Friday, January 25, 2008

HISTORY OF TEMPLE SQUARE MISSION

IN THE BEGINNING

Within days of the arrival of the first wagons of Latter-day Saint settlers to this territory on July 28, 1847 Brigham Young, who was the President of the Church at the time, struck his cane to the ground and said. "Here we will build a Temple to our God."
It took the pioneers 40 years to finish the Salt LakeTemple, but while still under the construction in 1875 Charles J. Thomas was appointed to be the official guide for Temple Square. Visitors could enjoy a demonstration of a dropping of a pin at the pulpit of the Tabernacle to demonstrate it's acoustics (it is still being done today) and they could also sign a guest book. Over 4,000 visitors came through Temple Square during 1876.President Wilford Woodruff dedicated the Salt Lake Temple on April 6th, 1893.
As more and more visitors came through Temple Square it was important to make sure they would receive accurate information about the church. To eliminate rumors and myths James Dwyer, a local book seller, printed small cards with The Articles of Faith on one side and a picture of the Temple on the other. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints still uses these cards on Temple Square and in various Visitor Centers. Missionaries and members of the church also pass them along.In 1888, Ben Goddard suggested that the church will need a Bureau of Information in effort to welcome and inform visitors. A few years later on August 4th, 1902 it became a reality and Ben became the first director. He worked in this capacity until his retirement in 1929. During the Bureau's first year there were 105 volunteers that greeted about 150,000 visitors.
By 1968 there were 250 volunteers serving as guides.To accommodate the growing number of visitors, two buildings were added to Temple Square. The Church erected the North Visitors' Center on Temple Square and dedicated it in October of 1963. In 1976, the 1904 Bureau was razed and a second visitors' center was subsequently erected in its place. This South Visitors' Center was dedicated in June of 1978. Originally the Church opened the North Visitor Center, with magnificent replica of Christus Statue and beautiful murals depicting stories from the Bible, and South Visitor Center, with focus on the Book of Mormon.
Right before the 2002 Winter Olympics both Visitor Centers were remodeled, modernized and changed and reopened in October 2001 . The North Visistor Center's upstairs area is still the same, but the main and lower level were completely redesigned. the whole area focuses on the Bible and Book of Mormon Prophets, Living Prophet and the mission of the church in general with plasma displays, movie clips and other media information to answer various questions. The South Visitor Center carries the themes of Eternal Familes, Temples and the Pionieer's Legacy.

WHAT OTHERS SAID

COLORADO (Catholic) I felt very much welcomed from the moment I entered. The place is full of peace.

CALIFORNIA (No Religion Listed) We appreciate the individual attention and friendly reception that Temple Square gives its visitors regardless of faith.

SOUTH CAROLINA (Episcopal) I enjoyed being your guest today. The square is a beautiful example of the workings of your faith.

UNITED KINGDOM (No Religion Listed) Our guides gave us a great tour of Temple Square and brought light to our day and smile to our faces.

WASHINGTON (Catholic) Sister Lim was our tour guide this afternoon. We got a very thorough and thoughtful tour from her. This is a spectacular center for the Mormon religion.

TEXAS (Baptist) I enjoyed learning more about the Mormon Church and its scriptures. Our guide was most pleasant and inspiring.

WISCONSIN (Episcopal) Wonderful architecture, delightful tour.

NORTH CAROLINA (No Religion Listed) This place was beautiful and very Christ oriented. The missionaries were very helpful and had great information.

HISTORIC TEMPLE SQUARE

The historic Temple Square and it's surroundings in Salt Lake City, is one of the best tourist attractions in UT. While visitors each year are in the millions, tourists who visit are not just members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Majority of visitors are people from different religious backgrounds and nationalities. Most of them are curious about LDS religion and history of the church. For that purpose Temple Square Mission has sister missionaries as guides from various nations to accommodate visitors and offer them tours of Temple Square in their own native language.

Other visitors come because of the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir to enjoy their performances, especially Music and the Spoken Word broadcast. Among many other cultural events that draw people to Temple Square are: daily organ recitals, movies in the Legacy Theater, performances in the Conference Building, concerts on Temple Square.

Originally Temple Square was the Salt Lake Temple, the Mormon Tabernacle and Assembly Hall, as well as various monuments, statuary and North and South visitor centers. Recently The Church Office Building, The Relief Society Building, The Church Administration Building, The Conference Center, The Joseph Smith Memorial Building, The Lion House and The Beehive House, The Brigham Young Historic Park, The Family History Library, The Museum of Church History and Art were added and are included as a part of Temple Square Mission today. All together it is thirty-five acres of Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

The Salt Lake Temple is not opened to public. Exhibits and presentations in the South Visitors' Center explain why. You can stroll past meticulously maintained gardens and visit the rest of unique historical buildings There are many other places to visit from within walk distance of Temple Square itself. The Family History Library offers the largest collection of genealogy records in the world. The Museum of Church History and Art has four rotating exhibits and several permanent displays, the Eagle Gate are the main attractions.

This blog will unfold a unique character and history of this place and describe many experiences that people enjoyed here. That way you too will experience, in part, what is experienced be visitors to beautiful Temple Square.