President's Message in This Issue
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THE TRAIL MARKER ~ OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS 17 9 number ISSUE 193 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE This past year has been an amazing ride for me as president of the Sons of Utah Pioneers. Two years ago when I was elected as president elect I had no idea how this would play out. IN THIS ISSUE Covid-19 has caused each of us to re-write aspects of our lives, how we act, operate and BRAD'S REVIEW feel. The Sons of Utah Pioneers is no different. OF 2020 & HIS LATEST TREK We needed to be creative in our chapter PAGE meetings, treks and national activities. After 1 a year of canceled meetings, an encampment and symposium, along with last year’s 24th of UPCOMING July activities, I am happy to let you all know NATIONAL EVENTS that for the most part life in the SUP has gotten back to normal. Chapters are PAGE meeting in person, having dinners and taking treks. The national office and 2 library are open and conducting normal business. On a national level this year THE we were able to hold an in person symposium, the SUPer-DUPer Day, pull hand INDEPENDENCE carts in the 24th of July parade and are planning on a great encampment in TEMPLE LOT Rexburg later this month. Covid is still running strong, please be wise and safe. PAGE 3 You all know what to do to protect yourselves. BENJAMIN Yesterday my wife Mardee and I took a little drive to Paris Idaho and visited BENSON'S the Paris Tabernacle. This is a fascinating building with a rich pioneer history VISION OF THE that shows the faith of the early settlers in the Bear Lake area. If you are looking PAGE RESTORATION for a great afternoon trek this fall take a drive to Paris, look at the fall leaves along 5 the way and enjoy a delicious raspberry shake. Check the Paris Tabernacle web site to find their fall tour schedule. MOST RECENT I am excited about the upcoming encampment September 16-18, 2021 in NEWS OF YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER beautiful Rexburg Idaho. There are some great treks and activities planned PAGE 7 along with dinners that bring us closer together as friends and as an association. We will be announcing the results of the president elect election at the Saturday luncheon; you won’t want to miss that. Please get registered and plan on attending. We need each other to succeed. (Continued On Following Page) 1 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE TRAIL MARKER ~ OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS Being the president of the National Society of the Sons Larry Gibson will be the next president of the SUP and of Utah Pioneers for the past year has been a great honor assume responsibilities at the encampment in Rexburg. and one of the highlights of my life. I have associated with Larry is a great man with a great love of the pioneers and many of you through chapter meetings and treks, training a burning testimony of the gospel. He has a great vision events, the symposium and the week’s activities for the of the future of the SUP and we are lucky to have him. I 24th of July along with the upcoming encampment. I have look forward to continuing to serve each of you and the been able to do things I could never have done if was not Sons of Utah Pioneers as a past president for as long as I for the SUP, such as sitting next to President Dallin H. Oaks am able. I hope that is a very long time. Thank you for the and conducting the devotional at the Super/Duper Day. I opportunities you have given me and the brotherhood we have gained strength and a greater understanding of the share. Be pioneer strong and I will see you on the trail. pioneers and the heritage that they left us from each one of you. You are the backbone and strength of the SUP, never forget that. If I were to say the one thing I would like to leave with the SUP as a message it would be to write your Brad Clayton history and testimony for your family to have and cherish 2021 National President for generations to come. Just as you gain strength from the pioneers your family can gain strength from you and your testimony. alendar of vents C E 2 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE TRAIL MARKER ~ OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI On July 20, 1831, the Lord to gain possession of the told the Saints: “Behold, the site, but lost their case. They place which is now called eventually proceeded to Independence is the center build a temple decades later, place; and a spot for the but on a neighboring site to temple is lying westward, the north. upon a lot which is not far In 1929 Hedrick’s from the courthouse.” On followers decided to August 3, 1831; several excavate to build a temple on months before the Church the, laborers turned up the obtained ownership, John stones placed by the Prophet Whitmer recorded: “Sidney Joseph Smith marking Rigdon dedicated the the Temple corners, but ground where the city is to progress moved slow and stand, and Joseph Smith Jr. The Temple boundary as outlined by the entire membership finally finshed excavating of the "Church of Christ (Temple Lot)" laid a stone at the northeast in 1934. Then as the Great corner of the contemplated Depression hit the nation, temple in the name of the Lord Jesus of Nazareth.” they were unable to obtain funds to continue construction After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and petitioned the City for money necessary to back-fill the some Saints who didn't move west under Brigham Young site to its previous state. The Church of Christ (Temple Lot) and became disaffected with the main body of the Saints. believe they are called as physical and spiritual custodians Various denominations were created, including a new to the temple lot, a duty they have tenaciously fulfilled up to "Church of Christ" established in central Illinois. In 1858, this point, and are awaiting further revelation. John E. Page, who had been excommunicated over a decade Their chapel is the third to be built on the block, the first earlier, but still acting in his former office of an Apostle, two both destroyed by arson. Several members of their faith, ordained Granville Hedrick and several others to be while suffering from delusions and conspiracies, claimed apostles in the denomination and later ordained Hedrick to that God had told them to “cleanse the church site.” They the first presidency of that church. Less than two months barricaded themselves within the building and set it on fire, later Hecrick received revelation to begin gathering back to exiting the building while performing a dance with their Zion in Missouri, and in 1865 some of Hedrick’s followers bodies painted "Native American style." The fire crew did returned to the New Jerusalem. From 1867 through 1874 they manage to save the original Temple cornerstones, historical began purchasing the property now considered the Temple documents and other materials from the building. Visitors Lot, about 2.5 acres of the original 63.27 acres purchased by are welcome to tour the site freely but please remember this the Church. is private property and permission would be appreciated Later, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter for picnics or other uses. The original corner stones are still Day Saints also relocated to Independence and in ---- tried on display inside their building. 3 SEPTEMBER 2021 THE TRAIL MARKER ~ OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS Everyone has stories of Please enjoy reading and pioneer ancestors that have submitting at: suponline. and moved and motivated org/pioneer-stories. our lives that can benefit us all. THE DREAM OF BENJAMIN BENSON By Philip Wayne Ercanbrack: Third great grand-son of Benjamin Benson My name is Benjamin Benson, I was born We readily accepted their teachings and in 1773 in Maple, Rensselaer, New York. I was soon joined the faith. I had been prepared to a farmer most of my life and also learned the hear and accept the gospel truths years earlier. trade of Millwright to help support our family Following our conversion we committed to of 12 children with my wife, Keziah Messenger. travel 800 miles by ox team to Jackson County, In the year of 1795, when I was 22 years old Missouri to be with the rest of the saints. We and living in the Town of Pompey, County of experienced all the persecutions and atrocities Onondaga, New York, I, being a very curious committed upon the members of the Church at man, often wondered where all the Indians or the merciless hands of our persecutors. native Americans originated. I made it a matter Years later, in 1837 when I was 64 years old, of prayer. I experienced a vision of an angel that while in Far West, Missouri, I had a private appeared to me in a dream. He showed me an ancient record conversation with the Prophet Joseph Smith and related the that was deposited in the earth and said it was a record of a whole experience to him of my dream many years earlier. He people that came from Jerusalem. They were the forefathers of was very interested. He asked me to record everything that I the Indians and that the record would be brought to light in a had seen in the dream in detail and give him a copy, which I few short years.