Being that we're living in Utah, we figured we'd better at least visit Temple Square while we live here. What better time than to see it at night while it's lit up for Christmas. We started our night by meeting Uncle Kevin & Aunt Cara at the Trax station in Sandy. We all boarded the train and headed to Temple Square. It's nice that the light rail has a station right out front.
When we got there, we entered the South Visitor's Center. They had a number of displays explaining their beliefs and how they came to Utah and how they built the Temple. There was a group of singers performing there as well so we took in part of the show.
This is a view of the southwest corner of the temple in Salt Lake City. It's such a pretty building. From what I understand the stone used to build it came from Little Cottonwood Canyon.
This is a view of the southeast corner of the temple.
This is the northeast corner from the garden. I'm not clear as to what exactly takes place inside the LDS temples, but I do know that "heathens" like me are not allowed in. You must have a temple recommend from your ward bishop to enter. I know some people get married and sealed in the temples and that they baptize for the dead here.
This is the entire temple from the northeast side. This building reminds me of a castle. It's got such beautiful architecture. I really like the lights at the top. It's so neat at night. There are 3 temples we can see from where we are in Utah. They are all lit up at night and look so pretty, but they don't have nearly the same architecture as this one.
Riley sitting in front of the fountain by the visitor's center.
This is a view of Assembly Hall with all the lights on the trees. This building is really beautiful from the outside as well.
This is the Tabernacle where the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs. We got to take a peek inside between concerts tonight.
This is at the pond in the gardens just outside the walls around the temple. Still haven't found out why they have walls built up around Temple Square. Seems like they want to keep people out instead of invite them in...must investigate that one.
They had little balls floating in the water that were illuminated.
The water was so pretty reflecting all the lights on the trees.
The front of the temple. I think someone mentioned that this temple took something like 40 years to build? No wonder. Looks like it was worth the wait.
We snuck inside Assembly Hall during a performance. I got scolded for taking this picture so hope you enjoy it!
So many lighted trees around Temple Square.
And what visit would be complete without a bagpipe playing Santa?
It was a great time with awesome friends. The lights were beautiful! It was a little bit on the crowded side - we were hoping that the Utah/BYU football game would keep some of the crowd away, but the concerts and the lights being turned on last night, and a holiday weekend, probably had a lot to do with it. On the lawn between the tabernacle and the north visitor's center, they had a nativity scene. It was narrated and had beautiful music to go along with the show. They lit up parts of the scene as the story played over the speakers. It was nice to show Riley that. Didn't quite match up with the "Trip Through Bethlehem" in Ponte Vedre last year, but it was neat. Andy wants to go back again without the kids so we can take in the lights and then go out on the town afterwards. Even the streets of Salt Lake City were lined with pretty blue lit trees. The Salt Palace has a HUGE light tree in the glass window that you can see from numerous sides.
I wouldn't mind taking a tour of Temple Square at some point just to learn a little bit more about LDS beliefs and get a closer look at the buildings. Not sure they match up exactly with what we believe, but it's always good to understand what and how other people believe. Maybe I'll do some family tree research while I'm there! The LDS church has a building where you can go to research your family tree for free. They have tons of information - I assume it has to do with the baptisms, but I'm not sure. They may have the answers to my Dad's Dombach or Gerlach side or my mom's Stauffer side.
There is so much to see and do here! Last night we took the kids to Thanksgiving Point (where Corn Bellies was and where the Dinosaur museum is located) to drive through their Christmas light display. They also had a small pen filled with Santa's reindeer which K screamed when we took her away from it! She didn't know what they were, but she loves "ga-gas"! Silly Sissy!
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