Temple Square

Last Friday we decided to take the boys to Utah for the day. Usually when we head South, we are going to see family so we haven't really taken them to Temple Square in years.

Gary did some research and we drove to Ogden where we boarded the Front Runner train that took us to Salt Lake. It was a blast. Since we got there about 10:30, we had the train pretty much to ourselves. I guess Utah didn't have parent teacher conference last weekend and there isn't a huge rush hour at that time in the morning.

The train took us to the central station in Salt Lake and from there we jumped on Trax. The boys loved riding yet another train and Gary and I loved the fact Trax is free in downtown Salt Lake. We took it to Temple Square and started seeing the sights.

Our first stop was the Church Office Building. Even though Gary and I grew up in Utah and took more than one trip to Temple Square, we didn't realize you could go to the roof of the Church Office Building and enjoy an amazing view of downtown Salt Lake. Gary and I loved the view and the boys loved the elevator ride.

From there we went to JB's for lunch. According to Ethan, this was his favorite part of the trip. Go figure. After JB's, we headed over to the Conference Center. Gary helped build the Conference Center so it was great to get an insider's scoop on the different parts. Even though the weather wasn't perfect, our tour guide took us out to the gardens on the roof. It was amazing. They also had an incredible art display throughout the building including the original Book of Mormon paintings depicting different events throughout the Book of Mormon that I remember from my first copy. There were also paintings of each of the prophets an apostles from this dispensation. At one time the boys could name each of them but the only one they knew for sure was Henry B. Eyring (we taught them that his glasses are like a ring around his eye, eye-ring, and it stuck apparently) so I guess we need to spend some Family Home Evenings reviewing again.

Our next stop was the Church History Museum. On the second floor they have a hands-on childrens exhibit that the boys loved. There were puzzles, coloring, dress up, movies, and toys all relating to the theme of "I am a Child of God." It was, what we thought, the icing on the cake.
Tom filling out his "birth certificate."
Dylan holding on to the Iron Rod.Tom speaking from the "pulpit" in the Tabernacle.

Logan speaking from the "pulpit" in the Tabernacle.
Ethan speaking from the "pulpit" in the Tabernacle.

Just as we were making our way back to the elevator in the Museum, we looked over to see President Eyring getting on the elevator. Gary and I said hi and then as the doors closed asked the boys if they saw him. When they said no, Gary took Tom, Logan, and Ethan down the escalator - which was faster than the elevator - and was kneeling down talking to them about President Eyring when the elevator doors opened. I stayed upstairs with the stroller and Dylan. President Eyring saw them and came right over and shook all of their hands! What an amazing man. It reminded me of the bible account of Christ when his apostles wanted to keep the children back because they knew Christ was tired and he said to let the children come unto him. Even though President Eyring is one of the busiest men around with awesome responsibilities, he took the time to shake the hands of three little boys. It is something they will always remember and it is something for which I will always be grateful. We are so incredibly lucky to live in a time where we have a living prophet and apostles. The spirit they carry with them is undeniable. You can feel them enter the room. Even before you see them, you know something is different. Seeing President Eyring was the perfect end to the perfect family day.