A Timeline of Events from Creation of the 9th Ward to Dedication of the 9th/18th Ward Chapel

How would you go about telling the story of the construction of the 9th Ward Chapel? Where would you get your information? What information would you consider significant enough to copy and possibly use in your history and what data would you leave "on the page?" 

Our little exercise of learning a little bit about the history of the Bountiful 9th Ward might provide a space to ponder about the historian's craft. I thought it would be fun to consider different aspects of how history gets made. Today, we'll consider sources for your history.

Below are some selections from historical reports submitted to the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1953 and 1965. What questions would we ask in analyzing this information?

First, I would want to know more about this collection, "Bountiful 9th Ward manuscript history and historical reports." What is it? What were the goals of this endeavor to capture local history? Who headed it up? How was it organized? Was every church unity, domestic and foreign, encouraged to submit these reports? What about branches? Stakes? Missions? A lot of time could be spent analyzing the big idea of this Church-wide effort.

Second, what about the 9th Ward collection with the catalog number of LR 886 2? Who kept these minutes? Fortunately, we have the names of the clerks and bishops who submitted the forms. What training did they have to do this work? How did they decide what should be included and what shouldn't be mentioned? What restraints did they have in submitting history? Was there a limit to what they could share? How would what was preserved have been different if it was recorded by a different person? Might a woman have captured different information? What about a person that belonged to a minority group? How might someone's background or education have impacted what was recorded? Would someone's occupation influence what they noticed and deemed worthy of noting? It becomes clear that our understanding of the past is colored by the person who first recorded the history.

If you have time and interest, below are some notes I took from the 9th Ward manuscript history. I focused on things that seemed somewhat related to the construction of the 9th Ward chapel. If someone else had done this exercise, they would likely have selected different material. So not only are we biased by what the clerk recorded, but by what the historian decided was worthy of his time and effort to copy.

How deeply do we question or analyze the information we receive either in books, on the intranet, or when someone shares a story with us? Perhaps we shouldn't take everything we read or hear at face value.

For you people that love to read primary historical sources, enjoy these selections below. If you love this kind of stuff and would like access to digital copies of the original documents, please reach out to me and we'll have you join our history team. You can then spend as much time as you would like reading through the minutes and finding pieces of historical treasures to share with the rest of us.

LR 886 2, "Bountiful 9th Ward manuscript history and historical reports, 1953-1983."

1953

"At the regular sacrament meeting of the Bountiful Third Ward, Bountiful, Utah held March 22, 1953 a division of the ward was made by Stake President T. Amby Briggs and the Bountiful Ninth Ward was created. The boundaries of the Bountiful Ninth Ward are as follows: West: 2nd East Street: North 1st North Street: East: 13th East South: 3rd South Street."

"February 24th, 1953, Delbert M. Lamb selected unanimously as the Bishop for the new 9th Ward to be created from a division of the present Bountiful 3rd Ward. Decided to purchase one and one half acres of additional land from Clifford Taylor, said land adjoining the present Stake Farm. Price $1,500."

"March 10th - Division line of boundaries between the present Bountiful 3rd Ward and the new Suggested Bountiful Ward set east and west on 1st North."

1954

"March 7, 1954 Bishop Delbert M. Lamb announced that the First Presidency of the church had approved the purchase of 2 1/4 acres of the Reggie Lewis property at 6th East and Center street for a building site for a chapel for the Bountiful Ninth Ward and that legal negotiations would follow as soon as possible."

"March 19, 1954 The first annual ward Reunion of the Bountiful 9th Ward was held in the amusement hall with a family style dinner with Bert and Ireta Page acting as chairman. A Program followed the dinner."

"12/3 Building fund dinner held in Ward amusement hall"

"12/7 In a meeting of the 3rd and 9th Ward Bishoprics the figure of $13,750.00 was agreed upon as the amount the 3rd Ward should pay the 9th ward as their equity in the chapel."

1955

"The Building Fund Dinner was held in the recreation hall under the direction of Brother and Sister Thomas K. Memmott. There were 375 Ward members present."

"May 6 'The Fern Nelson Dance Review' was presented by the Ward Building Fund Committee for the purpose of raising funds."

