POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL DENVER AREA TEMPLE & STAKE CENTER SITE
Or
TEMPLE CENTERED ZION HUB
Just as some areas are now building multiple Temples such as Utah and Arizona, the Denver area within years or decades may need additional Temple Sites and Temples ranging from a modest smaller Temple/Stake Center complex to a maximum Temple Square or Zion Hub requiring 70+ acres.
As suggested and referred by:
Paul Albert Prior.
347 E. Southfield Rd.
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Cell: 801-360-7317
March 4, 2011
To:
Temple Site & Construction Committee
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
47 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT
POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL DENVER AREA TEMPLE & STAKE CENTER
or
TEMPLE CENTERED ZION HUB
Just as some areas are now building multiple Temples such as Utah and Arizona, the Denver area within years or decades may need additional Temple Sites and Temples ranging from a modest smaller Temple/Stake Center complex to a maximum Temple Square or Zion Hub requiring 70+ acres.
As suggested and referred by:
Paul Albert Prior.
347 E. Southfield Rd.
Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Cell: 801-360-7317
March 4, 2011
To:
Temple Site & Construction Committee
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
47 East South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT
Table of Contents
Possible site preservation for an additional Denver Area Temple/Stake Center & Other Church Facilities Complex
Section I.
A - Title Page
B - Table of Contents
C- Preface Letter
Section II. Hill Top History and Background
Section III. Loretto Community Center & History/possible future couples MTC and/or Temple Patron Lodging, Mission Home etc.
Section IV. Correspondence With First Presidency 33 years ago (April 3, 1978 - February 17, 1983)
Section V. Correspondence with Walt Koelbel & Co. Present Owners/Developers of Academy Business Park (formally our Hill Top Farm) (also see section X)
Section VI. Denver Temple Square Suggested Rough Plot Plan for up to 70 Acres
Section VII. 1950’s Historical Farm Brainstorming Ideas
Section VIII.
A - Nativity Pageant using live animals at Nativity & Pageant Presentation
B - Possible Summer Pageant similar to Manti on South Temple lawn
C - Pierce Street Right-A-Way Issue
Section IX.
A - Suggested Colorado Mormon Tabernacle Choir Tour performing at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and other Colorado locations in conjunction with the annual Easter Sunrise Service and/or in conjunction with a public tour of a soon to be dedicated additional Temple.
B - Epilogue - “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass”
Section X. Academy Park (Hill Top) 1978 Brochure “In a major growth corridor in the Denver metropolitan area”
PREFACE LETTER
Dear Brethren,
“Impressions…“Is there anything else”
On Sunday November 7, 2010 Elder Richard G Scott came to our “Special Salem Stake
Conference”. He spoke of the importance of following impressions and asking in prayer after receiving impressions “is there anything else“. He also spoke of writing the impressions down at three levels for later reference, remembrance and motivation.
Hilltop Farm Questions/“Is there is anything else?” … “Try a third witness”.
On November 18, 2010 the day before we were to pick up our son Elder Jonathan Caleb
Prior from his 2 year plus mission within the Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission. I and
my wife Eileen Marie again stood on our families previously owned farmstead Hill Top Farm, which had been in the making with our family since 1930. I marveled that the 70 acres around our Hill Top Farm were still left open and free from any development despite much pressure to do so. The last effort to develop was the Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club organization who usually get their buildings built in the areas they choose.
Feelings I had five decades ago of Hill Top being a good location for a modest Temple/Stake Center combination or even a maximum size Temple Square or physical Temple centered Zion Hub came back to me.
Seven Questions
While standing on Hill Top questions came to my mind and heart.
1. Could my prayers of up to 50 years and particularly one powerful prayer, that a Temple be built on Hill Top Farm be answered in the affirmative?
2. Could one of the reasons that my son Jonathan Caleb was sent to his fathers’ homeland was so I would stand on Hill Top one more time?
3. Could the “Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place thou standest on is Holy Ground” spirit that I feel on Hill Top be meaningful to other people as well?
4. Could the geographical placing of Marston Lake (the Denver area culinary water supply) just south of our Hill Top Farm be a “type and shadow” or symbolism paralleling the Living Waters of Christ?
5. Is the current criteria for choosing a Temple site expanded so as to now qualify for a smaller Temple/Stake Centered Complex or either a larger Temple Square/Zion Hub to be built here?
6. Could the law of two or three witnesses apply for a third time to bring attention to the Church Authorities of the possibility that Hill Top could be a beautiful and good Temple Square Complex for the areas just east of the Everlasting Hills?
7. “Is there anything else?” “Yes, bring Hill Top to the attention to the Church Authorities for a third and final witness! Disclose all meaningful thoughts and impressions even if they seem small.”
