Highland East Canyon View Young Men: 2015

Wasatch Temple Trek 2015

(and virtual Holy Land pilgrimage)

(Other resources: Trek Maps and Statistics, UNPC Blog article, Deseret News article, Flicker Fotos, Pictoral Summary Trek, Temple Trek Tracker, Holy Land .kmz file and Wasatch .kmz file (GoogleEarth is required to view .kmz files), see bottom of this post for historical background information for Holy Land sites.

In August 2014, we utilized our Annual Troop Planning meeting to prepare for our 2015 summer camp. Based on the results of individual interest surveys, it was to include the following: 1) divide our summer camp into smaller camps so that everyone could attend at least part of the camp; 2) earn Hiking, Cycling, Backpacking, and Wilderness Survival merit badges; 3) participate in a trek or 50-miler of some sort; 4) answer the challenge from stake leaders to search out ancestral names and complete temple ordinances for those individuals; 5) perform service as a quorum at least once a month: and 6) have a meaningful, challenging, and most of all- FUN summer.

With those preferences in mind, we planned a 250-mile, 9-stage, temple trek along the Wasatch Front that enabled us to complete the requirements for the four merit badges and challenged us to have at least 100 family names ready for when we would visit at least 10 temples during our trek.

For service, we also asked family members and ward members, to sponsor us by the mile and to make their donation to our ward. We hoped to earn $1,000. The monies were to be divided evenly between three LDS charity funds: Humanitarian (relief for disaster victims and people with special needs throughout the world), Perpetual Education (loans for underprivileged but motivated young adults to help them gain essential job skills or education in preparation to provide for their future family), and Missionary (financial help to enable youth to serve full-time missions when, because of finances, they would have otherwise been unable to do so).

During a chance visit to the Kadijah Islamic Center on one of our first stages, we learned how important it is for Muslims to make a "pilgrimage" to Mecca to re-enact some of the most important events in the life of Abraham, Mohamed and others in order to more fully be able to devote themselves to God. We decided to convert our temple trek into a "Holy Land" pilgrimage to help us prepare for our ultimate "pilgrimage" experience as young men- serving a full-time mission where we will not only re-enact the Savior's life but serve as his official representatives at the same time.

We devised an analogous map for the trek comparing the Wasatch Front to the Holy Land. We identified sacred locations or places of significance that corresponded to each LDS temple or mountain peak that we were about to climb. We also added the Islamic Center and the Radha Krishna Temple visits to broaden our scope to the holy places of other faiths. With that, we continued on our trek.

Below is an account of our journey and some information that might help you understand it a little better. Hopefully it will give you some ideas for an adventure of your own.

Our Troop Historian is Clay Palmer and our Bog Editor/Scoutmaster is Lenard Brunsdale (contact info: lenardbrunsdale@msn.com, phone: 801-492-9104- let us know if you have any questions)

****************************************************************

Stage 9. City Creek- Aug 12, 2015 (10 mile hike/6 mile ride)

(originally planned as a 16-mile backpack stage)-

"Land of Benjamin- The Holy City"

Bountiful Temple to Temple Square via City Creek Canyon & the State Capital

Hikers: Harry, Mason, Truman, Derek, Eli, John, Johnny, Landon,

Rex, Bryson, Tyler, Nic, Ryan, Clay, Lenard, Michael

Mueller Park trailhead in Bountiful

Elephant Rock in Mueller Canyon

Rudy's Flat on ridge above City Creek Canyon

Salt Lake Valley from above City Creek

City Creek Canyon

Utah State Capitol

Church Office Building

Salt Lake Temple

Bishop Jones meets us at our journey's end

Derek presents our group to Church Authorities

Bryson present our $3,373 donation check to
Sharon Eubank- Head of LDS Humanitarian Serves

General YM President Owen challenging us to follow
the Savior's example and answer his call

Stake President Bangerter challenged
us to be "Faith of Power" missionaries

Bishop Jones telling us that he loves loves us and wants the best for us.

All of us together in the lobby of the Church Office Building

Advisors Notes: City Creek is designed as an 16-18 mile overnight backpack trek from Bountiful Temple to the Salt Lake Temple with a camp at Rudy's Flat(no water in camp but creeks within a mile on either side). Instead, due to time restraints and scheduling, we turned it into a 10 mile hike from Mueller Park TH to the 10-mile point on the road down City Creek Canyon where we had a shuttle waiting to take us to a visit to the Utah State Capitol building. We walked down to temple square from there. We started hiking at 7:00AM and complete the 10 miles by 12:15PM. It was wonderful to have church authorities there to great us and help us reflect after we completed the last stage of our temple trek pilgrimage. Make sure you arrange to have some meet you at Temple Square. The is a great culminating stage. It certainly helped us appreciate a little better the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. City Creek Canyon is only open to cars on even-numbered days.

*****************************************************************************

Stage 8. Mt. Nebo & Payson Canyon- July 31-Aug 1 (15 backpack/25 mile ride)-

"Land of Dan- Mt Hermon" & "Land of Naphtali- Upper Galillee"

Mt. Nebo to Payson Temple via Payson Canyon and Radha Krishna Temple

Trekkers: Truman, Derek, Rex, Camden, Ryan, Tyler, Len, Matt, Michael

Scouts share in a Hare Krishna moment

Began with baptisms at the Timpanogos Temple for 29 family names

Next visit was to the Radha Krishna Temple

Feeding the Coy at the pond

Everyone wanted to hug a llama

"Holy Cow!"

