Conference Address

My brethren and sisters, as there is now scarcely remaining a year in which to complete preparations for the Utah Centennial Celebration, it has been suggested that I take this occassion to make a few comments on that important event. In the month of August 1842, the Prophet Joseph Smith recorded the following: ¶

I prophesied that the saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains; many would apostatize; others would be put to death by our persecutors, or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease; and some of you will live to go on and assist in making settlements and build cities and see the saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. ¶

The Mormon Exodus ¶

One hundred years ago February 4, in partial fulfilment of that prophecy, the Mormon exodus commenced from Nauvoo. ¶

One hundred years ago today, the vanguard of the Camp of Israel camped at Garden Grove, one hundred and fifty miles from Nauvoo. Referring to conditions which brought about that exodus, President Brigham Young said: ¶

Our homes, gardens, orchards, farms, streets, bridges, mills, public halls, magnificent temple, and other public improvements, we leave as a monument of our patriotism, industry, economy, uprightness of purpose and integrity of heart; and as a living testimony of the falsehood and the wickedness of those who charge us with disloyalty to the Constitution of our country, idleness, and dishonesty. ¶

One hundred years ago July 20, the Mormon Battalion at Fort Leavenworth began their preparations for their historic two-thousand-mile march. ¶

On July 24, 1947, it will have been one hundred years since President Brigham Young and his one hundred and forty-two fellow travelers entered Great Salt Lake valley. ¶

Of the exodus from Nauvoo to Winter Quarters, the historian Bancroft says: "There is no parallel in the world's history to this migration from Nauvoo." ¶

Of the two-thousand-mile trek of the Mormon Battalion, Lt. ¶

Col. P. St. George Cooke says: ¶

History may be searched in vain for an equal march of infantry. . Half of it has been through a wilderness, where nothing but savages and wild beasts are found, or deserts where, for want of water, there is no living creature. There, with almost hopeless labor, we have dug deep wells, which the future traveler will enjoy. Without a guide who had traversed them, we have ventured into trackless tablelands where water was not found for several marches. With crowbar and pick and axe in hand, we have worked our way over mountains which seemed to defy aught save the wild goat, and hewed a pass through a chasm of living rock more narrow than our wagons. To bring these first wagons to the Pacific, we have preserved the strength of our mules by herding them over large tracts, which you have laboriously guarded without loss. The garrison of four presidios of Sonora concentrated within the walls of Tucson gave us no pause. We drove them out, with their artillery, but our intercourse with the citizens was unmarked by a single act of injustice. Thus marching, half-naked and half-fed, and living upon wild animals, we have discovered and made a road of great value to our country. ¶

Worthiness of the Pioneers ¶

I mention these few events in early Church history as illustrative of the spirit and achievements of the Utah pioneers. ¶

No state in the union can look with greater pride upon the achievements of its pioneers than can the state of Utah. It is commendable and highly fitting, therefore, that the governor and state legislature have set apart the year 1947 as the Centennial year, in which to pay tribute to these great empire builders. In so doing we confer honor upon ourselves. In the light of what Thomas Carlyle says, "In this world there is one godlike virtue, the essence of all that ever was or ever will be of godlike in this world — the veneration done to human worth by the hearts of men." ¶

Nature of Preparations Already Under Way ¶

Preparations are already under way for the presentation of historical pageants, musical, dramatic, educational programs, and athletic and sports attractions. ¶

In a way this will be an unusual celebration. Under normal conditions a centennial exposition would be promoted with the view of inviting people of the world to behold the wonders of the state, to see the achievements of the people, and to participate in the various festivities and entertainments of the celebration. ¶

Now, however, due to the housing shortage, and the inability of the commission to assure comfortable accomodations for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who could be induced to visit us next year, it has been thought advisable to approach our celebration from a different angle. ¶

This will be a celebration by and for the people of Utah, and Utahns in nearby western states. Besides the best that home talent can produce, it is proposed to fetch to the state outstanding educational and entertainment features which normally could not be presented in communities of our state — symphony orchestras, stars of stage and screen, Metropolitian opera singers, sport events of the type that our community normally could not finance. It is hoped that we might have a national eisteddfod — these and other cultural entertainments will be offered not only in Salt Lake City, but in other cities where large crowds may be accomodated. ¶

All towns and counties in the state are urged to unite in promoting this commemorative celebration. ¶

