PIONEERING YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW
Official Newsletter of the
National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers
November 2009, Volume 5, Number 11
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
What makes for consistent involvement in SUP? What makes a strong chapter? There must be a certain level of commitment, within the constraints of time and other interests, which must be developed. Commitment usually doesn’t come immediately, but gradually. As I see it, there are several factors which contribute to the nature of commitment.
The first, and most important factor, is that of enjoyment, perhaps as a spectator at first, partaking of the planned events. Why attend the monthly meetings, conventions/encampments, treks/tours, etc., if they aren’t enjoyable? Obviously, some participate out of social/peer pressure; but after participating in a chapter activity, members find it enjoyable because of the positive feelings of fun and pleasure which usually follow. It’s my opinion that enjoyment is the strongest predictor of SUP commitment.
A second factor would be opportunities to serve to become involved in expanding interests, continuing education and developing friendships among members. The more involvement in SUP activities, the greater the SUP commitment.
A third factor would be personal investments of time, money and talents. For those who would like to participate in the organization, there are many facets which lend themselves to member’s talents and time. This type of commitment comes in the form of serving as an officer, a board member, or an involved chapter member working on a service project. It has been my personal experience that the more devotion as an officer in SUP, the greater the SUP commitment.
In order for a chapter to succeed, it takes three to five percent of the members to put back into the chapter in leadership roles. Committed members become givers of time and human energy rather than just takers/spectators of the planned activities. Spread the leadership roles to other members of the chapter and they will gain a greater commitment to the SUP.
Many thanks to those who are actively serving in leadership roles; also, many thanks to those who have served and continue to be active in SUP activities.
Roger C. Flick
2009 National President
rogerflick@comcast.net
NATIONAL NEWS
Send national news to: boothmaycock@comcast.net
LIFE MEMBER DUES INCREASE At the October 18th National Board Meeting a proposal was made to increase Life Member dues from $300 to $500. This would be paid in two annual payments. The discussion that followed appeared to be much in favor of this change following the National Member dues increase to $50. The proposal will be voted on at the November Board meeting. Word evidently got around about the proposal because there has been a notable increase in Life Member applications.
CHRISTMAS DINNER The December Board meeting will be held on December 8th at 5 p.m. followed by the annual Christmas dinner at 6 p.m. for National Officers, National Directors, Area Vice Presidents, National Office staff and the spouses of all of the above. Dinner will be $10 per person. There will be a special program for the ladies during the one hour Board meeting. Guests will be treated to special holiday entertainment during the dinner.
MEMBER SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVEMENT REQUESTED National President Elect Dil Strasser has made a request to the membership for suggestions on how the National Officers and Office can better serve the membership. Any and all suggestions can be forwarded by e-mail to SUP1847@comcast.net or by direct mail.
WEB SITE CHANGES Our National web site is being updated and expanded. The new format will use a new home page that will be more userfriendly by providing additional icon titles that can easily be cross referenced without going back to the home page. One of the reasons for change was to provide the opportunity to include the large amount of material left over from each issue of the Pioneer Magazine. The new format should be online by the first of the year. More detailed information will be provided prior to that happening. This will include the appointment of a new Web-master and a new National Director of Web Sites.
SWEETWATER RESCUE MURAL Those who attended the Richfield Annual Convention should remember the attractive mural and display showing, in a detailed map 4’ x 14’, the efforts of those pioneers who carried out the “Sweetwater Rescue” of the trapped handcart companies. The mural has appropriate time notations of the various activities involved in that heroic effort. This most attractive and informative mural has been given to SUP by its researcher and creator, Kent Parsons. Kent is a member of the Sevier Valley Chapter and a resident of Monroe, Utah. The mural will be appropriately framed and hung on a wall on the lower level at National Headquarters. We are most thankful for Kent’s generous contribution for the benefit of our members.
ANNUAL HISTORICAL SYMPOSIUM On October 10, SUP presented the 2009 Annual Historical Symposium with the theme “Railroading in Utah”. Members and guests were enlightened on this historical subject by four wellinformed presenters.
Michael Burdett gave a presentation on “Railroading Through the Transcontinental Railroad”. Michael is Chairman of the Railway and Locomotive Historical Society.
