A new LDS Church historical display, which will open to the public Saturday, May 19, was shown to members of the media Wednesday.
The new permanent exhibit at the Museum of Church History and Art has been open for more than a month on a preview basis.The 8,000-square-foot historical display, "A Covenant Restored," depicts the origins of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York, followed by the church's Ohio, Missouri and Illinois periods, the trek to Utah, the colonization of the West and the church's international expansion and temple-building program.
Museum Director Glen M. Leonard said the exhibit stresses two themes essential to Mormonism - religious faith and sense of community. Artifacts, art work, electronics, replicas and environmental settings help to convey messages about missionary work, temple work, the international church, economic cooperation and religious commitment.
Leonard said reaction thus far to the exhibit has been generally positive. A reception will be held Thursday evening for historians, artists, museum professionals, donors, contractors, staff and volunteers.
The interpretive display features such famous LDS artifacts as:
-The death masks of church founder Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.
-The watch that saved John Taylor's life when a bullet struck it instead of him during the assassination of the Smith brothers at the Carthage Jail.
-A page of the original Book of Mormon manuscript.
-The original City of Zion plat, signed by Joseph Smith.
-An actual handcart that was pulled across the plains.
The Taylor watch is the most asked-for item in the museum's collection, Leonard said, and the manuscript and Zion plat are documents that have been accessible previously to researchers but not to the general public.
The museum, located directly west of Temple Square on West Temple, is open daily, free of charge. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.