Shelley Beatty

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Mount Timpanogos

September 21, 2017 by shelley

Mount Timpanogos

Mount Timpanogos is my favorite mountain.  I love the legend behind it also…

THE LEGEND (there are several versions)

But here is one version from

Eugene L. “Timp” Roberts 1922 Version:

Timpanogos was angry. The mountain-god shook the hills and the valleys with the power of his passion. All living things skulked into secret places and waited. Timpanogos cursed the streams until they bore no fish and his people were starving at his feet. Not even the medicine men could discern the cause of his mood, but with dark ceremony did they seek to appease him. For many days and nights they did call to him for mercy.

They beat their heads with rawhide thongs until the blood coursed over their brown bodies; but without avail. Timpanogos demanded the last measure of the tribe’s contrition: he yearned for the Sacrificial Maiden.

With the doleful beating of toms-toms the priest moved among the people calling them to the dance of sacrifice and tribesmen dragged all the young women and the fair girls before the sacred altar that the angry god might choose his victim.

Now among the women was the daughter of the chief and the best beloved and most beautiful of all the maidens. Because she was as beautiful as the evening sunset and as lovable as the warmth of early spring, the redmen feared that the mountain-god would covet her. Twice before they watched her take her turn in drawing the dreaded lot. Each time they saw her come forth safe while one of her sisters was chosen.

Once more her people stood in terror with breath baited while Utahna approached the funeral pyre, and blindfolded reached for one of the sacred stones. As her shapely hand encircled an oval flint and drew it forth a murmur arose throughout the assembled tribe. Alas, the touch of Timpanogos was upon the stone; the finger print of the god was deep laid in its adamant surface.

The chief and all his household fell upon the earth and buried their faces in the rocky soil, and they groveled in despair, while the men and the women of the tribe streaked their bodies with white clay and danced the dance of death around sobbing Utahna.

Four stalwart braves, anointed with human blood, let Utahna from the multitude toward the threshold of Timpanogos. They took her to the portals of the canyon entrance from which gushed the stream which bathed the feet of Timpanogos. Here with solemn words they left her, for none but she might tread the sacred ground. Somewhere among the vast amphitheaters near the crest of the mountain brooded the Great Spirit. She must find him alone.

Utahna struggled along the trail-less mountain side until she reached a wild stream tearing its way southward through a narrow fork of the canyon. Along this stream and toward the mountain top she took her way until the canyon road widened into an upland valley. She was startled to see blue smoke curling its way skyward through the aspens and to hear the chant of numerous voices.

Peering between the tress Utahna saw a tribe of redmen dancing a dance of joy before their tepees. How dared these people tread the sacred ground of Timpanogos! Were they mortal or spirits? What should she do? Would they destroy her before she had saved her tribesmen? With these queries in her troubled brain, Utahna skirted the village, creeping behind the wild rose and the mountain berry. When safely beyond the strange people, she ran along the banks of the stream like a frightened fawn.

Utahna heard not the soft tread of a brown moccasined foot behind her as she ran. Stealing through the underbrush was Red Eagle, a Indian brave of the strange tribe and the son of its chief, who returning from a bear hunt had spied the creeping maiden as she stole past his people. Red Eagle tracked the fleeing girl along the banks of the stream until the canyon once more broadened into a beautiful mountain valley forested with the pine and the aspen. Here she turned to the left and started straight for the peaks of Timpanogos. Beside a roaring cataract, Utahna rested and Red Eagle too paused behind the wild oak bushes.

Next he followed her up the steep sides of slanting ledges, then through deep flower beds and under spraying waterfalls, until at last she reached the floor of broad amphitheaters carpeted with flower beds, studded with emerald ponds, and walled with giant cliffs. Here she paused in terror and Red Eagle too felt himself in the presence of mystic powers. He wanted to spring to Utahna’s side for the strange maiden had gripped his heart, and he was half afraid both for her and himself.

Then Utahna, with an effort at courage, once more began her journey. She hurried over small hills and through tiny valleys to the feet of a deep glacier winding its way from the mountain crest and ending in a beautiful lake. Along the surface of this river of ice she climbed while red Eagle followed concealing himself in crevasses when she paused for breath.

