LAYTON, Utah — The city of Layton's pioneer namesake, Christopher Layton, has been memorialized in the form of a bronze bust, which President Thomas S. Monson unveiled Aug. 13 during the dedication of the expanded Heritage Museum of Commons Park in Layton, located some 20 miles north of Salt Lake City.
The bust memorializing Christopher Layton was sculpted by two great-great-granddaughters, Trudy Iverson and Brenda Hansen.
President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, offered the dedicatory prayer for the newly enlarged museum, which opened originally in 1979. Keith Markham, pastor of the Mountain View Baptist Church in Layton, offered the invocation at the ceremony that was attended by several hundred people, many of whom were descendants of Christopher Layton. Mayor Jerry Stevenson conducted the ceremony.
In his remarks, President Monson presented an overview of the life of Christopher Layton, describing him as a pioneer, colonizer, soldier, statesman, farmer, industrialist and Church leader.
Layton was born March 8, 1821, in Thorncote, Northhill, England. "By the time he was 20 he had become foreman for a wealthy farmer, who promptly released him for being baptized a member of the Church," President Monson said. He mentioned Layton's basic philosophy: " 'When I heard the gospel I believed.' "
Layton sailed to the United States in 1843 and settled near Nauvoo, Ill. After Joseph Smith's martyrdom, Christopher Layton left Nauvoo with the first company of exiles, crossing the Mississippi River on the ice in February 1846. He volunteered for the Mormon Battalion and marched with them to California. "He had true grit," President Monson said.
He quoted from Layton's journal: " 'I have ever found that when we are in the line of our duty and retain our faith in the promises of God and His inspired servants, we are watched over by Him who holds all things in His power.'"
Speaking further of the city's founder, President Monson said, "Duty called to different places." He spoke of Layton's assignment to go to the Salmon River in central Idaho to bring the missionaries home before spring. President Monson quoted Layton's own words: " 'This was a hard call to obey, for my children were all small and our provisions for the winter were scarce, . . . but committing them to the Lord's care and protection, I went where duty called me.' "
President Monson said that Christopher Layton fits the description of Webster's definition of a pioneer: "One who goes before, showing others the way to follow."
He noted that Layton was a pioneer in farming, planting the first alfalfa seed ever planted in Utah, and conducting the first dry-farming in the state.
President Monson mentioned Layton's prominence as a businessman and his desire to help others.
"The city of Layton will always serve as a reminder of Christopher Layton and his posterity," President Monson said.
President Monson outlined Layton's Church service. He was a bishop, stake president's counselor, first president of the St. Joseph Stake in Arizona and a patriarch.
During his life of service and commitment to the Church, Layton returned to England and then to Utah. He colonized in Carson Valley, Nevada; northern Davis County, Utah; and Gila River Valley, Arizona. He was the director of Utah Central and Utah Southern Railroads, and of ZCMI. He served in the Utah Territorial Legislature and as Davis County selectman (county commissioner). He was an organizer of Central Canal Company, bringing water from the Weber River into Davis County.
