Salt Lake Temple! The outside doesn't even begin to give anyone an idea of how beautiful and wonderful the inside is. Gold, white, blues and great big chandeliers. No wonder so many girls prefer this temple to be married in here!The Reason for our trip:
Our great friends (who are above the list) were sealed to their little baby boy, Connor. They adopted him in January and we were lucky enough to be counted as close friends and able to attend their sealing. Forever family!
They are so lucky to have such an adorable baby!After the sealing we had enough time before the BBQ, that we were able to see some of the sights on Temple Square. There were Sister Missionaries from every country you can think of. We were able to go into the old tabernacle. Jordan's great, great grandpa built the organ. It has over 11,000 pipes. We also found that because the early saints had no money, they painted the wood pillars to look like marble. AND they painted the pine benches to look like oak. How industrious!
We had lunch in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. This building used to be the Hotel Utah. (Jordan's parents happened to stay here before The Church bought it back in the 80s) The guides said that every president, up until it was converted, stayed here. Also, many world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth stayed here.
This is the chapel. It used to be a ballroom. Now there are 3 wards that gather here weekly. We were told this is where the Prophet attends church, when he's in town. When President Hinkley was still living, he attended church here. When the sacrament was over, he went home. Guess he all ready knew what they were going to teach in Sunday School!
Looking down at the temple from the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
Another something we learned: President Monson is staying in the condo right now. The only reason for that is because the plumbing in his house (which he bought in the 1960's) is having the plumbing re-done. :)
Nate, Julie, Cicily and Chase were all able to join us on the tours that afternoon. It was nice to finally spend some one-on-one time with them. Off to the visitors center:
As Jordan points, he says, "And there's Kolob!!!"
Too cute! (I think it's because he's smiling!)
This is the organ in the conference center. It has 7,500 pipes. The conference center is the largest building of its kind, seating 21,000 people who all face the same direction. Fun Fact: Look at the top of the organ: see the gold circle? That's about street level. Also, there are 4 levels of parking underneath the conference center!
On top of the Conference Center: The temple was not photo shopped in.
Cicily and Chase really liked the water. :)
When you are standing in front of this wall, you can see your refection in the mural. It seems like you are pictured with your ancestors!
Back in 1901, when this mansion was built it cost over 1 million dollars.
This is the fountain on top of the conference center. The roof was made to look like a hillside. There is wild grasses growing along with the pine trees you see and running water. The church wanted the apartments that looked onto the roof to see something pretty, not just an ugly roof. After being tourists for the afternoon, we were able to go to the BBQ hosted by the Peterson's. We then drove back to Logan to spend the night at Steve and Carla's house.
