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Show The First One .Hundred Years of Southern Utah History :uanita Brooks St. George, Utah On July 24, 1947, the Mormon Church will celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the arrival of its pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley, or more technically, the anniversary of the decision to make this location their permanent site, rather than any of the valleys to the north or south. To call the celebration a Utah Centennial is a misnomer, for until the coming of the railroad in 1869 the permanent settlers who were not members of the Mormon Church were so few in proportion as to. leave the whole society predominantly of the one faith, with their own peculiar social pattern. one That is why the celebration of this year should be essen tially a Mormon affair. Yet those who are close to it, are con scious of cross currents and competitions. Of what should a . ( I l Centennial Celebration consist? Should it be a tribute to the founders of the state? Or a demonstration of the changes wrought by one hundred years? Perhaps it should be an advertising pro gram for which the services of famous people should be purchased, without any relation to the period which is being celebrated. It would seem proper, at the end of one hundred years, to take stock of accomplishments and to see events in perspective. Yet in this case, that is difficult because one is still considered "for" For example, the Daughters or "against" the dominant church. of the Utah Pioneers have had as their purpose the· preservation of such of the history as they thought should be preserved. They have told the stories of courage and faith and fortitude, of suc Nor do cess in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties. they lack for material. Such stories are plentiful enough. But they take the stand that only the praiseworthy shall be told, that noth ing shall go out from their organization that can in any way be construed to. be uncomplimentary to the Mormon people. They do not wish to see their pioneers realistically as tough frontiers men, sometimes disagreeing among themselves, quarreling upon occasion, swearing under provocation, drinking a little once-in-a while, loyal to each other, but cheating Gentiles with impunity. Like the pink-and-white portraits of the leaders, all smoothed of character wrinkles, they lack only a halo. Yet to gild the lily is not more ridiculous than to put powder and rouge on their leath ered, weatherbeaten faces. 71 • |
