of wood and were constructed in the same manner as the balcony columns. Architecture The structure was an architectural wonder in its day, prompting a writer for Scientific American to comment on "the mechanical difficulties of attending the construction of so ponderous a roof." In 1882, while on a lecture tour of America, Oscar Wilde noted that the building had the appearance of a soup-kettle; he added that it was the most purely dreadful building he ever saw. Some visitors around the beginning of the 20th century criticized it as "a prodigious tortoise that has lost its way" or "the Church of the Holy Turtle," but Frank Lloyd Wright dubbed the tabernacle "one of the architectural masterpieces of the country and perhaps the world." Art and statuary For several years the Tabernacle had various pieces of art on its walls. There was a mural depicting Joseph Smith receiving the Gold plates from an angel. There was also a portrait of Joseph Smith that hung between the organs largest pipes. In 1875 there was a fountain placed in the middle of the building, "it represented the 'living water' offered by Christ and His gospel." In the same year, a statue of an angel sounding a trumpet was placed between the Organ's two largest pipes. The highest pulpit was lined with Lion statues to represent Brigham Young as the "Lion of the Lord." Decorations After its initial construction the structure had little paint so decorations were often used. Some examples include a blue banner with a gold beehive on the rear wall (1875), a star with the word Utah, a banner that read "Under the everlasting covenant God must and shall be glorified," American flags (one of the largest measured 75ft by 160 ft), bunting, garland, festoons, and flowers. Some people complained because the decorations were left up for extended periods of time. Purpose The Tabernacle was the location of the church's semi-annual general conference for 132 years. Because of the growth in the number of attendees, general conference was moved to the new and larger Conference Center in 2000. In the October 1999 General Conference, church president Gordon B. Hinckley gave a talk honoring the Tabernacle and introducing the new Conference Center. The building is still used for overflow crowds during general conference. The Tabernacle is the home of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and was the previous home of