First and Second Witnesses
Some thirty-three years ago, during a five year period (from April 3, 1978 to February 17, 1983) several correspondences between myself and the church authorities including the First Presidency and the Temple Site Construction Committee were exchanged; concerning the possibly of making Hill Top Farm a Temple site. (see section IV)
Bottom line from the First Presidency Feb 26, 1981 letter. “We appreciate your letter to the First Presidency calling attention to your Denver Hill Top Farm as a possible Temple site. .. Although it is a beautiful site, the ensuing report indicated the property did not
meet all the criteria established for a Temple site.”
One of the criteria then was, that a Temple needed to be close to an airport. Since 1978 Temples both large and small are being built not necessarily close to airports. Perhaps the changing of this criteria may now permit Hill Top to again be considered as a Temple site complex. Also since the new Denver Airport has been relocated and the interstate highway system has been dramatically improved, the time to get to the Hill Top site maybe similar to that of getting to the existing Temple in the south east Denver area. Possibly only one stoplight would be encountered as one leaves the airport and travels to the Hill Top site.
The Prayer of Faith or Faith and By the Power of the Priesthood
Since my youth I have had simple prayers of faith in my heart that Hill Top could be a Zion hub. Sometime within a ten year period between 1968 when I returned from my mission to Southern Australia and 1978 when I first wrote the church suggesting Hill Top be considered for a Temple/Stake Center site I vocalized a preliminary conditional Priesthood dedicatory prayer. The background to this prayer is as follows: One morning while visiting my mother at the homestead I was walking the fields and hills of Hill Top Farm and was reflecting on the powerful sunrises, the full moon over Marston Lake, the city lights at night, the Rocky Mountains to the west, and the valley to the north where I herded sheep and cattle as a youth. Again the idea to pray for its preservation as a Temple site came to mind and heart. Only this time the thought was, “say a conditional dedicatory prayer, by the power of the priesthood.” I had some “come let us reason together” impressions. I thought of Moroni during his tour of America after he left Hill Cumorah and at least ended up in Manti Utah (where Brigham Young mentioned Moroni dedicated Manti Hill for a future Temple.) The thought came to me that as he was relatively close to Salt Lake City he may have also walked or went to other valleys and mountains in Utah. The question came to my mind I wonder if Moroni went through Colorado on his way to Utah? I also thought of several lines contained in Matthew Cowley’s Miracle tape which I and my companions listened to many times while serving in South Australia. I thought if I the had the ability and keys to dedicate plots of land for grave sites by the priesthood, possibly it would be permissible to tentatively dedicate a plot of land for both the dead and the living as a possible Temple site.
I reflected on some lines in my Patriarchal blessing… “do anything else to help build God’s work on Earth…You will have the blessings of the Holy Ghost… to inspire you with the knowledge needed to fulfill any assignment given you by those in authority over you… and are in tune for this blessing…our Heavenly Fathers spirit will be with you as long as you are faithfully living the church teachings…Do all you can to help both the living and the dead have the gospel blessings… When you have the opportunity to do Temple work take advantage of it… Pray in faith and follow your prayers with good works they will always be answered in a way our Heavenly Father knows is best for you. Always thank him…”
My final thoughts before the prayer were “do not steady the arc as it were” and “word your prayer in such a way that either your prayer of faith could be effective or a prayer of faith and by the power of the priesthood exercising only the keys which I was authorized to use would be effective and mention in the prayer “if it be Thy will.” I was set apart as a Seventy by S. Dilworth Young in 1973 and I honestly don’t know if the prayer was said before or after my ordination and mission call, but I clearly remember the words and intent of the short prayer. I paraphrase below. “Father in Heaven, thou knowest the beauty of Hill Top and that it has been a High Sacred Place for me and that my heartfelt desire has been and is that it become a Holy Temple and Stake Center Complex along with other accompanying church buildings such as the Loretto Center becoming a Mission Training Center, lodging for Temple patrons and other good purposes. If it be thy will, by the prayer of faith and by the Holy Melchezidek Priesthood, which I hold and only using those keys I am authorized to exercise, I pray that our formerly owned Hill Top Farm site be preserved and protected against any development and I tentatively dedicate and consecrate this land as a possible Temple Site Complex until the church authorities could have a full understanding of the spiritual beauty of this Sacred Place and determine to build a Temple here or not. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Evaluation, Discernment and Decision.
I have organized the following sections into relating subject matter and they are outlined in the table of contents. Within each section the most pertinent or recent information is at the front right of each section with previous letters included in descending chronological order (first shall be last). My recent post-script notes and ideas since November 18, 2010 are at the beginning of each section on the left page. Also in some sections I have added some personal “insights” or “Impressions”.
If I can be of any further assistance or answer any of your questions, please feel free to contact me. Particularly if I could be of help in a low profile observation tour of the Loretto Center and the Farmstead, as I do have an existing friendship and a positive repore with these neighbors.
