SALT LAKE CITY- On 23 November 2013, the Church History Museum will open a temporary exhibit entitled A Good Turn Christmas. The exhibit will remain open through 12 January 2014. This year’s theme for the annual Christmas exhibit focuses on the Christ-like act of doing service and relates to the Boy Scout slogan to do a good turn daily. The Spirit of Christmas is the spirit of doing good to others.
The artwork and artifacts in A Good Turn Christmas portray the birth of Jesus Christ, including several unique crche (nativity) sets from around the world. At the same time, these artifacts exemplify good turns done. For example, one crche set was made by the Happy Factory. The Happy Factory’s founder, Charles Cooley, started this non-profit organization in Cedar City, Utah, as a way to deliver wooden toys to children in need. To date, over 1,140,000 Happy Factory toys have been given to more than 600 different organizations, groups, and people in 180 countries. The Happy Factory crche set exemplifies the Savior’s love, and the Museum hopes to instill within visitors the desire to likewise do a good turn.
Another artifact on display that represents good turns is a walking cane. In the 1840s, Joseph Smith Jr. saw Joseph Knight Sr. hobbling down a street in Nauvoo. Smith approached his long-time friend and offered this cane to him, saying that Joseph Knight Sr needed it more than he did. Smith’s gift displayed the Christmas spirit of showing kindness to all men.
The Museum invites the public to come ponder the love Christ has for them and how they can show that love to others. The Church History Museum is free and open to the public. The Museum is located at 45 North West Temple in Salt Lake City, UT. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more information please call 801-240-4615.
