonism has made me!"
Our great heritage is full of strength, conviction and a love of our Savior that has blessed my life and the lives of my children and for that I am so grateful.
HAPPY PIONEER DAY!