Etchings by Albrecht Durer and Lucas van Leiden, whose work Rembrandt admired, are also included in the current exhibit with an explanation of their influence on his work.

Elder Marlin Jensen, who oversees the museum and is the church's historian, said the church has never before hosted an exhibit comparable in prestige to the Rembrandt etchings. "We're blessed to have 17 now in the ownership of the church."

He said Latter-day Saints acknowledge in the 13th Article of Faith that they seek after things that are "virtuous, lovely and praiseworthy," and the etchings fill that bill.

"All of us need artistic stimulation, and in these etchings we find work by an artist who in many ways is unsurpassed. His focus through much of his life was on biblical scenes from the Old and New Testament."

Those interested in "seeking to understand God and Christ better and to come to know them" will find the exhibit helpful, including parents looking for "a way of promoting conversation and discourse for their children."

"In our information age we're so saturated with media, but 400 years ago this was the way we communicated religious truth and it is still among best form of communication we have."

Elder Jensen said the church plans to promote the exhibit through the Utah Travel Council and that a virtual tour of the exhibit will eventually be posted on the church's Web site at www.lds.org.

He said the church has no plans to turn toward more of a "municipal art gallery" feel but welcomes the chance to showcase works by a master whose "love of the Bible and ability to render biblical scenes in a wonderful way is very much in keeping with building faith in God and creating interest in a wonderful book of scripture."

The museum is located at 45 N. West Temple, and the exhibit will run through Dec. 11, 2005. Hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com