As part of the ongoing renovation of Temple Square, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has placed the first in a series of new statues created by local artists. These sculptures, which visualize key moments in the life of Jesus Christ and His teachings and Church history, will be placed across the grounds throughout 2025 and 2026.
“Temple Square has always had gardens and sculptures,” said Bill Williams, director of temple design for the Church’s Special Projects Department. “This renovation allowed us to reimagine the story these sculptures and gardens could tell.”
One recently installed statue depicts the moment Joseph Smith, then a 14-year-old boy in New York in 1820, saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. For members of the Church, this event (known as the First Vision) marks the beginning of Church history.
“This is a visual testimony for me,” said artist Michael Hall, who designed the piece. “I believe that God exists, that Jesus Christ is His Son, that He died for all of us, and that because of this young 14-year-old boy, Joseph Smith, we can know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do care about us.”
See more photos of the statue and learn more at Church Newsroom.
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