Pioneer Messages

By Kenzi Parsons

Pioneers came to the Salt Lake Valley from many different countries, speaking lots of different languages. To help people learn to speak and write English, Brigham Young and others created a new alphabet! It had 38 letters, and each letter stood for a different sound in English.

Figure out the two messages. Check your answers below.

Deseret Alphabet

Remember, each symbol stands for a sound, not a letter.

Use the Deseret Alphabet to write your own message:

____________________________________________________________________________

Find the chart for this activity on the PDF online or in the magazine.

Horseshoe Cookies

Mix 1/2 cup butter or margarine, 1/2 cup shortening, 2 cups flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds, and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Knead together well. Shape into horseshoes and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes. Roll in sugar.

The Hop, Step, and Jump Game

This is a game that any pioneer (including you!) could play. It’s also known as the triple jump.

Mark a starting line, then walk 18 steps and mark a takeoff line.
Run from the starting line to the takeoff line.
Hop forward off of one foot and then land on the same foot.
Step forward and land on the other foot.
Jump from that foot and land on both feet to finish.

Practice doing these 3 things as one continuous motion and see how far you can go. Measure the distance from the takeoff line to where you land.

Answers: God loves me; Reading the Friend is fun!