Gilgal Garden Joseph Smith Sphinx - a photo on Flickriver

            The Joseph Smith Sphinx is the best-known sculpture in Gilgal Garden. The contrast of the unhewn stones arranged to suggest a crouching animal with the finely carved face of LDS Church founder Joseph Smith makes this a remarkable piece.

Gilgal Garden is the legacy of LDS sculptor Thomas Child's desire to give physical form to his deep-felt Mormon religious beliefs. 

The garden contains twelve original sculpture arrangements and over 70 stones engraved with scriptures, poems, and philosophical texts. Each represents an idea that rang of truth to Child in his life-long spiritual quest. Together, the sculptures and stones create a landscape of meaning and a unique work of art.

Child was ware that many people would find Gilgal Garden strange, but hoped they would accept its challenge. "You don't have to agree with me," he explained. " You may think I am a nut, but I hope I have aroused your thinking and curiosity."

Child began work on Gilgal Garden in 1945, when he was 57 years old. His passion for his backyard garden consumed much of his time and money until his death in 1963.

The word "Gilgal" means a "circle of sacred stones." Gilgal is mentioned in the Bible as being created by the Isrealites after God stopped the waters of the Jordan Rover to allow them to cross into the Promised Land.

Taken in: United States / Utah / Salt Lake City / Central City (show map)

Taken on: October 9, 2011

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joseph smith

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Sets appears in: • Salt Lake County

Groups appears in: • LDSpics • Salt Lake City more » • Mormons • The Best LDS Group • Mormon Places • Gilgal Garden • Salt Lake County, Utah • Visit Salt Lake Fan Photos « less

Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T2i, f/8.0, 1/200 sec, 15mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Aperture:	f/8.0
Exposure Time:	0.005 sec (1/200)
Focal Length:	15mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	-1/3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Manual
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Autopano Giga 3.0.5
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