The Museum of Mormon Mexican History is opening a new exhibit on Sept. 14 that will focus on former LDS Church president John Taylor’s visit with Ignacio Rameriez, the first Mexican to write about his visit to Salt Lake City.
Based on a museum of the same name in Mexico City, open since 1991, the Provo version carries the same history and culture of the Mexican Saints.
The exhibit includes a nine-minute presentation where guests sit in a mocked-up version of John Taylor’s living room and watch mannequins with animated faces carry out the conversation between John Taylor and Rameriez.
Visitors will experience what life was like in 1884 as screens set up as windows play videos of the streets outside and John Taylor’s daughters show their talents on a period piano. Also on display are excerpts from Rameriez’ newspaper article on his experience with the Mormons in Salt Lake.
“He finishes the article very, very positively,” said Fernando R. Gomez, owner and curator of the museum as well as a BYU alumnus. “And that’s the reason we are using it because he classifies Mormons as very unique in their living and in their nature and in their objective.”
Brett Morrison, a tour guide at the museum as well as a junior at BYU studying Spanish translation, shared a quote from Rameriez’ article that shows just how impressed he was with the Mormons he met.
“Its secretariats are brave, dedicated men, good citizens, accomplished gentleman in all their dealings, loyal husbands and excellent parents. … It is difficult to find a … population of such category,” said Rameriez.
This new exhibit is not the only thing to see at the museum. Gomez and his wife Queta have been collecting artifacts related to the Saints in Mexico for more than twenty years. They have many colorful dresses and other decor that depicts the vibrant culture of Mexico as well as priceless gems like the first copies of the Book of Mormon translated into Spanish.
Queta Gomez, in particular, enjoys gathering everyday items.
“What I like to do here is decorate,” she said. “I thought it would be a good idea to have little things about the past. I brought the dresses to give a little bit of color and also to help us identify that we are in this area of Mexico.”
“The reason that we are involved in this is that (my aunt) was educated as a school teacher back in Mexico and kept good journals and diaries, and that is our legacy,” said Fernando Gomez. “Then, when they called us on our first mission, my wife and I together, they asked us to go back and live with the family, and that’s how we found the things that were associated with her, and that’s what motivated us to start the museum.”
The Gomezes opened this museum in Provo because they hope to leave it as a legacy for future generations to enjoy. Admission is free, as they hope to reach all who are interested in sharing their passion for Mexican Mormon history and culture.
Prophet George Albert Smith Dedicating an LDS Chapel In Mexico with Museum owner, Gomez, as a boy
The museum is located on 1501 N. Canyon Rd. in Provo and is open Tuesday–Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
