Manti Utah Temple

Temple #7
Manti Utah Temple
September 28, 2013



     The Manti Temple, a Temple on a hill.  Here we are, at one of my favorite temples. It is a must visit for many reasons. It is also a temple tied with much history from my family on my mom’s side, but I'll start with our first time there.
     Ivy and I had both been to Manti while younger, and always dreamed to go again when married. It always seemed like a magical castle on a hill, and that is just about what it is. It's built on a large, rolling hill, that is bright and green. Grass encompasses the entire temple, along with trees, shrubs and flowers.
     We were now married, and so this was our first new temple we were going to while married. It made it a little more special in a way.
     This temple is a little ways off the main I-15 though. Ivy and I headed straight there from our place in St. George. It sure was a pretty drive through the hills and farms. As we drove through the city of Manti, we could see the magical Temple from miles away, shinning like a beacon on its grand knoll.
     We walked up to the temple, and we were amazed. It is a beautiful color, made from a limestone quarried from the hill it sits upon. It really seems like a castle with its type of architecture, and castle-looking walls and battlements.
     The real beauty appeared once we were inside the temple. You can see the skills and love that the pioneers put into the building. The woodwork is amazing, and the murals are just incredible. This is one of only seven temples where you move throughout other rooms while going through a session. This keeps it interesting, and let's you admire more beautiful rooms as you go through the session.
     The Manti Temple is also the only other temple, other than the Salt Lake Temple, that does a live session. This makes it more unique, lively and enjoyable. Getting to have this experience is wonderful and is recommended to all.
     When we were about to go into the dressing rooms, Ivy was greeted by a Sister who helped her find her way around. Funny enough, her name was a combination of Ivy’s and mine; JoEllen. It’s been a joke to name one of our kids that someday.
     While going through the session, we came into one of the final rooms, which totally caught my attention. I could hardly pay attention to anything else. It was magnificent. The moldings were gorgeous, with parts colored gold, and the curtains and other cloths were a captivating blue, by far my favorite color. Seeing everything that the pioneers had put into the temple, along with more recent craftsmen, just amazes me. I love this temple for the colors, craftsmanship, and just pure beauty of it all
     There is also a bit of family history with this temple for me. It was my mom’s temple all growing up, as she and her family lived in Flowell Utah, just outside of Fillmore. It's where Laurel’s parents got married as well. Ivy and I talked to my grandparents about this Temple once, and we just sat and listened for an hour as story after story was told. Angels had been seen, miracles wrought, and strong spiritual feelings felt there. That in itself was a great experience, hearing the stories of ancestors and relatives.
     After the temple Ivy and I didn't head home, but went onward to Heidi and Trevor's home in Holden, Utah. We decided to take a short cut, that somehow turned into a dirt road that lead through the mountains. It was a fun little detour, and we eventually made it to Holden.
     This temple is a must visit, especially if you live in Utah. It's historic, being the third temple built that is still standing, and it's magnificent in many ways. And as in all Temples, the spiritual feelings are strong there.
 

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