6 Part III - TUES., JUNE 11, 1957 2* Los Angeles Times Mormons’ Role in History of State Honored High dignitaries of the Mormon Church, including President David O. McKay of Salt Lake City, were present in the City Council chambers yesterday to receive resolutions commemorating Mormon participation in the pioneer history of California. One resolution paid tribute to the memory of the Mormon Battalion w h i-c h marched into Southern California in 1847 as part of American occupation forces, helped build and occupied Ft. Moore, and blazed the first trail between Los Angeles and San Diego, Memorial Tribute CHURCH HONORED—Mayor Poulson, at left, presents scroll honoring contributions of Mormons to early history of California in City Council ceremony. Others, from left, Councilman Ernest E. Debs, David O. McKay, president of the Mormon Church, and Ned Redding of the Board of Public Utilities and Transportation. Times i hoto The second resolution, presented to President McKay by Councilman Ernest E. Debs, commended the Mormon Church for its contributions to construction of the Ft. Moore Memorial. "Monuments such as these are precious li$ks in the golden chain which links the past with the present," said the 33-year-old president of the Mormon Church as he addressed those gathered in the Council chambers. "There are ilose ties between Utah and California." Maybelle T. Davis, former president of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, also spoke briefly. Mayor Poulson complimented President McKay and all his followers on the part the Mormon Church has played in the development of the Southwest.