Also, should there be interest in a living nativity and/or restoring our Homestead to a 1950’s moderate volume historical farm, I would be happy to add any additional ideas, insights and aid in its planning and development if advisable to proceed toward completion. (see section VII)
Paraphrasing my fathers quote from his 1938 business card. (see section II) “May I be so bold as to suggest that before the church purchases any additional Stake Center or Temple sites in the Colorado area, that you re-examine the 70+ acres of Hill Top which is still offered for sale.”
Thank You
President Hinckley mentioned “we are building Temples as fast as resources allow” I realize tithing funds and philanthropic donations to the church are sacred, limited, and need to be prioritized.
Thank you for your evaluation and prayerful discernment of the enclosed material, ideas and questions. I would appreciate a letter stating that you have received this enclosed material and will examine it.
If yes, thank you. I will be grateful that I and my family were catalyst like instruments to help bring Hill Top a “high place” both literally and spiritually to your attention and completion. Also, as per the initial letter from the First Presidency dated April 17, 1978 I am mindful “that this matter should be kept in strict confidence.”
If no, thank you I can “let it go” and be thankful that personally Hill Top was “Holy Ground” for me to “look”.
A friend and with love,
Brother Paul Albert Prior
Section II
Hill Top History and Background Information
My parents Carl Prior (1903-1960) and Norma Swenson Prior (1905-1983) were both
born and raised in Spanish Fork, Utah from pioneer stock descended from early church converts from Wales, Denmark and Sweden.
One of the silver linings of the Great Depression in the 1930’s was that my parents and other good Latter Day Saints left Utah for employment and became foundation pioneers for the church in numerous locations throughout this choice land. They became the salt, savor and seed stock for the Gospel in these additional areas.
My dad was an educator who taught history and then later became an administrator in the Denver Public School system. In July and August he sold custom tailored suits to professionals and ranchers in numerous Colorado mining and ranching communities within and around the Colorado Rocky Mountains. I grew to know Colorado very well as most of our vacations were centered around Dad’s sales trips or as we returned to Spanish Fork to visit the Prior‘s and the Swenson’s.
My father was also an excellent carpenter and farmer and followed the directives of his father David to; “Put your extra money in land” In about 1953 (I being 6 years old at the time) my family traded our 20 acre farm closer to Denver between Federal and Sheridan Blvd’s for a 160 acre farm with excellent brick barns and a home eight miles from downtown Denver on Quincy Avenue. Although the barns were strong and well built and housed the conventional 1950‘s livestock operation, the most prominent feature was the majestic hill centered on our farm. We named our farm “Hill Top Farm”.
As a boy I would ride my horse Red Stone to the top of the Hill Top; play Indian, collect rocks and other boy like treasures. I enjoyed the big sky and country feeling and the vast panoramic view: Denver and the fruited plains to the east; Marston Lake to the south; the solid Rocky Mountains to the west; and to the north our farm valley where crops were raised and I herded sheep and cattle as they grazed. This site was especially beautiful during the intense sunrises that I often saw while doing early morning chores and also at night when the city lights were bright and the moon reflected off Marston Lake. As I got older Hill Top became sacred ground to me where pondering and prayer often became a part of my walk or horseback rides. The first time I saw the statue “Appealing to the Great Spirit” by Cyrus E. Dalton, I identified deeply with the message and feelings this beautiful work of art depicts.
When I was thirteen, on Thanksgiving Day 1960 my father passed away from Cancer caused by Black Lung Disease as a result of working in the Utah Mines to acquire money to pay for his education at the BYU Academy and the University of Utah.
Although the farm was 100% paid for and not needed to be sold, the trust department of the bank (who said they did not manage real estate) arranged to sale most of Hill Top. The Catholic Church bought about 100 acres for a novitiate. We retained the 5 acre Homestead which my father insisted be the residence for his wife Norma and his sons; David and Paul. A few months after my fathers passing the Trust Department held an auction in which all our horses, dairy cattle and farming equipment were sold. I requested and wanted to keep about 10-20 cows for my own small 4-H dairy herd, but the bank told Mom, “that she and a fourteen year old boy could not run a dairy farm”. The ironic part of the bankers opinion of our abilities was that no one at the auction bid on our flock of 50 registered Suffolk Ewe’s. I pleaded with the bank representative and asked if I could keep them and continue with my 4-H sheep project. He tentatively said yes until a buyer could be found. I continued to raise, care for, and show the sheep at fairs until my senior year when I sold them prior to going to BYU and my Southern Australian Mission. These sheep helped pay for my mission and education.
During my preteens and teenage years I attended a small country school, Bear Creek, which combined Elementary, Junior High and High School. I enjoyed my schooling and was a relatively good student, participated in sports, Student Government and made many good friends with fellow students and teachers. To help pay for my mission and education during my Sophomore summer I worked construction as a laborer on the first phase of the Catholic Novitiate which was being built on the north side of our Hill Top Farm. (A Novitiate is the preparatory and training center for Nuns as depicted in The Sound of Music) One of my prayers while I worked on the building was that it could someday be a MTC. To pay for the building they sold about 88 acres through Kolbel and company.