After reaching the rim, Utahna saw the great valley at her feet. Way in the distance she saw the smoke rising from her village and she thought she heard the moaning and the pleading of her people. Taking new courage from the thought of her great sacrifice, she sped along the narrow rim of the mountain until she reached the topmost peak. Here the cliffs fell away thousands of feet and she felt the cool breath of the mountain god on her cheeks. Into the depths she peered and trembled.

When Red Eagle scaled the peak, the girl was standing upon the brink of the precipice chanting a ceremony of appeal and sacrifice and preparing to leap into space. From her sobbing chant he gathered the import of her journey, the purpose of her sacrifice. Just as Utahna was making ready to leap into the mystic arms of Timpanogos, and fulfill her fate with her life, Red Eagle spoke softly to her. She turned and in superstitious terror, threw herself at his feet. In broken half audible expression she pleaded with him to receive the pleadings of her people and to accept her as the wanted sacrifice.

Red Eagle understood and was tempted. Impulse and new-born passion determined his deception. He bade her rise and follow him. Back down the rim of the mountain they went in silence. Red Eagle was torn with fears and yet he was led by the love of his beautiful maiden. He knew not Timpanogos, neither did he fear this strange god; but with all he was pretending to be divine and that was sacrilegious. Silently he brooded as he picked a path down the mountain side; silently he planned. He must possess the maiden and yet if she knew him to be mortal she would carry out her sacrifice. He must not return to his people or she would learn the truth and destroy herself.

Turning away from the direction of their ascent Red Eagle broke into a new and wild country to the north while the wondering maiden followed in quiet. Down the sides of unknown hills they went until their path led them among giant ledges. He must go forth in confidence or she would learn the truth, and yet he knew not where to go. Along a narrow terrace he led Utahna until they came upon the forbidding face of a dark cliff. Red Eagle trembled for his path was blocked.

A low growl coming from the thick berry bushes upon the terrace roused Red Eagle out of his stupor of fear and indecision and as he sprang in the direction of the growl he saw a bear loping hurriedly away from the mouth of a cave.

Into the cave Red Eagle walked and was thrilled to see a large enclosure walled with myriads of glistening rock icicles and floored with mystic altars deep colored in sacred red. Once more the deceiving Indian was tempted and turning to the awe-stricken maiden. He bade her enter and told her that her sacrifice was accepted. Her people would be blessed and that she should reside with him in the crystal palace forever.

Utahna’s heart leaped for joy. This then was the human sacrifice. To be the bride of Timpanogos and to live with him in his wondrous palace was the price she should pay for her people’s blessings. Why was the truth not known? Why should her tribesmen mourn her loss, and all the fair maidens dread the fatal selection?

For many moons did Red Eagle and Utahna reside within the brilliant cave and their happiness was truly godlike. When the storms would break upon the mountain top and the lightening would tear across the sky, Utahna would search the face of Red Eagle to ascertain the cause of his mood and Red Eagle would feign anger and would brood in silence until the storm was over. When the days were calm and beautiful and the flowers sent forth their delightful fragrance, Red Eagle would sport about the cliffs and flower beds with Utahna in her arms and all the world was joy.

He brought her fresh killed deer and the berries from dangerous heights. She prepared him meat over the camp fire and she awed that he could eat like her. She was delighted and surprised too that he could thrill like her at human love and passion. But with all this he was all-powerful. He controlled the storms. He feared not the wild beasts. He went forth without weapons and brought back fresh killed meat.

But, alas, her dream was doomed to end as all dreams must end that are built upon deception. One day the low growl of the grizzly was once more heard as the bear sought its favorite lair. Red Eagle sprang behind the wild rose and returned with bow and arrow. He attacked the angry beast but was wounded before he could drive it away.

For days the sad Utahna nursed her wounded lover and in the ravings of his fever she learned the truth. Loyal to him even at the risk of incurring the displeasure of her god, she nursed him back to health and prepared in secret for her great duty. One day when Red Eagle returned to the cave he found it empty and Utahna gone. With fear gripping his heart, he set out for the heights of Timpanogos.

