Walking through This Is the Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City in 2019, Julie Thompson had a poignant moment with her young grandson.
She instructed him to pose for a photo with a bronze pioneer statue pulling a handcart.
“Go pretend like you’re helping him pull his handcart,” she told him, evoking the account of pioneer Francis Webster, who spoke of feeling angels assist him during his journey.
As she reviewed the photograph later, Thompson reflected, “Well, wait, who’s helping who?”
Was her grandson assisting the pioneer, or was the pioneer metaphorically embracing her grandson, aiding him in his own journey?
This momentary reflection encapsulates the essence of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) and their purpose: to see themselves as part of a continuum that helps current and future generations connect with the lives of their ancestors.
Thompson, who serves as a lesson committee member and the fourth vice president of the society, expressed her sentiments clearly.
“For me, the driving force is I feel like I get help from them.
I need their help, and I fully intend to meet them someday and thank them for what they did.”
A Legacy Built on Determination
First established in 1901 by Annie Taylor Hyde and her friends, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers has become a significant organization with a rich history spanning 124 years.
This Pioneer Day, the society will commemorate 75 years in their international headquarters: the Pioneer Memorial Museum in Salt Lake City.
The growth of the society has been remarkable, with over 100,000 pioneer histories, 50,000 artifacts, and multiple other resources.
However, this success did not come without substantial efforts and challenges, including a long process of securing a permanent location to showcase their ever-expanding collection.
Initially, their collection resided in a small 12-by-14-foot room at the church tithing office.
The society’s need for more space led to a series of relocations, including the Lion House, which was Brigham Young’s family home, and the Deseret Museum.
In 1910, seeing their collection swell, the society began fundraising for a dedicated museum.
President Ellen Jeppson recounted the society’s determination, saying, “We can’t keep packing up all these artifacts and carting them around.”
Thus, the journey for a permanent home began with a simple start, including donations as small as a $5 gold piece to kickstart the building fund.
The quest for a permanent space faced its hurdles, including a move in 1919 to the basement of the Utah State Capitol and a prolonged legal struggle over taxpayer funding that delayed construction of the new museum.
Ultimately, in 1950, after years of effort, they dedicated their new home, inspired by the old Salt Lake Theatre, featuring a grand spiral staircase and elegant balconies.
Leaders of the society took great pride in this achievement, as Jeppson noted, “We finally had our own home for the artifacts.”
Importance of Preservation
The tenacity of early DUP members set a strong foundation for preserving their ancestral history.
Today, over 20,000 members continue to carry this torch, with an average of 100 new members joining monthly.
What drives this vibrant community? For many, it’s the profound sense of connection to their heritage.
For instance, Thompson, who joined the society 20 years ago, finds joy in immersing herself in the narratives of the pioneers.
“I have the best job in the whole organization to immerse myself in the stories of the pioneers and write about them,” she shared.
Each year, the society’s lesson committee produces a nine-chapter book, offering members the opportunity to gather monthly to study these narratives.
This detailed work involves rigorous research and fact-checking to ensure accuracy.
Thompson emphasized that this process may feel personal at times but is vital to convey the truth about the pioneers.
Moreover, Thompson highlights the importance of extracting lessons relevant to contemporary life from historical accounts.
“It’s great to review history, but to me, it’s really only meaningful if you pull a message out of it that’s relatable and helpful now,” she noted.
She encourages those seeking similar connections to focus on unity rather than comparison, recognizing shared traits that lead to triumph over challenges.
Jeppson echoes this sentiment, revealing her strong motivation as she learns about her ancestors, noting her 45 pioneer ancestors who traversed the plains.
These stories of virtue and faith drive her to preserve the society’s history and narratives.
“It’s just very inspiring work,” she asserted.
Creating Historic Markers
Marguerite Mower, chairman of the marker committee, also admires the early women who set markers in Utah during the Great Depression.
She praised their determination with the words, “Yes, we can do this.
We want to mark history.”
Mower expressed that their efforts not only honor the past but also serve future generations by instilling a sense of place and purpose.
“Knowing your family history grounds you in life and shows there’s more to existence than just your own individual life,” she stated.
She believes understanding one’s lineage helps individuals appreciate the choices made by ancestors, recognizing that they are a product of these historical decisions.
Through their dedication, the Daughters of Utah Pioneers continue to ensure that the stories of these brave individuals are not forgotten, fostering a strong connection between the past, present, and future.
Their mission goes beyond simple preservation; it embodies a celebration of resilience, faith, and the unbreakable bonds formed across generations.
image source from：deseret
