Purpose of Life Exhibit: BYU-Idaho Center

Since the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, World's Fairs and Expositions have been a major platform for the international exchange of industry and culture. Participation in an "Expo" meant exposure to an international audience with wide reach and influence.

In the early 1960s, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were approached with a proposal to participate in the 1964-65 World's Fair in Queens, NY. Church officials approved the major projects after careful consideration of the time, effort, and resources that would be needed to produce a full-fledged exhibition.