Vegan deli on main floor of temple

Orientation in the temple by Vai

Figures representing the various incarnations of God

A song of praise to Hare Krishna

We met a beautiful family from India

Off to our destination- Mt. Nebo

Looking into Utah Valley

The 25 mile bike ride begins

The Devil's kitchen

Payson Lakes

and ends at the Payson Temple

Blue moon on Maple Lake

We camped at a nice site on Maple Lake in Payson Canyon

Once again our Timberline grads rise above the Timberline

Tyler was the first to throw a rock through the hole in the tree

on top of the world

The final approach with Camden and Truman leading the way

atop Mt. Nebo

Fun bouldering near the top

It is a long way straight town.

Beautiful fields of flowers

Advisors Notes: We combined the 10-mile hike/climb up Mt. Nebo and the 25-mile downhill ride into one overnight and stayed at the less-crowded Maple Lake. We attended the temple and visited the Krishna temple prior to beginning our ride around 3PM on Friday. Instead of one ride from Monument TH, we rode down 5 miles from Monument TH to the Devil's Kitchen (a cool red-rock formation), then shuttles back to the Utah Valley overlook on the Mt Nebo Loop and rode 20 miles down to the Payson Temple from there. When hiking Mt. Nebo, you can turn right as you enter the TH parking lot and drive several hundred yards on a dirt road directly to the trailhead to the peak itself. Note: the trailhead at the Monument TH parking lot is for the bench trail not the trail to the peak.

****************************************************************************

Stage 7. Box Elder- July 17-18, 2015 (20 mile backpack overnight)-

"Land of Asher-Mt. Carmel"

Draper Temple- Baptisms

Draper Temple to Tibble Fork Reservoir via Box Elder Peak Summit

Trekkers: Ryan, Bryson, Tayton, Johnny, Luke (just turned 12), John, Len, Michael

Began the morning at the Draper Temple

Box Elder Peak from Draper Ridge

Sliding Rock above Alpine

First Hamangog

Campsite at junction of Box Elder and Dry Creek trails

Lone Peak ridge in the background

Box Elder with Timpanogos Peak in the distance

Preparing to go above the "Timberline" in proper attire

This was a perfect activity for our Troop with 14 or 15 Timberline (NYLT) trained youth.

Approaching the summit of Box Elder Peak

Our virtual Holy Land tour put us atop Mt. Carmel.

We had our own "Elijah" in Eli Riggs re-enact the scene
from years ago when Elijah called down fire from heaven
to consume his sacrifice to show the priest of Baal and
the people that "his God, is God in Israel."

Scoutmaster Notes: We had perfect weather for our 20 mile trek. Remember to make an appointment at the Draper temple for baptisms as it is very busy now. Sliding rock above Alpine is closed to the public due to development but you can get special permission to use it by contacting the owner- Will Jones in Alpine. Three options for camping along the Dry Creek trail include at the junction to North Mountain Trail, at the junction with Box Elder Trail (we chose this one) and at the summit (there was still water running at the spring as well). The lower two have reliable water sources. The simulation of the trek from Shiloh (Draper Temple) to Mt Carmel (Box Elder Peak) was perfect. There is even a perfect altar on top to re-enact Elijah experience with the priests of Baal.

*****************************************************************************

Stage 6. S. Utah Valley & Alpine Loop- July 1, 2015 (50 mile ride)

"Land of Zebulon & Issachar-Galilee" and "Land of Manasseh- Samaria"

Payson Temple- Baptisms

Payson Temple to Timpanogos Temple via Provo Temples and Alpine Loop

Riders- Kaden, Derek, John, Johnny, Ei\li, Rex, Ryan, Bryson, Tayton, Tyler, Clay

Payson Temple

Southeast shores of Utah Lake

Provo City Center Temple

Unsuccessful hit on the post office

most technical part of the ride

Provo Temple

Top of the Alpine Loop

Heading down SR92 towards Sundance

Vivian Park in Provo Canyon

Bridal Veil Falls if you can see behind all those muscles

Provo River Parkway

Single-track option heading down to Salamander Flats from top of Loop

American Fork Canyon approaching Pine Hollow TH

Pine Hollow TH

Scoutmaster's notes: Make sure that you get reservations at the Payson Temple. They have very few lockers and get backed-up quickly with big groups. It was a beautiful and peaceful ride through the rural shores of Utah Lake. Make sure when you finally near Provo and cross over I-15 that you take Kuhni Rd (alongside the railroad tracks). There is very little traffic until you get to University Ave. The entire ride is level and minimally difficult. It hardly seems uphill from Provo City Center Temple to the Provo Temple. Both are beautiful. If you're worried about the uphill ride at the end of the Provo canyon section (Alpine Loop), then ride down from Provo Temple back to University Avenue before you hop in the cars and shuttle everyone to the top of the Alpine Loop. We rode down both canyons with an adult in the front riding no more that 25 miles per hour. It seemed like the perfect speed to keep everyone together. Another adult followed in a van at the rear blocking traffic. We pulled out frequently to let cars pass us all at once. Both downhills were effortless. It was worth the shuttle. Trying to ride up Provo Canyon to the top of the Alpine Loop would not have ended well with a group of 12 year-olds who just rode 25 miles into Provo but that might be an option for a Venturing Crew. Doing this on Wednesday morning was perfect- minimal traffic. Beware of heavy traffic on the Alpine Loop on Friday afternoons and Saturday. There are plenty of streams and canals to stop at and freshen up along the way.

