The Salt Lake Tabernacle

Inside the Salt Lake Tabernacle

Temple Square has been one of my reoccurring themes lately for this blog.  So to continue on with that theme, I thought it would be nice to share a little information about the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

Old Bowery and Tabernacle

From Early Beginnings

Shortly after the first group of Saints arrived in the Salt Lake valley in 1847, one of their first objectives was to build a place where they could all gather together to worship and be instructed.  The first structure built was a large bowery consisting of logs and branches.  Simple yet it served it's purpose.  By 1857 though the Saints built what was called Old Tabernacle next to the bowery.  However by 1861 Old Tabernacle was to small to meet the needs of the Saints.  President Brigham Young then directed that a new, larger meeting hall be built.  In 1863, construction began on the Salt Lake Tabernacle under the direction of Church architect William H. Folsom.

Tabernacle under construction

So construction began.  The main egg-shaped roof was built entirely of wood out of a unique and unusual design.  The early Saints were very limited in available resources and had to use a lot of ingenuity to take on the project.  Since nails were so scarce wooden pegs were used instead and beams were wrapped with boiled animal skins.

Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1869

The Tabernacle was finished enough to hold October conference in 1867 and by 1870 all the organ fixtures were in place.  By 1875 the entire building was complete including the gallery and was dedicated by President John Taylor in the October conference of that year.  The organ at first contained only 700 pipes but over the years it was expanded to contain now 11,623 pipes.  Despite conditions of poverty, the Saints were able to build one of the most amazing structures of our day. 

Salt Lake Tabernacle Today

The Tabernacle Today

Today the Tabernacle still stands.  From 2005 to 2007, she underwent major renovations to improve seismic strength and renovate the aging building.  New pews were put in place and an overall restoration project with new state of the art equipment and a new aluminum roof.  She was rededicated in the April conference of 2007 and has continued to serve as a meeting hall for various events and as the home of the world renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

It amazes me how much the early pioneers sacrificed to build such an amazing building.  It tells me that they really loved their Lord and Savior to build for Him from very limited means a meeting hall so they could worship Him.  I'm so thankful for all those early Saints who gave of their time and means to provide us in today's world something to look back on and cherish.  From the Tabernacle, many amazing talks and revelations have been given for our day.  Some of the most amazing music comes from this building.  Without it, the Church and the world would never be the same.  I know this Church is true and that my Savior lives.  I'm always fascinated with the amazing pioneer buildings on Temple Square, but I need to remember the fact that they are there to bring me and many others closer to our Savior.  May we take courage from the example of these early Saints and do the best we can to love our Savior.

Refering sites:
http://mormonsoprano.com/2008/08/30/history-of-the-salt-lake-mormon-tabernacle/
http://www.utah.com/mormon/temple_square.htm
http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/eng/historical-sites/salt-lake-tabernacle-on-temple-square 

More Photos of the Salt Lake Tabernacle

Tabernacle Today on Temple Square

Survey of the Tabernacle Roof Arches

Early Tabernacle Organ before addition

Tabernacle Organ and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

My Christmas Blog Post



Temple Square at Christmas

It's the Christmas season so therfore it is required to make a blog post about Christmas.  So in order to prevent myself from becoming a Scrooge or a Grinch, I shall do such.

Living only 20 miles from down town Salt Lake City and having a dad that works in the office tower across the street from the temple have a couple of benefits.  One of which is the opportunity our family has almost every year to go and see the Christmas lights at temple square.





Temple Squre from Above

As you can see there are many attractions on temple square.  One of which is the visitors center which is circled in red.  It's an amazing building with so many pictures of Christ and various displays of Bible and Book of Mormon prophets.  It even has a very large model map of the city Jerusalem back when Christ was on the earth and where everything is.

After walking around with my family, looking at all the lights and all the buildings, our final stop is usually this same visitor center.  Then after looking at all the various cool displays and models do we reach my most favorite part of the building.

Jesus Christ in Visitor Center

In the main circular room stands an amazing statue of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The walls of this room are of the celestial heavens, of stars and the earth and the glories of the night sky.  He stands there pure and magnificent, with open arms waiting to receive those who will come unto Him.  His hands bear the imprint of the nails which peirced His hands as He willingly gave His life for us on the cross.  Every time I enter that amazing place, tears fill my eyes as I look into His eyes and see the love that He has for me and all of us.

This is what Christmas is about, Jesus Christ.  It's as simple as that, it's about the Savior.  It is our the time of year we have to celebrate His magnificent birth.  Without His coming into the world and His suffering we wouldn't be able to return to our Father in Heaven.  May we remember through all the hectic hussle and bussle of the Christmas season that we reflect on that marvelous event. 

"For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all - for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people." - Alma 7:7



Nativity Scene at Temple Square Reflection Pool



The Salt Lake Temple

I was born and raised in Utah and have been there all my life. For fourteen years my family lived only twenty miles north of Salt Lake City. My dad works in down town Salt Lake so I have had many opportunities to go down there. Temple Square was and still is one of my favorite spots to go in the city. I have always grown up so close to the Salt Lake temple and it has a special place in my heart. Here's a little bit more information on the Salt Lake Temple.

Salt Lake Temple Time Line:

1847 July 28: Salt Lake Temple site is identified.
1853 February 14: Ground-breaking ceremony is held. April 6: Cornerstones are laid.
1855 July 23: Foundation is completed.
1857 June: First basement floor stones are laid.
1858 May: Foundation is covered to resemble a plowed field.
1860 Foundation is uncovered.
1862 Portions of foundation are replaced.
1867 Salt Lake Temple walls appear above ground for first time.
1873 April 4: First train brings stones from quarry for Salt Lake Temple.
1892 April 6: Capstone is laid.
1893 April 6: Salt Lake Temple is dedicated.


It took 40 years to build this amazing structure! It required a lot of sacrifices from the Saints. Why did they go to such lengths to build it? Becuase the blessings of the temple are real. The temple is built in a way that it resembles a fortress. That's symbolic because the temple is a fortress, a sanctuary from the things of the world. It's the Lord's house and within the Lord's house we can find comfort and peace from the things outside. I love the temple and the blessings they hold. I know this Church is true and the Savior Jesus Christ is real.


Photo's of Salt Lake Temple:

(East Towers)

(Assembly Hall)

(Celestial Room)

Every Window, Every Spire Speaks of the Things of God:http://lds.org/liahona/1993/11/every-window-every-spire-speaks-of-the-things-of-god?lang=eng&query=Salt+Lake+City+Temple