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IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE PIONEER ANCESTRY TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SUP!

Membership in the National Society of The Sons of Utah Pioneers is open to men everywhere who admire the heritage and values of the early pioneers of Utah and the intermountain west. All are invited to join this 91 year old organization and take an active role in activities that honor these courageous and visionary men and women.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

Click HERE to find a Chapter near you.

Members are encouraged to affiliate with a nearby Chapter where they will enjoy the fellowship of other like-minded men. Chapter meetings usually include stimulating and informative speakers on historical subjects of interest. Other activities in chapters are group treks to historic places, establishing and maintaining historical monuments and markers, and supporting appropriate community events. Many chapters also recognize pioneering elementary and high school students with awards and scholarships, and honor modern pioneers from their local communities.

 Help us grow and keep the great Pioneer Heritage
alive for generations to come.

VISION STATEMENT OF THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF
THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS

A National Society with an
international influence to
honor and preserve the
values, memory, and heritage
of pioneers for all generations.

PIONEER VALUES STATEMENT OF THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF
THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS

We Honor the Pioneers for their
Faith in God,
Devotion to Family,
Loyalty to Church and Country,
Hard Work and Service to Others,
Courage in Adversity,
Personal Integrity, and
Unyielding Determination.

MISSION STATEMENT OF THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF
THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS

Come to know our fathers and turn our hearts to them,
Preserve the memory and heritage of the early pioneers
of the Utah Territory and the western U.S.,
Honor present-day pioneers worldwide who
exemplify these pioneer values, AND
Teach these same values to the youth who will be
tomorrow’s pioneers.

MEMBERSHIP FAQ

WHAT IF I DON'T LIVE NEAR A CHAPTER? Someone who lives some distance from an organized chapter is considered to be a Member-At-Large.

DO I STILL HAVE TO PAY LOCAL CHAPTER DUES EVEN IF I PAY MY ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES? Members must still pay their local chapter dues, these funds go directly to support that Chapter's activities, whereas National dues go to support the entire organization. Any member may join as many Chapters as they like. If you don't pay your National SUP dues, you cannot be a member of any Chapter.

CAN WIVES BECOME MEMBERS OF THE SUP? Wives are invited to participate in national events along with their husbands, and most (but not all) chapters include wives in their monthly meetings. However, widows of SUP members can maintain their membership for $25 annually as an Associate Member.

HOW ELSE CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS?  The National Society of the Sons of Utah Pioneers has recently adopted an upgrade to its LEGACY PROGRAM.  Bringing the SUP in line with other national organizations, we will now be offering members and friends the opportunity to donate in multiple ways in addition to the traditional, historic giving programs.  Click HERE for more information.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF UTAH PIONEERS

The National Society of The Sons of Utah Pioneers was organized for the purpose of keeping alive the history and memory of Mormon Pioneers and others who came to the Salt Lake Valley to help settle the West and find security from those who would destroy them and their beliefs.

In 1900, Senator Reed Smoot made the first attempts to initiate the concept of The Sons of Utah Pioneers. Parley P. Jenson tried again in 1910. Neither attempt was successful, but these efforts kept the idea alive. In 1928, “The Sons,” was organized in Provo, Utah. Finally, the Sons of Utah Pioneers was officially organized on March 29, 1933, as a state and local organization in a small office, Lawrence T. Epperson of Salt Lake City, became the first president.

In 1935, under the direction of Nephi L. Morris, the idea of retracing the original pioneer trek from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah, during the 1947 Centennial observance was proposed. This early planning ultimately resulted in the spectacular cross-country re-enactment trek, spearheaded by then-national president Wendell Ashton. During the many years that have followed, each group of local and national officers has contributed their energies and talents to build this organization to its present status. The Sons of Utah Pioneers is now recognized as a venerable and respected contributor to the preservation of Pioneer history. Although still growing, organized chapters are currently based in Utah, Idaho, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C.

We honor the pioneers for their faith in God, devotion to family, loyalty to church and country, hard work and service to others, courage in adversity, personal integrity, and unyielding determination.

Click here for a timeline and more detailed history of the SUP.

MEMBERSHIP

Membership in the SUP is open to all good men of every age and circumstance who have an interest in the early Utah Pioneers. It is not necessary to have Pioneer ancestry. You will join with others who wish to honor these early builders of the West, to perpetuate their memory and to preserve their heritage for our own posterity.

ORGANIZATION

Each chapter is governed by a president, officers and board members. The National Society is presided over by a rotating three-man Executive Council and a National Board of Area Vice Presidents. National Program Directors oversee major activity areas.

ACTIVITIES

Chapters meet monthly to which family and guests are invited. At these meetings, members fellowship, plan activities, hear from talented speakers and presentations about various relevant topics, and enjoy musical programs.

Treks are a favorite activity where members travel to see important pioneer sites and participate with their chapters in erecting monuments that honor special places, events and people in pioneer history.

Historical Symposiums are held from time to time that bring together several qualified and interesting speakers on topics of Utah, Pioneer and Mormon History. In recent years we have held Regional Symposiums in other locations in Utah and Idaho. We invite qualified speakers with widely varying backgrounds to speak to us on unique and interesting themes from LDS Pioneer History and related subjects. The presentations range from scholarly to inspirational, but are always aimed at expanding the attendees’ knowledge and understanding of the historical events and persons being discussed. Usually held in two sessions, the evening session includes a dinner and well-known keynote speaker to make the Symposium a complete event.

The National Convention is held once a year, usually in August or September. It is sponsored by one of the chapters and held in that chapter’s community. The 2016 National Convention will be held September 22-24 in Hurricane, Utah. Area treks, banquets and guest speakers are key parts of the convention program. A business meeting and leadership election are also part of the Convention activities.

Scholarships for high school seniors planning to attend college are awarded by many chapters. Other chapters encourage elementary and middle school students to learn about a local pioneer historical subject or person and write essays, which are judged and recognized with awards or prizes. Chapters work with select schools in their local areas. If you are interested in applying SUP scholarships, contact your high school guidance counselor to find out if your school is participating in our Chapter Scholarship Program.