Scott Lloyd Posted September 30, 2015 Posted September 30, 2015 Don't know whether anyone has posted about this yet, but here's my story about the ribbon cutting yesterday for the reopening of the Church History Museum after a year of renovation. All the "transparency" fans here should rejoice about the new long-term exhibit on the Joseph Smith period of Church history. The movie draws upon several accounts of the First Vision (a point Elder Holland himself made in remarks last night), process of Book of Mormon translation (including an image of the seer stone), plural marriage, violence in Missouri. Of course,what I expect to read here is "Well it's a good start, but ..." Anyway the techno-dazzle is awesome. I highly recommend a visit. I'll miss the old exhibit though. I covered the opening of that one too -- 30 years ago. I'd provide a link, but our digital archives don't go back that far. 1
mapman Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 I for one have been very impressed with what the church has been doing with its history as of late. I'm planning on visiting the museum next week, and I'm very excited. It looks awesome!
Tacenda Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Don't know whether anyone has posted about this yet, but here's my story about the ribbon cutting yesterday for the reopening of the Church History Museum after a year of renovation.All the "transparency" fans here should rejoice about the new long-term exhibit on the Joseph Smith period of Church history. The movie draws upon several accounts of the First Vision (a point Elder Holland himself made in remarks last night), process of Book of Mormon translation (including an image of the seer stone), plural marriage, violence in Missouri.Of course,what I expect to read here is "Well it's a good start, but ..."Anyway the techno-dazzle is awesome. I highly recommend a visit.I'll miss the old exhibit though. I covered the opening of that one too -- 30 years ago. I'd provide a link, but our digital archives don't go back that far.Love the article and very transparent, just hope it doesn't get pulled like the Meridian article. Just kidding!!
omni Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Looks great! I'll have to visit when I'm back in SLC.
Kenngo1969 Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) Well, it's a good start, but...He knew it! He knew it! Edited October 1, 2015 by Kenngo1969
JLHPROF Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 I am very excited to see it. I loved the old one and went regularly. I am hopeful for more accurate and openness to our history.
Scott Lloyd Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) He knew it! He knew it! Makes you wonder at what point they will regard it as having moved beyond "a good start." After control has been totally given over to the anti-Mormon cohort, I suppose. Even then, I suspect there would still be some grousing. Edited October 1, 2015 by Scott Lloyd
Scott Lloyd Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 I am very excited to see it. I loved the old one and went regularly. I am hopeful for more accurate and openness to our history.I look forward to going back and exploring it in greater depth. But the impression I got from my walk-through with Reid Neilson is that the openness will pretty much be consistent with what's in the "Gospel Topics" essays on line.
rockpond Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Makes you wonder at what point they will regard it as having moved beyond "a good start." When they lead rather than follow. But, I liked your article and am looking forward to a visit to the museum with my family next time we're out in Utah. 1
bluebell Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Do they still have an interactive area for small kids to run around and play in?
Scott Lloyd Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 Do they still have an interactive area for small kids to run around and play in? I think I mentioned in my article that Reid Neilson told me there had been some discussion about making a portion of the new exhibit expressly for children. The conclusion was to integrate features that appeal individually and collectively to all ages. Accordingly, there is much that would be attractive to small-fry. For instance, I saw a hollow log -- representing one of the hiding places for the golden plates -- in which one is invited to crawl in and discover through little windows other places that were used to hide the plates. I can't see myself crawling into it, but younger children might want to. Beyond that, there are a lot of touch-screen features allowing visitors -- including curious children -- to discover things on their own. And there are interactive activities such as making crayon rubbings of objects to illustrate how books were printed at the time the Book of Mormon was published. Separate and apart from the Church history exhibit is a new exhibit upstairs displaying winning entries from the latest Gospel Art Competition. Part of it is a separate gallery directed toward children, with much to keep them amused, perhaps while their parents are exploring other parts of the museum. The title of the exhibit is "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus." And there is a greatly expanded and improved gift shop with a lot of cool items available for purchase, though, I confess, most of it is rather beyond my affordability range, particularly if I were to take my family there expecting to provide each of the children with souvenirs. It would be awfully easy to spend an inordinate amount there very quickly. 1
Scott Lloyd Posted October 1, 2015 Author Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) When they lead rather than follow..If by that you mean jumping to the most hostile possible conclusions and conjecture from facts -- as anti-Mormons are wont to do -- you will probably be disappointed. Edited October 1, 2015 by Scott Lloyd 1
HappyJackWagon Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 And there is a greatly expanded and improved gift shop with a lot of cool items available for purchase, though, I confess, most of it is rather beyond my affordability range, particularly if I were to take my family there expecting to provide each of the children with souvenirs. It would be awfully easy to spend an inordinate amount there very quickly.Any Seer Stones for sale in this expanded store?
