So just in case you think we're some sort of Stepford Mormon family from
that last post...we're not...
Here are the other pictures of us at Temple Square. I will say for the record, though, that there is a powerful spirit at Temple Square. And you feel it the second you step onto the grounds. I've been to Temple Square so many times and it feels like home when I'm there. We wanted to take the boys to Temple Square in preparation for General Conference and to teach them more about the temple. We were really fortunate to have Aunt Annette come along with us for part of the day.
 |
| This is how we'd like you to think of us, all the time. Perfect family, being perfect. |
 |
| But this is really more like it. One kid not paying attention and the other screaming bloody murder to the looks of passers by, Mom and Dad looking weather worn and tired -- because no one likes to sleep at night! |
 |
| Does the fountain between the South Visitor Center and the Temple have a name? I've always called it the Giant Clam fountain, because that's what it looks like. Anyway, the boys were fascinated with the fountains on Temple Square. I wanted to have a lesson on living water, but I was too busy trying to keep them from falling in, which Jeffy almost did several times at the Seagull Fountain. |
 |
| James and I at the base of the Salt Lake Temple. |
 |
| Joseph and James at the same spot. I'm sure are wondering where was Jeffy? He was having none of these pictures. |
 |
| Except this one. He consented to having his picture taken for about 3 seconds. |
 |
| On the South-East stairs of the temple I wonder which of our relatives climbed these stairs and entered the temple here? |
 |
| In the North Visitor Center at the Christus statue. |
 |
| James at the Christus, right before he scaled the thing...and I mean, climbed up in the arms of Christ. I might have laid an egg at that point, and was very thankful we were not invited to leave Temple Square. |
 |
| Both boys at The Christus. We could not get Jeffy to turn around for a picture. He's 18 months and clearly has a mind of his own. |
 |
| The top of the Seagull Fountain. That's the fountain that Jeffy was trying really hard to fall into. |
 |
| A side relief of the Seagull Fountain. I love the story of the Gulls and the Crickets. I think I would have been devastated to see the crickets eat my hard work and food for the next year. But then to see the gulls come and save everything would have been miraculous. |
 |
| Inside the Joseph Smith Building. James recognized him right away. |
 |
| There is an excellent exhibit in the Church History Museum right now about the LDS Church and the Boy Scouts. This neckerchief was given to Pres. David O. McKay, a relative, by a troop from Mississippi. For those of you that want to know. David O's father is David McKay, who is the brother of my third great-grandmother Wilhelmina McKay. They joined the church in the middle of the night in Scotland and then came to America with the Saints. They settled in Huntsville, Utah. |
...and to finish up a thought from this last caption...there is also at the Church History Museum a WONDERFUL exhibit of Norman Rockwell's Scouting paintings. I love Norman Rockwell, his talent was so amazing, and I love how he just perfectly captured the American spirit and the spirit of boys. Thankfully, my parents were up at Temple Square the week before and were able to stop in and see this exhibit.
Mom also ran into Uncles Monroe, Barry and Quinn at the Lion House eating lunch the day she was at Temple Square (Dad was at the Church Historian's office doing research). The Uncles were sitting at the table next to her, talking about Huntsville. The only people that talk about Huntsville are people that are from Huntsville. We'll you know, we're McKays and we're all from Huntsville, and we all love it there. They talked to her at length about her Dad, my Grandpa Ernest, who everyone called Bud. Jeffrey is named after him too. Grandpa Bud died early, and I think our family has missed him these many years. He and Grandma were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, so it was especially nice to be there.
This weekend, watching General Conference, we saw the fruits of our visit to Temple Square. James and Jeffy both recognized the Temple and the fountains and were excited (for about 4 seconds each) to see these things on TV. It's important to teach our children the importance of the temple, and it's important to take them to the temple and to have them see us prepare to enter the temples to worship as well.
