The site is relatively modest, with a 38-and-a-half foot tall granite shaft — one foot for every year of Joseph Smith's life — that was erected a century ago and a welcome center completed in 1961 that holds several exhibits about Joseph Smith, a small theater, and a hearthstone from the old homestead.

The granite shaft, considered one of the largest pieces of polished granite in the world, is the prime attraction: It was dedicated Dec. 23, 1905, to mark the centennial of Joseph Smith's birth. The shaft weighs 40 tons and the four-piece base weighs 60 tons.

This year brought a new attraction: A larger-than-life bronze statue of Joseph Smith by Dee Jay Bawden was brought to the birthplace in August by some 150 descendants of Joseph Smith Sr. who made a cross-country tour of the sites of major events in the life of Joseph Smith Jr. The statue has been placed in the center of the meditation room.

The memorial traditionally strings thousands of Christmas lights through the trees during the holiday season and places a nativity scene with live animals on the hill. The gates remain open until 11 p.m. to allow visitors to drive through the site, see the lights and listen to the recorded holiday music.

This year those 150,000 lights will serve as a backdrop to the television broadcast and President Hinckley's visit.

"We feel very blessed to be here in this year," said Johnson.