It's apropos that visitors to the new Joseph Smith exhibit at the Museum of Church History and Art can end their tour by penning their own feelings about the Prophet of the Restoration. The rich, multi-media display on the museum's top floor is designed for intimacy.
"We hope that you walk away having felt you had a personal encounter with Joseph Smith," said Mark Staker, the exhibit's senior curator.
"Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration" ushers in a yearlong celebration at the museum marking the 200th anniversary of Joseph Smith's birth. While the institution has hosted past exhibits on certain aspects of the Prophet's life, "we've never tried to summarize his entire mission before," Brother Staker said.
Dozens of original documents and artifacts from Joseph Smith's life — along with several pieces of Smith-themed artwork — are on display, portraying how the young man from Vermont was "prepared, called and tutored to serve as prophet, seer, and revelator to restore the Church of Jesus Christ on Earth."
Enlisting artifacts, art, video presentations and several hands-on activity stations, the exhibit traces Joseph Smith's life from his birth into a devout, hard-working family and on through his prophetic calling and service that ended with his violent death. The exhibit's displays are each labeled with historical nuggets of information and accessible for visitors of all backgrounds.
Someone in a rush could take in the entire exhibit in 30 minutes, but it's best to set aside an hour or two to better appreciate and understand the story being told. "There are a lot of different levels to experience in this exhibit," Brother Staker said.
Many of the exhibit's historical documents are on public display for the first time, including original copies of Section 10 of the Doctrine and Covenants and the Word of Wisdom revelation. Visitors can also view a Book of Mormon manuscript page containing 28 words of Joseph Smith's handwriting.
Artifacts include a hatchet that was found under the roof of the Smith's Manchester, N.Y., home; the family Bible of Joseph's grandparents, Asael and Mary Duty Smith; Joseph Smith's Nauvoo Legion cloak; and wall fragments from the Liberty Jail.
The exhibit will likely appeal to young families. Youngsters can enjoy the exhibit's activity stations, including one stop where visitors can assemble a bucket like those the Smiths used to collect sap to make maple syrup. Meanwhile, a life-sized re-creation of a portion of the Smith family's log home at Palmyra offers a glimpse of the family's rural 19th-century lifestyle.
Placed throughout the exhibit are several pieces of original art capturing pivotal moments from Joseph Smith's life, including the First Vision and the Prophet's martyrdom.
The entire exhibit — including the many display labels and video stations — is presented in English and Spanish.
The Museum of Church History and Art — located at 45 N. West Temple in Salt Lake City — is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and most holidays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The museum will be open on Presidents Day, Feb. 21. Call (801) 240-5342 for more information.
E-mail to: jswensen@desnews.com