Richard O. Cowan spoke on “Railroading and the L.D.S. Church”. Richard is a Professor of History at B.Y.U. He has a special interest in railroading.
Richard C. Roberts addressed the history of the Central Railroad which was a key player in accomplishing the first transcontinental railroad.
Guests were later favored with a sumptuous dinner and speaker, Don Strack, who gave the history of railroading in the Utah Territory. Don is a respected author of several books concerning various aspects of railroading.
CHAPTER NEWS
By Louis Pickett: louwill@utahbroadband.com
BRIGHAM YOUNG (Provo, Utah) For the October chapter meeting Michael Kennedy was the guest speaker. He is the president of the Joseph and Emma Smith Association. Brother Kennedy was the first descendent of Joseph Smith ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood and the first male from that family to receive his temple endowments. He is an executive producer of “The Times and Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” and the movie “Emma Smith, My Story.” Mike works in the Information Technology field and is currently the president of the Salt Lake City chapter of InfraGard, which collaborates with the FBI in increasing the security of the U.S. critical infrastructures.
BOX ELDER (Brigham City, Utah) Under the direction of Duane Phippen the chapter entered an impressive float in the Brigham City Peach Days Parade. This is an annual event and gives the chapter an opportunity to display their mission and talents and hopefully attract potential new members. This year the float contained both the chapter’s handcart (above left) and the newly built log cabin (below). This cabin will become a display in the Christmas Village. The float was carried by a truck and trailer provided by “Frances Trucking”. David Phippen and Robin Williams were on the float pulling the handcart. Jace Bodrero was sitting on the handcart and Kareste Dixon was at the doorway of the cabin.
CEDAR CITY (Cedar City, Utah) Elder Steven Snow from St. George was the speaker at the “Fireside with a General Authority”, held at the Rock Church in September. In addition to other assignments he has served in an Area Presidency in Africa. His subject was the “Hole in the Rock” and he gave a very interesting power point presentation. Entertainment for the program was by the “Master Singers”. On Saturday, September 26th the chapter went on a trek to Page Ranch. The well informed guide for this trek was Gerald R. Shirrett, the current mayor of Cedar City and a former president of S.U.U. Page Ranch, in days gone by, was an inn and stage coach stop on the “Old Spanish Trail”. To add to its history, it was occupied by ten Japanese families during W.W. II who lived there and worked the land as truck farmers. These families were from the West coast and would have otherwise been interned at Topaz or some other relocation center. A musical program was provided by a local singing group at the October chapter meeting. It was a business meeting where candidates for next year’s officers gave their campaign speeches and the elections were conducted. (Steve Correy will serve as president elect in 2010)
CENTERVILLE (Centerville, Utah) The Wagon Wheel dinner and program was enjoyed by the chapter members in September. The program, food and weather were all great. The program was a musical by the “Harmonaires”. This is a vocal group and includes members of the chapter, which made it even more enjoyable to listen to and see. Dil Strasser, the National President Elect, was present and made some comments on the program. The dinner program in October featured Clive Romney. His message emphasized preserving pioneer history, skills and art forms. It is concerning that unless we tell the story of the pioneers, the younger generation will not know of the contributions they made that bless our lives today. Clive entertains with music as he delivers his message. All who attended enjoyed the program and went away with a message that we must do something to remember and memorialize the pioneers and their values.
COTTON MISSION (St. George, Utah) On October 10th the chapter participated in a trek to some local historical sites. They first went to the Quail Creek Water Treatment Plant where Mason Leavitt led the group on a tour and explained the processes involved in assuring high quality water for the consumers. Mr. Leavitt is one of the plant operators. Another stop by the group was at the Old Pioneer Cemetery in Harrisburg. There they were told the history of, and struggles faced, by those who settled the area. The next stop was in 
Silver Reef where the group visited the old Wells Fargo Building and Museum. (above right) Lunch was enjoyed at the Cosmopolitan Restaurant while the museum manager, Anette Densley, (left) discussed the history of Silver Reef. The final stop on the trek was at Toquerville where Bob Olson, a historian and former city official, discussed the early wine making history of the area and conducted a tour of the building, which is still standing, and which housed the wine making operation. Several members of the chapter attended, and enjoyed, the National Convention in Ogden and look forward to hosting it in St. George next year. Representative of their chapter delegation in Ogden was President Elect Roland Lee and his wife, Nellie (below right).
