August 13, 2011 our Stake celebrated Pioneer Day. Yes we know it wasn't July 24th, but we're out to prove that we don't always have to conform. They did a fantastic job in depicting the City of Joseph, the Mormon Battalion and Sutter Fort, where gold was discovered and we even had our own shortened version of the handcart trek.
Me and my counselors - in our sandals, sunglasses and cell phones, standing in front of the Nauvoo Temple.
Logan looking over his family history, which lead to them trying to recruit us to join the Mormon Battalion and the Daughter of the Utah Pioneers. Tempting, but the timings not right and my hair is too short.
Logan and more little girls who just love him, so long as he takes them for a ride.
And that day lead to this - we were invited to the DUP luncheon and guest speaker who spoke about the Mormon's coming to California and their participation in the Gold Rush. When mom and dad were serving in Nauvoo, mom came across some information on Logan's Great Great Great Grandfather, Wilford Heath Hudson, who was a member of the Mormon Battalion and was at Sutter Fort when gold was discovered.
Wilford Hudson and Sydney Willis set out to go "Hunt Deer" near the American River where they discovered gold on a sandbar in the middle of the American River which would later be known as Mormon Island. This was the beginning of the Gold Rush, bringing others from the Mormon Battalion and settlers from the San Francisco area into the Folsom area in search of their fortune.
This plaque was erected in 1957 by the DUP telling the story of Sydney Willis and Wilford Hudson and their part in the gold discovery and the settlement of Mormon Island.
We feel as if we were guided to the area where we live now, which is just a few miles from the original Mormon Island coming full circle in this part of the Harper family history. Now if only Wilford Hudson had laid claim to some of this beautiful land....but then again, we may not have been rich in the gospel which is treasure beyond measure.
