Colonia Juarez: Commemorating 125 Years of the Mormon Colonies in Mexico

by LaVon Brown Whetten

Colonia Juarez, one of the two remaining Mormon Colonies in Mexico, has existed and prospered for one hundred and twenty-five years. During that time many interesting and important things have occurred which have had far reaching effects on the lives of thousands of people scattered throughout the world. These have included revolutionary upheavals, the founding and growth of the Juarez Stake Academy (Academia Juarez), the coming of the paved highway to the colony, three centennial celebrations within a period of twelve years, and two visits within two years from the Lord's Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, even Gordon B. Hinckley. His second visit was for the dedication of the Colonia Juarez Chihuahua Temple. Although there are currently fewer than 200 descendents of the original colonists living in Colonia Juarez, literally thousands still refer to it as "down home".The last complete history of Colonia Juarez, written by Nelle Spilsbury Hatch, was released in 1954. The time is right for an up-date of the history of this loved community. This is especially true in light of the uncertainty which currently exists due to the brutal drug cartel-related acts committed almost daily throughout the state of Chihuahua, including the region where Colonia Juarez and Colonia Dublan are situated. Can the lessons of the past help us deal with the realities of today? And, what of the future?

292 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2010

Reviews

[Heber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vonnie Whetten has written a fresh new history of the Mormon Colonies in Mexico (with a particular yet not overbearing emphasis on Colonia Juarez). I received the book with high expectations and read it through completely on the very day I received it. My expectations were met.



There are many, many books written on the period from the founding of the colonies to the exoduses (many of the best are included in Vonnie’s sources), but the literature is significantly scantier when covering events of the last few decades. Vonnie first gave a good but brief introduction of those early years (for more comprehensive insights see the books mentioned in her notes). I feel that Vonnie did a great job covering the key factors of the more recent decades including: the two centennials, the visit from Mexico’s president Carlos Salinas de Gortari & the temple. Overall Vonnie’s book is a great overview of the history of this magnificent and strikingly unique area of the world with a special emphasis on the area’s ongoing spiritual mission and hand of God in preserving the colonists through remarkable trials and afflictions.



While I feel a comprehensive history of the agrarian disputes would be valuable, I understand and respect Vonnie’s rational outlined in the Forward. This is an issue of considerable complexity with varying opinions and perspectives. Even if I were much better versed in the particulars I would probably wait until the dust had settled before venturing to establish my perspectives as historical facts. If history is any guide, once this ordeal is over we will have a clearer picture of the players and pieces, as well as insights into how God’s care had carried us through.



Given Vonnie’s extensive involvement with Academia Juarez I thought it was appropriate that she be the one to provide such a comprehensive overview of the history of this great institution, however, I was disappointed that Samuel Edwin McClellan’s contributions were not further documented.



I found Vonnie’s depiction of the recent unrest and violence in Chihuahua, while scant on details, to be remarkably appropriate in setting things in the proper spiritual perspective. In fact, her choice to abandon completely the journalistic tone in which I am accustomed to hearing this issue treated to be a surprising and rather refreshing treat. The prophesies and the scriptural messages on trials and tribulations are profound, instructive and comforting. Christ taught “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. While it might be naïve to expect a return to the idyllic comfort and security of my youth (this was never promised) we can have peace in Christ through the afflictions and turmoils prophesied by all the ancients if we follow the basic principles taught throughout history as well as by those who founded these colonies.



Based on the assumption that those of you who have made it this far into my review have a particular interest in learning about the History of the Mormon Colonies in Mexico I will offer a few additional book recommendations:



One of the most comprehensive and well researched books on The History of the Colonies is “The Mormon Colonies in Mexico” by Thomas Cottam Romney (IBSN-13: 978-0874808384). Romney brought an academics attention to detail and research that few bring. He also placed events and occurrences in their proper political and historical context as few of the less researched books have accomplished.



“Heartbeats of Colonia Diaz” by Annie R Johnson (ASIN: B001U9NR28) tells the emotional story of struggle and faith of the early period life few others. In Vonnie’s book she mentions a visit by Mexico’s Sitting President Gortari, which many assume is the first visit by a Mexican President to the Mormon Colonies. “Hearbeats of Colonia Diaz” I was surprised to learn that President Porfirio Diaz was received and entertained by the residents of Colonia Diaz and on his way to meet with President Howard Taft.



“The Colonia Juarez Temple – A Prophet’s Inspiration” by Virginia Hatch Romney & Richard O Cowan (ISBN-13: 978-0842527279) is a great and comprehensive history of the building of the Colonia Juarez Temple (with several great photographs taken by my dad).



“Memories of Militants & Mormon Colonies in Mexico” by Harold W Taylor (ASIN: B000RUHK0Q) is one of the best histories of the hardships of the various Mexican Revolutions and their impact on the lives of the colonists.

[Lynette Caulkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Popsugar prompt "tied to your ancestry" was a great lead to reading about this little enclave in U.S./Mexican history. Even though I am not a religious person, the historian in me greatly appreciates the rich pioneering and colonizing history of my Mormon forbears. My great-great grandfather was one of those families who left Utah in the late 1800's to help settle a remote area in northern Mexico, and it was fun to see his name here.

All I knew before reading Whetton's book is that my ancestor's family lived there for a while until things got bad, and then they took a train back into the U.S. to resettle in their homeland. Now I have a good framework of the reasons they went there to start with, the interplay with the Mexican revolution that prompted the exodus my ancestors were part of, the recovery and continuance of two of the 8 original colonies, and being an LDS-focus book, the maturity of the religion in current times. The area continues to suffer from tumultuous conditions, now due to drug cartel intrusions.

I would love to find more personal stories of the earlier settlers.

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of this book is a tribute to all the LDS colonists in Mexico, and one of them was Les's grandpa, who settled in Colonia Morelos. The book deals principally with Colonia Juarez, the lagest colony, and one of two that are still there. I enjoyed it more because Chuck and Christy and Les and I made a trip down there to attend the temple.