Each fast Sunday we have dinner with a different set of 4 missionary couples. Today after dinner the host couple shared a video they had received from a friend about the Nauvoo Temple murals. I LOVE learning about how things came about here. It made me once again appreciate all the more what has gone into making this temple a truly beautiful and sacred building. The artist who was talking told how the 6 artists that did the paintings first traveled to places where the scenery could represent the creation, the garden of eden, and the world room. In the world room they depicted Vermont (Joseph Smith’s birthplace, the sacred grove, the Susquehanna River, Kirtland, etc. At first they put in things like a country road, a wagon, etc. When President Hinckley saw the model of what they were planning he quietly reminded them that when Adam and Eve left the garden for the lone and dreary world there was nothing manmade. So that got changed. The creation room had a rainbow until President Hinckley said it shouldn’t be there - no rainbow til after the flood. Little stories like that tell you how careful and how involved the prophet was to make everything right in rebuilding this temple. They once asked President Hinckley if he’d like to paint a leaf on a tree. He did. One of the sisters in the group was talking about all the little creatures that she had found in the murals - lots more than I have noticed. You can bet I’ll be taking a much closer and more appreciative look tomorrow morning! I’ve been thinking lately when I’ve been in the creation room how Heavenly Father made all things “the please the eye and gladden the heart...to strengthen the body and enliven the soul” (D&C 59). Truly we live in a beautiful world! It shows Heavenly Fathers love for us and desire that we could find joy on earth.
Meanwhile we also watched another wonderful movie about Joseph Smith at the visitor center theater. And in between I’ve loved my latest book SUPPORTING SAINTS- about lesser known saints who also played significant roles in the Restoration. I LOVE Sundays! And I love learning about this most special place that we have the privilege of serving in. I still can hardly believe we got this amazing blessing.
(Sorry no inside pictures)
Meanwhile we also watched another wonderful movie about Joseph Smith at the visitor center theater. And in between I’ve loved my latest book SUPPORTING SAINTS- about lesser known saints who also played significant roles in the Restoration. I LOVE Sundays! And I love learning about this most special place that we have the privilege of serving in. I still can hardly believe we got this amazing blessing.
(Sorry no inside pictures)
Such a beautiful past. Your Sabbath days sound absolutely celestial. And thanks for sharing those details about the Temple. Pres. Hinckley was so involved in the details of the buildings he helped build. Have you met the man who made the windows for the Temple? He has a studio on the main street there and has amazing stories to tell about making the windows the old-fashioned way. Thanks for letting us live your mission with you!
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