We chilled at my parent's place on day 3 and then headed on a field trip down to temple square day 4. We toured the conference center, family history library and temple square's visitor center. We checked out Macy's window displays where we thoroughly embarrassed Bryan with our "boomerangs." We dined at the Lion House pantry and savored their rolls--straight off the baking sheet and some other yummy treats. It was a fun day that the entire family enjoyed.
We learned many fascinating facts about the original paintings of various Book of Mormon scenes that I cannot remember most of them now. But I did find the story of how the artwork even began very interesting. I looked it up so I could include more details below...
***The idea came from Adele Cannon Howells, the church’s general president of the Primary from 1943 to 1951. She was impressed by Friberg’s 1950 piece, “Pioneer Sunday School.” Motivated by a deep love for the Primary children, Howells personally commissioned Friberg to create the collection to mark the 50th year of “The Children’s Friend” magazine. The 12 paintings, $1,000 apiece, were scheduled to run each month during the magazine’s 50th year, although they ended up taking much longer.
Friberg knew it would be a challenge.
"It was a startling task to undertake, for the Book of Mormon had never been illustrated before, at least on any professional level," Friberg wrote. "There were no precedents."
Howells arranged payment for the paintings on her death bed and passed before she could see a sketch.
“Throughout all the painting days, the artist never forgot that Sister Howells’ last act on earth, the night she died, was to arrange for the sale of some property to pay for the project,” Friberg wrote. “She never lived to see even the first painting done, and it was the memory of her dedication that strengthened Friberg to push the series through to full realization. … For without her vision, her generosity, and her dogged determination, these paintings would never have existed.”
Sister Lavern Watts Parmley succeeded Howells as the Primary general president and carried the project through to its completion. Howell's family later donated the paintings to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.***
Our tour guide was wonderful.
Boomerang action.
So grateful for our little family. I have felt the Savior's love and awareness so much this past year of our family. This picture represents much more to me than a visit to temple square.
