Looking For Spring

The public open house has been running for five weeks.

More than a half million visitors have seen the new temple.

I doubt this number has accounted for returning guests.

I may or may not be included in that category.

Even on days when visitors exceed 20,000, the tours run smoothly.

The standby line moves quickly.  You can check the wait here.  It's not recommended for evenings, Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets are easy to get through this link.

For the record, whoever is in charge of parking is a miracle worker.

The open house only runs for two more weeks, so don't procrastinate.

I have found so many beautiful things to see inside.

And outside, too.

I have some personal favorites.

My favorite painting is by the Russian LDS artist Emin Zulfurgarov.

If you attend the Provo Temple, you will recognize his mural in the chapel.

A stunning painting by him is on the lower level of the new temple, near the grand staircase.
The Church tells his story here.

If someone in your group prefers the elevator, this will give you more time to study his painting.

Many visitors are discussing the restored pulpit in the temple chapel.

It was removed from its place on the stand in preparation for the performance before the fire.

This photo, taken by Eva Bingham Persson in 2010, shows that the pulpit in the chapel is the same as what was in the tabernacle.  However, it is possible the decorative part was the original pulpit, with the top added in the 20th century to make it larger.  Both parts are still together in the temple.

The top was slightly damaged during the fire and was refinished with a veneer before its placement in the temple.

A link to interior photos, including the chapel pulpit, is here.

Another of my favorites is the Good Shepherd glass panel at the ground level entrance.  When you see it, remember that this is painted glass which was then fired.

Although it was 28 degrees when I arrived at the temple this morning, I looked for signs of spring.

These pods survived a cold, snowy winter, but were enjoying a balmy fifty degrees by the time I left the temple grounds.

To my surprise, these petals look great after being buried in snow for months.

However, the signs are there if you know what to look for.

Spring is on its way.

It won't be long now.