"June 24 The ward Building Fund Dinner under the direction of the Primary Organization. Approx. 375 members present."

"3/18/55 The Building Fund Dinner was held in the recreation hall under the direction of Brother and Sister Thomas K. Memmott. There were 375 Ward members present."

"5/6/55 'The Fern Nelson Dance Review' was presented by the Ward Building Fund Committee for the purpose of raising funds."

"5/19/55 Ward Building Fund Dinner sponsored by the Ward Sunday School Organization. Approx. 400 in attendance."

"6/24/55 The Ward Building Fund Dinner under the direction of the Primary Organization. Approx. 375 members present."

"Sept. 16, 1955 Ward Bldg. Fund Dinner and program was held in ward recreation hall at 7:00 p.m. Brother Burnell Bybee with the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood quorums assisting."

"9/16/55 Ward Building Fund dinner and program was held in ward recreation hall at 7:00 p.m. Bro. Burnell Bybee directed with the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood Quorums assisting."

"Nov 11 Ward Building Fund Dinner held in ward recreation hall."

1956

"March 30, 1956. Ward Building Fund dinner and program held in the ward recreation hall. Approximately 375 members attended. A donation of ten dollars per family was suggested. The building fund committee called on the families of the ward to collect the donations. The amount given was credited to the families annual building fund assessment."

"May 4, 1956. Ward Building Fund dinner held at 7:00 p.m. in ward recreation hall. The Primary Organization sponsored the dinner and program."

1957

"January 20, 1957. As of this date the Bountiful 3rd Ward chapel will accommodate three wards - the Bountiful Third, the Bountiful Ninth and the Bountiful Thirteenth Wards."

"June 9, 1957. The Bountiful Ninth Ward will share in the use of the Bountiful 1st and 6th Ward's chapel. This was necessitated as a result of the growth and division of the Bountiful 3rd Ward."

"November 24, 1957. Bishop Delbert M. Lamb presented to the priesthood the proposition of acquiring a 25 ft. strip of land adjoining the east side of our ward building site from Allen H. Barber. This additional property along with 25 feet of Allen H. Barber's will be used for a roadway. Mr. Barber has agreed to donate the ward's portion of the land and to pay the wards share of the cost of the curb, gutter and surfacing. This was brought to a vote and accepted by all members present."

1958

"April 18, 1958. There were 25 neighborhood dinners held to raise money for the Bountiful Ninth Ward building fund. These dinners were under the direction of the Primary Association."

"May 17, 1958. Neighborhood Building Fund Dinners were sponsored by the Mutual Improvement Association. Approximately $1,000.00 was collected."

"May 18, 1958. A quit claim deed on small triangular piece of property in the NE corner of the ninth ward building lot was granted to Allen H. Barber Co. in exchange for street improvements of proposed street along east side of said property."

"September 9, 1958. The boundary lines of the Bountiful Ninth Ward were increased from 6th East to 8th East by being moved north to the rear of the lots on 200 North to include a new subdivision being built there."

"October 24, 1958. A Ward Building Fund dinner was held in the ward recreation hall. Brother and Sister Arthur Newman acted as chairman with the lower one-third of the ward assisting. Turkey dinner was served and approximately $1,000.00 was collected."

"December 5, 1958. A Ward Building Fund dinner was held in the ward recreation hall. Brother and Sister David H. Allred acted as chairman with the upper one-third of the ward assisting. Money collected was from the Loose Change Cans that were distributed to ward member last April. Had dinner was served, and $3400.00 was collected."

1959

"May 1, 1959. Ground breaking ceremonies were held at the chapel site on sixth east and Center street. LeGrande Richards represented the General Authorities. A dance was held in the First Ward Chapel following the ground breaking ceremonies."

"May 17, 1959. J. Richard Fluhman and Charles Shirley were set apart as building supervisors for the new chapel.

"October 3, 1959. Building fund dinner held in the ward recreation hall. Brother and Sister Norman Faldmo were chairman with the center third of the ward as hosts. $3,600.00 was made."

"December 4, 1959. Building fund dinner held in the recreation hall."

"December 6, 1959. The building fund committee met and approved a proposal for the ward to borrow enough money from the church to complete the chapel. This money can be borrowed with no interest. This proposal was presented at Sacrament meeting and approved."

