William Barton — Protection from a Grizzly Bear

While working in the canyons near Parowan to obtain timber for the settlement, William Barton encountered a large grizzly bear. He was alone and without a firearm. As the bear began to approach him aggressively, William stood his ground and offered a silent, fervent prayer for protection, as he felt he had no other recourse. The bear stopped its advance, appeared to lose interest or become calmed, and walked away into the thicket. William returned to the settlement and shared the account as a testimony of divine protection over those laboring to build up the stakes of Zion.