Y. symposium to focus on Joseph Smith's life

The founding prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be the topic of a two-day symposium this weekend.

Brigham Young University will host the 34th annual Sperry Symposium today and Saturday in the Joseph Smith Building auditorium. Today's presentations will begin at 5 p.m. with composer Kenneth Cope performing a musical composition about Smith. Papers by BYU professors Truman Madsen and Susan Easton Black will follow, along with a presentation by Columbia University faculty emeritus Richard L. Bushman, who will speak on the topic "Joseph Smith and Abraham Lincoln."

The symposium will resume Saturday at 8 a.m. featuring BYU faculty and presenters from the Church Educational System, as well as a descendant of Joseph Smith speaking about her family line. Titled "Joseph Smith and the Doctrinal Restoration," the series honors the 200th anniversary of Smith's birth.

Events are free and no registration is required. For more information or for a copy of the complete symposium schedule, contact Patty Smith at 801-422-3611 or visit religion.byu.edu.