Playing Tourist In Our Own Town

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Playing Tourist In Our Own Town

Pictures taken July 21, 2009

With my grandparents being here, we decided to spend a day at Temple Square. Andrew had a trax pass, so he volunteered to take the boys via the train. I drove with my mom and my grandparents. My dad met us there from work and Katy brought her kids as well.

We started with a tour of the conference center. My grandpa had never been there, and was amazed to see it. We were able to go to the roof and look around up there.

We tried to get a few family pictures, but not always with the cooporation of the children. Peter thought it was way more fun to run free than to sit in Mommy's lap.

I think my favorite place on the roof was the fountain. It sits directly over the podium in the conference center and is symbolic of the living water flowing to the four corners of the earth.

Andrew took a moment to share some of the symbolisms to Ammon and to share his knowledge and understanding of the gospel.

It was fun to see the two of them discover things together.

After we were done with the rooftop, we headed inside where the art display is currently set up. My parents are docents at the Church History Museum, and the art display has been a part of their responsibility. They were thrilled to have the opportunity to give us our own personalized tour.

When we were finished, Uncle Andrew offered to take the three older kids (Ammon, Carolyn and Kylie) home on Trax. They had a blast with him as he made a couple of connections to go out of his way and get them slurpees at the 7-11. Katy and I took the two younger kids (Peter and Isaiah) which worked out well because they both fell asleep.

Before we left the conference center, though, Andrew's brother Tim stopped by to see us. He works downtown and just happened to call Andrew on his lunch break. When he realized where we were, he walked over to say hi. It was a fun addition to our day.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.