On July 23rd the Mesa chapter of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers joined with the Visitors' Center in hosting an evening honoring Arizona Pioneers
The evening began with the Twin Fiddlers, Jason and Jared Linford
Presentations followed about the Mormon Battalion, Arizona ancestors and Arizona pioneer women
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| Sister Helen Schlie brought an original copy of the Book of Mormon for visitors to see |
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| Jason and Jared Linford - the Twin Fiddlers delighted the audience with their music |
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| Brother Owen Garner, dressed in the typical uniform worn by the Mormon Battalion, shared the story of their experience in Arizona and the significance of their contribution to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
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| The missionaries are ready for the Pioneer Day stories, songs and crafts to begin! |
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| Sister Guevara is excited for "The Great Escape" story |
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| Sister Green, Lloyd, Aguilar, Duran, Morris, Ricks and Willes are ready for the activities |
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| Sister Lund and Anderson hosted in the theaters |
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| Elder and Sister Bowers led the Campsite dance |
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| Sister McSheehy, Gonzalez, Kohler and Beach |
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| Brother Jesperson who played his harmonica in the Betsy Buttons Story with Elder and Sister Ashton |
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| Sister Wood, Ashton, Bowers and Cameron |
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Brother Garner and Elder Cameron
Elder Cameron managed the huge crowd by showing videos and "God's Plan for His Family" exhibit |
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| Sister Lopez and Stringfellow at craft table |
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| Three generations join the festivities |
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| The children participate in singing and listening to pioneer stories |
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| Betsy Buttons and Buster Buttons for coloring |
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| Sister Whitten and Smith supervise the stick pull game |
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| "I have a little Prairie dog and he won't bite you" game |
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| Pioneer girl, whose mother made 14 bonnets for the VC sisters to wear, joins the group |
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| Sister Kohler, Pajaro and Lloyd tell Betsy Buttons Story |
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| Sister Alcocer and Hernandez tell "The Great Escape" story |
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| Sister Ricks, Lund, Zamudio and Morris accompanied by Sister Embley lead Pioneer Trek story |
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| Dressed as a Mormon Battalion member, Brother Garner, with Sister Ganta |
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| Sister Helen Christensen tells of the Miracle of the Gulls |
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| Chris Webb led garden tours around the Temple Grounds |
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| Sister Preston takes a moment to rest in authentic pioneer attire |
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| Children join in the pioneer dance |
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| "Pioneer Children sang as they Walked" led by Sister Duran, Gonzalez-Calderon, Anderson, Willes and Beach |
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| Sister Beach and Pajaro |
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| Little pioneer boys |
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| Sister Gonzalez, Ventanilla and Grow sing "Little Pioneer Children" |
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| The Whirlygigs made from buttons and string |
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| Sister Ganta and Makaya help with Whirlygigs |
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| Elder Price and Green supervise "Stroller Parking" |
