More Than a Trophy Case

Sunday comes and we hustle off to church where we share warm greetings with fellow members. But as we enter the church building, does the foyer help us to feel a spiritual transition from the outside world to the house of the Lord? Or is it simply an area of visual chaos, with cluttered bulletin boards, outdated trophy cases, or bare walls?

The First Presidency of the Church has challenged the stakes to “provide an atmosphere for spiritual enrichment for members and visitors” within our church buildings. (See letter to stake, mission, and ward leaders, 21 February 1979, signed by the First Presidency.) The Kaysville Utah Crestwood Stake accepted this challenge and developed the idea of using the display cases in the stake center for visual and spiritual enrichment. Fine art, sculpture, and professional photography have been used to present Churchwide themes emphasized during stake conferences.

The purpose of each display has been to motivate members to incorporate the most recent stake conference theme, such as missionary work, in their everyday lives. The displays also have lent a feeling of reverence and dignity to the foyer itself.

“Comparison is the best way to appreciate the ‘new look,’” commented Sister Jean Walker of the Kaysville Nineteenth Ward. “The visual impact is very subtle, but the transformation is wonderful. It’s a refreshing approach.”

Brother Art Johnson, a member of the Kaysville Twentieth Ward and chairman of the stake physical facilities committee, felt that the house of the Lord should not only be properly maintained, but should also be beautiful. Thus, as an interior designer, I was called as chairman of the newly formed enhancement committee.

It is a rewarding challenge to assist in bringing visual dignity to a church building. “When you enter the foyer,” comments stake president Duane Gerrard, “your first feelings set the tone for the day. If that feeling is of peace, and of happiness, and is spiritually uplifting, you will carry that tone through the rest of the day’s meetings.”

So also noted a visiting General Authority to our stake, Elder F. Enzio Busche of the First Quorum of the Seventy. “I was most impressed by the artfully designed spiritual thought focused on reverence and an appreciation for the Savior and his sacred atonement,” said Elder Busche. “Among the many fond memories I have of my visit … was the thoughtfulness to have the foyers artfully decorated with spiritual messages presented in such a way that members are not only touched by the beauty and pleasant setting of the building itself, but also by the personal touch of a caring leadership.”

“Even though the foyer is used for socializing,” reflected Brother Ralph Corless of the Kaysville Eighteenth Ward, “it still gives you a spiritual feeling before going into the chapel. I feel ready to be in tune with the sacrament service before entering the chapel. A warm and spiritually uplifting foyer leads to a more reverent and spiritual sacrament meeting for everyone.”

Upon receiving each stake conference theme, our committee (consisting of three stake members) prayerfully seeks appropriate quotations or thoughts and the visual means to inspire and motivate the viewer. The first theme we addressed was missionary work. Two distinct messages were presented. The first was by President Gerrard: “Our missionary work is reflected by our concern for others, in all aspects of living.” Such missionary efforts were highlighted by representations of temple work, family life, community service, missions, professions, and genealogy, and were portrayed by a fellow committee member and photographer, Harley Christensen of the Kaysville Eighteenth Ward.

The second message was a quotation by Brigham Young: “Mothers, will you be missionaries? We will appoint you a mission to teach your children their duty, and instead of ruffles and fine dresses to adorn the body, teach that which will adorn their minds. Let what you have to clothe them with be neat and nice. Teach them cleanness and purity of body and the principles of salvation.” (Journal of Discourses, 14:220.)

The statement was rendered in calligraphy by another committee member, Kathryn Timothy of the Kaysville Third Ward, and was accompanied by the lovely white porcelain sculpture by Florence Hansen portraying a mother and daughter.

“I have appreciated the lovely change of atmosphere due to the displays in the showcases in our foyers,” commented Janet Easthope, Relief Society president of the Kaysville Third Ward, and a mother of young twin boys. “Often during meetings, the doors are open to the foyer so that I can see this showcase. It reminds me of the precious children we have been blessed with and our responsibility to teach them. It also motivates me to do more about my own personal responsibilities.”

“In the opposite foyer,” continued Sister Easthope, “I enjoy pointing out the various photos of members involved in different missionary activities; my children can see others they recognize in the service of their fellowmen. The picture of our stake president in his pilot uniform is impressive and helps us to see him not only as a man of God, but also as one who works hard to provide for his own family.

“I’m grateful that the atmosphere in our foyers is one that helps us enter and leave the building with reverent feelings, determined to do better in our own lives.”

“How nice it is,” shared a mother of five young children, Sister Karen Bass of the Fifteenth Ward, “to have something uplifting to study when I find myself out in the foyer with a fussy baby and am unable to sit in the chapel. The beautiful cases give me quite a reverent feeling.”

Our second theme was “Activation through Love.” One display utilized two panels of mirrors reflecting an antique shepherd’s lamp from Israel. This was used to portray a thought by President Spencer W. Kimball: “There are two ways of spreading light—to be the candle or to be the mirror that reflects it.”

The second display is a large, beautifully sensitive photograph framed with another thought by President Kimball: “The measure of our love for our fellowman and, in a larger sense, the measure of our love for the Lord, is what we do for one another.” (Welfare Services Resource Handbook, 1980 edition, p. 4.)

Former committee member Kaylene Stevenson summarized the committee’s feeling: “After hours of work, seeing people’s reactions and spiritual awakening is extremely rewarding.”

As Latter-day Saints, we reflect upon the Prophet Joseph Smith’s admonition: “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.” (A of F 1:13.) Following the prophet’s light, may we each accept the challenge of the First Presidency to “provide an atmosphere for spiritual enrichment” within our church buildings.