When he reached the giant amphitheater at the foot of the glacier he saw a tiny form perched upon the highest peak and leaning towards the yawning depths. His wild call was lost in the distance. Suddenly the figure raised its arms in supplication and then Red Eagle saw the body of his beloved hurtling through space, falling from ledge to ledge, until it dropped a mangled mass at his feet.

For a moment he shrank away from what was once his beloved bride. Then he raised the bleeding form of his bride to his arms and tread slowly and solemnly back to their crystal cave. In one of the hidden chambers, Red Eagle laid Utahna beside a mirroring pond, and brooded over her in silence until his lifeless body sank beside her.

Then the great god, Timpanogos, did a wondrous thing. Up from the bodies of his children he commanded their bleeding hearts to rise and merge into one. And over the lifeless bodies rose a great heart and fastened itself to the brilliant cave ceiling.

This great heart hangs to this day over the sacred place in the burial chamber of Red Eagle and Utahna.

Great heart of Timpanogos

The Great Heart represents the hearts of Utahna and Red Eagle joined together forever in the Legend of Timpanogos. The formation itself occurred when multiple stalactites grew together to form one big stalactite. It is 5 feet 6 inches in length and weighs ~2 tons or 4,000 pounds. It is made up of the mineral calcite, which allows for a translucent quality to the formation when light is shined upon it.

Filed Under: Travel, Utah Tagged With: Mount Timpanogos, Mount Timpanogos Legend

BYU Education Week 2015

September 27, 2015 by shelley

BYU Education Week 2015

BYU Education Week 2015

The theme of the 2015 Campus Education Week, August 17–21, 2015, is “Lay Hold upon the Hope Set before Us: Which Hope We Have as an Anchor of the Soul” from Hebrews 6:18-19.

According to the class program, “In these trying times, it brings great comfort to anchor ourselves to Christ and feel the hope that His Atonement provides. President Boyd K. Packer taught, ‘As we move into the future with quiet confidence, His Spirit will be with us. There is no end to His power to bless and direct the lives of those who seek truth and righteousness’ (“The Reason for Our Hope,” October 2014 general conference).”

BYU Campus Education Week, which first began in 1922, is now one of the largest continuing education programs of its type offering more than 1,000 classes on education, religion, marriage and family, the arts, history, genealogy, communication, and much more. Classes are designed primarily for adults, although anyone age 14 and older is welcome to attend. The more than 200 presenters are faculty from Brigham Young University, instructors from Seminaries and Institutes of Religion, and other experts in their fields.

Neil Anderson Education Week's devotional speaker

Neil Anderson Education Week’s devotional speaker

Notes from class of the 100 most important events in church history.

100 most important events in church history

100 most important events in church history

BYU unveils donated painting ‘Treasures of Knowledge’ by artist Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen's new painting Treasures of Knowledge

Greg Olsen’s new painting Treasures of Knowledge

New painting by Greg Olsen in BYU’s Alumni Center.

The Museum of Art still had the spectacular exhibit of Gabriel Dawe an installation artist.

GABRIEL DAWE: PLEXUS NO. 29

GABRIEL DAWE: PLEXUS NO. 29

I had to go check the progress on the Provo City Center Temple.

Provo City Center Temple

Provo City Center Temple

The Provo City Center Temple is a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) under construction on the same site as the former Provo Tabernacle in Provo, Utah. The temple utilizes much of the external shell of the tabernacle, which was damaged in a fire in 2010.

My favorite Mount Timpanogos (sometimes informally referred to as Timp, is the second highest mountain in Utah‘s Wasatch Range.) could hardly be seen due to all the smoke in the air from the California forest fires.

Mount Timpanogos

Mount Timpanogos

Filed Under: Art, Travel Tagged With: BYU Education Week, Gabriel Dawe, Greg Olsen artist, Mount Timpanogos

BYU Women’s Conference 2015

May 26, 2015 by shelley

Landing at the Salt Lake Airport and gazing at the mountains in Utah I feel such a sense of homecoming.  Living in Kansas I miss the mountains, oh how I how miss the mountains.

My favorite mountain is perhaps Mount Timpanogos…the backdrop for the BYU campus.