For my Junior and Senior summers I worked with a prominent Denver landscape company. I continued to add to my savings.
During my teenage years, my mother Norma Swenson Prior continued to raise me in a Gospel centered home and she was involved with classical music particularly the piano. After my fathers death we added a music room onto our farm home. At a Denver Mansion Estate Auction Mom bought a Kimball Grand Piano and a large Oriental Rug. Mom would play the piano at church and was involved in Music Clubs. She would frequently have Piano Recitals at our home. As some of the invited guests to these recitals she would invite Sister Eileen Marie Hackman, the Mother Superior of the Novitiate and became good friends with her. The Sisters of Loretto were most cordial and allowed me to graze my sheep (at no cost to me) on the 100 acres which we previously owned. One other musical memory I have of mother. Almost every night before retiring I would hear her play from memory, The Moonlight Sonata. Every time I hear The Moonlight Sonata I can see in my minds eye Mom playing the Kimball Grand Piano while I looked out the picture window at a full moon reflecting off the Marston Lake.
A year after my mission, I married Glenna Burton from Soda Springs, Idaho. We had six children. On July 1, 1970 while attending BYU I bought a small dairy farm in Springville, Utah. I graduated from BYU on April 20, 1973 with a Bachelor‘s Degree in Animal/Dairy Science. My mother continued to stay at Hill Top and insisted she wanted to stay there until she was physically unable or died. After two hip replacements and while recovering in our Springville, Utah home, from a second heart attack, our Hill Top home was burglarized. After this heartache, Mom decided to join us permanently in Springville. This made possible the sale of our remaining 5 acres at Hill Top. We both agreed that if the church wanted to buy the 5 acres as part of a Temple/Stake House Combination Complex, we wanted to give them the first opportunity. (see section IV - Correspondence with the Temple Site/Construction Committee and the First Presidency)
My wife Glenna who fought Breast Cancer, passed away January 10, 1981on the tenth birthday of our first daughter Sarahanne. The youngest child was David Bryce - eighteen months old.
As mentioned in the Preface, after thirty-five months of correspondents with the church we received the letter of February 26, 1981 quoting, “Although it is a beautiful site, the ensuing report indicated the property did not meet all the criteria established for a temple site.”
On March 15, 1982 we sold Hill Top to Walt Koelbel; of Koelbel and Company, Realtors and Developers. (see Section V) They joined our parcel with the earlier parcels they purchased from the Catholic Novitiate and previous 50+ acres of Hill Top they purchased from my father while he was alive to finish the Pinehurst Country Club Golf Course to the east.
On February 17, 1983 after two Denver Temple Sites had been rejected, I wrote a short follow up letter mentioning that although the land was sold it might be worth looking into again for a Temple/Stake House Complex as previous Church Sites did not materialize. (see section IV)
Between 1984 and the early 1990’s our family donated the Kimball Grand Piano and the large beige Oriental accent rug to the church,. The piano was placed in the Columbine Hills Stake or Ward House and the rug was placed in the Celestial Room of the newly remodeled Mesa, AZ Temple.
On January 10, 1988 exactly seven years to the day of Glenna‘s passing, I had my first date with Eileen Marie Howard as part of Sarahanne’s seventeenth birthday outing. My wife Eileen Marie (coincidentally has the same Irish spelling as the Mother Superior, Sister Eileen Marie Hackman of the Novitiate). Eileen and I married May 28, 1988 and added two children Jonathan Caleb and Joy Marie to our family.
November 18, 2010 - The day before we picked our son up from his Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission. Eileen and I again stood on Hill Top and it all came back to me. (see Preface letter) As I stood on the east edge of the hill I could see in my minds eye and brainstorm placement of various church facilities surrounding a larger style Temple. (see Section VI)
After sometime we went to the Loretto Center to say hello and renew our friendships with the sisters. Sister Susan Swain asked us if we would like to take a tour of the center, we enthusiastically accepted. During the tour she informed me that Loretta was no longer a Novitiate because the number of young women desiring to become Nuns had decreased and that this function was combined with the St. Louis and Kentucky facilities. I asked, has selling the Loretto Center ever been considered? She did not answer me directly, but she said the facilities at St. Louis and Kentucky have capacity to absorb the Denver Loretto Center if need be. She mentioned at present, only the special resource Elementary School and facilities for retired Nuns are operational. She also mentioned they offer weekend Spiritual Retreats. As we closed the tour Sister Swain introduced us to other Sisters. She said, “Paul helped form and build the foundation of this building: of all the tours I’ve given, he’s the only one that has appreciated the basement!” I asked if at some point in the future, if I could bring a friend(s) and if a Sister could give the similar tour Sister Susan Swain gave me and Eileen. They said they would be happy to do so. For additional details, insights and contact information (see Section III).
