Whether it was an American flag fluttering patriotically atop Ensign peak or whether it was a yellow bandana is not what matters.
What matters is the visionary spirit of the eight pioneers who first hiked to the top of the knoll on July 26, 1847, setting in motion the events that have since made Utah and the LDS Church "an ensign to all nations," said President Gordon B. Hinckley of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."I marvel at their foresight. I marvel at their courage. I marvel at their prophetic instincts," he said.
President Hinckley's comments came Monday evening during the second annual commemoration of the historic event by the Ensign Peak Foundation, which is trying to raise funds for trails and information sites, and to preserve the historic landmark for future generations. Several hundred people, many clad in "Brigham hiked it - I did too" T-shirts, attended the ceremonies.
The project is scheduled for completion by 1996 - Utah's centennial - and in time to highlight the sesquicentennial of the pioneers' arrival in 1997.
Ensign Peak is an important site in Mormon history. Two days after the arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847, Brigham Young and seven companions set out on foot from what is today the Salt Lake City Hall to hike to the top of the knoll, which commands a striking view of the entire Salt Lake Valley.
Some accounts say the men erected an American flag there, but historians now agree that probably did not occur. It's now believed the men erected a makeshift banner, presumably with a yellow bandana worn by Heber C. Kim-ball.
President Hinckley described what must have passed through the minds of those eight men, of the prophetic visions had brought them here. "They then came down and went to work to bring reality to that dream," he said.
The fulfillment of those prophetic visions can be found in the church today, President Hinckley added. In 1847, there was one LDS stake; today there are 1,919 stakes. In 1847, there were slightly more than 34,000 members of the church; today there are 8.4 million.
"The dream, the work, the result. It's a miracle that's come to pass," he said.
Now, the dream is pushing into the former Soviet Union. "Who would have dreamed we'd have missions in Moscow and St. Petersburg and Kiev?" he said. "They are little groups, yes. But it is the beginning of great things. It is a tremendous sign."
President Hinckley repeatedly praised the efforts of the Ensign Peak Foundation to acquire the surrounding lands and preserve the historic landmark to "bring about what should have been done long ago. I can't say enough good about these public servants. This is a place of history, a place of significant history."
Mark A. Benson, president of the Ensign Peak Stake and a direct descendant of one of the eight men who made that historic trek, also praised the efforts of the foundation and the pioneers who came before.
"As a direct descendant, I am personally grateful for their courage, their vision and their legacy," he said.
Ensign Peak became the focus of annual celebrations beginning in 1849.