Pioneer: 2007 Vol.54, No.3

ESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Each July, representatives of several historical
organizations meet together for an evening of
sharing and coordination of projects to preserve our
pioneer heritage and pioneer trails. This year s din¬
ner hosted by the Sons of Utah Pioneers was held in
the Kimball Home at This Is the Place Heritage
Park, It was fitting that Ellis Ivory, chairman of the
Board for This Is the Place Foundation, was the fea¬
tured speaker. Over the past year, many significant
improvements have been made to this important pi¬
oneer venue. I applaud the Foundation staff for the
innovative improvements that have made the park a
wonderful place to teach pioneer values to my chil¬
dren and grandchildren.
Dinner Attendees* Among those attending the
evening dinner were officers of the Daughters of
Utah Pioneers. We were honored to have Mary
Johnson, International President of the DUP for
the past 10 years, present to share with us a summary
of past DUP activities and the organizations plans
for the future. Marys decade as International DUP
President ends this yean The Sons of Utah Pioneers
congratulates Mary for her dedicated years of service
and wish her well in her future endeavors. The
following additional organizations were represented
at the dinner: Mormon Battalion Association,
Mormon Historic Sites Foundation, Mormon
History Association, Mormon Trails Association,
Oregon-California Trails Association, Ship Brook¬
lyn Association, This Is the Place Heritage Park,
Utah State Historical Society, and the Utah Trails
Consortium.
Marker Rededicatcd. In another outstanding
event, on July 21 a historic marker was rededicatcd
by Elder Boyd K, Packer of the LDS Quorum of
Twelve Apostles. Elder Russell Ballard of the
Quorum of Twelve was also present. This monu¬
ment stands near the original spot where Brigham
Young announced ‘This is the right place.” The
Mills Chapter of the Sons of Utah Pioneers was
responsible for restoration of the monument, origi¬
nally dedicated on July 25, 1921.
Salt Lake Stake, This issue of the Pioneer pays
tribute to the leaders and members of the Salt Lake
Stake. This stake pioneered the way in 1847 as the
first LDS stake in the West and continues today as
the oldest operating stake in the Church. From that
humble beginning, the LDS church has grown to
2,745 stakes as of Dec. 31,2006, Total Church mem¬
bership passed the 14 million mark in June 2007,
Volunteer Service. One of the truly remarkable
facts about the growth of the Church is the millions
of hours of volunteer service that are given each year
by both members and lay leadership. Just as those
first leaders of the Salt Lake Stake devoted many
hours to their callings, men and women throughout
the world give ol their time and talents to accept po¬
sitions as stake presidents, bishops, Relief Society
presidents, youth and children leaders and other spe¬
cialized callings. This spirit of giving permeates the
chapters of the Sons of Utah Pioneers and other sim¬
ilar organizations. The world saw firsthand this spirit
of volunteerism in Utah at the 2002 Winter
Olympics hosted in Utah. I salute this spirit and
thank those many men and women who have sup¬
ported and continue to support the Sons of Utah
Pioneers and this inspiring magazine. You are all
truly Modern Pioneers. Q
—Jay M. Smith, 2007NSSUP President, pictured below with
wife JenaVee at the Days of 47 Parade.
2007 *VoL54t No. 3 * PIONEER 1