Delphinium

July 24, 1847 the first group of Mormon pioneers reached the Salt Lake valley that would become their home. Driven by religious persecution from a land founded on religious freedom, they had braved all manner of danger and hardship to come to a land that promised more of both. Many of them left comfortable homes in the East where they would have been safe if they would denounce their faith. Many were buried in shallow graves by the way. Yet somehow when the pioneers looked out on this treeless, friendless landscape they rejoiced and set to work making the desert “blossom as the rose.” They built homes, churches, mills, social halls and temples; not necessarily in that order. They dug wells and irrigation canals to provide water. They planted gardens, orchards and fields of grain. They laid out wide, straight roads. More importantly they set an example to future generations of unshaken faith and undaunted spirit.