Original Plans ¶

When the legislature in 1939 passed, and the governor signed the bill, setting a part of the year 1947 for the Centennial, the commission thereby appointed conceived elaborate plans. An interstate committee was appointed to promote the cooperation of neighboring states. An intrastate committee was assigned the duty to organize groups and committees in counties, cities and towns, societies and organizations throughout our state. As a promotional event, for example, but part of the featured observance centering around July 24, it was contemplated that a wagon train of pioneers would start at the site of Winter Quarters on a suitable date and follow the original pioneers' trail into Salt Lake Valley, entering at the spot "This Is the Place" on July 24, 1947. It was planned also that there would be a reproduction of the march of the Mormon Battalion covering the southwestern states.including southern California and ending at Sutter's Mill, where, as you know, members of the battalion were present when gold was discovered. The commission conceived an eight-year program of preparation for the presentation of the natural resources, the dramatic history, and the state's incomparable facilities for delightful vacationing. ¶

Then came the war! ¶

All activities pointing toward the preparation of a celebration were suspended, and thoughts and activities centered upon the winning of that great conflict. ¶

Resumption of Activities ¶

On November 10, 1944, Governor Herbert B. Maw recommended the resumption of activity, writing to the commission as follows: "Inasmuch as it appears that the war will probably be ended before 1947, rather definite plans should be worked out for the Centennial celebration to be presented to the next legislature, which must be relied on to provide whatever funds are needed. The Centennial Commission will, of course, have full charge of the celebration and the making plans for it." ¶

Accordingly, a committee consisting of Honorable John M. Wallace, chairman of the finance committee, Mr. Ward C. Holbrook, Mr. John F. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Frederick P. Champ, Judge James A. ¶

Howell and Mr. Gus P. Backman was appointed to prepare a new budget that work might be resumed as soon as hostilities ceased. ¶

With the approval of the state departments directly concerned, Mr. Gus P. Backman was chosen and appointed director of the Centennial celebration. Without any remunerative compensation thus far, he has served with enthusiasm and marked ability. ¶

Original Plans Circumscribed ¶

Of necessity the original scope of the celebration has had to be circumscribed. The building of roads to scenic attractions, improvement of parks, etc., must be left for other state departments whose permanence will continue after 1947. You who were privileged to stand last Friday afternoon on the site chosen for the "This Is the Place" monument, heard Governor Maw refer to one of these forward-looking, permanent improvements — the new highway parked from Henefer to Salt Lake valley. ¶

Instead of building and carrying out an independent exposition to continue throughout the tourist season, it now seems advisable to cooperate with the State Fair Board for an outstanding exposition during such period as may be determined upon. ¶

Though it may not be feasible for every town to have an assignment for its presentation of special features, groups of towns may unite, and, as districts, contribute attractions that will draw the interest of all the state on the dates specially assigned to each district. For example (and these are but illustrative), it will be the duty of the commission to allocate dates to communities and groups, such as a Black and White celebration in Cache County, including the Fourth of July, at the request of the active members in that town a Peach Day celebration in Box Elder County; a Strawberry Day at Pleasant Grove; Veterans of the Black Hawk War celebration at Nephi; State High School athletic tournament; program at Zion's Canyon; Dinosaur Monument at Uintah, etc., etc. ¶

The governor of the state and his associates in the executive department, in the state finance, state educational institutions and boards, civic clubs, county commissioners, mayors of cities; in fact, groups and individual citizens throughout the state seem to be animated with but one desire: to make the 1947 celebration an appropriate tribute to the noble lives and outstanding achievements of the Utah pioneers. ¶

Period of Centennial ¶

Officially, the celebration will begin May 15 and continue until October 15, 1947. Tribute will be paid to the first white men who entered this state — Fathers Escalante and Dominguez, also to explorers and trappers who followed the Catholic Fathers. However, there will be slated special events preceding the opening date. For example, national skiing events in the Salt Lake and Ogden areas will of necessity be held possibly in February. Also, prior to May 15, it is anticipated that dramatic companies and musical organizations will be presented in practically all communities of the state. Already projects are under way to produce these features in the late winter of 1946 and early spring of 1947. There is one important feature of the celebration which was not discontinued during the war; that is, the duty of making the state more attractive. This may concern every man, woman and child in the state. On June 5, 1942, when, with the approval of Governor Maw, the work of the commission was suspended, Mr. John M. Wallace suggested that, though the activities of the commission may be in suspension, the efforts of all beautification groups should be continued and carefully guarded. He expressed the opinion that much of the work of beautification then being promoted by the Church, the Agricultural College, civic organizations, and women's clubs should be fostered to awaken a sense of the importance of the beautification of the state, and could go forward without any interference with the war efforts. ¶

