This was from an
article published in the Deseret News about the Philadelphia
Temple--interesting information regarding the LDS Church and the Catholics.
"No other
temple built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints combines
a rare downtown location next to a major Catholic basilica, strong historic
meaning to both the founding of the faith and a nation, fitting architectural
majesty and a church-owned high-rise commercial project. Add the fact that high-ranking church leaders
and rank-and-file members recall the days when Pennsylvania and New Jersey had
so few Mormons that the idea of a temple here was preposterous, and the joy and
pride felt and expressed when the temple's cornice lights went on last week was
understandable.
"This is a
magnificent structure," Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the church's
Quorum of the Twelve Apostles told the Deseret News last week after he toured
the temple site while he was in Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families.
"It is
unique," he said. "It's true to the sense of history and the
architecture of Philadelphia. It really reflects that history. I think in time
it really will become a landmark in this city, because it is so uniquely suited
to what Philadelphia is and has been in the history of the United States over
the years."
“Good friends On one side of the
temple is a freeway, and just beyond that is a major Catholic landmark, the
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, where Pope Francis celebrated a
Mass during his visit last week. The gold-plated Moroni atop one of the
temple's two towers will stop inches below the top of the basilica spire.
“We’re going to be good friends," said Linley Baker, a Latter-day Saint
who moved from Paris to Wilmington, Delaware, three years ago. Leaders of both
faiths say the closeness of the two holy structures mirrors their own feelings.
"It is in a way symbolic," Elder Christofferson said.
"It's nice to have these two buildings, those key symbols of our
faith, the basilica and the temple, side by side almost. I think they
complement each other well." The archbishop of Philadelphia, Charles Chaput,
spoke at BYU last year, and last week, during Elder Christofferson's presentation
at the World Meeting of Families, said Catholics can learn from Mormons about
strengthening families. "Archbishop Chaput has his offices in the building
next to the basilica and also overlooks the temple," Elder Christofferson
said. "He's said to me a couple of times, 'You know, I'm keeping an eye on
it for you. I'm watching the construction, I'm making sure everybody's
well-behaved down there. They're not swearing and they're doing the job right.'
He's a good friend."
Pictures of our
group in various "points" of our "Temple outing"
Our Missionary Group waiting at Penn Station (34th St) for train to Philly
"All Aboard!"
2nd "leg" if our journey to Philly--waiting in Trenton for the SEPTA train to arrive
E and S Mumford inside the little Visitor's Center at the Philadelphia Temple Open House
Waiting outside the Philadelphia Temple
Inside the room at the Chapel where the Open House begins with a film
A different view of the Philadelphia Temple
Below are some actual rooms in the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple that can be found on Church websites:
Notice the painting found in this area of the entrance to the Temple in Philadelphia. It was specifically painted for this location--it is of the signing of the U S Constitution
The entrance and the Recommend Desk
The Bride's Room
The Celestial Room-- the chandelier is absolutely stunning!!
The Baptismal Font-- so beautiful and functional with the 2 stairways--one for the women/girls and one for the men/boys
We so enjoyed our trip to this Temple Open House and both of us commented about it being the BEST Temple Open House we have ever attended due to the tours and the personal touches that were added to the information that each person presented in the rooms we went in.
This Temple will become the Temple some of our Workers and Patrons from Manhattan Temple will now be assigned to attend and we will miss them so much!!
