Why is the title “Faith in Every Footstep” on some Mormon headstones?
Question
Dear Gramps,
I recently visited the cemetery where my great grandparents are buried. On the headstone was a small plaque. I can’t remember what the dates were, but it did say “Faith in Every Footstep.” I don’t know why or when this was put on their headstone. I could only find one other headstone that had the same kind of plaque on it. My great grandfather was the first Mormon bishop and patriarch of that town. Thanks for any information you can give me.
Pauline
Answer
Dear Pauline,
The phrase “Faith In Every Footstep” was the title of a video presentation at the April 1997 Mormon General Conference, commemorating the 150th anniversary of the pioneer trek that brought the Mormon Saints to the Salt Lake Valley. It was shown in the Sunday morning session of conference, and was narrated by all three members of the First Presidency.
If your great grandparents were among those pioneers perhaps a family member had that phrase added to the plaque in honor of their participation in that great migration.
Gramps
I think that what the person is asking about are the gold metallic markers (2.5 inches by 3.5 inches) that an LDS Church committee commissioned in 1997 to be attached to the graves of early Mormon pioneers. They were sold to anyone who wanted to attach one to the grave of his or her ancestor, in commemoration of the pioneer sesquicentennial. Many early gravestones throughout Utah and other places have these markers attached to them, including some of my own ancestors. They cost $15 and can be ordered through the Sons of the Utah Pioneers website.