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salesman, saw the painting at CCA's home in 1878. Under the impact of this scene, Manwaring penned "Joseph Smiths' First Prayer," a loved Latter-day Saint hymn. CCA and his brother Frederick, who had given him financial assistance, displayed the panorama in Utah and Idaho. These efforts were successful and CCA realized their financial potential. He found he could take his art with its good gospel message to the public as a moderately priced entertainment. During their presentations, CCA found the older people could add much to his knowledge of early church history, through their testimonies and comments. He would revise his paintings, to have them be in accord with these first-hand experiences. He regretted that he had not begun this pictorial record twenty years earlier, when he could have interviewed many more pioneers who were involved in these events. CCA's brother and sons assisted in exhibiting the panorama in Utah, Idaho, Arizona and Wyoming. Curtains were always hung on each side of the scroll to enhance the dramatic context of the presentation. The eldest son, Charles John, eventually purchased it and continued showing until motion pictures arrived. CCA and Dan Weggeland collaborated on other paintings and panoramas, but few have survived. Sanpete's dry climate and the relative's safe storage preserved the "Mormon Panorama." The highlight of CCA's painting career was working with his artist friend, as they painted murals in the St. George and Manti Temples. Murals were painted on the walls of two of the rooms in the Manti Temple. The Creation Room had been cleaned and received minor repair, but remains as it was painted. The Manti Temple Garden Room was completely repainted by Robert Shepherd in 1945. 99 |
