Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple

The California Gonzalez Family (one of them) came to Utah a few days ago to officially bid Erica adieu as she heads to the MTC for her New York South Spanish-speaking Mission. Last night we all joined in dinner (including a family from our ward because Derek, their son, will also be going to the same mission here shortly) and then we went to the temple open house, just its second day, yesterday. Good timing!!

On October 1, 2005, the First Presidency announced construction. President Hinckley conducted the groundbreaking on December 16, 2006. This is the 130th temple and the 13th in Utah. The name Oquirrh was taken from a Goshute Indian word meaning "wooded mountain," which is also the name of the western mountains in the Salt Lake Valley. This temple will serve approximately 83,000 members (ironically not us, as we live on the east side of Bangerter Freeway, even though this temple is really close to us). And here are those handsome young "Sons of Helaman" in the intro tent for a movie about temple worship.

Like mother, like daughter--both missionaries, then and now. Amy and Erica.

Rafael, Jake, Jared, Margaret, Erica, Ethan, Amy, Jaime, Aaron, Victor, Tony Gonzalez.

The reception tent after the tour for a refreshment, beautifully decorated with furnishings and pictures--basically a portable visitors' center.

Jared, Tony, Victor

Just a bunch of teenagers, very good teenagers.

From the front of the temple overlooking the southwest quadrant of the valley. Look closely and you can see the lights of the Draper Temple shining back. I read (or heard) that this land was donated to the church when the area was opened up for development. It is beautifully perched on a knoll and if I walk up the road a block from my house, I can see it. Dang--wouldn't it be cool to actually look out one's window and see the lights of the temple at night?? Oh well, I guess I'll just have to spiritually direct my tent opening to the temple.