"December 27, 1959. The Bountiful Seminary presented Bishop Lamb with a check for $100.00 for the building fund."

1960

"Jan. 24, 1960. The division of the Bountiful Ninth Ward was presented to the priesthood by President Lawrence Moss at the regular priesthood meeting. The dividing line between the newly formed Bountiful Eighteenth Ward on the east and the Bountiful Ninth Ward on the west was proposed by President Moss and accepted b y 100% vote of the priesthood as the middle of 650 East on the south of  Center Street and the middle of 750 East on the north side of Center Street. At Sacrament Meeting President Lawrence Moss presented the proposed division of the ward as approved in priesthood in the morning. This was approved by the 721 members present."

"March 4, 1960. The building fund dinner under the direction of Aldin and Etta Hayward cleared $780.00. All expenses of the dinner were contributed by ward members or local businessmen."

"April 8, 1960. The ward building fund dinner under the direction of the Sunday School Officers and Teachers cleared $800. Expenses for the dinner totaled $82.80."

"May 6, 1960. The ward building fund dinner for May was sponsored by the ward choir and netted $1,000. After the dinner a special program was presented by a 35 voice group from the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir, featuring Albert Fallows as soloist.

"June 3, 1960. The ward building fund dinner for June under the direction of the Primary Officers and Teachers netted $700."

"August 20, 1960. Neighborhood dinners for the ward building fund were held throughout the ward. Net proceeds totaled $700."

"October 1, 1960. The 'Loose-Change' building fund dinner under the direction of Co-Chairmen Spencer Calderwood and Louise T. Heiner of the MIA brought net proceeds of $2,100."

"December 3, 1960. A catered building fund dinner under the direction Eldon H. Hatch of the High Priests group, netted $735. There were 360 people present."

"December 25, 1960. The new Bountiful 9th and 18th Wards' meeting house was completed permitting the first meeting to be held in the chapel under the direction of Bishop Delbert M. Lamb. Both wards assembled at 2:00 PM for a combined sacrament meeting at which George L. Scott of the 18th Ward was the principal speaker. All members of the Stake Presidency were present and brief remarks were offered by President Stanford G. Smith. Bishop Bernell Wrigley of the 18th Ward spoke briefly. There were 968 present representing 76% of the combined wards' population."

1961

"March 18, 1961. A ward building fund dinner under the direction of the Sunday School netted $600."

"April 22, 1961. The ward building fund dinner sponsored by the ward MIA brought net proceeds of $715."

"May 20, 1961. A ward building fund dinner under the direction of the Primary netted $680."

"June 4, 1961. The priesthood gave a sustaining vote to the bishopric to sell a ward building lot for $3,600. The funds will be used for the building fund being collected to pay off the church loan on the new ward chapel."

"June 24, 1961. A ward building fund dinner under the direction of D. Leon Johnston and other Stake workers from the ward brought net proceeds of $860."

"June 25, 1961. A special finance meeting was called for members of the ward who had completed their ward building fund assessment. There were 62 present. The group was addressed by Bishop Delbert M. Lamb, Counselors  Donald L. Aamodt and Glen B Goodrich. President Stanford G. Smith and Finance Chairman Bert H. Page. The group was asked to accept additional assessments on the building fund program to meet the higher-than-original costs of the building. Response was very favorable."

"July 29, 1961. The monthly ward building fund dinner was sponsored by Ellis and Dorothy Shields."

"August 12, 1961. The new pipe organ in the chapel was completed in time for the Stake Conferences held in the Bountiful Ninth Ward."

"August 26, 1961. The monthly ward building fund dinner was sponsored by the Mutual Married group under the direction of Norman W, Jr. and Erma Faldmo."

"September 23, 1961. The monthly ward building fund dinner was sponsored by the Elders Quorum under the direction of E. Jay Hartvigsen, Quorum president."

"October 14, 1961. The monthly building fund dinner was presented under the direction of Lyman H. Hill and Reeve B. Hill."

"December 9, 1961. The monthly ward building fund dinner was chairmaned by E. Clinton and Verda Swain."

"Fourth Quarter, 1961. The building fund contributions for the quarter totaled $3582. Expenses of the two building fund dinners totaled $177."

