Historical Sites

Dear Friends and Family,

Another two weeks have passed and I just realized that I have never posted anything about the sites were we serve.  So I decided that I would tell a brief description about each.

First we have the Tabernacle.  The construction of this structure is really what saved St. George. Brigham had sent 309 families to this area to grow cotton in 1861.  They planted and actually were successful with the cotton, but they spent so much time growing it, that they did not have time to build homes, churches, schools etc.  Brigham came back in 1862 to visit and Erastus Snow told him that they were not going to make it.  A number of the families had already left and returned north, but Brigham was determined that this area would be a successful community.  He told Erastus to ask the remaining families if they would support the building of the Tabernacle.  They agreed and Brigham then dedicated the tithing from Cedar City South to the building.  The men and women who worked on the building were then paid in tithing script which they could take to the Tithing Office and buy needed supplies to put food on the table.  Plus this endeavor brought these men and women together for a larger purpose and created unity.  The building took 14 years to complete and today is used extensively.  The Sr. Missionaries are responsible for 3 events a week, then the community holds concerts, lectures, recitals etc. in the building.  At Christmas time there are programs from the 1st until the 31st.  It is a beautiful historical building.

Brigham Young's home was purchased by Brigham in 1870 and then had a large addition constructed.  It was finished by 1873, but Brigham spent the last 7 winters of his life here.  The original home was built in 1866 by James Chesney and sold to a Mr. Lawrence then to Brigham Young Jr.  Brigham brought it from his son.  We have several original pieces of art work, furniture and two traveling chests built by Brigham.  But one of the major features of the home is all the different faux finishes on the door cases, stair cases, floor boards, furniture etc.  Brigham didn't like pine and that was all that was available.  He had them put 7-9 coats of paint on the pine then use feathers, pine cones, any implement they could find to paint the grain they were trying to imitate. Pretty amazing that we see oak, mahogany, walnut, birds eye maple and other finishes.  Its crazy. His wife Amelia Folsum accompanied him 6 of the 7 winters he spent in the home.  He then built an office on the property in 1876 and in this office codified or standardized the ordinances we do in the Temple.  Joseph Smith had told Brigham to standardize the ordinances and make sure there was a working Temple on the earth.  Brigham came back to St. George in 1871, knowing that the SLC Temple would not be finished before he died, and told the saints in St. George that they were going to build a temple and do it in 4 years.  It took 5 1/2 yrs but the Temple was dedicated April 6th, 1877 and Brigham died Aug. 29th, 1877.

The Jacob Hamblin home is in Santa Clara.  The home is wonderful, but the story is about Jacob Hamblin and the 21 other men who were called by Brigham Young to establish the Indian Mission in 1853.  Those men came down to Santa Clara and first built a fort which was washed away in a flash flood in 1862.  Jacob then moved up on the hill where the home sits today.  It has a living area and two bedrooms on the first floor and then a big room on the second floor where they carded cotton, wool, spun it into thread and then wove it into cloth.  His 2nd wife, Amanda taught school here and they held church, parties etc. in this room.  The home was the largest and nicest in the area after the flood.  Jacob sold the home in 1869 and went to Kanab and eventually Alpine AZ, and ended up in Pleasanton NM.  He died in 1887 in Pleasanton and was buried there, then the family moved his remains to Alpine AZ.  Jacob spent his whole adult life serving the mission that Brigham called him to.  He traveled over 30,000 miles going from one Native American camp to another, trying to elevate their lives by trying to teach them to plant crops, irrigate, build permanent homes, and prevent disease by personal hygiene.  He learned 6 of the Native American dialects, taught them the gospel, mediated disputes between the settlers and Native Americans and signed numerous treaties.  He was the first man to circumnavigate the Grand Canyon and he negotiated with a hostile tribe to let William Powell complete is expedition down the Colorado River.  He had four wives and 24 children.  He was a man with unquestionable integrity and courage.  His complete story is remarkable.

Well, those are the sites along with the Visitor Center that we serve at each day.  We have learned to love these sites and can't believe the sacrifices of these pioneers.  This was an incredibly difficult place to make blossom like a rose.  The nickname was "The Lifeless Valley of the Virgin."  We will always hold a special place in our hearts for these people and their devotion to God and to a prophet of God who directed them.  "Love St. George!!!"

We've had a great two weeks of teaching a lot of people about the gospel.  Both of us have given several discussions along with Books of Mormon and other literature.  We know we might never know what happens to these people when they leave the sites, but we hope and pray they will read and think about what we have discussed and want more.  Ya never know:-)

Well its time I stop and get a few things done today.  We love our mission and wouldn't change a thing.  We hope all of you are good and most important - - happy.  We love and miss ya all!  Be Safe

Love, Bruce and Dawna

(Elder and Sister)

PS,  Happy Birthday to my cute, smart, wonderful husband Bruce.  His day wasn't very exciting but when you get this age, excitement might be over rated.

PSS, Also, congratulations to our grand son, Logan.  He received his mission call to Warsaw, Poland.  We couldn't be prouder or happier.  He is a wonderful boy and will make a wonderful missionary.