On display beginning Dec. 8 at BYU's Lee Library
The L. Tom Perry Special Collections in the Harold B. Lee Library will display rare books, manuscripts and images of the Prophet Joseph Smith in an exhibit, “Remembering Joseph Smith, Jr.: 1805-2005,” beginning Thursday, Dec. 8.
The exhibit will open with a House of Learning Lecture presented by David Whittaker, co-curator of the exhibit, titled “Joseph Smith and the Records of His Life” that day at 2 p.m. in the library auditorium, followed by a reception. The exhibit will remain open through April 2006. Both the exhibit and the lecture are free.
“Special Collections wants to be an important part of the 200th anniversary celebration of our founding prophet, his life and times,” said Whittaker, who is also the Western and Mormon manuscripts archivist for Special Collections. “This is our way of paying tribute and sharing the rare items held by Special Collections with students and the community.”
All are invited to visit the exhibit and learn more about the life of the first leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as the exhibit covers three distinct eras in Joseph’s life and work: New York and New England, Ohio and Missouri, and Illinois. Three major works of LDS scripture will also be examined during these notable periods.
The exhibit, located on the library’s first level, will display first editions of the Book of Mormon, the Book of Commandments, the Doctrine and Covenants and first-run editions of early Mormon newspapers, including “The Evening and the Morning Star,” “The Latter-day Saints Messenger and Advocate” and “The Times and Seasons.”
A replica of the original printing press that printed the first copies of the Book of Mormon will also be on display, as well as manuscripts and graphic images to help visitors discover more about Joseph’s religious and secular achievements.
For more information, contact Special Collections at (801) 422-3514, or visit www.sc.lib.byu.edu.
Writer: Angela Fischer