****************************************************************************

Stage 5. Timpanogos- June 19-20, 2015 (10&20m hikes/15m backpack)

"High Places- Mt. Ebal & Gerizim"

Tibble Fork Reservoir to Timpanogos Temple via Great Western Trail & Battle Creek Falls

Hikers: Kaden, Truman, Isaiah, Derek, Rex, Johnny, Tyler, Bryson, Clay, Tayton, Ryan,

Tibble Fork Reservoir

Timpanogos-North Peak

Ridge Trail near the Alpine Loop

Julie Andrew's Meadow

Box Elder Peak

Sage Brush Flats

Camp chefs

Tyler's Devotional with the Salt Lake in the background

Looking towards Utah Valley

Battle Creek Falls

Kiwanis Park

Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Grove Creek

Murdock Canal

Timpanogos Temple

Scoutmaster's Notes: This thirty-mile stretch is not for lightweights. We combined a temple trip and 10-mile hike the first day with a 20-mile hike the second and included an overnight, 15-mile pack trip, in the middle. Our official "50-mile" trek (which included 35 miles of backpacking with up to four nights of campsite options at the summit of Corner Canyon, the junction of N. Mountain and Dry Creek trails, Granite Flats, and Sage Brush Flats) included three 10-mile segments (1. Corner Canyon Summit to Dry Creek Trail, 2. Dry Creek Trail to Tibble Fork Reservoir via Box Elder Peak, 3. Tibble Fork to Sage Brush Flats) and a 20-mile hike (Sage Brush Flat to the Entrance of AF Canyon via Battle Creek Canyon, Murdock Canal, Timpanogos Temple and the Highland Trail). We combined the first two segments for a 20-mile backpack overnighter (see above: Stage 7- Box Elder). We combined the last three 10-milers for a 30-mile overnighter which included carrying backpacks for the middle 15 miles from Timpooneke TH to Kiwanis Park at the entrance to Battle Creek and carried day packs during the first and last part of 30-mile stage (Timpanogos stage). Remember that there is no water at Sage Brush Flats so you need to bring plenty from Timpooneke or have a vehicle bring some to you via the forest road access.

*****************************************************************************

Stage 4- Davis County- June 17, 2015 (28 miles)-

"Land of Judah- Kingdom of Judah"

Bountiful Temple- Baptisms

Bountiful Temple to Ogden Temple via Bonneville Shoreline Tr, sideroads, & Hill AFB

Riders: Camden, Bryson, Kaden, Truman, Rex, Derek, Tayton, Clay, Ryan, Eli, Johnny

Bountiful Temple

13 family names (50 total)

Meuller Park

Bountiful Temple

Single Track

Bonneville Shoreline Trail

View of Great Salt Lake from the bench above Bountiful

HW89 near Farmington

Weber Valley Road

Ogden Temple

Scoutmaster's notes- The baptistry was beautiful and the temple was very accommodating to us. We chose to start our ride at Meuller Park (were the City Creek stage 9 will start) and ride back by the Bountiful Temple. Be careful after passing the Bountiful Temple on Bountiful Blvd that you stay high and that you turn right on the road designated Bonneville Shoreline on Google earth- it's actually a paved road now. Do not head down the hill on 4th north- it's a hard climb back up trust me. The turn off to the single track off Skyline drive is a little hard to find as there are several off-shoots (it's the third option and the last before the shooting range). The single track is fun and intermediate in difficulty and a nice break from the pavement. The roads through north Bountiful and Farmington were very peaceful with little traffic congestion. The short stint on Highway 89 was nerve racking but the Scouts were able to stay far away from the busy traffic because there is a wide shoulder. Once you get to S. Weber Rd. you'll feel like you've died and gone to heaven. This is a peaceful country road with a long gradual decline. We ended our ride at the intersection of S. Weber Rd. and 1050 West as we already had logged 28 miles and we had some bike troubles, and it was hot and getting late. It ended up being a perfect place to stop. We had to get back early or it would have been great to stop by the Hill Air Force Base musuem and try out their flight simulators. If you have time you could continue up through the busier city streets another 4 miles to end at the temple itself. There is a Jewish synagogue along the way on 2750 Grant Avenue that you may want to stop by and visit called Congregation Brith Sholem- call first to see if they will accommodate you. Also a stop by the Hill AFB museum on the way home can be fun, especially if their simulators are up and running. You need a reservation for the simulators so call ahead.

**********************************************************************

Stage 3- Jordan River- June 10, 2015 (30 miles riding)

"Land of Gad & Reuben- Jordan Valley"

Oquirrh Mountain Temple- Baptisms

Riding: Kaden, Truman, Eli, Taton, Tyler, Camden, Bryson, Ryan, Clay

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

17 family names (63 total)

Daybreak to 1300 W

Jordan River Temple

Jordan River Parkway Trail

WWII Memorial

A shrine commemorating the sister relationship of West Valley City and a town in Thailand.

The most generous Sa'alam introduced us to his mosque and to the wonderfully gracious iman of the mosque (not pictured) who took time out of his busy schedule to welcome us and help us feel comfortable and intruduce us to the world of Islam

Bilal Ahmed Mirza became our muslim friend. He enthusiastically shared with us his beliefs and shared the story of his amazing pilgramage to Mecca. Hearing of his pilgrimage inspired us to create a virtually Holy Land pilgrimage of our trek along the Wasatch Front.

Here we are in the center of the mosque with two of our new and best Muslim friends

Here is were the prayer leader stands to lead the congregation in Salat (five worship prayers held daily at specific times). They explained to us in detail how it all takes place. They also offer personal prayers throughout the day in the same manner as we do.

International Peace Park in the Mexico section where the Aztec calendar was on display. The Aztec calendar is variation of a Mayan calendar that was created in Izapa, Mexico where Stela 5- The Tree of Life Stone is located.

