WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT TEMPLE DESIGN

In the very middle of this month's FRIEND magazine you might find this: 

Designing the House of the Lord

...a very brief (but enlightening) article explaining how our temples are designed:

Designing the Outside

After the prophet announces a new temple, architects prayerfully study the scriptures and local culture while designing floor plans for the temple building. These plans are presented to the First Presidency for approval. 

Designing the Inside

Interior designers look through a room filled with hundreds of material samples to decide what will be used to make the temple furnishings. (May I also add that they too study local culture, inspirational photos, architecture, and design styles). When the final selections are made, the samples are placed on boards and presented to the First Presidency. While designers and architects are busy creating furnishings, artists create beautiful art and murals for the temple. After about five months of designing, the temple rooms are drawn on a computer. These images, called renderings, are presented to the First Presidency.

Putting Everything Together

Once a temple is constructed, the furnishings need to be put in. Workers lay carpet and tile, instal murals and hang art. They clean windows and dust furniture, and polish metal work in preparation for the temple's upcoming open house.

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The photos and interviews for the article were done a while before I started working as an interior design assistant. I see the individuals in this article on a daily basis: Bernie and David are temple architects (I was interviewd in David's office back in August), and Linda is one of the temple interior designers. I also go into the library Linda is in and see the temple models daily as well.

I don't post these things to brag or make anyone feel jealous, I do it to testify, as a witness from the inside, that these are real temples of the Lord. They are built to seal families and generations together for eternity. They are built to bring Heavenly Father's children back to him. I have seen the careful thought process that goes into every detail of the temple to make a harmonious house of order and peace. I know all of this to be true!

As for General Conference, wasn't it amazing?!? Within the first 10 minutes when President Monson was talking about the missionary work and temples I was already tearing up. Time and time again as an apostle of the Lord was telling us to be obedient and stay strong, I was uplifted and encouraged. But what I MOST loved about this conference is when the apostles would pretty much say that they don't need faith in their Savior any more...because they know, without a shadow of a doubt. That they really are special witnesses of Christ. (Do you get what I'm sayin'?) So cool, right? I love thinking about it...

Hope you had a wonderful conference weekend and felt the love of our Heavenly Father has for you too! 

PS I'm finishing up our April love story, it should be posted within the next few days...stay tuned! :)