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Show FHR-&-300 (11-78) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form Continuation sheet______ Item number 8 Page 1 In 1870, at the age of 77, Martin Harris left Kirtland and came to Utah with funds provided from a subscription by Utah Mormons including a $25 donation from Brigham Young. Martin Harris was rebaptized and lived with his oldest son, Martin Harris Jr., until his death in Glarkston on July 10, 1875 at the age of 92. His last words were in testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. The original grave marker in the Clarkston cemetery, as described by his son was, a "headboard with name, date and place of his birth and death with the words, One of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Also their testimony." Some time before 1924 a second grave marker had been placed with a marble headstone with the inscription "Martin Harris one of the Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Born May 18, 1783. Died July 10, 1875. Subscribed for by his numerous friends." In 1924 Merlin R. Hovey, Secretary of the visited the Clarkston cemetery and noted: broken-down wire fence with tumble weeds, the cemetery. The graves not filled were Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce, "The cemetery was surrounded by a cockleburs, and other weeds all over being grazed by livestock." Hovey, aware of the importance of Martin Harris in Mormon history, launched an effort to secure the removal of the Martin Harris remains to Logan. There was little support for the proposal, it did, however, spur the citizens of Clarkston to action. The cemetery was cleaned, fences repaired and livestock kept out. In cooperation with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the present 18 foot granite shaft was placed at the grave on July 10, 1925 - fifty years after the death of Martin Harris. The importance of Martin Harris to Utah Mormons is that he is the only one of the original eleven witnesses to the Book of Mormon who came to Utah (three witnesses including Martin Harris saw the Golden Plates from which the Book of Mormon was reportedly translated in the presence of an angel. The other eight witnesses were shown the plates by Joseph Smith only.) The other witnesses either died before the exodus to Utah or for one reason or another chose not to follow Brigham Young west. Martin Harris was the last link to the early organization of the LDS Church. Participating in the translating of the Book of Mormon, giving financial support for its publication, falling away from the church, yet never denying his testimony of the Book of Mormon, and finally returning to the Church, Martin Harris has become a folk and religions hero for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Next: to the grave of Brigham Young, no other grave in Utah has received greater public attention. The grave has been the site for numerous church outings, including one in 1934 in which more than 13,000 participated. i |
