RECYCYLING THE SALT LAKE TEMPLE -THE GRAVESTONE FOR PRESIDENT NELSON

The gravestone for President Nelson was just erected in the Salt Lake Cemetery. This towering monument stands at over 8 feet tall and almost 2 feet wide of solid granite. It is not just any granite though, it is the granite that has been removed from the Salt Lake Temple. There is plaque that appears at the bottom of the North facing backside of the gravestone which reads, "This monument was crafted of stone from the Salt Lake Temple 2020 renovation. 

Although President Nelson is still alive, his grave monument has been placed right next to his first wife. See below. Not only does the size of the monument dwarf all other gravestones in the cemetery but it is interesting that it is not facing the same direction as all of the other graves. Instead of facing east, it is facing south. 

Christian graves in churchyards were traditionally aligned on an east to west axis. The coffins were placed with the head of the person at the west end of the grave and the foot at the east. This is because they believe in the second coming of Christ and scripture teaches that he will come from the east. In this manner, they place their dead in a position so they can meet Christ face-to-face during his second coming. The gravestone with name also faced east. It is interesting that President Nelson chose to have his grave facing south.