Popular Post rockpond Posted October 1, 2015 Popular Post Posted October 1, 2015 If by that you mean jumping to the most hostile possible conclusions and conjecture from facts -- as anti-Mormons are wont to do -- you will probably be disappointed. Ad hominem. I meant what I wrote: If you want people to stop saying that "it's a good start" then the Church leaders will need to lead with transparency rather than follow those who shared the information first. I agree that, from what I've read, the renovations to the Church History Museum sound great. But they don't reverse past decisions. 5
JulieM Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 This actually looks like there are some very cool exhibits and I'll plan on taking my family there the next time we're in Salt Lake.Does the seer stone display include a hat or a picture of Joseph using the stone in his hat (in the manner he translated)?Just curious...
Tacenda Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 This actually looks like there are some very cool exhibits and I'll plan on taking my family there the next time we're in Salt Lake.Does the seer stone display include a hat or a picture of Joseph using the stone in his hat (in the manner he translated)?Just curious...(bold mine) That'll happen with the next renovation! I'm very excited to take my widowed mother in law here. She doesn't like to do much except go to dinner and play card games at home when we visit each week. I think she'd love this new museum! We are fortunate we're in such close proximity to downtown SLC.
ALarson Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 (bold mine) That'll happen with the next renovation! So, no hat that goes along with the seer stone? And Scott wonders why some say "Well it's a good start, but ..." I do wish they'd include some pictures of how Joseph actually used his seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon, but I think this museum looks great. I'm anxious to make a trip to Salt Lake so I can go and take my family.
Rain Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 So, no hat that goes along with the seer stone? And Scott wonders why some say "Well it's a good start, but ..." I do wish they'd include some pictures of how Joseph actually used his seer stone to translate the Book of Mormon, but I think this museum looks great. I'm anxious to make a trip to Salt Lake so I can go and take my family.I don't think Tacenda has gone? She's winking. It's a joke. 1
Tacenda Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) I don't think Tacenda has gone? She's winking. It's a joke.I've no idea how the display will be! I believe the church historians should be congratulated, I feel they are a big part of this transparency. I believe the leaders are too busy running the church to be able to oversee everything. They are doing the Lord's work, I know that might seem disingenuous coming from me, but do believe their hearts are in the right place. The last time I was at the museum, a few years ago, Orrin Hatch was there and he's so tall! But remember it being nice then, also many years before that taking my children. It was interactive back then for children. Can only imagine how fun it's going to be now, also. Edited October 1, 2015 by Tacenda
cinepro Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) I agree that, from what I've read, the renovations to the Church History Museum sound great. But they don't reverse past decisions. Perhaps the museum displays aren't only reflections on the artifacts and history they tell, but also of the time in which the displays themselves were made? Who can imagine what a renovation in 2045 might look like, and what artifacts and stories be on display? Edited October 1, 2015 by cinepro
Calm Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Wasn't there posted recently a picture of a display with a table, the plates covered in a cloth, and maybe the seerstone? I can't place where I saw that.
HappyJackWagon Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Wasn't there posted recently a picture of a display with a table, the plates covered in a cloth, and maybe the seerstone? I can't place where I saw that.That was at the recently dedicated Priesthood restoration site.
rockpond Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 Perhaps the museum displays aren't only reflections on the artifacts and history they tell, but also of the time in which the displays themselves were made? Who can imagine what a renovation in 2045 might look like, and what artifacts and stories be on display? True. Maybe a display of headlines from when OD3 "was" announced.
Calm Posted October 1, 2015 Posted October 1, 2015 (edited) That was at the recently dedicated Priesthood restoration site.That's right. Mapman started a thread that had pictures: http://www.mormondialogue.org/topic/66040-church-now-teaching-stone-in-hat-translation/?p=1209536652 This may also take you to where it is posted on lds.org....big enough to notice one minor anachronism I think: https://history.lds.org/article/joseph-and-emma-smiths-home?lang=eng#mv0 Edited October 1, 2015 by Calm
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