The Olmec Head- Replica of a head carved by a people who left the great tower and came across the sea about 2,500 years before Christ and settled in Vera Cruz, Mexico. Hey didn't the Jaredites do that?

Energy Solutions Arena

LDS Church Office Building in site

LDS Conference Center

Salt Lake City Temple

Conference Center

The Lord's sends off his first missionaries and looks over his future missionaries (Matt 28:19,20)

Scoutmaster's Notes: This is a fantastic journey. The Jordan River trail is amazing. It is not 100 percent connected so make sure you study the trail maps on the internet to become aware of brief detours. Make sure you stop at the Islamic Center (call ahead and make some arrangements), the WWII memorial, and the International Peace park. Beginning with a temple session at Oquirrh Mtn. Temple really set the tone.

**********************************************************************

Stage 2- South Valley- October 2014 (15 mile ride)- "Land of Ephraim-Ancient Israel"

Draper Temple to Oquirrh Mtn Temple via Corner Canyon-Ann's Trail, & Salt Lake Canal

Riding: Mason, Harry, Cayson, Kaden, Derek, John, Johnny, Eli, Rex, Tayton, Tyler, Clay

Corner Canyon and Suncrest ridge behind Draper Temple

Suncrest summit

Hog's Hollow

Ann's Trail

Draper Temple

Salt Lake Canal

Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Scoutmaster's notes- Starting above Corner Canyon and riding down the moderately difficult Ann's trail was a perfect start. Starting a 4:00PM still didn't give us enough time to do baptism and get over to Oquirrh Mountain before dark. This would be an ideal Wednesday morning ride in the summer. Riding along the Salt Lake canal was perfect. Lot's of birds, very few people, and no cars. There is one unlocked gate that you must pass through along the way. Tell them that Matt, the owner, said it would be OK for Scouts to cut through there anytime. South Jordan, Herriman, and Daybreak have awesome bike lanes to keep everyone away from the traffic.

***********************************************************************

Stage 1- Murdock Canal (10 miles- biking) "Valley of Shechem"

Timpanogos Temple to Battle Creek Falls and back via Murdock Canal

Timpanogos Temple- Baptisms

Attending: Harry, Kaden, Mason*, Johnny*, Rex*, Derek*, Tayton* (*Riding)

Timpanogos Temple

Murdock Canal

Battle Creek Canyon

Utah Valley

Our Timpanogos Temple session and subsequent ride to Battle Creek Canyon then to our homes in Highland along the Murdock canal was more of a practice stage than an actual temple trek stage. But it was fun none-the-less.

*******************************************************************************

Notes regarding our virtual Holy Land pilgrimage along the Wasatch Front

(disclaimer: there is no doctrinal or scientific support for any associations made in the information below. These geographic parallels were contrived to make our trek more meaningful and fun and to create opportunities for learning and discussion as we were able to associate the temples and high places of our area with sacred places and events in the Holy Land that are of great importance to our faith, culture, and lives.)

Areas in the Holy Land (parallel Wasatch Temple trek stages)

Land of Dan- Mt Hermon (Mt Nebo- 10 mile hike)

L. of Naphtali- Upper Galilee (Payson Canyon- 25 mile ride)

L. of Zebulon/Issachar-Lower Galilee (Utah County- 25 mile ride)

L. of Manasseh- Samaria (Alpine Loop- 25 mile ride)

L. of Asher- Mt. Carmel (Box Elder- 20 mile pack trip)

High Places-Mt. Ebal & Gerizim (Timpanogos- 30 mile pack trip)

L. of Ephraim-Ancient Israel (South Valley- 15 mile ride)

L. of Gad & Reuben-Jordan River (Jordan River- 28 mile ride)

L. of Benjamin- The Holy City (City Creek- 16 mile pack or 10 mile hike)

L. of Judah- Kingdom of Judah (Davis Co.- 30 mile ride)

L. of Simeon- Abraham’s Inheritance (Weber Co.- 25 mile ride)

Sacred or special places in the Holy Land (Parallel places on our trek in Utah)

Mt Hermon (Mt Nebo)
City of Dan (Radha Krishna Temple)

Mt. of Beatitudes (Payson Temple)

Sea of Galilee (Utah Lake)

Nazareth (Provo Temples)

Mt Carmel (Box Elder Peak)

Mt Ebal & Gerizim (Timp & Lone Peak)

Shechem(Sychar) (Timpanogos Temple)

Shiloh (Draper Temple)

Bethel/Gilgal (Oquirrh/Jordan Temples)

Jordan River (Jordan River)

East of Jordan (Kadijah Islamic Center)

Jerusalem (Salt Lake City Temple)

Bethlehem (Bountiful Temple)

Dead Sea (Great Salt Lake)

Hebron (Ogden Temple)
David's military capital (Hill AFB)

Beersheba (Brigham City Temple)

