- A new exhibit at the Church History Museum teaches kids about building and renovating the Salt Lake Temple.
- Primary General President Susan H. Porter emphasizes the exhibit's focus on spiritual growth.
- Interactive features include an earthquake table and crane. It will be open through 2027.
SALT LAKE CITY — A new exhibit at the Church History Museum will help children understand the big project of building and renovating the Salt Lake Temple.
"They'll have more of a sense that it's not really about the building — it's about strengthening ourselves in Christ. It will help them feel like they are participating in celebrating the strengthening of this temple. And then they can celebrate strengthening their lives," said Primary General President Susan H. Porter.
President Porter, who leads the children's organization for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke during a media event about the exhibit's opening on Thursday.
"Children are gifts from God. When I think about a firm foundation, we have a responsibility to help them build that firm foundation," she said.
The exhibit, titled "A Firm Foundation," has been in the works for four years. It will be open at the Church History Museum through 2027, including during the open house for the Salt Lake Temple beginning in April of 2027.
It is designed to be highly interactive, with an earthquake table, a crane that children can operate and opportunities to create stained glass. These hands-on activities are designed not just to illustrate the need to give the temple a foundation that will not move, but also to show that covenants with God can help steady individuals' lives.
The exhibit also features an animated film about the temple's history and a few notable artifacts, such as the Angel Moroni's trumpet and Brigham Young's canes.
"Throughout the gallery, children are reminded that while the building is impressive, the most important part of the temple is what happens inside — the sacred work of uniting families for eternity," a church statement said.
Riley Lorimer, director of the Church History Museum, said children are "critical members of the kingdom of God."
"No history of the church, or of the Salt Lake Temple, is complete without the contributions of children. We want them to feel connected to the people of the past. We want them to see how God's hand has been active in the lives of Latter-day Saints in the past so that they know that his hand can be active in their lives," she said.
Lorimer said it is important for the museum to have a children's exhibit open, as well as children's activities in other exhibits.
She said kids' memory of what they learn lasts longer if they are moving and using their hands, rather than just looking at something or reading.
Tiffany Bowles, a curator of the exhibit, said it has been rewarding for her to hear conversations where kids are expressing surprise at something they've learned from it.
The museum is open Monday through Saturday and is located on the west side of Temple Square.
Contributing: Tamara Vaifanua
