Published August 1, 1992. Reprinted with permission from LDS Church News published by the Deseret Morning News.

Hikers Commemorate Raising of an 'Ensign to the Nations'
R. Scott Lloyd, Church News, staff writer

Gazing at the vista that Brigham Young and other Church leaders viewed 145 years ago, more than 150 hikers sang "High On the Mountain Top" on historic Ensign Peak north of Salt Lake City July 25.

Elder John E. Fowler, a newly called member of the Seventy, addressed the gathering at a park near the base of the peak before the hike commenced and then finished his remarks atop the peak after everyone had arrived. (Please see profile story about Elder Fowler on page 6.) Elder Fowler is a great-great-grandson of William Clayton, who was with Brigham Young's party July 26, 1847, when they ascended the peak. (William Clayton penned the lyrics to "Come, Come, Ye Saints.)"On that day, the prophet surveyed the valley of the Great Salt Lake and figuratively raised "an ensign to the nations," fulfilling a prophecy in Isa. 5:26 and foreshadowing the gathering of thousands of Church converts to the Rocky Mountains.

Elder Fowler keynoted the commemorative program and hike, which launched a fund-raising effort by the Ensign Peak Foundation. The goal of "Project Ensign Peak" as the endeavor is called, is to restore, beautify and protect the peak.

Plans call for restoration of the monument and flag pole on the peak, placement of historical markers, establishment of a comfortable hiking trail with view points, picnic areas and a nature park, according to J Malan Heslop, organization committee chairman.

In his address at the park, Elder Fowler said he had been authorized to represent the Church at the gathering. He said President Thomas S. Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, told him he would be known among the Brethren as "the hiking General Authority," and that "they were glad they had someone new enough and young enough that he could make this climb."

On a more serious note, Elder Fowler commended people - including early Church leaders - "who spend their lives looking up."

He noted that the monument on the peak was erected in 1934 with stones sent from many of the 110 stakes and 31 missions in the Church at the time. He contrasted the Church membership of some 734,000 in 1934 with the current membership of more than 8 million.

"And still this land is considered to be a valley of freedom where people can come and live a life that is relatively free from many of the cares that so many have to face in other parts of the world," he said.

Elder Fowler expressed pleasure that an effort is being made to preserve the peak and added: "I hope that we can all join together as a community, whether we are members of the LDS Church or not. It mattereth not; we are all benefiting from those who went before us, who saw safety in a place where they could be the most free of any people on earth."

Atop the peak, as the setting sun bathed the Oquirrh Mountains to the west in a flood of red light, Elder Fowler continued his remarks.

He quoted from William Clayton's journal entry of July 22, 1847. Clayton, who was with the advance party prior to President Young's arrival in valley, wrote that he would rather dwell in "this wild country amongst the saints" than among people of wealth where the saints were subject to being mobbed, murdered and persecuted.

He referred to a quotation from Abraham Lincoln, who spoke of "the ultimate justice of the people," He compared that with a statement of President Ezra Taft Benson, who as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, said in a speech in Salt Lake City that people everywhere long for peace, love their families, want to live better, have a basic impulse to do good and fundamentally appreciate human brotherhood.

Other elements of the program included a violin-guitar ensemble that performed the Civil War-era selection "Ashokan Farewell," a baritone vocal soloist and a bugler who sounded a call to assemble, a cavalry charge at the trail head, and "Taps" on the peak.

Many in the gathering purchased T-shirts that bore a logo suggesting Brigham Young's likeness and the slogan: "Brother Brigham hiked it . . . I did too!"