A simplified background history of Israel and its Holy Places

2000 BC Abraham- enters the Land of Canaan. He builds an alter at SHECHEM and at BETHEL and offers sacrifice, makes a covenant with God, settles in BEERSHEBA, builds an alter and offers Isaac as a near-sacrifice on MT. MORIAH (Temple Mount and Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem). He pays tithes to Melchizedek the king of Salem (JERUSALEM). He dies and is buried in HEBRON with his wife in the Cave of Patriarchs- the first purchased Israelite land in Canaan.
1900 BC Isaac- lived his entire life in Canaan- mostly in the area of BEERSHEBA and HEBRON where he too offered sacrifice on sacred altars. He was also buried in HEBRON.
1800 BC Jacob- stops in BETHEL after fleeing from Esau. On this location, he has his dream of the ladder to heaven, he renews the covenant with God that Abraham and Isaac had made previously, and changes his name to Israel. He purchases land in SHECHEM and settles, returns to BETHEL and has another vision then later moves to BETHLEHEM where Rachel dies and is buried. Finally, Jacob returns to HEBRON around the time his son, Joseph, is sold into Egypt. To escape famine, Israel eventually follows Joseph to Egypt with his family where they remain for 400 years. After his death in Egypt, Israel is brought back to Canaan and buried in the Cave of the Patriarchs in HEBRON.
1700 BC Joseph- after being sold into Egypt, Joseph has no connection with the Holy Land other than his bones were brought by Moses and eventually laid to rest in SCHECHEM on land originally settled by Jacob.
1300 BC Joshua- after 400 years in Egypt, the children of Israel re-entered the Promised Land led by Joshua by way of a parted JORDAN RIVER. After their conquest of Jericho, and at their first camp in the Holy Land, Joshua erected an altar out of 12 stones set in a circle and called the place GILGAL. Joshua set up his religious center in SHILOH. From this location, Joshua apportioned the partially-conquered lands of Canaan to the tribal families of Israel.
1200 BC The Judges- The tribes of Israel, via conquest, settled into their tribal territories and were governed by clan leaders after Caleb and Joshua. Unfortunately, in many of these lands, high places were already established by Canaanites as pagan and idolatrous worship centers which only served to tempt Israel into false worship. Israelites were to worship in SHILOH which was the religious center of Israel and was the home of the Tabernacle of Moses and the Ark of the Covenant for over 300 years during the reign of the judges until the ark was lost in battle during the time of the last judge named Eli. From the destruction of SHILOH until the construction of Solomon's temple in JERUSALEM, proper worship was sanctioned and performed in high places that were often visited by Eli, Samuel, as well as kings David and Solomon. After the construction of Solomon's temple, false worship in the high places resumed and was condemned. Sanctioned high places and altars of sacrifice that are of mentioned in Israelite history are SHECHEM, CARMEL, BETHEL, GILGAL, Mizpah, MORIAH, HEBRON, Gibeon and BEERSHEBA.
Occasionally during the period of the Judges, external forces would threaten Israelite security on the borders of their land. Clan leaders would rise up to meet the challenge and rally neighboring Israelite tribes to come to their aid. These military and sometimes spiritual leaders where known as Judges. The reign of the Judges took place from Joshua's death until Eli ministry during a span of over 300 years. Some of these notable Judges were Gideon, Samson, and Deborah.
1100 BC The Prophets- Having been dedicated to the Lord as an infant, Samuel became the first of a notable succession of prophets in Israel. Samuel frequently worshiped in the holy sanctuaries in Israel, specifically and SHILOH where he was first presented to the Lord via Eli the high priest.
As external pressures threaten the security of Israel more and more, the people petitioned the prophet Samuel for a King. The Lord finally granted them Saul who succeeded in uniting the tribes before he fell out of favor with God. Samuel was then sent to anoint David as king in Israel.
1000 BC The Kings- David strengthened and unified Israel and successfully extended its dominion from the Euphrates River to the Red Sea. HEBRON was David's capital during his early reign, but he was able to establish JERUSALEM as the national capital in Israel much to the fears of the Israelite tribal subjects who preferred autonomy from central authority and the taxation that was surely to be associated with it. Solomon (means "Peaceable") succeeded his father and was permitted by the Lord to build a temple in Jerusalem which became the new center of worship for the Jews. It was not long after this that the practice of false worship once again surfaced in the high places in which Solomon also participated to appease some of his idolatrous wives. He soon fell out of favor with God.
900 BC Divided Kingdom- By the time Solomon was succeeded by his son Rehoboam, most of Israel was upset with the tax-happy central authority in Judah and 10 tribes seceded from Judah to form the Northern Kingdom of Israel under the leadership of Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, who established his capital in SHECHEM but rejected the priests located there and installed his own priests to officiate in calf worship centers that he constructed in BETHEL and DAN. He soon resumed false worship in the other high places as well. This was the condition in the Northern Kingdom when Elijah challenged 450 priests to a dual atop MT. CARMEL to see "who's god was Goad" in Israel.
800 BC Apostasy- Elisha continued Elijah's work as his predecessor, He preached repentance in the northern kingdom but to no avail. The kingdom became apostate and ripe for destruction.
700 BC Assyrian- Shalmaneser of Assyria sacked the northern kingdom in 721 BC, carried away the tribes of Israel captive, and planted captives from other conquered lands into the lands abandoned by the northern Israelites. These foreigners mixed with the remnant of Israelites who escaped captivity and became known as Samaritans. This mixed bread of remnant Israel was later looked down upon by the Jews at the time of Christ. They were viewed as illegitimate heirs in the family of Israel.
600 BC Babylon- The kingdom of Judah, under Josiah and Hezekiah, reformed their apostate ways and destroyed the high places of false worship and underwent a revival in Judah but in time, this kingdom fell back into apostasy as well and was conquered and carried away captive into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar and witnessed the destruction of their temple at JERUSALEM in the process.
In Christ's time notable sacred and special places associated with his life and ministry were: 1) his birthplace in BETHLEHEM; 2) NAZARETH, where he spent his youth and began his mission; 3) the shores of the SEA of GALILEE were he ministered and preached and which included a high prominence at the north end of the lake where he delivered his famed SERMON ON THE MOUNT. The temple on Mt. Moriah in JERUSALEM and the Mount of Olives adjacent to it where he suffered in Gethsemane for the sins of the world are two more sacred and notable high places during the life of Christ.

