Today and Yesterday

The clouds worked hard to interfere with my pictures today.

Snow on Mt. Timp wasn't interfering enough.

I've been looking through old pictures. 

I wonder if the driver of the van gave any thought as to what he's parked over.

There was a long period where the north, west and south lots were all dug up.

Watching the placement of a new ground level was quite a process.  This was two years ago.

It's almost mind-boggling today to even think about.

Remember when we worried so much about the tower roofs?

I hope no one has forgotten how much effort went into preserving these.

There was quite a bit of uncertainty about the southwest tower roof, but it was saved.

It looked beautiful this morning.

Removing the original tower roofs was completed soon after the reconstruction began. I took this picture almost exactly three years ago.

The tower roofs remained on the site through the entire construction period, although they were moved around quite a bit.

It wasn't until these roofs were being shingled that I realized there was a big stick in the top of each one.  I actually took this picture without recognizing what I was seeing, but this is in fact original wood from the tabernacle construction.  The workmen saved the three poles that survived the fire.

Original wooden posts are under the southeast, northeast and northwest tower finials.

The northwest tower roof was the last to be placed.  The white beam between the roof and the tower is the support for a dropped light fixture in the tower.

A tremendous amount of work went into keeping the water table out of the temple.

Under everything is a gigantic cereal bowl.  Inside is dry.  Outside doesn't matter so much.

Once the bowl was made, the piers were exposed.

Then, the foundation was poured.

I felt like things started going forward instead of backward once the foundation was completed.

We might not remember there's a large underground space, but it's there.

In fact, it's been there for so long that trees are growing.

The pavilion doesn't rest on the top of the parking garage.  It has its own foundation.

There is more pavilion below ground than above ground, for a total of about 5,000 square feet.

Families of wedding parties and anyone else who might need to wait will be comfortable here.

It looked warm inside this morning.

For a long time the tabernacle was hidden behind scaffolding.

Everyone was happy when it emerged from its shell.

The west gable survived the fire.  The other three gables were pulled in when the roof burned.

These holes in the west gable were from the original gablet.

Now there are four gables again.  Each has a new gablet.

This was a nice touch to the new east gable.

Actually, there are so many nice touches.

The fountain is wonderful.

I am waiting for the statue which will go on this concrete base.  I recently asked about it.
No one has forgotten.

There is still work going on.  A few workmen use the south parking lot.

More park below. 

The sun finally parked itself in the sky.  For a little while.

More snow is in the forecast.

But that's ok.

With a roof and shingles, the temple is ready for anything the weather can deliver.

Or anything else.

Friday the 13th

The fountain is more beautiful at night than it is during the day.

A press conference was held yesterday.  Photographers from news outlets were allowed to take pictures on the grounds.

While there have been no public tours of the temple, word is spreading about the interior.

The interior is very Victorian, with velvet furniture, period lamps and lighting fixtures.

Murals on the walls of the two ground floor instruction rooms depict scenes in Utah County.

Spiral staircases in the towers lead to the second level. 

The instruction rooms are on this east side.  A third room is on the second level.

The celestial room is on the second level under the steeple.

Perhaps the celestial room is not as large as what might be found in other temples.

However, I have been told that the chandelier in the celestial room could hold a visitor's attention for hours.

A grand staircase on the west reaches between three floors, from lower level 1 to the upper level.

The staircase rises in the same area where the podium was in the tabernacle.  The wood trim is reminiscent of the former interior.

This south entrance is in a line with a vestibule, a recommend desk, and then the chapel on the north.

Stairs lead from the pavilion down to the garage.  The temple can be entered from that lower level.

The baptistery is on the level below the east tower doors.

The font is covered with granite, although there is a lot of marble in the temple.

The oxen appear to be made of solid bronze, but they are actually just covered with a beautiful finish.

Three large sealing rooms are on the second level.  The temple president's office is on this west side.

The pavilion is stunning during the day.  It's over-the-top at night.

I peeked inside, of course.

This was unexpected, but then again, I saw workmen leaving long after I arrived.

Everyone knows there is a deadline.

I'm pretty sure the guy casting the statue for the north garden is aware of the deadline, too.

My walk tonight was beautiful from any angle.

I saw perfection in every direction.

I'm going on the record to say this is my new favorite view.