Glen Hopkinson About Moroni Painting That Once Hung in the Main Hallway

Myrna wrote: Harold I Hopkinson, another painter, painted an oil of Moroni dedicating the still-future Manti Temple site. Are you related to this painter.

Glen Hopkinson wrote: Yes.  Harold is my father.  Dad passed away December of 2000. Should you have any questions, please let me know.  Thanks, Glen

Myrna wrote: There has been some controversy surrounding your father's (Harold I. Hopkinson) painting of Moroni dedicating the temple site for Manti Temple recently. (It has nothing to do with its beauty but, rather, with the story that surrounds it.) It has been removed from the hallway wall (whether permanently or just until the facts can be verified, I do not know). The painting is so very beautiful that I thought you may be interested in contacting the Manti Temple president, or the temple recorder, and discussing it. It may even be  wise to contact the temple committee, located in Salt Lake City. I do not know if the painting was commissioned or not so I do not know who the rightful owner is. I am, quite literally, sticking my nose in where it does not belong. All I am is a worker at the temple and I have no authority whatsoever. There is a controversy swirling around the story of Moroni and his dedication of the temple site while Moroni was still on the earth. All there seems to be to authenticate the story is a quote in the book, "The Life of Heber C. Kimball." The Manti Mormon Miracle Pageant people are also working to authenticate the story because it is included in the pageant. 

Artist Glen Hopkinson wrote: I think that is all my Father had to go on when he created the painting of the Manti Temple.  Just a statement somewhere that when Brigham Young dedicated the Temple he indicated that Moroni had already been there and dedicated the spot.  I don't know much more than that.  I believe a lady  commissioned him to do the painting based on that comment and a dream that she had where she saw Moroni but he was accompanied by others thereby explaining the other figures in the painting.  It's been a long while since I've seen it.  I do remember posing for Dad when he was doing the painting back in 1989.  Let me know if there is any other info on the painting and the controversy surrounding Moroni's visit to Manti.  Glen 

Glen Hopkinson

P.O. Box 45

19 West Shoshone

Byron, Wyoming  82412     ph. 307-548-2471   cell 602-509-5513

visit glenhopkinson.com

Myrna wrote: Thank you for your response and for your time. Thank you for answering. I know that you are a very busy man. 

I am a fan of the painting.