Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Mormon Monuments - Salt Lake City

 The Mormons had fled deadly persecution from Missouri, Ohio and Illinois, and had finally found what they thought would be a place of safety and security. In 1847, the first party of Mormon emigrants, led by Brigham Young, reached the Salt Lake Valley. This story of the thousand-mile Mormon exodus from the midwest to Salt Lake has become well-known as a tale of remarkable hard work, faith, and dedication. Upon reaching Utah, these hardy men and women prospered through their wisdom and industriousness in a place once thought too dry and desertous to support modern civilization.

Fortunately, these pioneers left a rich heritage which gives tourists today insight into these admirable traits. Utah is full of Mormon historic and cultural sites which continue to fascinate and inspire visitors more than 150 years after Brigham Young declared "This is the place."

Currently the world wide strength of Mormons is 14 million and out of this around 50% live outside the US. In India the Mormon community is around 7500. Out of this approx. 5300 live in Coimbatore,Chennai & Visakapatnam. I was amazed to note that Mormons live in Coimbatore too. So I did a web search and saw a photo of the Mormon church in Coimbatore and surprisingly it is situated on Trichy Road, Ramanathapuram and I have driven past this church so many times. It is in fact a fairly large building and the unique architecture stands out.

On day 2 at Salt Lake city our first trip was to Temple Square where we visited some of the significant Mormon monuments:

Mormons are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Satue of Jesus Christ in the Visitors Centre
Salt Lake Temple - Above & Below: Visitors are not allowed inside.

This building is a worldwide icon of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the heart of Temple Square. The massive granite edifice was constructed in a neo-gothic style over the course of an astounding 40-year period between 1853 and 1893
Home of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Tabernacle, located just north of Assembly Hall, is an architectural and acoustic wonder. The famous organ at the front of the Tabernacle contains 11,623 pipes, making it one of the largest and richest-sounding organs in the world
We were fortunate to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir performing during our visit - 360 member all volunteer choir both men and women
The Assembly Hall: The most ornate and colorful building on Temple Square. Built in 1877, the Assembly Hall is used today for free weekend concerts featuring local and international artists

The Hand Cart Pioneer Monument: A tribute to the thousands of Mormon pioneers who,because they could not afford the larger ox drawn wagons,walked across the rugged plains in the 1850's pulling and pushing all their possessions in hand made all wood hand carts


Exquisite stained glass windows inside the Assembly Hall
The Salt Lake Temple Grounds
The Conference Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains a 21,000-seat auditorium and an 850-seat theater.
A guided tour on the terrace of the Mormon Conference Hall
A water fountain atop the Conference Hall
View of the Salt Lake Temple & Tabernacle from atop the Conference Hall

33 comments:

  1. the temple is always impressive, but that assembly hall is gorgeous!

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  2. Never happened to visit SLC. Nice post Mr. Ramakrishnan :)

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    1. Utah & Idaho are generally not in an Indian tourist's itinerary. I landed in Boise for the simple reason that my daughter & family live here :)

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  3. Hello Ram,

    Very interesting information and lovely photos. I enjoyed this post.

    Best wishes,
    Joseph

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    1. Hello Joseph
      Nice to hear from you after a long time. I have also not seen new posts from your side for a couple of months. Trust you are keeping well.
      Best Wishes Ram

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  4. Now I stand informed too. Really I too did not know about this community and that too in CBE and Chennai. Since I sam again at Chennai now, I shall explore the possibilities of meeting some of them. Went through the previous post as well and enjoyed it. Thanks for enriching me.

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    1. Good to note that you are back in Chennai. I am leaving Boise on 29th and reaching Chennai on 31st. If possible we can meet on 31st.Hope you get to see a Mormon church in Chennai.

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  5. Wonderful monuments. Thanks for sharing the info.

    http://rajniranjandas.blogspot.in/2012/10/the-stopover-book-review.html

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  6. Good images. Mormons - are they still around? I'm sure they must be a miniscule minority.

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    1. Around 60% of Utah population is Mormon. For some more statistics about distribution of Mormons: Worldwide: 14 million; Outside the US: 7 million; India:7500.
      Another interesting statistic: Mormons used to practice polygamy extensively in the 1800's.Before Utah became the 45 state of the USA around 1896 they had to sign an agreement that they shall discontinue this polygamous practice.

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  7. Beautiful pics! Takes the readers right to the place!

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  8. I have never heard of this sect, mormons. Good to know about them.

    The churches look beautiful. I like to see ancient buildings esp. where lots of people worship regularly. The vibration could be felt if you go inside.

    Thanks for the unique information.

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    1. Even I knew virtually nothing about this sect till I visited SLC. the buildings are indeed quite beautiful.

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  9. Great pictures and info.For the minute bit I know of Mormons, I think of the Osmonds!

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    1. I have never heard of the Osmonds. So I looked up wikipedia and found this interesting bit of information:
      The Osmonds are an American family music group with a long and varied career—a career that took them from singing barbershop music as children, to achieving success as teen-music idols, to producing a hit television show, and to continued success as solo and group performers. The Osmonds are devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and their religious values have influenced their careers.

      Regards Ram

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  10. I did not know the Mormons fled persecution...really pretty pics here

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  11. Wonderful pics; Am enjoying sightseeing via your blog :)

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    1. Thank you. Keep travelling with me for more astounding sights.

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  12. My daughter's husband is a Mormon, and they are raising their kids in the Mormon religion. There is a huge Mormon temple on the North shore of our island. Beautiful photos, Ram.

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    1. Actually I was completely ignorant of Mormons till my visit to Salt Lake City. Now I am much better informed.

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  13. Nice photos of Temple Square and other L.D.S. symbols. Mormon faith is deeply woven into Utah culture.
    I look forward to your photos of Yellowstone!

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    1. Thanks Janie. Will start posts on Y.Stone in a couple of days.

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  14. Everything looks brand new and clean. Great shots.

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  15. I'm sure that was a lot of learning. There's nothing quite like travelling, is there? :)

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