Difference between revisions of "Temple Square"
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Temple Square has become a popular tourist attraction, with five million visitors annually, more than the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park. Many tours and events are held to accommodate visitors. Volunteer [[Mormon missionaries|missionaries]], usually female, serve as guides on the grounds and speak one of a dozen or more languages to accomodate tourists from around the world. The grounds are covered with beautiful gardens and hold musical concerts and other almost every day. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir practices on Thursdays and these practices are open to the public. During the Christmas holiday season, thousands of lights sparkle from trees and shrubs around the square. The lighting of this event is so popular that it is attended by thousands each year. | Temple Square has become a popular tourist attraction, with five million visitors annually, more than the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park. Many tours and events are held to accommodate visitors. Volunteer [[Mormon missionaries|missionaries]], usually female, serve as guides on the grounds and speak one of a dozen or more languages to accomodate tourists from around the world. The grounds are covered with beautiful gardens and hold musical concerts and other almost every day. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir practices on Thursdays and these practices are open to the public. During the Christmas holiday season, thousands of lights sparkle from trees and shrubs around the square. The lighting of this event is so popular that it is attended by thousands each year. | ||
[[Category: Places of Church Interest]] | [[Category: Places of Church Interest]] | ||
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| + | ===External Link=== | ||
| + | * [http://www.templesquareworld.com Temple Square as a Mission] | ||
Revision as of 16:00, 21 September 2006
In 1847, when Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, President Brigham Young selected a 10-acre plot of ground that was designated for the Salt Lake Temple. This plot became known as Temple Square. It also became the headquarters for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1867 the famous Tabernacle, with its equally famous organ, was built with a seating capacity of 6,000. Today it is the home of the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir begun by Welsh immigrants in the 1850s. Today Temple Square also features two visitor’s centers, one of which houses a replica of a statue by artist Bertel Thorvaldsen called the Christus.
As the Mormon Church has grown, several new buildings have been built and have expanded the headquarters into the surrounding blocks. An administration building and the LDS Church Office Building contain offices for the Apostles and other leaders. In 1995, the Hotel Utah was remodeled and renamed the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. It now houses additional offices, a distribution center, event rooms, two restaurants, and a theatre. The theatre is used to show specially -made Church films such as Legacy and The Testaments. Currently showing a film about the Prophet Joseph Smith. Located on the block just west of Temple Square are the Family History Library and the Museum of Church History and Art. In 2000, the Church completed a new 21,000-seat Conference Center, which serves not only Church related functions, but is also used by the community for plays, concerts, conferences, and lectures.
Temple Square has become a popular tourist attraction, with five million visitors annually, more than the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone National Park. Many tours and events are held to accommodate visitors. Volunteer missionaries, usually female, serve as guides on the grounds and speak one of a dozen or more languages to accomodate tourists from around the world. The grounds are covered with beautiful gardens and hold musical concerts and other almost every day. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir practices on Thursdays and these practices are open to the public. During the Christmas holiday season, thousands of lights sparkle from trees and shrubs around the square. The lighting of this event is so popular that it is attended by thousands each year.
