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Show ,- , - ---,,,,,, '-,,,,, , I ' ' "''':''. ' ' ' ' ' i 1 I , ' ' ' I Original members of the Timpanogos Stake presidency, L-R, first counselor Vilace L. Radmall, president Merrill N. Warnick, second counselor Lewis E. Olpin, clerk Ert-man Ert-man II. Christensen. Timpanogos Stake will celebrate 50th anniversary By KALYN SECRETAN President Merrill U. Warnick is the oldest living Stake President in the Timpanogos Stake. His brother Wilford W. Warnick was the first Stake President ordained July 1, 1928. Between the two brothers they served for 28 years, nearly half the 60 years since the Stake's inception. President Warnick will be at the Timpanogos Stake Anniversary to be held on June 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Timpanogos Stake Center, 800 North 100 East. Patriarch Warnick shared memories of the Stake and mentioned men-tioned Pleasant Grove was the first part of the Utah County Stake. In 1902 it was divided creating the Alpine, Utah County and Nebo Stakes. Alpine had the same president presi-dent serve for 26 years. In 1928 the Alpine Stake was divided to form the Timpanogos Stake. Six wards including the Windsor Ward along with Manila, Lindon and Pleasant Grove made up the stake. In 1946 the Windsor Ward became part of the Orem Stake to do away with a conflict with members living in Orem and belonging to a Pleasant Grove Stake. This left five wards in the stake. It is amazing there are five stakes in Pleasant Grove now and five in the former Windsor Ward. President Warnick was set apart by Elder Harold B. Lee. He said the first thing they told him to do was tear down the old tabernacle. taber-nacle. The building was condemned. con-demned. They constructed the Grove Ward and Stake Center and thought it would last a long time. He became President during World War II and people didn't have money as they do now. Soon after, the Steel Plant was built providing more jobs and higher wages. President Warnick, a farmer, was born in the house where he still resides with his wife Larena, who was the Utah Mother of the Year in 1964-65. They will be celebrating their 64th Anniversary on June 25. He served as President of the National Dairy Association for four years. He became President after filling a vacancy as Vice-President for three years, finishingout a term of a deceased officer. Serving as President of the State for one year and seven years on the council he contributed much to the Association. Associa-tion. As a Stake President and trying to earn a living he was concerned con-cerned about taking the position. He talked with Brother Lee and Brother Benson and he was told to accept the position by all means. He served in the position at the time President Ezra T. Benson was serving as Secretary of Agriculture with U.S. President Eisenhower. President Benson is the only man that ever served two terms as Sec retary of Agriculture. Warnick worked as an adviser and councilman council-man with Benson and they traveled together. People respected Benson, his philosophy was to take care of ourselves, not ask the government to do it. At that time everything was solved by the government. A picture of President Warnick with President Benson as Secretary Secre-tary of Agriculture and President Eisenhower with cabinet members hangs in their living room with photos of the General Authorities who ordained him to Bishop, Stake President and Patriarch. President Warnick is the only living member of the Stake Presidency Presi-dency serving during his term. President Boyd L. Fugal will not be attending. He is serving as Director Di-rector of the Visitor's Center in New York City. Councilors Elwood Allen, Ertman H. Christensen are planning to attend. Councilor Leon R. Walker is in Peru as director of the MTC. President David C. Harvey will be attending with Councilors Frederick Robert Shoell, Carl W. Ringger who just returned from the Swiss Temple and Grant K. Fugal. The current Stake President with councilors Raymond Bastian and Frank Sumner and former Councilor Lynn Jarvis will be on hand to greet visitors to the open house. Everyone is invited to attend. |