The Days of ‘47 Parade, Salt Lake City’s decades-old celebration of pioneer grit, has met the same fate as many other similar events across the country as the world struggles to make sense of a global health crisis. In this it has company: Utah also canceled the parade during both world wars and has had to adjust activities during difficult times. In all instances, overwhelmingly volatile and uncertainty dynamics, along with the threat of danger, pervaded what used to be even the most benign tasks.
Mark Johnson, in his book “Lead From the Future” uses an Army term, “VUCA,” which stands for “Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous.” Current circumstances within the COVID-19 pandemic have certainly placed individuals, communities and countries in a VUCA age. Johnson posited that the ability to navigate VUCA was the test of true leadership in a crisis.
That’s also an apt description of the entirety of every pioneer journey.
Every day crossing the vast American wilderness was an adventure in dealing with the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Keeping wagons working, livestock moving, stretching rations, crossing rough terrain and enduring tempestuous weather, not to mention dealing with physical fatigue, illness and death was typical.
The very best laid plans were quickly crushed by unforeseen circumstances.
William Clayton was among those struggling across the plains in the first company. He experienced the full measure of all the pioneering challenges.
Clayton had left his wife, Diantha, with others in Nauvoo as she was a little more than a month from delivering her first child. The first weeks on the trail were hard on all the pioneers. The weather was bitterly cold, it rained or snowed almost constantly, making the dusty trail turn to thick mud, and sickness was everywhere. Clayton had been ill with horrible chest pain and discomfort for over two weeks.
One morning, Clayton arose to find his animals scattered and his camp in a mess. Then, almost as a gift, he received word that Diantha had given birth to a “fat” and healthy baby boy on the March 30.
In his journal, he wrote, “Truly I feel to rejoice at this intelligence.” The next day, with the perspective that despite all the uncertainty, danger and difficulty, William composed a song, which he called “All is Well!” He concluded his journal entry, “This morning I composed a new song,” “… I feel to thank my Heavenly Father for my boy.”
Clayton’s song, ultimately titled, “Come, Come, Ye Saints” became an anthem to the pioneers. It put to words the compelling feeling in the hearts of all the pioneers to press forward and not lose faith despite the daily difficulties.
Pioneering in any area, from crossing the wilderness to entrepreneurial endeavors, scientific discovery to pursuing societal progress requires the ability to persevere through extraordinary obstacles. Adapting and adjusting, rerouting and reevaluating plans are all part of the discipline of pioneering.
In the midst of the novel coronavirus, this July 24 may actually be more like early pioneer celebrations than anything in decades. The parade canceled, plans for big celebrations changed, worry about vulnerable loved ones high, and coping with the uncertainty about what the future might bring are not all that extraordinary for pioneers.
William Clayton’s words continue to spur pioneers of every kind, not just the “Saints” of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: “Come, come, ye Saints (pioneers), no toil nor labor fear; But with joy wend your way. Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day. ‘Tis better far for us to strive our useless cares from us to drive; Do this, and joy your hearts will swell — All is well! All is well!”
We encourage all to pause and reflect today on how you and those you love are dealing with the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous elements of current circumstances. All should assess their willingness to sacrifice, serve and work to help the state and nation pioneer out of the pandemic, overcome social unrest and rebuild the economy.
We believe the VUCA pioneer journey will continue. We are confident that as every citizen unites to deal with these challenges that it truly can be well for the pioneering people of Utah. All is well!