HOLLADAY (Holladay, Utah) Members of the chapter were particularly pleased with the National Convention and thank the Ogden chapter for their work to make it special. In October Joyce Smith gave a power point presentation showing and telling about her extensive work and study of archeology. She is very knowledgeable of the pyramids of Egypt and other areas of the world where they are found. Her presentation included pictures of the interior of pyramids showing considerable symbolism which represents progression through three steps in the plan of salvation. It is obvious that the pyramids are not just for the burial of the kings, but seem to be temples of the ancients. The meeting was very interesting and educational.
HURRICANE VALLEY (Hurricane, Utah) Information about the Mormon Battalion was given by Nick Scholzen and others from that organization (left) at the October chapter meeting. Much of the history of the organization was shared, including the fact that Brigham Young was instrumental in having members of the church enlist in the army. The immediate benefit was the provision of money (about $70,000) to help finance the movement of the saints from Winter Quarters to the Salt Lake Valley. The approximately 2,000 mile trek stands as the longest military march in U.S. 
history. As the Battalion was leaving the main body of the church Brigham Young promised them that if they lived their lives as the Lord would have them none of them would die by the hand of the enemy they were called to fight. This promise was fulfilled and the only battle they had to fight was one they called the “Battle of the Bulls”. They made great contributions in San Diego and other cities in California. Some of the LDS members were present at Sutter’s Mill when gold was discovered. Visuals such as swords, guns, maps, etc were displayed to add interest to the presentation. They also showed a Buffalo skull neckerchief slide (left) that they present when young men receive their Eagle Scout recognition. It was a great meeting,
JORDAN RIVER TEMPLE (Southwest Salt Lake Valley) The chapter met with the Temple Quarry chapter and enjoyed a catered meal and program. Barbara Newman, Mrs. Utah for 2010, (left) favored the group with a vocal solo and Chapter president, Phares Horman, (below) gave a power point presentation on the subject of the Book of Mormon Geography. He pointed out that the location of Book of Mormon people covered not just Central America, but these people covered much of the South American and North American continents.
MAPLE MOUNTAIN (Mapleton, Utah) In lieu of the September meeting, chapter members in a goodly number supported the national convention in Ogden, Utah. They were pleased with the training meeting held on Thursday, the treks and the Dutch oven dinner on Friday and the business meeting and the closing dinner meeting on Saturday where it was announced that chapter president: Larry LaMar Adams (right) was the successful candidate for the position of National President Elect for 2010. Congratulations to LaMar.
MILLS (Southeast Salt Lake City, Utah) The chapter was pleased to have Elder and Sister W. Craig Zwick for the September program. Elder Zwick has served as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy since 1995. He has also served as an Area President in multiple locations of the world. Other assignments have been mission president, Assistant Executive Director of the Missionary Department, etc. The subject of the couple’s message was “Modern Pioneers”. Sister Zwick said she felt very much like a pioneer as she arrived in a new land with new challenges to face when they served in South America. Elder Zwich reported that, even though his grandfather and father did not walk across the plains, they were pioneers, accepting the gospel and taking the steps they did to show their obedience to the gospel. He identified Elder Richard G. Scott (his former mission president) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and President Thomas S. Monson as modern day pioneers and related reasons for his selection of these individuals.
OGDEN PIONEER (Ogden, Utah) Many chapter members were kept busy, especially as the date of the National Convention approached. All who attended the convention felt that Ogden did a great job of hosting and wish to thank them for their work. In spite of the attention required on the convention the chapter participated in two treks this season. First was a trip to the Tuachan Theater in Utah’s Dixie. The second trek was taken on October 19th to the New Church History Library in Salt Lake City. This was a nice follow-up to the message of Richard E.Turley Jr. who was a guest speaker at the convention and who talked about the library.