We then visited the farmstead and home of my youth. Bill Ambrose an old neighbor and school friend is still the tenant (after 33 years). Bill, in his rough way has put a vale of clutter and disrepair over the farmstead (a beneficial camouflage). We walked and talked for another forty minutes, as I looked in all the buildings and sheds many good memories returned. We learned that Walt Koelbel is still alive and Bill told me how Wal-Mart withdrew their interest after first, the local residents fought against building their Superstore and second, the final straw was the souring of the economy a few years ago. He also mentioned he would be happy to give a similar tour to me and a friend or for my friends if I was unable to be there.
Again, if you have any questions or you would like me to explain in further detail any of this history or background, I would be happy to do so.
P.S.
LOVETTA, MY FIRST COW ON HILL TOP FARM
One of my favorite lines from the most recent General Conference talks was by Mervyn B. Arnold entitled; “What Have You Done With My Name”. He quoted his wife, “I loved that cow”. Immediately when I heard this quote I thought of my first cow, Lovetta, the principle of love and Hill Top. Yes, farm and ranch raised youth do love their livestock as pets even though they may weigh over 1,400 pounds. When I was ten years old I asked dad if I could get started on my own dairy herd. He agreed and I started feeding the baby calves milk regularly in order to buy my first 4-H dairy heifers. An excellent registered Holstein dairy heifer was born, that was mine. I affectionately called her Hill Top Lovetta. Three years later after Dad’s death the trust department of the bank sold her with the rest of the dairy herd.
Early Thursday evening November 18, 2010, after our Hill Top experience Eileen and I ate dinner at the restored Littleton Mills Restaurant where over fifty years ago, we purchased the grain to feed our livestock.
After dinner I and Eileen attended our first Endowment Session at a Colorado Temple. We missed seeing our son Elder Prior, other Elders and President and Sister Phile by a half an hour. As we entered the Temple doors a man asked me if I could do Endowment work for an individual he had researched, I mentioned I would be glad to do so and put the card in my shirt pocket. In the chapel while waiting for the next session, I took the card out as I usually do in order to get acquainted with the individual I was to do Endowment work for. He was from Texas and his name was George Gilbert Lovett. Again, I thought of my first 4-H project cow named Hill Top Lovetta. For me the similarity and timing of these names, Lovetta and Lovett ,was not a coincidence but a “tender mercy”. Doing Endowment work for George Gilbert Lovett was a perfect way to end a day of observation and good feelings. We then drove to the Colorado Springs Marriot for our nights logging.
Friday Morning November 19, 2010 we picked our son up at the Mission Home in Colorado Springs. In two days we combined a weeks worth of: touring the Air Force Academy, particularly the renowned chapel; seeing The Garden of the Gods State Park; ascending Pikes Peak where my son gave a Book of Mormon to a young family; and visiting members and investigators. Also as our son served in the San Luis Valley (an early Mormon Pioneer Settlement) we visited the Manassa Stake Center with the nearby Stake Office Building. The Stake Office Building was originally an Endowment House, above the east doorway - Holiness To The Lord. We felt “The place thou standest on is Holy Ground”.
Section III
The Loretto Community Center
Possible Future LDS Couples MTC, Mission Home,
Lodging for Traveling Temple Patrons
See details already mentioned in the Preface Letter and Background Sections.
I asked the Sisters if they had any books or written histories I could buy which explained the purchase of our Hill Top Farm and the building of the Novitiate. Sister Swain sent us a copy of what she could find. (see enclosure on the right)
One thought, if someone from the committee would like to take a tour of the building without me, a possible good time would be in conjunction with their regular weekend Spiritual Retreat Tours. Perhaps individuals from the committee or a member from the committee and his wife may want to be a part of some or all of this weekend retreat.
If you would like to contact them directly here is their contact information;
Sisters of Loretto
4000 So. Wadsworth Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80123-1308
1-303-783-0450
Email: development@Lorettocommunity.org
Website: www.Lorettocommunity.org
If you want, please feel free to use my and my wife’s names as reference and our tour on November 18, 2010 as given by Sister Susan Swain.
A type and shadow of the possible purchase of the Loretto Center would be when the church purchased the Catholic School for Girls, in front of the Nauvoo Temple and converted it to the Joseph Smith Academy and other Church related purposes.
P.S. While we were waiting for Sister Swain to give us our tour, I stepped into their gift shop and saw a beautifully embroidered Christmas salutation; Joy to the World. The letters were in white on a crimson red background with an evergreen tree as an artistic exclamation mark. As I was pointing to it and mentioning to Eileen that I would like to buy it to add to our Christmas decorations, Eileen’s phone rang, she answered and it was our daughter Joy Marie (another Joy to the World).
