I can't help but remember that one month after President Nelson's announcement of the Salt Lake Temple Project, an earthquake hit downtown Salt Lake. The only damage was to the Angel Moroni Statue on top of the Temple. Moroni lost his grasp on the trumpet during Earthquake and the trumpet fell. Now look at the Temple years later... All of the spires have now been removed.
QUICK TIMELINE:
I hope I am wrong. But I don't think the Temple will ever be the same. I miss what once was.
QUICK TIMELINE:
April 19, 2019
Salt Lake Temple Renovation Plans Unveiled. President Russell M. Nelson announced at a news conference on April 19, 2019, that the Salt Lake Temple will close on December 29, 2019, for approximately four years for a major renovation and restoration project including improvements to the surrounding grounds and facilities. The temple is expected to reopen in 2024
March 18, 2020
March 18, 2020
Salt Lake Temple's Moroni Loses Grasp on Trumpet During Earthquake
April 2, 2020
April 2, 2020
Exterior Stone and Granite Details removed
July 29,2020
Contents of the Salt Lake Temple Time Capsule were opened exposing the capsule's severely water-damaged content
March 12, 2021
March 12, 2021
The First Presidency has announced significant alterations to the original plans for the interior of the Salt Lake Temple. The live-acting, progressive presentation of the endowment from room to room will be replaced by video presentation in single room. The historic murals of the temple have been carefully photographed and removed but will not return.
June 10, 2021
June 10, 2021
The North Visitors’ Center on Temple Square will be demolished.
July 16, 2021
July 16, 2021
Iconic Christus Statue Removed from the North Visitors' Center
December 13, 2021
May 13, 2022
December 13, 2021
First Presidency Statement on the Salt Lake Temple Renovation It is anticipated that the temple and its surroundings will be completed in 2025.
May 13, 2022
Salt Lake Temple Reflecting Pool Removed
9 comments:
The interior has been gutted and pioneer-era craftsmanship has been destroyed. The lath-and-plaster moldings and finish-work were unique, and cannot be replicated today. It can only be imitated. But, then again, the LDS church has become merely an imitation, and lacks all the vitality of the original. To me, this obscene effort is a monument to hubris, which is what happens when folks assume they can never go astray. It may be the property of the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the landmark, like the Notre Dame Cathedral, was a cultural monument shared and enjoyed well-beyond the mere owner.
To me, this is another tragic step in a long, tragic journey downward from the time of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, taken by the LDS church.
This is just sad. I had been under the impression that they were just doing seismic upgrades, which is invasive enough. In any case, if God wants SLC destroyed by an earthquake, he will send one big enough to get the job done.
While we can (and should) mourn the annihilation of the beautiful craftsmanship and artistry of the pioneer builders, I believe we also have the opportunity to look at the SYMBOLISM of removing the temple's exterior stones (since this site has a strong emphasis on such things). And I don't say this to criticize the LDS church or mourn the course it has taken.
If the temple represents each of us, then perhaps we are now being presented the opportunity to remove the heavy stones we have been carrying and look within, exposing our "inner parts" to the light of the sun (Son). And instead of restoring ourselves back to what Joseph established (which quickly was corrupted), why not look to the original Source as the Foundation?
Paul said:
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For no other foundation can man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation — gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble — every man’s work shall be made manifest. For the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s work — of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss. But he himself may be saved, yet so as by fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
It definitely does seems more like a total do-over than a renovation. Makes one wonder why.
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Instead of complaining I would be preparing for an earthshake that will take out almost everything except the temple. Salt lake City needs a good wake up call. The righteous will be spared, the self righteous, not so much.
Jokes on the self-righteous when the temple topples down as well.
When the church stopped the true order of prayer several decades ago, that reminded me of King Hezekiah who removed all the "high places" to centralize worship at the temple in Jerusalem. This reminds me of King Josiah however, removing and destroying the stuff in the temple, 36 years before it was destroyed 586/7.
Living outside Utah, I haven't heard. Do they plan to put the spires back?
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