This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

My wife and I just served four days as "Ma and Pa" for a "family" of nine Mormon teenagers in a Pioneer Trek organized by our LDS stake. Our family pulled a 19th century-style handcart along part of the Mormon/Oregon/California trail in Wyoming, where the Willie and Martin Handcart Companies suffered extreme hardship in 1856. I was nearly overcome with emotion as we sat at the summit of Rocky Ridge contemplating their profound sacrifice and felt deep gratitude for the faith heritage bequeathed me by my own Mormon pioneer ancestors.

Later, in the sheltered meadows of Rock Creek Hollow, we visited the grave site of 15 Willie Company Pioneers. I noticed two other unmarked grave sites nearby and asked our hosts, an LDS senior missionary couple, who was buried there. "All we know is that those are pioneer graves," they answered. I asked which Mormon pioneer company the graves were attributed to. Their response was kindly chastening. "Those are pioneer graves. Approximately 500,000 pioneers traversed this trail until the coming of the railroad in 1869. Only about 70,000 of those were Mormon pioneers."

I felt embarrassed by my narrow, parochial perspective of the historic trail I had just walked. This was the trail of virtually all pioneers who joined in the great 19th century westward migration to build the foundations of the modern American west. The admonition of the Old Testament Prophet Joshua to the children of Israel in the Promised Land came into my mind in the voice of a half million courageous pioneers:

"[We] have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat." Joshua 24:13

Sean P. Means, in his July 23, 2015, Salt Lake Tribune column, "Pioneer Day should reflect all of Utah's people," observed:

"The Days of '47 Parade and its related events are reflecting an increasingly narrow band of Utah culture — one in which many in the wide spectrum of Utah's residents don't see themselves. … there are plenty of Utahns — non-Mormons, non-practicing 'cultural' Mormons and members of other groups — who are left out."

As a result, a parallel holiday has emerged in Utah. Brad Tuttle, in his Money.com article of the same date, entitled "Best Made-Up Holiday Ever? Celebrate 'Pie and Beer Day' on Friday," explains that "around a decade ago groups of (presumably non-Mormon) friends began hosting 'Pie and Beer' Day parties as an alternative, to have some fun and make the most of what's traditionally been a day off from work."

Pie and Beer Day sounds like a lot of fun. If root beer is available, I will definitely join in. However, the above articles left me pondering on how Utah's Pioneer Day and its Days of '47 Parade in particular might be reframed to become more inclusive of all Utahns. Here are some ideas for consideration of the Days of '47 Parade organizers:

1. Recruit non-Mormons to join the parade organizing committee.

2. Refocus the parade on a theme of gratitude relevant to all Utahns.

3. Change the parade name to broaden the scope of Utah pioneers that it celebrates. See http://historytogo.utah.gov/ for background on non-Mormon pioneers who contributed to the foundation of modern Utah, e.g., explorers, trappers and miners of myriad ethnicities; founders of Catholic and Episcopal churches/schools/hospitals/charities; Jewish and African-American community leaders; Forty-Niners who stayed and working women.

4. Tighten the rules for floats to ensure they are all relevant to honoring the broad spectrum of 18th and 19th century Utah pioneers, both Mormons and non-Mormons

5. Recruit non-Mormon organizations to contribute floats that celebrate their own pioneer heritage.

Days of '47 Parade organizers and Pie and Beer Day organizers may choose to continue in their divergent paths, which is of course their right. However, the parties do not get to choose the consequences of their choices.

This divergence will naturally increase the division between Mormons and non-Mormons in Utah.

Instead, let's take the opportunity put the growing religious divide associated with Utah's Pioneer Day behind us by diligently seeking to reach out to and include each other in mutual celebrations of gratitude for all our Utah pioneers.

Chuck Clark currently directs Elsevier's SLC-based medical publishing team, collaborates with his wife in fostering inclusive community events for their Avenues neighborhood and enjoys his grandchildren.