Simplified Summary of World History and God's Covenant People

Date- Event (Prophets) Date- Event Leaders(prophets)

2400- Great Flood (Noah) 400- Israel Scattered World Religions

2300- Earth Divided (Peleg) 300- Greek Empire Alexander the Great

2200- Tower of Babel (Eber) 200- Split Empire Ptolemy & Selucia

2100- City States (Melchizedek) 100- Roman Empire Caesar & Pompey

2000- Covenant People* (Abraham) 0- Christ’s Church (Jesus & Apostles)

1900- Land of Canaan* (Isaac/Jacob) 100- Apostolic Era (John in exile)

1800- 12 Tribes of Israel* (Joseph) 200- Age of Martyrs Bishops, Apologists

1700- Israel in Egypt -- 300- Christianity Constantine

1600- Egyptian Captivity -- 400- Schism-Apostasy (Moroni)

1400- The Exodus (Moses) 500- Birth of Islam Mohamed

1300- Promised Land* (Joshua) 600- Dark Ages Ottoman E., Islam

1200- The Judges* (Eli) 1300- Renaissance Great Awakening

1100- The Prophets* (Samuel) 1400- Exploration Columbus, Guttnbrg

1000- The Kings (Nathan) 1500- Reformation Luther, Calvin

900- Divided Kingdom* (Elijah) 1600- Colonization Pilgrims, Williams

800- Apostasy (Elisha) 1700- Revolution Religious Freedom

700- Israel falls-Assyria (Isaiah) 1800- Restoration (Joseph Smith)

600- Judah falls-Babylon (Jeremiah) 1900- Globalization Building of America

500- Exile/Return-Persia (Zechariah) 2000- Israel Gathers (Worldwide Church)

The Journey- "Land of Dan-Mt. Hermon" (Mt. Nebo) and "Land of Napthali-Upper Galillee" (Payson Canyon)- From the summit of Mount Hermon to the ancient city of Dan is about 20 miles. Our 10 mile trek on foot to the summit of Mt. Nebo and back to Monument trailhead simulates the first part of this journey. Looking down on Utah Lake from atop Mt. Nebo helped us imagine the top-of -the-world setting on Mount Hermon where the transfiguration of Christ and the restoration of priesthood key from heavenly messengers to Peter, James, and John took place.One must travel another 40 miles to the shores of the Sea of Galillee where there is located a prominence nearby that is known today as the Mount of the Beatitudes. The second part of this stage was simulated by our 25 mile bike ride from Monument TH on the Mt. Nebo loop down through Payson Canyon and across town to the Payson Temple. From there our view of the valley/lake was similar to the view Christ may have had from the hill where he delivered the "Sermon on the Mount" to his followers and disciples.
Making a stop at the Radha Krishna Temple reminded us of the other forms of worship everpresent in area, such as at Dan, that often tempted Israel to turn away from the God of Israel.
Mt. Hermon-Located in the extreme northern end of the Holy Land at an elevation of 9,400 feet, Mt Hermon overlooks the Sea of Galilee over 10,000 feet below. Its snow-capped peaks can be seen as far south as Jericho in the Jordan River Valley (in comparison, Mt. Nebo stands 7,500 feet above Utah Lake and is also located at the extreme end of the Wasatch Front). It is likely that the Transfiguration of Christ took place on this high place- a very important N.T. event. One week after Peter was promised the keys of the kingdom and 6 months before the death of Christ, Peter, James and John saw the Lord in a glorified and transfigured state hearing the voice of the Father bear witness of him. They saw a vision of earth as it will appear in its future glorified condition and conversed with Moses and Elijah (two translated beings) who conferred upon them priesthood authority enabling them to establish the Lord's kingdom on earth. A similar event ocurred on April 3, 1836 in the Kirtland Temple where the same heavenly messengers conferred priesthood keys upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.
City of Dan- After the tribe of Dan lost their first inheritance near the tribe of Ephraim to the Philistines, they migrated north, conquered Laish and called the place Dan- the northern limit of Palestine, which extended "from Dan to Beersheba." Seasonal snow melt from Mt. Hermon seeps down through its limestone and reappears in numerous springs in this area making the land very fertile and forming the headwaters of the Jordan River. Jeroboam, in order to outdo the the mercy seat for the Lord located between the cherubim above the ark in the rival sanctuary in Jerusalem, created a seat for God that spanned his whole kingdom by establishing golden calf santuaries its northern and southern borders (Dan and Bethel) as the arm rests of this seat. Dan was destroyed during the Assyrian invasion.
Mount of the Beatitudes- this prominence at the north end of the Sea of Galilee has been traditionally regarded for over 1,600 years as the place where the Sermon on the Mount took place. Early in Jesus' ministry he preached all about Galilee. Great crowds followed him up to this high place where he began to preach to his disciples and prepare them for their first missions. The Sermon on the Mount, the first of 5 recorded discourses found in Matthew, is the longest piece of teaching from Jesus and the most widely quoted worldwide of all his teachings that are recorded in the Gospels of the N.T. The sermon contains the central tenets of Christian discipleship and includes a description of the Kingdom of Heaven, the character of it members (expressed as "blessings" of the Beatitudes, and how life should be on earth within this kingdom. It sets forth the manner of prayer-the Lord's prayer, and ends with a challenge to "be perfect" or to seek a path towards perfection and the Kingdom of God and to act like Him.