Mount Timpanogos, Wasatch Mountain range, Utah

Mount Timpanogos, Wasatch Mountain range, Utah

Mount Timpanogos not only is beautiful but has its own legend. There are multiple versions of the legend.  If you look hard at Mount Timpanogos you can imagine a young Indian Maiden Princess lying on her back with her hair flowing down.  And just as most legends go, the legend of Mount Timpanogos involves two young lovers.  (You can read the legend of the beautiful Indian Princess here.)

Women’s Conference is held on the BYU campus between BYU’S graduation (after Winter semester) and the beginning of spring term.  The annual two-day event attracts an estimated 15,000 women who come to hear leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and attend classes featuring more than 200 presenters on topics such as marriage, family and gospel principles.

Women’s Conference gives me a chance to catch up with two close friends, Ellen Riley and Linda Esplin.  Ellen lives outside of Boston and Linda lives in Phoenix.  Linda and I became friends when I was in graduate school and she was an undergraduate.  We met in the student ward but we bonded over running.   I married Bob and moved to Boston for Bob’s internship and residency.  Linda married Cordell, (attended law school), moved to Hawaii for Cordell’s internship.  Then they moved to Boston for Cordell’s residency.  Here we met Ellen.  We all became fast friends.  Thankfully, we get to meet once a year in Utah for Women’s Conference.  It is a time to renew friendship, catch up on news and bask in the learning opportunities afforded at Women’s Conference.

BYU campus is a beautiful campus.

BYU campus

BYU campus

 

The theme for BYU Women’s Conference this year was: “My soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord.” 2 Nephi 11:5

BYU Women's Conference Theme

BYU Women’s Conference Theme

BYU Women’s Conference is the largest two-day gathering of LDS women anywhere in the world. Over 200 presenters share their perspectives and insights on a variety of topics including womanhood and sisterhood, gospel principles, marriage, family, and practical and timely topics of interest and concern to women of all ages.

One of the memorable classes for me was “A Time for a Woman’s Voice” given by Ally Isom and Michael R. Otterson.  Michael Otterson is head of  public affairs for the church and he talked about the church and social media today.  It really opened my eyes to the need that we need to make a presence on the internet.

I also enjoyed Elder Ballard’s presentation.

Elder M. Russuell Ballard and Sister Barbara Ballard at the Marriott Center.

Elder M. Russuell Ballard and Sister Barbara Ballard at the Marriott Center.

BYU Women's Conference

BYU Women’s Conference

General session speakers in the Marriott Center included Sister Wendy Watson Nelson, wife of Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president; Kevin J. Worthen, BYU president, and his wife, Peggy; and Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

I also enjoyed a special presentation at the Fine Arts Museum on the BYU campus.  Artist Brian Krishisnek

spoke on “Nativity and Other Paintings of Women”.

Nativity by Kershisnek

Nativity by Kershisnek

 

also on view through 2016 is a breathtaking display of color:

Gabriel Dawe’s stunning Plexus no. 29 at BYU Museum of art

Gabriel Dawe’s stunning Plexus no. 29 at BYU Museum of art

The two translucent structures filtering through the Museum’s skylight appear to be luminous rays of light refracted through a giant prism. Gabriel Dawe’s stunning Plexus no. 29 is a corporeal installation of colored filament meticulously threaded between the Museum’s mezzanine walls and oculus.

I also got to spend time with my daughter Jen and my grandchildren Becca, Henry, Caroline and Emily!

Eating at the Lion House Pantry

Eating at the Lion House Pantry

Enjoying yogurt

Enjoying yogurt

Henry and Becca checking out the fish at City Creek

Henry and Becca checking out the fish at City Creek

And the beautiful flowers at temple square…

Flowers at temple square

Flowers at temple square

Filed Under: Salt Lake Temple, Travel Tagged With: Brian Krishnek, Brigham Young University Campus, BYU Women's Conference, LDS, Mount Timpanogos

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I'm Shelley. Mom of three and grandma of eight... living right in the middle of the country, Kansas City! I'm happy to be alive and enjoy sharing exciting goodies that I find and make. Here you will find ideas for LDS Young Women's activities, family updates, and a compilation of all things wonderful.

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