Mama Winn's Place: Hiking Ensign Peak: September 19, 2011

Monday, October 3, 2011

Hiking Ensign Peak: September 19, 2011

Ensign Peak is a prominent hill on the northern edge of the Salt Lake Valley.
On July 26, 1847, two days after arriving in the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young and seven other pioneer leaders climbed the hill to survey the valley. From its summit they laid out in their minds the city they intended to build. The men fastened a yellow bandanna to a cane and waved it from the mountain peak. Brigham Young named the spot Ensign Peak. The pioneers had carried two American flags with them across the plains. Within a short time a flagpole was erected and one of those flags was flown from the peak.
Brigham Young explained that a vision from God directed him to lead his people into the Salt Lake Valley. He recognized Ensign Peak as a prominent landmark in his vision, confirming his statement: "This is the right place." The significance of the name comes from the biblical prophecy: "He will lift up an ensign unto the nations. . . . He lifteth up an ensign on the mountains." (Isaiah 5:26; 18:3).

Brigham Young further prophesied that thousands would come from all over the world to this valley. Today, this prophecy is being fulfilled. First, we look at our 200 missionaries, about a third of whom come from countries all over the world. Then we look at the people to whom they are teaching the gospel. These people are from Mexico, China, South America, Iran, Iraq, Burma, Napal, Africa, Japan, Russia and a host of other countries - and they all live here in the Salt Lake Valley. What a joy it is to see this work unfolding.

On Monday, September 19th, we took the East Zone, the North Zone and the South Zone on a hike up Ensign Peak. We made lunches before we began, hiked up to the peak, shared our lunches, and after reading from the Book of Mormon together, heard the departing testimonies from those missionaries who would be going home on October 5th. It was a wonderful day together! Packing lunch!