The Granger West Stake, with over 100 acres
under cultivation and growing rows of wheat, tomatoes, and squash, turned its farmland and granaries into a living symbol of unity, preparation, and neighborly love
What began as a simple concern about storage space became a powerful catalyst for community unity. In 1975, the Granger West Stake built granaries to store wheat not just for individuals, but for the good of all. With farmland, gardening seminars, and a focus on self-reliance, the stake pioneered a welfare program that strengthened both spiritual and temporal bonds. This unusual and inspired effort didn’t just prepare for hard times—it wove the fabric of a caring, connected neighborhood
August 1975 – Granger West Stake Builds Granaries for Community Wheat Storage
When a bishop in the Granger West Stake expressed concern about his lack of space at home for wheat storage, the stake presidency took action—and created one of the most impressive local food storage solutions in the Church. Within six months, the Salt Lake Granger West Stake had constructed two granaries and filled them with over 140,000 pounds of wheat. With plans to build more, Stake President Duayne Johnson explained, "As fast as members fill them, we'll build them." Eventually, the stake hoped to have 8 to 10 granaries in operation.
This inspired effort was more than a logistical solution; it reflected a visionary commitment to self-reliance, community preparedness, and Christlike care for others. Many members, already prepared themselves, purchased and stored additional wheat to help neighbors who weren’t able or willing to store their own.
Each participating member paid a modest storage fee of 30 cents per 100 pounds per year to use the facilities. While many still stored wheat at home, the granaries were a blessing—especially for apartment and mobile home residents without storage space. One ward alone, Granger West 1st, had 18,200 pounds stored for its members.
Beyond wheat, the stake embraced a wide-reaching welfare and self-sufficiency initiative. They owned 35 acres of farmland and farmed about 100 acres, cultivating everything from tomatoes and carrots to corn and beets. Rather than selling off Church-owned land, they were acquiring more. Members were encouraged to plant gardens, fruit trees instead of shade trees, and grapevines instead of ornamental ivy. Monthly gardening seminars supported these goals, and leaders urged families to imagine transforming their entire yard into productive farmland if necessary.
President Johnson reminded members, "The day will come when we’ll have to feed over 6,000 people within our stake boundaries." With only about 30% of members having sufficient home storage at the time, the granaries were just one piece of a larger vision—a stake-wide effort to be spiritually and temporally ready.
The Church's question—“Do you have enough food to feed your stake members?”—stayed with the stake presidency. Their answer at the time was no. But thanks to a spirit of unity, sacrifice, and planning, Granger West Stake was well on its way to someday saying yes.
A Legacy of Preparedness
Though the leadership and members involved have since passed on, the foresight and faith demonstrated in this extraordinary welfare effort left a lasting impact on the community. The granaries stood as a symbol of collective discipleship, where neighbors prepared not only for their own families—but for each other.
