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| Ensign Peak |
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 claimed a vision from God
directed him to lead his people into the Salt Lake Valley. It is said that
Young recognized Ensign Peak as a prominent landmark in his vision, confirming
his statement: "This is the right place."
Over the years Ensign Peak has been the site
of numerous civic and religious ceremonies.
Utah's
state capitol building stands on a shelf part way up the hill. Efforts to
preserve the summit as a park began in 1908. In 1934 a monument was built,
honoring the men who climbed the hill in 1847.
On Friday, my brother wrote me the following:
As I was driving back from lunch, I happened to look north of downtown and see Ensign Peak. I don't normally dwell on the landscape here. After all, I've lived here 27 years now. But I saw the little monument at the top of the peak and the whole notion of the gathering of Israel just hit me. The words to "High on a mountain top" came into my head.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang this hymn during General Conference services over the weekend. It goes like this.
High on the mountain top
A banner is unfurled.
Ye nations, now look up;
It waves to all the world.
In Deseret's sweet, peaceful land,
On Zion's mount behold it stand!
For God remembers still
His promise made of old
That he on Zion's hill
Truth's standard would unfold!
Her light should there attract the gaze
Of all the world in latter days.
His house shall there be reared,
His glory to display,
And people shall be heard
In distant lands to say:
We'll now go up and serve the Lord,
Obey his truth, and learn his word.
For there we shall be taught
The law that will go forth,
With truth and wisdom fraught,
To govern all the earth.
Forever there his ways we'll tread,
And save ourselves with all our dead.
My brother continued:
Maybe it's because it's conference weekend and people from distant lands are coming into town. I just thought about a little wind-blown band of weary travelers hiking to the top of that desolate peak and planting a flag as an ensign to the nations. Those men had a lot of faith and vision. Sometimes I need to look around more and pay attention to how their vision has played out.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.Salt Lake City officials estimate about 100,000 people came in and out of the downtown area this weekend, just for the LDS General Conference being held there.
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