The Journey- "Land of Zebulon and Issachar- Lower Galillee" (Utah Valley), and the "Land of Manasseh- Samaria" (Alpine Loop): From the Mount of the Beatitudes on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum, around the shoreline of the lake, then up into the hills to the town of Nazareth covers a travelling distance of 35 miles. Biking from the Payson Temple, skirting around Utah Lake, then heading up to the Provo City Center and Provo temples for a total of 25 miles parallels this journey. It requires 40 miles of travel through the hills of lower Galilee and Samaria to reach Shechem from Nazareth. That distance is simulated by our biking 50 miles through the Alpine Loop between the Provo temples and the Timpanogos Temple.
Sea of Galilee-also know as Chinneroth, Genneseret or Tiberias; pear-shaped, 12.5 miles long and 7.5 miles across. It lies 700 feet below sea level where the heat is great. Cold air rushing down from the hills produces sudden storms. The Jordan River runs through it. The best fishing was found at its north end where 9 nine cities of over 15,000 people existed during Christ's time. (In camparison, Utah Lake is nearly 20 long and 8 miles wide and rests at an elevation of 4,500 feet above sea level.)
Nazareth- lies in a hollow in the hills of Galilee near several main roads through Palestine. It is here that Jesus lived as a youth- where he "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." It was in a synagogue here that Christ declared himself a fulfiller of prophesy and after his rejection on that occasion, he does not appear to have ever returned. The Provo temples also rest in the foothills of the Wasatch Front. The institutions of learning nearby provide a haven for LDS youth to increase in wisdom and stature as pursue their educational aspiration in preparation for adulthood.

The Journey- "Land of Asher- Mt. Carmel" (Box Elder) and High Places- Mt. Ebal and Gerizim (Timpanogos): Travelling over the hills of Samaria from Shechem towards the coast of the Meditarrenean Sea for about 50 miles, one can arrive at the summit of Mt. Carmel overlooking the Valley of Jezreel. Our parallel journey took us 20 miles from Suncrest (above the Draper Temple) to Tibble Fork Reservoir. We summited Box Elder Peak along the way and look out over Heber Valley as Elijah may have looked out over the Valley of Jezreel from atop Mt. Carmel. Looking the other way back down into North Utah County we will be able to see the Timpanogos Temple in the valley below with Mt. Timpanogos and Lone Peak on either side as Mt. Gerizim and Mt Ebal flanked the Israelite capital of Shcechem. We will simulated the return from Mt Carmel with a 30-mile trek on foot that will took us out of the valley of Tibble Fork Reservoir and up and around Mt. Timpanogos to Sage Brush Flats. From here we will be able to see in virtual form the extent of the Holy Land from beyond Utah Lake to the summit of Mt. Nebo in one direction to beyond the furthest reaches of the Great Salt Lake in the other direction. We then descended out of the mountain into the valley and travelled through it to the Timpanogos temple as the high priest of Israel may have done when they returned from the sanctuaries atop Mount Gerizim down to his home in Shechem.
Mt. Carmel- This 5 mile range stands 1,600 feet above the Jezreel Valley to its immediate north and creates a natural barrier to migration and invasion just as the Jezreel Valley provides a natural passageway. It is located in western Israel near the sea and the modern city of Haifa. In O.T. times, an altar to God was build on this sacred high place which after neglect was later rebuilt by Elijah. It was here that Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal to a contest at the altar to determine whose God was genuinely in control of the Kingdom of Israel. Box Elder Peak was a perfect fit for Mt Carmel as it even has an altar shaped monument on its summit.
Shechem- "saddle." The most ancient of the sacred towns of Palestine, situated in a beautiful plain between the mountains of Ephraim close to two hills, Ebal and Gerizim. Today the modern town of Nablus lies near this site. Abraham built an alter and offered sacrifice here when he first arrived in Canaan. Jacob purchased land here (Jacob's well). Joseph was buried here. It became one of the six cities of refuge for the Israelites and served as the capital of Ephraim and later of the northern kingdom of Israel. In N.T. times it was referred to a Sychar and was a chief city to the Samaritans- a remnant of Israelites who escaped deportation to Assyria and who later mixed with foreigner who were settled here during the Assyrian captivity. Their religious center was located atop mount Gerizim where Samaritans claim was the location chosen by God for the holy temple. They also claim that Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac also to place here and that it was the location of the Tabernacle- not Shiloh.
Mt Ebal and Gerizim- Two mountains in the center of Palestine. Ebal being due north of Gerizim. Between them is a valley in which stood the ancient town of Shechem. Both have preciptious faces rising nearly a 1,000 feet above the valley floor and standing about a third of a mile apart. After the Babylonian conquest, the Samaritans established their religious sanctuary atop Gerizim with Manasseh, a priest exiled from the temple in Jerusalem, leading the revival. Gerizim has been a high place sanctuary for the Israelites since the time of the Patriarchs.

