February 25, 2013 - Temple Symbols Tour

I know.  I know.  The homeschool mom in me just won't die.  Every transfer I make the missionaries go on a field trip.  There are just so many great things to learn about the church here in the Salt Lake Valley.  For example, there is this stunningly beautiful temple set dead center in the middle of the city.  It took 40 years to build, and only a handful of the men who started working on the temple  were even alive to see it finished.  What a rich history we have right here at our fingertips!  So on a sunny winter day we went around the outside of the temple with our favorite local tour guide and historian, Paul Thomas Smith.  He is so congenial, and generous with his time as he delights us again and again with his personal stories and vast knowledge of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Today was no exception. We listened and learned, and appreciate Brother Smith so much!

Brother Smith begins to teach us

Angel Moroni - Sculpted by Cyrus Dallin, the angel is 12 1/2 feet tall, made of solid copper and covered in gold leaf.  Moroni depicts the angel spoken of in the Book of Revelation 14:6  "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,"

Construction on the temple began in 1853. 

The temple was dedicated on April 6, 1893.

 Moon stones around the temple depict the various lunar phases.

The hand clasp - two imperfect hands of five fingers each,

clasped together unite to create the perfect number ten.

 God's all-seeing eye.

Symbols of the heavens, stars and and cloud stones.

Clouds have often represented the presence of the Lord,

for example as the cloud went before the

Children of Israel during their exodus from Egypt.

 The ornate temple doors.

 The Big Dipper, which helps us find the North Star - which guides us home.

 One of the sun stones.

 A wonderful day!

More pictures, click here:

2013.02.25: Salt Lake Temple Symbols Tour