Three Days of Pioneer Stories at the Visitors' Center

3 Nephi 22:13

And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Over 1,000 children visited the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center  from July 24th through July 26th.  They were taught about the faith of pioneer ancestors, sang songs, and participated in pioneer activities.  Children, with their parents, grandparents and friends came to the event.  Many wore pioneer dress and enjoyed interacting with the sister missionaries as they went on an imaginary "Pioneer Trek", and heard stories from the past.

Pioneer missionaries from New Zealand, Utah, Peru, Germany and Tonga prepare for the Story Hour

The children taught by missionaries from Peru and Utah

Missionaries from New Zealand and Utah

Singing "If you're happy and you know it, Push your cart!"

On the "Pioneer Trek"

Arizona Mesa Missionaries bring friends and participate

Pictures to color of "Betsy Buttons" and "Buster Buttons"

Elder and Sister Ballard share their love while "shepherding" the little ones

A family affair for many who attended

Little Pioneers

Utah and Peruvian sisters welcome children

Children enjoy posing with pioneer sisters

Three remarkable missionaries move ahead to a new adventure

Las Vegas will be a happier place when Sister Weedman arrives

 Sister Avanesjan will bring love and light to Germany

Sister Brown will bring her energy and gifts to St. George

24th of July at the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center

The first Pioneer Day Story Hour at the Mesa Visitors' Center brought over 600 guests on the first day to celebrate the the faith and courage of Pioneer ancestors who have inspired us to follow in their footsteps.

Sister Embley, Rios, Tingey and Duffin pose by the campfire before telling their Pioneer stories

What a wonderful sight!  

Sister Brown leads the children in singing "Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked". 

Sister Duffin poses with children after leading them on a "Pioneer Trek"
"We're going to be a pioneer
What a beautiful day!
We can't wait!"

Sister Avanesjan and Greene pose with little pioneers

Children color pictures of Betsy Buttons and Buster Buttons after hearing the story of the young pioneer girl Liza, and her doll, Betsy Buttons

Sister Younce prepares the crafts for the children complete with button eyes

Sister Grown, Embley, Duffin Rios, Elder Andrus, Sister Tingey and Avanesjan celebrate our heritage

Lots of fun and action following the stories before the children leave with a piece of saltwater taffy

Children heard the story of the faith of Sister Tingey's ancestors crossing the plains

The children love to pose with the "pioneer" sisters

Sister Jeppson, Pickett, Brown, Grow, Avanesjan, Finau and Greene

   

Elder and Sister Andrus have a wonderful pioneer heritage

Sister Weedman and Embley and Elder and Sister Cameron enjoy the excitement of so many children coming to the Visitors' Center for the Pioneer Day Story Hour

Farewell breakfast July 2014

We reluctantly say good-by to sisters who are loved by all

Egg McMuffins and and fruit cups on the menu

Sisterhood - Sister Tingey, Weedman, Finau, Avanesjan, Beaudette and Orr

Sister Brown, Thompson, Taumarawa and Luna

Sister Castillo, Jeppson and Rios

Sister Brown and Luna

Sister Duffin, Pickett and Embley

Sister Mayorca, Hourrutiner, Younce and Leon 

Sister Avanesjan, Sister Weedman, and Sister Brown

Friendships that will last through life

Pioneer Day Story Hour

Primary Children are invited to come to the Mesa Arizona Visitors' Center on July 24th, 25th or 26th at 10 a.m. for an hour of pioneer stories, songs and activity to celebrate the pioneer heritage of all those who have ventured to a new place or way of life in search of religious liberty.  Mesa Arizona has a rich history of pioneers who settled this area, and eventually helped in building the Mesa Temple.

Sister Rios, from Peru, teaches children that all who have the faith to change their lives are pioneers.

July in Mesa Arizona

July in Mesa brings the Monsoon season, and spectacular sunsets

July Birthdays at the Visitors' Center

Elder Cameron, Sister Avanesjan, Sister Thompson and Sister Castillo celebrate July Birthdays

Birthday Celebrations

4th of July 2014

Sisters Brons, Tingey and Brown celebrate in similar style!

Brother T. brings his usual cheer to the sisters in the Visitors' Center

Sisters Younce and Sister Grow create a cake with Sister Cameron as part of "hospitality"

Sister Leon, Sister Brons and Sister Castillo anticipate the cake to be served!

Sister Del Valle, Sister Frischknecht, and Sister Paries teach in the Visitors' Center on the 4th of July

Sisters Younce, Brown, Embley, Tingey Weedman, Cameron, Orr, Brons, Beaudette and Duffin add the Red White and Blue!