From Deseret News archives:
Smithsonian alters text offensive to LDS
The American Origins display in the newly renovated National Portrait Gallery pays tribute to influential Americans from 1600 to 1900.
It includes Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Brigham Young, the second leader of the faith, who led the emigration across the plains that led to the founding of Utah.
The text accompanying portraits of Smith and Young offended at least two Washington-area church members who got a sneak preview of the display. The text reportedly said Smith was "lynched" and that Young was a "tyrant."
The offended persons contacted Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, and Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, and both offices contacted the museum. "We passed this concern onto the Smithsonian," Bennett spokeswoman Emily Christensen said. "It is our understanding that they received other inquiries also concerned with the language and have since made changes to more accurately portray these two individuals."
Bethany Bentley, spokeswoman for the National Portrait Gallery, declined to discuss the text but confirmed that changes were made based on the complaints to the museum.
"For us, and I think this is true for many museums, until an exhibit is open to the public everything is under review," she said. "It's very common (to make changes) and it happens with many of our labels."
Bentley said changes were under way before Bennett's office called and that all were made before the gallery opened July 1. Wes Andersen, a government affairs representative for the LDS chuch in Washington, said he could not say if there was a call to the Smithsonian from church leaders.
Richard Holzapfel, a professor of church history at Brigham Young University, praised the Smithsonian and said he doubted any offense was intentional.
"My guess is that (it happened) in the rush to get this beautiful restored building open," he said. "It wouldn't be anything malicious, just people trying to do what they can."