1962

"March 4, 1962. Bishop Delbert M. Lamb reported that only $18,000 remains for the Ninth Ward to pay off their share of the chapel loan from the church. a goal of two years was set to collect this amount from the ward members."

"March 16, 1962. The ward building fund dinner was chairmaned by Reed Harmer and Hattie H. Walsh. Expenses totaled $220. Collections for the building fund during the quarter totaled $558."

"April 1. The priesthood approved the payment of the Seminary building fund assessment of $946.25 from the existing ward building fund collection."

"April 14. The monthly ward building fund dinner was presented by the Sunday School officers and teachers."

"May 12. The monthly building fund dinner was put on by the MIA officers and teachers."

"June 23. The building fund dinner was put on by the Primary officer & teachers."

"June 24. The priesthood approved payment from the ward building fund of $100 for the Boy Scouts of American Great Salt Lake Council building fund."

"Second Quarter. Completion of the water sprinkling system around the chapel grounds was accomplished by the priesthood of the Ninth and 18th Wards."

"Building fund dinner expenses during the quarter totaled $93. Building fund collections during the quarter totaled $2730."

"Third Quarter - General - The landscaping and planting was completed by a contractor according specifications. The priesthood of the Ninth and Eighteenth Wards cooperated in subsequent weeding sessions."

"October 12, 1962. $2,183 was collected at a building fund dinner put on by the Elders Quorum."

1963

"March 24, 1963 The Ward was given an assessment by the Stake President Stanford G. Smith to buy land for a Bountiful Stake Center. The Assessment was $3,400.00."

"April 28, 1963 The ward building was completely re-keyed with close controls placed upon the new keys."

"June 15, 1963. The Elders Quorum (who operated a successful egg project throughout the quarter) sponsored seat belt installation to raise money for the building Fund. Seventy Five Belts were installed in Autos at $6.00 per Belt."

"June 22, 1963. A highly successful ward building fund dinner was sponsored by the Geneological Committee."

"September 8, 1963 The Ward Priesthood voted to pay the Stake Building assessments out of money already donated to pay on the Ward Building. The Total cost of the Ward Building was $410,000.00, our share was $102,500.00. Of this we have paid all but $4,300.00. By paying the Ward Assessment to the stake of $3,400.00 as voted we will have a new balance owing on the ward building of $7,700.00. It was also reported that our savings account established for building fund monies paid us $550 in Interest during the past year."

"September 21, 1963. The Ward Members viewed a special showing of the Film 'Windows of Heaven' Produced by the Church which described the power of prayer and obedience."

1964

"February 2, 1964 It was announced that a balance of $2,965.oo owing as the ward's share of the Payment for the Building. The Cost of the Building and Contents was $409,000.00."

"March 29. The Ward Members completed contributing their share of the building Fund. In Fact, $500 more than was needed was donated and this will be used to replace winter killed shrubs and completely cleaning the building. The Dedication date was tentatively set for June 7, 1964."

"April 11, 1964 A successful Welfare Dinner was held at which the ward members Contributed $1,250.00 toward the assessment of $1,350.00. The Balance was raised within the next 3 weeks."

"May 29, 1964. A Dinner was held to raise funds for a Stake assessment for the Seminary Building at View Mont High School. A total of $1193.31 was contributed by Members."

"June 14, 1964 The Dedicatory Services were conducted for the Bountiful 9th and 18th Ward Chapel at 5:00 P.M. Speakers were Former Bishop Delbert M. Lamb, Bishop Glenn B. Goodrich and Bishop Bernell Wrigley. appropriate music was supplied by a joint choir and the Dedicatory Address and Prayer was given by Richard L. Evans. There were 1,168 persons in attendance or 71% of the Combined membership of the ninth and Eighteenth wards."

"September 19, 1964 A Ward dinner was held to raise funds in order to meet the stake budget assessment. Almost 500 persons were fed and $1,100.00 was contributed by the members."

"October 18, 1964 A new roof is being installed on the ward building."

1965

"May 15, A successful ward dinner wsa held to encourage paying the Stake Building fund."

"December 12 A vote was taken of the Priesthood approving the Bishopric's recommendation for an addition to the Ward building by changing two rest rooms to class rooms."