The Journey- "Land of Ephraim- Ancient Israel" (South Valley) and "Land of Gad and Reuben" (Jordan River): It is a 15 mile journey from Shechem through the mountains to the Shiloh, the heart of ancient Israel. It is another 10 miles to the ancient high places of Gilgal and Bethel then 10 more miles to arrive at Jerusalem. This 35 miles course spans the tribal lands of Ephraim. Its north south course parallels the Jordan River located 15 miles to the east and 3,500 feet below in the bottom of the rift valley at 1,000 feet below sea level. Because the higher elevations in the Holy Land provide the more favorable climate, more settlements are found there than down in the Jordan River Valley below. The opposite is true for our parallel journey along the Wasatch Front in Utah. The fertile Salt Lake Valley offers a pleasant climate resting at 4,200 feet above sea level and higher in elevation then any of the high points of central Israel. While our Wasatch temple trek wanders 50 miles through the mountains to connect the Draper Temple to the Timpanogos Temple, a more direct route through Highland and the Draper ridge is about 12 miles which is very similar to the distance between Shechem and Shiloh. The Draper Temple is a perfect symbolic fit for Shiloh as it rest 1,000 feet above the valley floor in the hills of Corner Canyon and can be seen from anywhere in the Salt Lake Valley. Shiloh was similarly the focal point of religious life in Israel. The journey from Shiloh to other nearby high places in Israel such as Gilgal and Bethel was one of 10-20 miles, This is not unlike the distance across the valley from the Draper Temple to the the Oquirrh Mountain and Jordan River Temples. Finally the journey from Bethel to Jerusalem is one of 10 miles as well. We simulate this journey by travelling 20 miles on bike from the Jordan River Temple to the Salt Lake Temple along the Jordan River Trail. On one occasion, we cross over the Jordan River in midvalley to visit the Kadijah Islamic Center. In similar fashion, crossing over the Jordan River in the Holy Land puts one in the tribal lands and Gad and Reuben and on the doorstep of the host of Arab Nations that surround Israel and are home to a quarter of the world's population of Muslims who practice the Islamic faith.
Shiloh- Located 10 miles north of Bethel and 11 miles south of Shechem, Shiloh was the religious center of Israel from the time of Joshua's conquest until the end of the reign of the Judges when the ark was taken from Israel at the battle of Ebenezer. It was here that Joshua divided the land among the tribes of Israel. The Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant resided here for around 300 years. Eli and Samuel officiated in the sanctuary at Shiloh.
Bethel-"house of God" Near present day Beitin, it is one of the most sacred spots in Israel. Abraham built his altar here. Jacob has had his dream of the stairway to heaven in this place where he also renewed Abraham's covenant with God, had his name changed to Israel, and give the place its name. It was a high place sanctuary in the days of Samuel and often visited by the prophets. It was a border town between Judah and the northern kingdom. Jeroboam set up the calf worship here and in Dan, the frontiers borders of his kingdom making his entire kingdom the seat of God in attempts to outdo the mercy seat above the Ark in Jerusalem. This offended the Levite priests in Shiloh.
Gilgal- "circle of stones" Israel's first camp after crossing over the parted river Jordan and conquering Jericho. It was a sacred site during the time of Samuel and he offered sacrifices here after anointing Saul as king. It was on the annual circuit of Elijah and Elisha.
Jordan River- stretches over 100 miles from the springs at the foot of Mt. Hermon to the Dead Sea. It courses 66 miles through the intensely hot Jordan Valley between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Here is the traditional site of the baptism of Jesus and the crossing of the Children of Israel into the Promised Land.
East of Jordan- Israel is surrounded by 16 nations know as the Middle East. Of the nearly 400 million inhabitants in these countries are found over 250 million Muslims who along with the Christians and Jews have their religious origins in the Land of Canaan and the God of Abraham.

The Journey: Land of Benjamin- The Holy City" (City Creek): It is a 10 mile course from Jerusalem to Bethlehem through the heart of the tribal land of Benjamin. We simulate that journey with a 10-mile hike from the Bountiful Temple over the ridge above Mueller Park and down into City Creek Canyon. The journey culminates by walking or biking another 6 miles down the lower section of City Creek canyon and ending at temple square by way of a brief stop at the Utah State Capital. From the capital lawn, one can look out over the Salt Lake Temple and grounds in similar fashion as viewing the Temple Mount as Christ and his followers would have from atop the Mount of Olives.
Jerusalem-

The Journey- "Land of Judah- Kingdom of Judah" (Davis Co.) and "Land of Simeon- Abraham's Well" (Weber Co.): The Kingdom of Judah extended from Bethel to the north to Beersheba on the south. The travel distance from Bethlehem to Hebron is 25 miles and from Hebron to Beersheba is 30 miles. Both Bethlehem and Hebron are located a little over 15 linear miles from the shoreline of the Dead Sea and rest nearly 4,000 feet above it. Our simulation to these two segments of the journey through the Holy Land course 30 miles from the Bountiful Temple to Ogden Temple then 25 miles from Ogden Temple to Brigham City Temple. The Bountiful Temple is 15 linear miles from Antelope Island and the Odgen Temple is 15 miles from the shore of the Great Salt Lake. Our stop at Hill Air Force Base serves as a reminder of the military importance that Hebron played in the history of Israel as it was in Hebron where David gathered his strength to wage his military campaigns throughout the region to establish the Kingdom of Israel as the dominant force in the region.
Bethlehem- "house of bread" The City of David. David and Christ were born here. David was annointed King of Israel here by Samuel.
The Dead Sea or Salt Sea- is 30 miles long and an average of 9 miles wide. It is located at the end of the Jordan River 1,300 feet below sea level.
Hebron- 19 miles south of Jerusalem nestled in the Judean hills at 3,000 feet elevation, it is traditionally the second most holy city in Israel and was one of 6 designated cities of refuse for the Israelites. Abraham purchased a cave here- the first owned Israelite property in Canaan. He and his family were buried within this Cave of the Patriarchs. It has long been a strategic city in Judah and was David's capital city during his early reign and was where the elders came to anoint him King of Israel.
Beersheba- "Well of the Oath" It became the home of Abraham after the covenant that he made with Abimelech, king of Gerar. Isaac built an alter there. It was regarded the southern limit of Israel as was later assigned to the tribe of Simeon. It is rich with pastureland.

Highland East Canyon View Young Men

Saturday, August 29, 2015

ILST-Planning Clinic

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Temple Trek 2015