Section IV
Correspondence with Temple Site/Construction Committee and
The First Presidency
April 3, 1978 - February 17, 1983
Quoting from the February 26, 1981 letter, “We appreciate your letter to the First Presidency calling attentions to your Denver Hilltop Farm as a possible temple site…”
“Although it is a beautiful site, the ensuing report indicated the property did not meet all the criteria established for a temple site…”
In 1978, Hill Top was on the edge of the “major growth corridor” between Denver, the mountains to the west and Castle Rock to the south (these areas are enclosed in the I-470 Denver’s southwest belt loop). Today all large parcels of land have been developed, with the exception of Hill Top. To me another “a tender mercy”. Today Hill Top is in the center of beautiful residential homes and good people.
In 1978, Hill Top was as the Gilbert and Scottsdale Temple sites are today “on the edge of major growth corridors for a Metropolitan area”.
Again, if the criteria for Temple Sites has expanded so now as to include Hill Top, please reconsider it for Church owned property for site preservation and to be developed as needed.
Section V
Correspondence with Walt Koelbel & Co.
Present Owners/Developers of Academy Business Park
(formally our Hill Top Farm)
See details already mentioned in the Preface and Background Sections.
Also see Section X, Koelbel’s 1978 Academy Park Brochure inside back jacket pocket.
On November 18, 2010 when I was visiting our Homestead and talking with Bill Ambrose, the tenant of Hill Top Farm since 1978 (33 years) Bill mentioned that Walt Koelbel is still alive. He also told me as did the Sisters about the Wal-Mart wanting to build a Superstore on the south slope of Hill Top close to the corner of Wadsworth and Quincy. Also how the residence put up a fight against it, but acknowledged that the souring economy was what caused Wal-Mart’s organization to withdraw. He added much more detail.
He also mentioned in the summertime the owners still bring cattle and horses on the land to graze in order to maintain the much lower Agriculture/Greenbelt Tax assessments.
I mentioned earlier that not a minute of construction has taken place on Hill Top since the prayer. However, Koelbel and Company was going to raise our tile brick farm home and buildings in preparation to sell to Wal-Mart. As demolition began small holes were punched in each building with a bulldozer. The demolition had to stop as the hundred year life shingles made of asbestos would have created a large volume of problem dust. If the demolition was to continue by Koelbel, the shingles most likely would have had to be removed individually by hand, creating the least amount of dust possible before general bulldozing could take place. This is why our home and quality barns of the farmstead are still standing (a negative for some potential buyers).
As a positive with some remodeling help (at a possible lower cost than demolishing the home and barns) Hilltop could again be repaired and become a functioning historic farm; suitable for inviting school tours, etc and becoming part of a Summer pageant and/or Living Nativity. I believe such a “do not miss the pageants near the LDS Temple” would draw as many visitors as does the Church Lights and Programs at the Mesa, Arizona Temple Square. (see section VII)
Again Koelbel and Company has had this 70+ acres up for development for over 34 years, and none has taken place (for some a miracle). Perhaps with this three decade plus of non development: with Walt’s age and possible estate planning; the down economy; the cost to demolish the farmstead; the reduce chance of selling it for prime commercial value; the increased chance of selling it for the lower residential development value, may all combine to encourage Koelbel and Company to sell part or all of Hilltop at a substantial volume discount.
Buying all the seventy acres would have the added benefit of being ones own neighbor to a greater extent. If not all of the seventy acres would be needed for Church purposes the surplus area could be sold at zoning prescribed by the Church.
Section VI
Denver Temple Square
Zion Temple Centered Hub
Suggested Rough Plot Plan for up to 70 Acres
See details already mentioned in the preface and background sections.
As we turned off of Wadsworth Blvd onto the south Loretto Center Drive we drove to the east most point. I and Eileen got out (see red circled on map to right) this is the point where it all came back to me. For sometime I just looked taking in a 360 degree panorama several times. This is the spot where I realized not a minute of construction had taken place since the prayer and where the questions came to me that I spoke of in the preface. Namely the last one as per Elder Scott directive, “is there anything else?” “Yes, bring Hill Top to the attention to the Church Authorities for a third and final witness! Disclose all meaningful thoughts and ideas even if they seem small.”
Again as I turned around I could see in my minds eye and brainstormed the following plot plan to the right with various facilities coming to mind. Such as: the Temple being on the east or south of Hill Top (I feel a Temple on the south of Hill Top and the Stake House below it with parking in between would be the most beneficial location); to the west as I looked toward the Rocky Mountains I could see enough room for a Visitors Center similar in size to the Mexico City Temple Visitors Center.
