The following comes from:
The Annals of the
Southern Mission: A Record of the History of the Settlement of Southern Utah, ed. Aaron McArthur
and Reid L. Neilson [Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2019):
John W. Young, letter dated April 11, 1874:
We desire
to establish and sustain for this Southern Country a Normal School, at which we
can have students instructed in the higher branches of learning, and in which
we can give that systematic and careful training necessary to prepare teachers
for our Common Schools.
We desire
the Bishops and leading men of each Settlement to consult together, and to send
to my Office in St George, the names of one, two, three, or more,
whom they will send to such a school. Those selected, should be fairly advanced;
and where designed for preparations as School Teachers, should possess a
natural faculty to communicate knowledge; and above all, should be imbued by
the Spirit of the Lord. As Latter-day Saints we should not entrust the instruction
and mortal training of our children to those who are not faithful members of
the Church. It is recommended that the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Book of
Doctrine and Covenants be used as School Readers; thus imparting, not only
increased ability to read, but also an increase of historical and doctrinal
knowledge. If there is a deficiency for this purpose, of these sacred books, in
any of the Settlements, report to my Office in St. George, and steps
will be taken to supply what may be needed. (pp. 336-37)
Letter from Wilford Woodruff and George Reynolds to the St.
George Stake, June 8, 1888:
We feel
that the time has arrived when the proper education of our children should be
taken in hand by us as a people. Religious training is practically excluded
from the District Schools. The perusal of books that we value as Divine Records
is forbidden. Our children, if left to the training they receive in these
schools, will grow up entirely ignorant of those principles of salvation for
which the Latter-day Saints have made so many sacrifices. To permit those condition
of things to exist among us would be criminal. The desire is universally expressed
by all thinking people in the Church, that we should have Schools were the
Bible, the Book of Mormon and the Book of Doctrine and Covenants can be used as
text books, and where the principles of our religion may form a part of the
teaching of the Schools. (p. 691)