"We have always dignified work and reproved idleness. Our books, our sermons, our leaders, including particularly our present president, have glorified industry. The busy hive of the honeybee — Deseret — has been our emblem. Work with faith is a cardinal point of our theological doctrine and our future state, our heaven, is envisioned in terms of eternal progression through constant labor." — Elder Stephen L. Richards, 1939
Representative of industry and cooperation, the beehive symbol has been the Church's communal coat of arms and has been incorporated extensively by early Church leaders and members.
According to the Deseret News in 1881, "It is a significant representation of the industry, harmony, order and frugality of the people, and of the sweet results of their toil, union and intelligent cooperation."
During the nineteenth century, the beehive became the most extensive and enduring symbol used by the Church, standing for an integrated religious community built through collective efforts, said Robert Davis, senior curator at the Museum of Church History and Art. It signified unity and perseverance in the quest to establish an ideal society.
Until Nov. 12, the museum will feature a display of objects depicting beehives as used by the Church and Church members over the past century and a half.
The well-known name "Deseret" originates from the Book of Mormon, where the ancient Jaredites carried with them "Deseret, which, by interpretation, is a honey bee" (Ether 2:3).
The new region first settled by the pioneers of 1847 was originally named the State of Deseret. Today, Utah is still called the Beehive State and the beehive is the logo used by state and local governments. The Church has also frequently used the beehive image and name, as well as the title, Deseret.
In the exhibit are examples of beehives used by the Church, by the State of Utah and in popular culture. Among these are the Young Women Beehive program, commemorative material and souvenirs, Utah Pioneer Centennial objects, household items and personal effects, and mass-produced objects. The exhibit draws from the private collections of Scott and Megan Christensen and Jay and Dorothy Burrup, from the Davis Farmington Company of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, and the holdings of the Museum of Church History and Art.
A number of leaders compared the honey bee with Church workers. In October 1898 general conference, President Joseph F. Smith said, "This country, in the beginning, was called Deseret — the honey bee — signifying industry; Utah, in the early days, was likened to the hive of bees, in which every bee was busy and was supposed to be able to do something toward building up and strengthening the entire colony. This should be the condition of the people of Zion. Every individual should be in a position to add something to the wealth of the whole. Everyone should be increasing, improving, and advancing in some way, and accomplishing something for his or her good and for the good of the whole."
Mark Twain, visiting during his "Roughing It" travels to the West, commented: "The Mormon crest was easy. And it was simple, unostentatious and it fitted like a glove. It was a representation of a Golden Beehive, with all the bees at work."
The Museum of Church History and Art is located at 45 N. West Temple in Salt Lake City. Museum hours are: Mondays-Fridays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays and most holidays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.