The way light pierced the decaying siding of a barn I encountered near Logan resonated deeply, evoking the image of a stained glass window with three crosses. I'm pleased to share that this piece was later honored with the Provost Award at the 2025 SLCC Student Art Show.

Witnesses Trees: Witness Trees are trees that were growing in the grove 200 years ago at the time of Joseph Smith’s First Vision. In 2011 there were three of them still living in the grove and three dead witness trees that remained standing. It is pointed out to visitors that there are still trees present that were there at the time of the vision, but it is not specified which trees they are, because it’s believed the people would love them to death.

In 1962 the grove was park-like, clean, no twigs, or fallen leaves. Continuous service groups were there to keep it clean. It was killing the grove. In order to restore the grove, everything needed to be left where it fell to regenerate the nutrients in the ground. The grove responded and has regenerated.

The grove isn’t about the Witness Trees, eventually, they’ll all be gone. It will still be the grove, and the spirit will be there.

Thoughts are from Elder Martin Jensen from a CES devotional and the Deseret News, Jan 13, 2011, by Kenneth Mays.