Accordingly, this activity has continued with most commendable results. ¶

Now, under the direction of a large and able committee, of which Donald P. Lloyd is chairman, the beautification program has assumed statewide proportions, and every man, woman, and child should sense the responsibility to do something to make the state clean and attractive for the Centennial and for the years following. ¶

It is surprising how some of us have accustomed ourselves to look upon our old barns and sheds for what they used to be without realizing that they are now dilapidated structures marring the landscape, and in some instances are a reflection on the community. ¶

Let us all join in the campaign to stimulate home owners to paint houses, fences, barns and other buildings and to maintain a general atmosphere of tidiness and neatness about the homes, barns, and corrals. ¶

Perhaps a few practical suggestions might not be out of place. Improve the appearance of churches, seminaries and other church buildings by suitable landscape plantings, by painting and by needed repairs. Let all public edifices reflect the pride of the people to which they belong by making them respectable in appearance. Make Utah a rose garden by planting this spring, where possible, extra bushes in every yard. Remove all dead trees from the landscape that stand as disgraceful monuments to our negligence. Clear vacant lots, particularly here in Salt Lake City, of weeds which are unsightly and which become later in the summer a fire hazard. Utilize these vacant lots this year for the growing of needed foodstuffs. ¶

These are physical features. What about our uniting for a moral cleanup? ¶

There is evidence of the presence of "bunco" men in the city who are preying upon unsuspecting travelers. Three of these, as you know, are already in prison. Another has jumped a $3500 bond. ¶

However, others have taken their places, lying in wait to fleece the gullible stranger. Is it possible that Salt Lake is looked upon by these crooks as a "fixed" city? Some of you know what that "fixed" signifies. ¶

What about gambling, the slot machine racket, and race horse betting? ¶

What about beer and whiskey joints, and the flaunting of immorality on the public streets? I am sure that the mayor and other municipal officers of Salt Lake City and of other cities will appreciate our uniting with them in efforts to reduce lawlessness and immorality to a minimum. ¶

It will be a credit to the present citizenry, and contribute to the future happiness of the state, if our cities can be so morally clean that visitors who come to share in the historic, artistic, and devotional exercises of the celebration, may pay some such tribute to Salt Lake City and other important towns as was paid by Samuel A. Prior, a Methodist minister, who visited Nauvoo in the spring of 1843. He writes: ¶

At length the city burst upon my sight. Instead of seeing a few miserable log cabins and mud hovels, which I had expected to find, I was surprized to see one of the most romantic places that I had visited in the West. The buildings, though many of them were small and of wood, yet bore the marks of neatness which I have not seen equaled in the country. The fair-spread plain at the bottom of the hill was dotted over with habitations of men with such majestic profusion that I was almost willing to believe myself mistaken and, instead of being in Nauvoo of Illinois, among Mormons, that I was in Italy at the city of Leghorn, which the location of Nauvoo resembles very much. I gazed for some time with fond admiration upon the plain below. Here and there arose a tall, majestic brick house, speaking loudly of the genius and untiring labor of the inhabitants, who have snatched the place from the clutches of obscurity and wrested it from the bonds of disease; and in two or three short years, rescued it from dreary waste to transform it into one of the first cities in the West. The hill upon which I stood was covered over with the dwellings of men, and amid them was seen to rise the hewn stone and already accomplished work of the temple, which was now raised fifteen or twenty feet above the ground. ... I passed on into the more active parts of the city, looking into every street and lane to observe all that was passing. I found all the people engaged in some useful and healthy employment. The place was alive with business, much more so than any place I have visited since the hard times commenced. I sought in vain for anything that bore the marks of immorality, but was both astonished and highly pleased at my ill success. I could see no loungers about the streets nor any drunkards about the taverns. I did not meet with those distorted features of ruffians, or with the ill-bred and impudent. I heard not an oath in the place; I saw not a gloomy countenance; all were cheerful, polite, and industrious. (Comprehensive History of the Church, II p. 190.) ¶

Conclusion ¶

That's the town from which our Mormon pioneers crossed the Mississippi in February and faced the desert west. ¶

For the Centennial year, and for future years ahead, let us think of Utah and our western states adjoining as Thomas Curtis Clark said of America: ¶

In thoughts as wise as is her prairie sea; ¶

In deeds as splendid as her mountain piles, ¶

As noble as her mighty river tides, ¶

Let her be true, a land where right abides; ¶

Let her be clean, as sweet ais summer isles; ¶

And let her sound the note of liberty ¶

For all the earth, till every man and child be free. ¶

God guide us in accomplishing these hopes and aspirations, I • pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. ¶