Martin Harris

My father was a Bishop
For all of 18 years
Every summer we took a trip
One in particular had the youth in tears

I, too, was a teen when we went to Clarkston
And toured the township's cemetary
My love of the Book of Mormon here was won
Through a witness of one who had known Martin Harris

Today, still, one can visit there
And find, in his name, a monument
Inscribed below, a list does share
His contributions... with sentiment

This city carries on his sure witness
As had been heard oft by all who knew him
Too, through him, first publications were finished
Of the Doctrine and Covenants and The Book of Mormon

At one time Brother Harris ventured from the path
But never once did he deny his witness
Then repentant, remembering all he'd had
He came back, strong, till his days were finished

Ever thankful for that trip... I'm a reader
Of ancient and modern day scripture
When I open this holy writ, I am eager
To ponder and pray with my soul in rapture

rapture
rhymne zone
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
Example: "Listening to sweet music in a perfect rapture- Charles Dickens"
noun: a state of elated bliss

pondering Elder L. Tom Perry's talk given to our stake
found a site that describes the cemetary:
click on title to go directly...

Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, came to Utah in 1870 at the age of 87 and settled in Clarkston, Utah, where he died on July 10, 1875. He enjoyed sharing his testimony with those who would visit him and encouraged them to share his story and testimony with others. Although absent from the LDS Church for a time, he returned to full fellowship and was baptized before dying in Clarkston. Upon his death, Martin was placed in his casket with a copy of the Book of Mormon in his right hand and a copy of the Doctrine & Covenants in the left to represent his role in financing the publication of the first editions of these two books of Latter-day Saint scripture.1

His grave was originally marked with a wooden headboard and a raised mound of earth. On July 10, 1925, the 50th anniversary of Martin Harris' death, LDS Church President Heber J. Grant dedicated a large granite monument on the gravesite with an inscription telling of Harris' role as a special witness and his testimony of the Book of Mormon. Also, a copper box containing a Book of Mormon, a Doctrine & Covenants, and testimonies of many of the people who had known Martin and heard his testimony was placed at the base of the monument.2

Beginning in 1934, a general Church-wide Aaronic Priesthood commemoration was held at the Martin Harris gravesite. Later, in the 1980s, an amphitheater was built near Martin's grave. It was dedicated on August 3, 1983 by President Ezra Taft Benson, and each year in August a historical musical play titled "Martin Harris, the Man Who Knew" is performed before thousands of people. In so doing, the people of Clarkston carry on Martin Harris' charge to tell the world his story and testimony of the restored gospel.

click on the title to read more