When the LDS Third Ward/Stake house was built in Nephi during the 1950's, they called it "The church that Ross Garrett built".

In Nephi, Utah, there was rapid growth in the late 1940's, as World War Two boys were coming home. In 1951, Stake President Lester Belliston directed Bishop Ivan Tew to build a chapel, which would be known as the 4th Ward. Most folks were just getting used to more than two wards in Nephi, but all pitched in to help including folks that never stepped in a church. And no time to relax, as in 1954 young Ross Garrett became Stake President and not only raising kids; running a farm; County Comiss. and Utah Poultry Boss, but the higher ups told him to build a new Third Ward chapel, which would also be the Stake Center. Holy Mackerel, how could farm folks do it, especially when they had to cough up half the $400,000 cost, even though most just had only enough to buy a five cent bottle of pop at the Serv. Well, in steps a young whipper snapper by the name of Lee Olsen, who just rode in to Nephi and at the young age of 29, appointed Bishop of the Third Ward. Like the Lone Ranger, he and his wife stormed in; made money for his boss-Thermoid, and a financial genius to build and completly pay for the beautiful new chapel that remains as good looking and sturdy today as the day it was finished in 1960. And in a flash, the Olsen's disappeared. Now the rest of the story. Last week, the widow of Bishop Olsen returned to Nephi to express thanks for how well Nephi accepted their family. Now in her nineties, she wanted to donate to the DUP Museum the "Money Quilt" which she and the Relief Society made, asking whoever wanted their names sewed in 60 years ago, that their contributions were for the building fund, and the quilt auctioned off and although it didn't follow Auction 101 rules, it was invocative. The quilt is filled with hundreds of names, and for viewing at the Museum in Nephi. Congregation photo is by the pulpit(where the secret trap door was located) in the old North Ward chapel and you may find photo of Vic Jones; Marvin Garrett; KJ Sperry and Joe Smith. Photo of five men are prior Bishops of Third and North Wards showing Lee Olson; Dan Davis; Elgin Garrett; AE Smith and Wilford Bailey.

 

Today we pay tribute to my son-Justin Jones who we lost a year ago tonight.

Justin Jones passed away a year ago tonight. He was my sidekick for 38 years. While on earth he gave his kindness to all others, regardless of who or where they were, but neglected his own needs. Although countless others still mourn his transition, today I feel blessed to still draw from his strength, inspiration and love. Sooner or later, everybody will be confronted with tragedy, but we can deal with it by service to others, as JJ did and continues to do so as a Guardian Angel. There is nothing that rewards us more than the love we share with others. After attending one of his concerts, Andrea Boceli singing "Time To Say Goodbye" has been one of my favorite tenor singers. Justin Jones gave his good bye, but only on a temporary basis.

Welcome to Juab County, where some things change, but Mt. Nebo remain's constant forever.

Nephi and Juab County have been around since Mormon pioneer days, but things in life do change. We don't see as many horse races as we used to, but now adays we see a herd of bike racers, which include the "Tour of Utah". Indications are on this afternoon they will be on local roads in Mona through Nortonville then Nephi and on the loop road, so beware and give them plenty of space. For a little color, we thought we would throw in some photos of local stuff from several few years ago. The forever thing is our Mt. Nebo which will never change, nor should it. Let all the bike racers enjoy the view, but we hope they are careful around hairpin turn; Jones' Knoll, and for hell sake, they better watch for cattle at Devil's Kitchen as it is open range.

Gae Sperry was a Templer who became a true Nephite.

In case you missed her funeral today, we will give a short version of what I saw, heard and felt today, and my observation of the devotion given to Gae Sperry by two different families. Although I was acquainted with her husband-Duane Sperry, who was a Juab County Sheriff, I didn't know Gae in her younger days, but could sense her love of family, with a herd of kids, grandkids and great grand children who attended the funeral. Her other family were the staff and residents of the Red Cliffs Assisted Living Center, where she resided after being hit with the unfairness of Dementia. While visiting other folks at the facility, one couldn't help but notice the ever watchful eye of other residents and staff, looking out for Gae. Often times, another resident would gently assist her. It was as though Gae Sperry had a handful of helpful residents, or a host of guardian angels closely watching over her, or both. On one occasion, I watched as one of her daughters came in and lovingly brushed Gae's hair, then gently touching and stroking her mothers face. When her husband died at the young age of 53, she did whatever she could to make ends meet and was not only devoted to her five kids, but worked as a teacher's assistant then for Juab County. She never had much money and what she did have, she was willing to give it to others. I heard once that divine love is a sacred flower, which in it's early bud is happiness, and its full bloom is heaven. Gae Sperry had heavenly devotion, filled with infinite colors and tapestry, just like her painting on the canvas. Her husband was big in to little league sports and boy scouts, and when he departed, she took his place, not only as the provider of food, but showed kids how to hit a ball and routinely watched every family member play. Gae, you were given a hearty welcome back at the pearly gates.

A history of the old and new Forrest Hotel of Nephi, Utah from 1880 onwards.

In 1877, Henry Forrest moved his family to Nephi, America and saw it was a thriving community. Although the Goldsbrough Hotel(where Shine Starr lived) was at second north and main, the Forrest Hotel became popular at the corner of 1st East and 1st South. They also purchased the Hague residence next to it, which was used by mid-wives to deliver babies. Henry Forrest kept a registration log, which is now stored at the DUP Museum in Nephi. From 1903 to 1906, the occupants included the BYU Basketball team;  "Moores Comedians"; "Gus Sun's Minstrels", who performed "That Missouri Girl" on stage. How about the 12 members of the "Kempton Komedy Ko." or "The Moon Shiners Daughter Co." and in 1906 there were ten members of the "Cosgrove Concert Orchestra". Like the "Sample" room at the Goldsbrough, the train brought in a lot of peddlers, so the Forrest Hotel had a room for samples of cigars, grain, clothing, soap and foods. Some of the interesting names that checked include "Miss Minnie Holden" from "Sandy Bottom Co." People from all of the world stayed at the Forrest, but we also had locals from Mona including Miss Dora Young and Etta Ellertson and J. M. Christensen from Levan. It must have been when the registration clerk turned their head, as two people wrote down "Jesus H. Christ from Heaven" and then his buddy wrote down "Dirty Devil from Hell". I guess we have always had funsters while in Nephi! When the Forrest family built the new Forrest Hotel at the corner of 100 North and Main, it was considered the finest luxury hotel in the rural western United States. As kids, the Jones boys were given a job to keep the furnace stoked with coal, and although we were forbidden to be seen in the high society areas of the hotel, we were able to take peeks of the rich and famous that stayed there. Like people, the building became old and brittle, and it was sold to Howard Clinger in 1962. He did a great job making it an excellent convalescent home titled the "Colonial Manor", and again the Jones boys were hired to patch up some of the plastering and cement that was giving way. The building has now been torn down and remains an empty lot, at least for now. When the second hotel was built, a brick "Annex" was built in the place of the old one, which was used to provide extra beds when the new hotel was full. It remains the "Annex", and the owner has nice rooms available with affordable rent, and keeps it very upscale in appearance, but you better mind your P's and Q's there, as no Riffraff is wanted, just like the Forrest family had it 138 years ago.