The Pilot Light

 

            Always, with our souls replete with appreciation and love, that we petition our Father in Heaven to abundantly sanctify the arduous labors of a small handful, of diligent men and women who have been for a very long time “The Pilot Light” of the Mormon Battalion Legacy.  They have ensured that the light of  “hope” so burns that the story of the Mormon Battalion, the Lord’s faithful, be not forgotten.  From the plains of Council Bluffs (Kanesville) to the deserts of Arizona to California, to the mountains of Utah, we find the diligent few working by day, by night on their various Battalion projects.  This arduous work conveys the intent of an Old Testament text.  “THE SUBSTANCE OF A DILIGENT MAN (AND WOMAN) IS PRECIOUS.”

 

                Given the many years of arduous labor, by the precious few, appreciation should prevent criticism in any form of those who serve to keep the small light burning in behalf of the Mormon Battalion historical legacy of its faithfulness to it’s Church and the United States of America.

 

                The beautiful day must arrive, and we earnestly pray soon, that the Lords appointed leaders shall eminently light the full and complete story of the Lord’s faithful by every medium available in culmination of the prophecy:  “As the Lord lives, you (Mormon Battalion) will never be forgotten, but will be held in honorable remembrance for ever and ever”.  Unfortunately, in very large measure, the great legacy of the Mormon Battalion is unknown or forgotten by so many.

 

                The resonating spirit that was promised by Malachi is stamped indelible upon our souls.  “And he [Elijah] shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers”.  So it is, within the framework of this prophecy, that with a firm mind and conviction that the Lord’s faithful, the Mormon Battalion men and women, residing in heaven are very grateful for our diligent devotion to service in their behalf who faithfully obeyed the Prophet and the Council of Twelve at a very tumultuous time in history.  A great historian, Robert O. Day, provided this inspirational thought:  “ True to it’s motto [The Mormon Battalion -- A ram in the thicket] was a symbol provided by a loving caring God, was offered for the good it would do as a sacrifice for the whole of the body of Christ’s Church.  When the Lord called forth for the needed sacrifice, over five hundred faithful sons responded.  “HERE AM I”.  Continuing his writing  “Those who marched and those who waited, exercised the great faith and dedication that exemplified the Lord’s meaning of faithfully “endured to the end”.

 

                Recently, a newspaper article was published “Vineyard Celebrates 150 years of History” by the Daily Harold, Provo, Josephine Zimmerman on a Mormon Battalion man, Shadrack Holdway.  He was sent by Brigham Young to settle Lakeview, which is now covering part of the Orem City, Utah.  The Mayor, Rulon Ganunon, made these observations.  “This land was redeemed from swamps and sagebrush and turned into one of the largest industry complexes in the inter-mountain west.  Vineyard Town has a wonderful heritage and as we continue to enjoy the comforts of life in this quiet community, the age-old thought comes to mind that we all drink from the wells we did not drill, and we all cross bridges we did not build.  May we cherish the sacrifices, the hard work, and the blood, sweat and tears of these hard working families that have helped to provide what we enjoy here today – Thank You Shadrack Holdway, Mormon Battalion Man.”

 

                To the precious few, which I’m sure are discouraged from time to time, who are faithful in keeping the “PILOT LIGHT” burning in behalf of the Mormon Battalion legacy that shall not be blotted out by time.  We enjoin with gratitude and love of those in heaven for you who have served so long and faithfully.  Keep up the good work and never give up.

 

 

Major Robert Pettegrew Paul

Enlistment Officer and Fund Raising Chairman

For the Mormon Battalion Home