With the high volume of traffic on Wadsworth Blvd, I can see many individuals looking at the Christus in the Visitors Center window, the Temple and Moroni on the spire. This highly visible location would be seen similar to those traveling the Santa Monica Blvd looking at the Los Angeles Temple and the commuters in Washington D.C. as they round the curve on the belt loop and see the breathtaking view of the Washington D.C. Temple. Also the Temple would most likely be seen from the east ridge of the Rocky Mountains, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, US 285 and the I-470 belt loop. This “City on a Hill cannot be hid” could help plant beneficial seeds of hope, curiosity and “desire”.
To the southwest along Quincy Avenue and to the intersection with Wadsworth Blvd, I could see some “Nauvoo House” type commercial hospitality businesses such as: Café’s, Restaurants, Inn’s and gift shops. Perhaps including a statue of “Appeal to the Great Spirit”, by Cyrus E. Dallin within a garden area next to a gift shop maybe appropriate.
Looking southeast toward Marston Lake, I could see in my minds eye our farmstead being restored to a 1950 historical farm.(see section VII for additional details) Suitable for tours of schools, scouts, etc.
In the valley to the north I could see other Church structures with their accompanying functions; Bishops Storehouse; Cannery; DI; LDS Family Services; Employment Center; Mission Home; Residence’s for Temple and Mission Presidencies; Family History Center; Picnic pavilion; Softball diamond; and other recreational features which would be complimented by the 18-hole Golf Course to the east. (I can see Bishop Burton playing a round of golf with some friends).
The building in the upper right corner is Mountain Bell Telephone Company’s Campus like Training Center. Possibly a regional Bonneville Media Office might well be placed next to this similar facility.
Section VII
Plot Plan for 1950’s Historic Farm
Some pro’s for remodeling our homestead into a Historic Farm suitable for tours.
1. The cost to repair these buildings and make them a visitors attraction maybe less than the demolition cost.
2. Maintaining the Greenbelt or Agriculture Use Tax would greatly minimize taxes.
3. There is increasing value to open green space and pastoral settings.
4. Just as the Mexico City Temple enjoys a serendipity across from the City Zoo, visitors to the Historic Farm and the Pageants could not help but see in the background the Christus in the Visitors Center window and the Temple. (I heard while I was on my mission to Australia that the average convert has had seven brushes with the church before finally taking the Missionary Discussions and being Baptized).
5. Just as Nauvoo has the pastoral setting between its buildings and offers horse drawn wagon rides to tour the Historic City. Possibly the Denver Temple Square could also offer horse drawn rides with a brief tour explaining the structures and functions of the Denver Temple Square.
6. Operating the Historic Farm and caring for the livestock could provide missionary opportunities for couples and service projects for local wards.
7. The book, Little Britches (similar to The Little House on the Prairie) was written by our neighbor to the north, Ralph Moody. The schoolyard he spoke of in the book, was across the road from Hill Top to the east.
8. Some may say the valuable real estate under the Farmstead is worth more if developed rather than maintained as a Historic Farm/Open space. Also there may be the point that a farm is too close and out of character to be near a Temple or Stake Center. If this ever becomes a debate I would boldly suggest that this area be the last to be developed and the Historic Farm concept be given a chance to be used as a Missionary tool and bridge to the hearts of the fathers. *A side note - Although cattle get top billing in the Pearl of Great Price animal creation dialogue, and many of the early patriarch and prophets were herds men (cattlemen and sheep men) the Manti Temple is the only one I know of at the present that features domestic livestock in its murals and has farms and corrals nearby.
If the church does buy a portion or all of Hill Top and they like the idea of a Historic Farm feature I would be glad to help in it’s design and outlining it’s protocol if so called.
FARMSTEAD KEY
Home, Garden and Orchard Units = HM, GAR, ORC
Small Animal/Poultry Unit - G = 2 Car Garage; RP = Rabbits & Pigeons; C = Chickens; T = Turkeys & Geese; PH = Pheasant Run; CP = Calf Pens; HF = Heifer Pens; PG = Pig Pens
Dairy Unit - MB = Milk Barn & Corral Area - Ranging from two Nurse Cows with Calves to twenty Dairy Cows (of different breeds). Nurse Cows would not need milking equipment, a small dairy herd would need to restore the milk barn and equipment to a functioning level. (There is much small dairy equipment available at low cost).
Compost Unit = for lawn and landscape trimmings plus livestock bedding and waste
Draft Horse Unit = tack rooms and stalls for two to six Draft Horses, caretaker apartment.
Beef Unit - two to six Cows with Calves of different beef breeds
Sheep/goat Unit = ten to thirty Ewe’s plus lambs (of both wool and meat breeds) A Nativity Scene possibility
Shop Equipment, Feed & Multi-purpose Unit
Section VIII - A
Nativity Scene and Pageants
This past Christmas season an excellent Nativity Pageant was produced in and around the Ward House south of the Utah County Facilities. Using this same script or one like it and using a portable three sided open shelter as a backdrop for a living or part living Nativity Scene (with the customary live farm animals) and locating this near the Visitors Center, Temple or Stake House parking lots maybe a draw for many. The Historic Farm could also be incorporated if desired.
