PROVO — A new multi-media exhibit located at BYU will tell the stories of outstanding educators throughout Church history — stories of the farmer who educated himself during Utah's early years by borrowing books to read after his day's work, or the Tahitian sister who today rises at 4 a.m. to walk down the mountain from her rain forest home each day to teach seminary.

Rendering courtesy BYU

BYU is seeking education stories for a multi-media exhibit, to be located in the lobby of the Joseph F. Smith Building, now under construction on campus.

"The stories will be about a lot of pioneers in education, people who have lifted themselves out of ignorance and poverty because of their faith and diligent study," said Terry Warner, exhibit coordinator.

BYU is seeking submissions for the new exhibit, to be located in the new Joseph F. Smith Building, now under construction on campus.

The exhibit, "Education in Zion," will illustrate how people of faith — because of the light of Christ — seek learning and desire to use it in the service of others, said Brother Warner.

"There is power in stories," he said. "We must preserve them and share them."

Brother Warner and his staff are interested in stories about people, past or present, who have made a difference or whose example can show others a better way. The people in the stories may be students, teachers, staff or administrators in schools, seminaries or institutes of the Church. They may also be individuals who are studying on their own or teaching their families. They may be people who did not have a formal education, but who sought learning nonetheless.

Brother Warner said exhibit organizers have two objectives: to help visitors learn of the Church's vast worldwide educational outreach — including LDS schools, institutes and seminaries, literacy programs and the Perpetual Education Fund — and to help visitors see themselves in the stories of others.

"They will say, 'I can do that,' " said Brother Warner. "These might be the stories of teachers who truly sacrifice to help a student change his or her life. Or they might be students you would never think would have access to an education, but who did it, thereby setting an example for people in impoverished countries all over the world."

Stories for the exhibit will be grouped into one of five categories: "age-old traditions of faith and learning," "foundations of education in the restored Church," "the three BYUs," "extending learning into all the world," and "lifting people everywhere."

Stories must be true and accurate, but need not be about someone who is widely known or who has been associated with Church schools. They should be a brief excerpt from a life, not a life story. Finally, the stories should show how someone's faith has inspired them to learn and develop talents and then led them to do good and to bless others. In addition to Latter-day Saints, members of other faiths are also encouraged to submit stories.

The project team can be reached by e-mail, stories@byu.edu, or by calling (801) 422-3451.

The Joseph F. Smith Building is expected to be completed in the fall of 2004, with the exhibit opening in early 2005.

"The exhibit is about people, the stories of people" said Tamilisa Wood, who is also working on the exhibit. "We want to talk about education and faith. We want to see the secular and spiritual come together."

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