Statue of Joseph Smith Unveiled

On the anniversary of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s birth 192 years ago, the First Presidency presided on 23 December 1997 over the unveiling of a statue depicting young Joseph reading James 1:5. Created by Stanley James Watts and titled “Leaning into the Light,” the larger-than-life-size bronze statue is located near the Legacy Theater in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City. Several children performed the actual unveiling.

“It is a beautiful piece of work, and it is very fitting that it should be in the building bearing his name,” President Gordon B. Hinckley remarked at the unveiling ceremony. “He became the great prophet of this dispensation. I marvel at Joseph Smith. I absolutely marvel at him, at what he accomplished during his short lifetime.”

Also present at the ceremony were President Thomas S. Monson, First Counselor in the First Presidency; President James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency; Elders M. Russell Ballard and Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder Joe J. Christensen of the Presidency of the Seventy; and Bishops Richard C. Edgley and Keith B. McMullin of the Presiding Bishopric.

Members of the First Presidency participate in statue unveiling ceremony. (Photo by Craig Dimond.)