On the back wall of the sheep sheds at the Historic Farm (see section VII) a Nativity banner could be placed on the wall with accent lighting during the Christmas Season and could be seen from Pierce Street. The well bedded sheep would add to the scene: the Shepherds, Wisemen and camels could be placed in the pasture walking toward the stable Nativity scene with spotlights added.
In early to mid January the National Western Live Stock Show and Rodeo is held in Denver. Many of the Nation’s and World’s Ranchers, Cattlemen, Sheepmen, and Rodeo performers participate in this Livestock Exposition. Our family has shown cattle, horses and sheep there and this is one of Colorado’s premier events. When I was young the Christmas lights at the Denver Civic Center remained on display for the National Western visitors to enjoy. If the Nativity Scene and Pageants materialize perhaps leaving them on display during the National Western Livestock Show may be favorable and invite the many January visitors to the Denver Temple Square.
Section VIII - B
Possible Summer Pageant similar to Manti on South Temple lawn
Just as the lawn area south of the Manti Temple is suitable for its annual pageant a pageant on the lawn south of the a Denver Temple and Visitors Center maybe a suitable summer family event if such a pageant was deemed beneficial.
Section VIII - C
Pierce Street Right A Way Issue
As per the letters to the right, the owner (Van Frelick) of the land cutoff our first choice Quincy Street right a way and made us use the second Pierce Street right a way that served the farm buildings and livestock. This was a negative experience for us, however, it might have been a blessing in disguise as we had the only Pierce Street right a way to service Academy Park. This right of way also has an advantage that it can connect with other roads and parking areas that serve the Temple and other facilities to Wadsworth Blvd. If the Church does buy some or all of the seventy acres available, immediately reusing and re-establishing this Pierce Street right a way would be important for Hill Top east slope office building, the Historic Farm and the southeast open pastoral area.
Section IX
A - Suggested Colorado Mormon Tabernacle Choir Tour
As Colorado is relatively close to Utah using busses for transportation from Salt Lake City to the following possible concert locations maybe most practical.
The Concert loop could include performances at: Grand Junction; Aspen Music Festival if tour is during the summer; Colorado Springs at the renowned Air Force Academy Chapel or Concert Hall; Red Rocks Amphitheatre; other Metropolitan Denver concerts if demand dictates and finally the Fort Collins and/or Greely areas.
If the Colorado tour materialized around Easter time it could be part of or be the entire Easter Sunrise Service at the outdoor Red Rocks Amphitheatre. If a Sunday Service would not be practical perhaps the Saturday prior to Easter maybe just as impressive. I suggest if they sang all or a portion of Handel’s Messiah many hearts would be softened and seeds of hope, curiosity and desire would be planted.
*Side note - The recent Midwest choir tour (I personally call “the we’re coming back tour”) featured the popular Protestant Hymn, Amazing Grace. Just as How Great Thou Art was added to our Hymn Book and became a conversion bridge for many. I suggest that Amazing Grace also added to our Hymn Books with any needed word changes to reflect Restored Gospel Doctrine. When I was younger I thought the word wretch was too strong, however as I read Nephi in his psalms he used the word. I could remember thinking, “yes there is some wretch and prodigal in all of us”. We need to come to ourselves and accept the gift of the atonement.
B - Epilogue
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass”
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass”… “Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me, therefore I shall forbear”. Alma 37:6 &11
During the weekend of December 18, 2010, I, Eileen, and family went to Chandler, AZ to visit our daughter Sarahanne Lawson, her husband Matt and our grandchildren. We visited the Gilbert Temple Site and attended the Mesa, AZ Temple to do Endowment work and see if our donated oriental beige accent rug was still in the Celestial Room. Mostly we went to witness the Baptism of our grandson Matthew and be apart of Confirm him as a new member of the church and to bestow upon him the gift of the Holy Ghost. During the Baptismal service the Bishop spoke of the principle in the Sacrament Prayer “that we will always remember Him”. Then he spoke a most powerful penetrating line upon line “the Savior will always remember you as he has sculptured you in His hands”.
Christ hands and his workmanship have also sculptured this beautiful Earth. Referring to question one in the Preface Letter. Was Hill Top created as a possible “Hill of the Lord?”
If yes, thank you. I will be grateful that I and my family were catalyst like instruments to help bring Hill Top a “high place” both literally and spiritually to your attention and completion.
If no, thank you. I can “let it go” and be thankful that personally Hill Top was an “exceeding high mountain” for me to “look”. “Is there anything else”? No, I have disclosed all meaningful impressions concerning Hill Top unless you have questions, or council. Thank you for your prayerful review and discernment.
Respectfully,
Brother Paul Albert Prior
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