October 4

Dinosaur National Monument was established on October 4, 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson after the discovery of an extraordinary collection of Jurassic-era fossils in northeastern Utah. Paleontologist Earl Douglass of the Carnegie Museum first uncovered the site in 1909, where he found massive dinosaur bones protruding from the rock. His discovery revealed one of the richest fossil beds in the world, preserving creatures that lived around 150 million years ago. Among the most remarkable finds were nearly complete skeletons of species like Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, and Apatosaurus, giving scientists an unprecedented look into the prehistoric past.

What began as a small, 80-acre protected quarry eventually grew in 1938 to over 210,000 acres, stretching across both Utah and Colorado. Today, the monument is not only a paleontological treasure but also a stunning natural landscape. Visitors can explore the famous “Wall of Bones” at the Quarry Exhibit Hall, where hundreds of fossils remain embedded in stone exactly as they were discovered. Beyond the dinosaurs, the monument is also home to deep river canyons carved by the Green and Yampa Rivers, ancient petroglyphs left by the Fremont people, and breathtaking wilderness that tells a story far bigger than just bones—it’s a window into both Earth’s prehistoric life and the people who came long after.

Prayer for Perspective and Lightness

Eternal God, when we stand in places like Dinosaur National Monument and see the bones of creatures who walked this earth millions of years ago, we are reminded how small and fleeting our own lives are in the story of creation. We are but a blip on the screen of life, a brief note in the song You have been singing since the beginning of time.

Teach us, Lord, not to take ourselves so seriously that we miss the gift of each moment. Help us release the weight of worries that do not matter in the grand scheme, and instead, open our eyes to the laughter, joy, and beauty that You have planted in every day. Just as the rocks and rivers carry stories older than memory, may we carry forward gratitude and wonder, never overlooking the chance to love, to forgive, to laugh, and to live fully while we are here.

Keep us mindful that even though our time is short, it matters.

May our days—small as they are—shine with meaning,

because they are held in Your eternal hands.

Amen

Reflection Questions

What is the most amazing natural event or wonder you have ever witnessed—an aurora dancing in the sky, a geyser erupting, the sight of a dinosaur fossil, or something else that left you in awe?

If my life is just a moment in the vast timeline of history, how am I going to spend the rest of the time I have?