RELIGION

‘Saints’ Volume 2 Released, Temple Exhibit Opens At Church History Museum

Feb 12, 2020, 7:47 PM | Updated: Jun 16, 2022, 11:54 pm

SALT LAKE CITY – The Church History Museum opened a new interactive exhibition to teach children about temples that will be in place during the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. Also on Wednesday, Church officials released “Saints” volume 2.

The new book focuses on building temples in the West and addresses several more difficult periods in Latter-day Saint Church history.

“One of the things we’re trying to do with ‘Saints’ is to tell a global history of the Church,” said Matthew Grow, director of publications for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Grow oversaw the team of writers for this project.

“Saints” volume 2 covers Latter-day Saint history from 1846 to 1893, discussing the trek West, immigrants who strengthened the faith and Native Americans who helped the Saints. The complete title is “Saints: No Unhallowed Hand.”

Saints, Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand

Grow said all four volumes have titles from Joseph Smith’s Wentworth Letter, explaining the faith to a journalist in 1843.

“There was a great effort in the second half of the 1800s of the American government (and) other people who opposed the Latter-day Saints and what they were trying to establish in Utah,” Grow said.

As with the first volume, this one focuses on some well-known individuals, such as Brigham Young.

Grow said Young was tough but was also accessible to the Saints.

“They didn’t call him President Young. They called him Brother Brigham, and there’s a great significance in that,” Grow said. “They believed that Brigham was one of them, that he knew them. He took time to understand their concerns, to answer their letters, to sit and counsel with them.”

Readers will also find the story of his daughter, Susa Young Gates. Gates was a suffragist, but struggled with an abusive husband, divorce, and child custody.

Grow said the story of “Saints” includes tragedy and mental illness – everything we experience today. The volume also tells the story of plural marriage.

“It’s one of the most difficult things for us to understand; it’s just so foreign to our own sensibilities,” Grow said. “But one of the things we tried to highlight is that they were engaged in plural marriage because of their faith.”

Grow said of those who practiced polygamy, some succeeded as families, while others did not. Many people also faced challenges and tests of faith when the Manifesto to end polygamy was issued in 1890.

The Mountain Meadows Massacre is also referenced in the volume.

In 1857, a Mormon militia slaughtered more than 120 members of a wagon train from Arkansas in southern Utah. Grow said this was a difficult chapter to write and read.

“When they were pushing their own agendas, when they were trying to save themselves or their own reputations, trying to cover up the bad decisions they’d already made, that’s when it got more and more tragic,” Grow said.

“Saints” volume 2 features the building of temples in the West – St. George, Manti, and Logan, and ends with the iconic structure in Salt Lake.

Grow said the writers did not know about the closing of the Salt Lake Temple for a seismic upgrade, but he believes readers will enjoy the history.

“So, there is this really interesting timing, all the things going on with the temple today and we have the back story in ‘Saints,’” said Grow.

‘Temples Dot The Earth’ Exhibit 

Speaking of timing, a new children’s exhibit called “Temples Dot the Earth” debuted at the Church History Museum.

It begins with a painting of a young Jesus leaving the temple in Jerusalem with his parents then moves to a world map where children can identify countries and temple locations.

The brightly painted rooms have toys and activities for younger children, like stacking a spire and topping it with an Angel Moroni. For older children, there are computer games about temples, building Solomon’s temple and what happens in temples versus meetinghouses.

“We felt it was so important to learn through creative play, through activities, through artifacts about the temple and about why we build temples, why we attend temples, and why they’re so central to our faith,” said Maryanne Stewart Andrus, exhibits and education supervisor. Andrus was a team leader on the project, which took two-and-a-half years to complete.

There is history to learn in the exhibit as well, with temple artifacts.

“We’ve got some tools that were used in the design of the Nauvoo Temple,” said curator Alan Morrell. “All of the Utah temples are represented. We have some carpet from the Logan Temple.”

Part of the exhibit looks like a temple interior with an interactive model. Children can pick up a cardboard-backed photograph, each one representing a temple room somewhere in the world, and then slide it into an area of the model to make it 3-D.

Alan and Maryanne said they hope that families will enjoy the exhibit together as well as invite their friends of other faiths.

Both the book’s writers and exhibition curators said they hope each will provide the Saints with greater understanding and faith.

“Saints” volume 2 is now available as a book, online, and as an audiobook in 14 languages. The children’s temple exhibition will be at the Church History Museum for the next four years.

KSL 5 TV Live

Religion

Pope Francis...

Christopher Lamb, CNN

Pope Francis breaks annual Easter tradition

Pope Francis on Thursday has washed the feet of 12 women at a prison in Rome during a ceremony emphasizing humility.

13 hours ago

FILE: candles...

Eliza Pace

Calvary Salt Lake to host non-denominational Easter service at Abravanel Hall

Calvary Salt Lake announced a Resurrection Service would be held at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City on Sunday for Easter. 

2 days ago

The Kirtland Temple, was dedicated by Joseph Smith in 1836. It reopened for tours on Monday, March ...

Daniel Woodruff

‘Definitely memorable’: Utahns travel to Kirtland for temple reopening

The nearly 200-year-old Kirtland Temple welcomed visitors Monday from Utah and beyond, as the building is now under new ownership.

3 days ago

pulpit in white in a white room...

Daniel Woodruff

Kirtland Temple reopens for public tours after Church acquires property

Monday was the first day of tours at the Kirtland Temple after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints acquired the Ohio property earlier this month.

4 days ago

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened a new exhibit in the Church History Museum o...

Karah Brackin

New exhibit of Missouri artifacts opens in Church History Museum

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened a new exhibit in the Church History Museum Monday, which will be open to the public until Oct. 26.

4 days ago

Attendees listen to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square during the193rd Semiannual General Confer...

Becky Bruce

Music and the Spoken Word has a new voice

The world’s longest-running radio broadcast is getting a new voice.

5 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

‘Saints’ Volume 2 Released, Temple Exhibit Opens At Church History Museum