Temple Square, Salt Lake City

After the week in Provo Canyon

at our family Reunion,

The Mauk's, the Grandparents and our family

stayed in Salt Lake City

for a few extra days.

We wanted to show our children

the church headquarters,

the SLC Temple

and Temple Square.

As the weeks approached to this vacation

we took the time to show the kids

the movie "Mountain of the Lord",

a few video clips of primary children

giving a tour of the buildings

around temple square

and gave lessons on Temples and the pioneers.

Here we are gathered in front

of the Assembly Hall

build around 1880.

This is a statue of how the Mormon Pioneers

moved west across the plains.

The Sisters Missionaries gave us 

the background information and answered questions

for us about the Tabernacle.

This was the building that Larry and I saw

General Conference held in twice a year

on television when we were growing up.

And now that I have seen it's amazing construction

in person, I still can't help but think that the tops of

pipes remind me of cupcakes.

And this amazing organ.

I was itching to get up there to play a song or two.

Our first glimpse of the Salt Lake Temple.

The emblem above the window says

"I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA"

The detail work was truly astonishing

to see with our own eyes.

The determination of the Saints to complete

this temple despite all of the trials

is so inspiring!

"Holiness To The Lord"

We were in awe of how it seemed to glow.

The boys are standing in front of the

Priesthood statue.

It is a depiction of Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Smith

receiving the Priesthood from

Peter, James and John.

This dear man and his wife, who were on 

their mission here at Temple Square,

asked trivia questions to the kids and gave

them picture cards as rewards.

The kids enjoyed the many interactive touch screen

booths around the square.

It helped entertain them and answer their questions.

My buddy Eliza and I

Inside the North and South Visitor Centers were many

different visual aids about Jesus Christ.

This is a depiction of Jerusalem during the time

of Christ's life.

These huge pictures started with the birth of Christ

and went step by step through his life

of service and resurrection.

There are no words for the deep feelings that come

from seeing this 11ft statue of Jesus Christ,

known as the Christus.

Many of the stories of the Holy Bible and Book of Mormon

are displayed in art and with detailed exhibits.

Dan and a picture of our current prophet,

Thomas S. Monson.

I felt inspired by this quote.

Want to see inside of a temple?

You can at the visitor center.

Sydney was very reverent throughout our

tours and took the time to learn on her own.

Due to preperations for the Pioneer Day celebration 

we were unable to get inside of the new Conference Center.

But it is still a beautiful building on the outside.

The girls pose on the lovely maintained grounds.

Joseph and Emma Smith

Next we toured Brigham Young's Home

and Lion House / Beehive House.

Paintings of Hyrum and Joseph Smith.

Brigham Young had a son who was very fascinated

with trains.

So he had this carved into one of the spindles on the stairway.

Next we walked through the Joseph Smith Memorial.

The windows on the ceiling had this beautiful

stained glass windows that really brightened up the entry way.

A stained glass window depicting the First Vision.

The kids know that most of our temples have the

Angel Moroni plated in gold on the top spires of them.

The reverently sat staring up at this life size version

of it.

Lastly the kids played around in a hands on kids zone.

Dan and Ben practice growing vegetables.

Emma colors church pictures.

Sydney plays with the paper dolls.

Keira found a kitchen to cook in.

Sarah and Kim play art games.

Sydney tries out some games too.

Our family was so blessed to have this experience.

The kids were amazing and patient.

We felt our testimonies strengthened as we walked

those paths around Temple Square.

Thomas S. Monson:

Why are so many willing to give so much in order to receive the blessings of the temple? Those who understand the eternal blessings which come from the temple know that no sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure. They understand that the saving ordinances received in the temple that permit us to someday return to our Heavenly Father in an eternal family relationship and to be endowed with blessings and power from on high are worth every sacrifice and every effort.