PIONEER HERITAGE (Southeast Salt Lake City, Utah) In 1998 the chapter and the Huettinger family donated a beautiful granite marker at the grave of Mahonri Moriancumer Calhoon who is buried in what is now the Murray City Cemetery. He was the son of Reynolds Calhoon, a friend of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Reynolds asked the prophet to give his infant son a name and blessing. It was on that occasion that the name of the brother of Jared was made known. Under assignment from the chapter, Bruce Newbold visited the site and found that the ground under the marker had settled and the marker was leaning heavily to one side. The chapter monument committee has now corrected signs of stress and wear on the monument and, thanks to the city of Murray, the marker has been righted and stands as evidence that today’s pioneers remember and honor those of the past.
SALT LAKE CITY (Salt Lake City, Utah) In September the chapter was pleased to hear from B.Y.U. professor Ronald W. Walker. He is a professional historian and told the background of each of the major characters who were prominent in the coming of Johnson’s Army to “subdue the rebellious Mormons.” He explained the assignments that were given by the different governmental officers as to their responsibilities in the military and civil operations. He also reported how Colonel Kane came to the aid of the Saints. The October meeting featured Stephen Hewlett Smoot who presented the saga of the Reed Smoot Hearings and his battle to be seated in the U.S. Senate.
SALT LAKE PIONEER (Salt Lake City, Utah) The chapter’s annual “Father – Daughter Luncheon” was held in September. This is the occasion where special tribute is paid to the ladies who add so much to our lives. Lucy Grant Cannon Taylor was the speaker (She is the wife of chapter member Frank Taylor and the granddaughter of two church presidents.) She spoke about “Pioneer Women, their Core Values and Vital importance to the New Women Pioneers of Our Challenging Age”.
SQUAW PEAK (Orem, Utah) Mark Stoner was the presenter for the September meeting and gave a power point presentation about facts and events surrounding Palmyra, New York. Mark was born and raised in that area and had first hand information on his subject. Members of his family lived there from the early 1800’s until the present. While we have heard much of the circumstances that brought the Smith family to Palmyra, Mark took the approach of how Palmyra was founded and prepared for the Smith’s arrival. He reported on events regarding the Smith family and their farm. He also told of finding of Alvin Smith’s grave. Some additional land was purchased by the family where the Log home was built. He told interesting stories about some family experiences. His presentation included pictures, which added interest and understanding. The October meeting featured Scott Barrick, the General Manager of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Scott told the group what the requirements are to join the choir. He also spoke of some of the tours the choir has taken plus other interesting information including some future plans for the choir. Scott pleased the group by singing “Danny Boy”. The meeting was well attended and the program was enjoyed by all.
TAYLORSVILLE – BENNION (Taylorsville, Utah) John Rockwell was the speaker at the October chapter meeting. He is a great grandson of Orrin Porter Rockwell. John shared many pictures of Porter’s homes, ranches and personal photographs. He also told some interesting stories about his life. He was born in Massachusetts in 1813. It was reported that he was baptized by his long time childhood friend, Joseph Smith, and became the ninth member of the church. Once when Porter was attending a Christmas party at the prophet’s home Joseph told him that as long as he remained loyal and true to his faith he need not fear any enemy. “Cut not thy hair and no bullet can harm thee”. There are many stories of Porter killing men as a gunfighter. However, many of the stories contradict each other since he could not have been in so many places at the same time. It was reported that Porter said he “never killed anyone who didn’t need killing.” He had an undying loyalty to the Prophet Joseph Smith and to Brigham Young. It was a very interesting evening for those in attendance.
TEMPLE FORK (Logan, Utah) In August chapter members enjoyed a program where Bruce Crane (right) spoke. Bruce is a certified antique appraiser and a teacher of history at Logan High School. The group was told that there are different categories of what we call antiques. They are as follows: Collectables – these are things that people have that are really old, which their children wouldn’t have but their grandchildren think are “cool”. Vintage– These are older, and belonged to past family members. Antiques – Items that are 90 –100 years old - in the Western U.S. world. Bruce said that not everything antique is valuable. The chapter participated in a trek in August as they visited the Golden Spike National Monument. (below) There they watched the video on the construction of the transcontinental railroad and they enjoyed seeing the re-enactment of the driving of the golden spike. The trek concluded with a lunch at the Maddox restaurant.
2009 Medallions
Golden Spike
Also 2008 Headquarters
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