The St. George Tabernacle Bell — The Sacrifice of Silver

This account is manuscript-sourced from the DUP History Collection. During the construction of the St. George Tabernacle in the early 1870s, the pioneers of Utah's Dixie were called upon to provide a bell for the structure. Zaidee Walker Miles records that in a display of profound faith and sacrifice, the impoverished settlers donated their most precious silver jewelry, spoons, and watches. According to local tradition, these items were melted into the bell's metal to ensure a 'sweet, silvery tone' that would ring across the valley. This act of giving from their extreme poverty was viewed as a remarkable providence that consecrated the building and served as a literal call to worship for the community.