Faith conquers 'impossible trek'
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BLUFF, UTAH
It was this month 130 years ago, in October 1879, when early Mormon settlers in southern Utah left their base camp in Dance Hall Rock to embark on one of the most arduous treks in Church history. They had been called by President John Taylor to leave their comfortable settings in the Parowan, Utah, area to colonize the opposite corner of the state in southeastern Utah.
Armed with little more than faith, their journey of about six months included carving a narrow wagon path through sheer rock down a steep cliff, now known as Hole-in-the-Rock. They crossed the Colorado River, only to begin traversing an area that advance scouts deemed impassable. That's when the journey became really difficult.
A call from a prophet of God to make peace with the Utes and Navajos of the area was all the motivation these settlers needed to conquer this imposing terrain.
They arrived at their destination in Bluff in April 1880. They soon erected 40 log homes and encircled their beautiful setting between the San Juan River and picturesque rock cliffs with a fort.
Descendants of President Taylor and those original settlers have not forgotten the boldness, or the foresight, of such a call to leave established homes for the unknown perils of hostile terrain. Some 500 descendants and San Juan County residents gathered Saturday, Oct. 24, under deep blue skies to join with Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve in dedicating a bronze statue of the third president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints erected on the original site of the fort. Accompanying Elder Perry was Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert, who paid homage to the political accomplishments of President Taylor.
"We are here to place a stone to remember how the Lord helped a small company of saints survive a most difficult assignment from a prophet to settle in a very remote place as a part of a plan to expand new communities in the western part of North America," said Elder Perry during his comments prior to dedicating the monument.
Elder Perry told how after the death of Brigham Young, John Taylor as the senior apostle took his position as the head of the Church and continued to expand the perimeters of the Church with more than 100 new settlements.
In his comments, Elder Perry stressed three characteristics that served John Taylor as president of the Church then, and have application today.
The Mormon apostle spoke of President Taylor's courage, his ability to communicate, and his faith.
Describing his courage, Elder Perry told of an incident when President Taylor addressed a group that included men who sought to tar and feather him near Columbus, Ohio. Disarming them with an eloquent delivery on Constitutional rights, he softened their hostility and set the stage to teach them the gospel.
"The would-be tormentors made no move," said Elder Perry. "Instead, they remained quiet and attentive while the speaker expounded on the doctrines of Mormonism for three hours. The qualities [he] exhibited would earn him the title of 'Champion of Right' by which he was often referred to by the Latter-day Saints."
Concerning President Taylor's communication skills, Elder Perry told of the time John Taylor was given a special call to go to New York City by Brigham Young to organize and publish a newspaper, whose purpose would be to present the doctrines and practices of the Church in a manner to neutralize the groundswell of anti-Mormon feeling that had been mounting all over the East Coast for over a year.
"His [confidence] in the beliefs of the Church that he had embraced caused him to establish his headquarters at the corner of Nashua and Ann Streets, between the offices of the city's media Goliath — the Herald and the Tribune. Brother Taylor was in the very heart of Gotham's newspaper world," he said.
"Selecting such a stand is evidence again that he did not intend to hide his light under a bushel. On the contrary, he had taken a prominent position with a determination to keep it. He stationed himself in the front ranks and unfurled his colors and with great courage. …"
Concerning President Taylor's faith, Elder Perry told how John Taylor arrived in Kirtland, Ohio, in 1837 as a new convert. There he found bitter spirits of apostasy among some of the Church leaders, including Parley P. Pratt who was an instrument of his conversion while on a mission in Canada.
" 'I'm surprised to hear you speak so, Brother Parley,' " Elder Perry said, quoting John Taylor. " 'Before you left Canada you bore a strong testimony to Joseph Smith being a prophet of God and to the truth of the work he has inaugurated and, you said you knew these things by revelation and the gift of the Holy Ghost. You gave me a strict charge to the effect that though you or an angel from heaven was to declare anything else, I was not to believe it. Now, Brother Parley, it is not man that I am following, but the Lord. The principles you taught me led me to him and I now have the same testimony that you rejoiced in. If the work was true six months ago, it is true today.' "
Elder Perry urged those assembled at the site of Bluff Fort to learn more of the life and work President Taylor, and then said, "It is fitting today we place this statue of John Taylor here in this historic community. It will stand as a reminder to all who visit of the faith of those who sacrificed so much to bless us with a heritage to turn our thoughts to the past to give us the firm resolve to have the faith to face the future with a bright determination of hope and courage."
Following Elder Perry's comments, the monument was unveiled by Beverley Sorenson and her son, Joseph — descendants of President John Taylor — who funded the statue.
Visitors to Bluff Fort will find a lively setting with well-crafted recreations of the fort. In the past two years, descendants have erected 11 cabins in honor of their ancestors.
Dedicatory excerpts
Excerpts of a dedicatory prayer offered by Elder L. Tom Perry during the dedication of a monument in honor of President John Taylor in Bluff Fort.
"As Thou knowest, we have gathered today in historic Bluff, Utah, the end of the trail for one of the most difficult travels of pioneers in the settlement of the western United States. We are here to dedicate a statue honoring John Taylor, a prophet of the Lord, who under his leadership called at least 100 companies of pioneers to settle and build communities in southern Utah, Nevada and Arizona, one of which was the Hole-in-the-Rock settlement.
"President Taylor demonstrated great leadership in the establishing of new communities in western United States, his leadership brought a new vision of the potential for the Lord's restored Church here on earth. His beginnings were in a land of libraries, museums, theaters and universities. This culture trained him to be articulate, dignified and with polished refinement. He brought to Church leadership these qualities from his early life. His defense of the doctrines of the Church brought him the title of 'Champion of Right.'
"He led the Church through one of its most challenging times. Through all of the times of leadership challenges, he made time to be a devoted father to his family. He presided over his family with great compassion and love.
"We have been blessed to have our roots firmly grounded by the sacrifice of noble pioneer heritage. Through their extraordinary efforts and inspired leadership, an empire has emerged out of a desert. Their strong traits of courage, industry, faith and determination have given us a legacy which we can look upon with great pride. It is proper we build monuments to remind our and future generations of our special pioneer heritage. It is a heritage of inspired leadership that is directed by the hand of God through his holy prophets."
