I’m a Pioneer Too

Author Jan Underwood Pinborough was a young child when missionaries knocked on her family’s door in Texas, USA. Her parents embraced the gospel, discussing it around the dinner table and sharing it with their neighbors. They poured concrete sidewalks for the first meetinghouse in their town and drove hundreds of miles to be sealed in the temple. Yet when their branch celebrated Pioneer Day every July 24, Jan thought that the only pioneers were people who rode in covered wagons to the Salt Lake Valley. It never occurred to her that her own family were pioneers too.

Years later, Sister Pinborough felt the desire to write a song to help children around the world understand what it means to be a pioneer—today as well as in the past. “I wanted them to know that anyone who bravely follows Jesus Christ and helps establish His gospel anywhere in the world is a pioneer,” she recalls. “And that includes them!”

Brother Michael F. Moody, who wrote the musical setting, served in missions and Church assignments with his wife all over the globe, including in the Caribbean, the Middle East, the Pacific Islands, and Africa. “Our hearts have been deeply touched by the faithfulness and devotion of today’s pioneers,” he said. “In my musical setting, I tried to capture the spirit of such pioneers.”

Find lyrics, sheet music, and recordings for I’m a Pioneer Too

Scriptures

Principles

Each of us can choose to receive the gospel and follow Jesus Christ.
We can learn from the example of the pioneers and follow the Lord’s living prophet.
We help Jesus Christ when we share the gospel message with others.
We can pray for courage like the pioneers did when they faced hard things.

Questions to Ponder

What can you do to follow the faithful example of the pioneers?
How can Jesus Christ help you do hard things like the pioneers did?
What are some ways that you can help Jesus Christ with His work?

Related Gospel Study Guides

From Topics and Questions, Gospel Library:

Activities for Families

Make a pioneer-journey obstacle course. Set up an obstacle course representing some of the challenges the pioneers faced. Children could step over “rivers” made of fabric, crawl under “stormy skies” made of chairs with a blanket over them, or carry a small “handcart” (a basket with favorite items). As each child goes through the course, play the song or sing it together. Discuss how the pioneers relied on faith, prayer, and courage—just as the song teaches.
Have a family heritage story night. Gather simple stories or pictures of ancestors who showed faith and courage. Sing the song together and talk about your ancestors’ good deeds or sacrifices they made. Discuss how their choices have blessed your family. Invite children to share their thoughts about how they can be pioneers for future generations. For ideas, review the words of the song together.