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Thanksgiving Point unveils Tree of Life exhibit

Thanksgiving Point unveils Tree of Life exhibit

Nearly a decade after her first sculpture exhibit debuted at Thanksgiving Point’s Ashton Gardens, Angela Johnson unveiled her second collection of sculptures. Her newest exhibit features 130 life-sized bronze statues, offering the artist’s interpretation of the story of Lehi’s Dream in the Book of Mormon.

Seven different scenes dot the exhibit’s 2.5 acres of land, culminating at the top of a hill with Jesus Christ standing underneath the tree of life. In Lehi’s dream, the tree represents the love of God and the Atonement made possible through Christ's sacrifice.

Thanksgiving Point's CEO McKay Christensen felt Christ's promise of salvation is something everyone can appreciate and find hope in.

“We all need redemption,” Christensen said. “And there’s no condemnation if you find yourself, like me, hanging out in the great and spacious building from time to time. There is repentance and hope and peace for all of us, regardless of where we find ourselves in life.”

Visitors can literally find themselves in the great and spacious building in the exhibition. The massive, stone structure looms high over the rest of the garden. The mocking faces of statues look down on visitors holding on to the iron rod below.

Artist Angela Johnson said she believes that if we find ourselves among the people in the great and spacious building, we can find our way back to the path of righteousness.

“This is not a dead end situation,” Johnson said. “We can leave; and that is because of the grace and mercy of Christ.”

Visitors are free to walk up and touch the statues throughout the exhibit. By interacting with these depictions, the story from the scriptures can come to life.

The exhibit is open to the public Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online through Thanksgiving Point’s official website.