Sacred Temple Square

We have spent a few days in Utah visiting friends and while there we went to Temple Square. For anyone who has not been, it is definitely something to see in this life and unfortunately I think we (meaning probably most people in general that lives out West) takes it for granted because we live within driving distance. I have been several times before but it's so interesting that each time I go I learn something new, partly due to the fact that the church constantly changes what is on display. The temple grounds are SO gorgeous and immaculately manicured with beautiful flowers and shrubbery. It is so breathtaking! Words cannot describe the beauty and the peace and the power of the spirit in that sacred place.

Lance has never been to the church museum and I want to touch on that for a minute. Downstairs were several black and white photographs by George Edward Anderson, most that were framed were unique pictures and angles of the Smith farm, the sacred grove, Carthage jail, the tombstone of Joseph and Emma's oldest baby that died, the Smith burial ground, the Smith mansion, the hill Cumorah, the Kirtland temple, and so on. These pictures were taken around 1906 and although it was almost 50-100 years after Joseph Smith's time, it is so intriguing to see how and where they lived. (One day after Lance is out of school I desperately I want to go on a church history tour around the US).

Each prophet in this dispensation has an area dedicated to their life and service in the church. I am amazed at the extremely generous and selfless people who donated items from the prophets' lives. For example: Gordon B. Hinckley's temple suit and his medal presented by the president of the US for civic service; Heber J Grant's top hat, white gloves, and white bow tie; numerous journals and other medals presented for patriotic duties for many other prophets; a number of other clothing items worn by them, desks, pens, hymnals, etc. While many of the prophets also did extensive traveling all over the world they were given gifts by members of the church, some of these were also on display showing their culture and their love for the prophets. I was so deeply touched by the selflessness of family members and friends of the prophets who gave these as gifts to the church to be shared by others through out the world. What an amazing and priceless gift this is! In reverence I want to share what touched me the most. The area that was displayed for Joseph Smith left me in awe. There was an ornate rain gutter that was part of the Smith mansion, many journals, letters to Emma his wife, official government documents when he was in the militia and ran as president, his and Hyrum's gun that was used for protection, his sword, a rocking chair, a desk, and many other items used by our beloved Prophet. It's amazing to me that he lived just 200 years ago, sometimes that seems like such a long time but to think of his belongings being preserved for that long it just phenomenal. Especially when I think about the things that came across the plains with the pioneers, and we still have them today as a witness and testimony of our Prophet.

Another section of the museum left Lance and I in tears. It was dedicated to the lives and the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. It showcased the original death masks of Joseph and Hyrum, the original pocket watch that saved John Taylor's life, a few breathless paintings of those final moments in Carthage jail, and several original journal entries of the saints who mourned their death. Below is a piece of artwork that was embroidered by a 13 year old girl as she expressed her grief over Joseph and Hyrum's death. It reads:

Sacred to the memory of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
Who fell as martyrs of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
June 27th 1844
Aged 38 and 44 years
Zion's noblest sons are weeping,
See her daughters bathed in tears,
Where the prophets now are sleeping,
Nature's sleep the sleep of years.
When the earth shall be restored,
They will come with Christ the Lord.
Mary Ann
Broomhead's work 1844
Aged 13 years

I want to testify that I know Joseph Smith was and is a true and living prophet of God. I know he saw God the Father and Jesus Christ as he said he did and that he indeed did restore the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know he translated the Book of Mormon and restored the correct priesthood keys on this earth once again, so we and everyone can receive all the ordinances and blessings necessary for exaltation. I am grateful for the faith he had to read the bible and to pray concerning the questions in his heart. I am forever in debt to him and all the pioneers and ancestors who have lived and were so faithful to help establish Zion so that I and my family can be blessed with the sames blessings of the gospel.