This year, Deseret Industries celebrates 87 years of empowering individuals through job training, community support, and life-changing opportunities, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the people who’ve made it possible. 

From its earliest days to now, DI has always stood for more than just thrift. It’s a place where secondhand finds meet second chances.

Then, Now, and Beyond 

In 1938, President Heber J. Grant of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched Deseret Industries with a simple but powerful idea: use donated goods and job training to lift individuals and strengthen communities. 

Elder John A. Widtsoe outlined four guiding principles for the newly created organization: 

• Give those with more the chance to help those with less 

• Reduce waste by extending the life of useful goods 

• Provide employment for those in need 

• Offer quality items at low cost to individuals and families 

From the very beginning, DI was built on generosity, purpose, and empowerment. Community members donated clothing, furniture, and household items. These goods were sorted and repaired by employees, then sold at affordable prices, blessing both the giver and the receiver. 

Eighty-seven years later, that vision still drives everything we do. What began as a single storefront has grown into 46 locations across the western United States, supporting thousands of individuals on their journey toward greater stability and independence. 

Thank You for 87 Years—and Counting 

Whether you’ve shopped, donated, volunteered, or been part of the training program, you’ve played a role in DI’s legacy. 

As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on the past with gratitude and look forward with hope. The mission hasn’t changed, but the impact keeps growing. 

Here’s to the next chapter of building lives, creating opportunity, and continuing a legacy of purpose!