Prayer Rock to Temple
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS X he organization of the first church in the Ashley Valley took place in January 1878. Thomas Bingham, a Mormon polygamist who had arrived in 1877, was chosen to preside over the little colony of LDS members called by President lohn Taylor to settle Ashley Valley. In 1878 Bingham reported to church officials that a h u n d r e d Mormons had settled in the valley and advised that a church organization should be formed. His request was granted, and the organizational meeting was held near the Green River. The members were placed under the jurisdiction of the Wasatch Stake, with headquarters in Heber City. On 1 June 1879 three districts were formed and presidents selected: Mountain Dell (Dry Fork), Thomas Bingham; Incline (Jensen), Fred G. Williams; and Ashley Center, leremiah Hatch. C h u r c h meetings were held in h o m e s until schoolhouses or meetinghouses were built. The arrival of additional Mormons in the Uinta Basin led to the organization on 11 September 1881 of Ashley Center and Mountain Dell into wards; the former district presidents became bishops. 229
