THE PIONEERS WERE A CULTURALLY DIVERSE GROUP, gathered together from many nations. Yankees, Southerners, British, and Scandinavians made up the majority of the people. Though their backgrounds varied, a universal value held by the early settlers was education. Determined and diligent, they continually sought to increase their understanding of the world and improve their circumstances. Shortly after arriving in Central Utah, the pioneers built schools for their children. By 1900, the pioneers had built and maintained schools in all of their settlements, all free to the public.
The pioneers’ interest in learning encompassed a broad range of temporal and spiritual knowledge. Religious texts, such as the Bible and the Book of Mormon, were widely studied. In 1877, the pioneers began constructing the Manti Temple, a place of learning where pioneers could seek further knowledge and enlightenment from the Lord.
« Previous
Next »