San Diego Temple

Temple #19

San Diego, California

October 10, 2014

     San Diego. Everyone knows of the San Diego temple, and it's beauty and magnificence. It's all for good reason too. It is one of our favorite temples for a few reasons. 

     We were still on our little work trip to California when we went to San Diego. We were finished working one afternoon, and made the short (in distance) drive to San Diego, which took forever because of traffic. 

     One thing that is awesome about this temple is how it presents itself to the city. As we were driving down the freeway, the bright and beautiful Temple suddenly appeared before us, standing above the freeway. It's fascinating, and it got our excitement going. 

          We parked and walked up to the temple. This temple left me in awe. With all its unique spires, and the different design, it is just stunning. If you look at the temple from above you'll notice it is in the form of two squares, connected at the middle. These squares apparently represent the priesthood. The San Diego Temple has a ton of this symbol; a square with a circle in the center. This symbol is found in most temples. 

     An interesting thing which we found out is that this symbolism isn't a new thing. It is as old as time. The square represents heaven or the priesthood, and the circle represents us or the earth. While we traveled in China, we were in Beijing, and they have a beautiful temple there as well. The temple is a circle, and if you look at it from above, it sits in a courtyard that is square. It is built this way, as the tourist book says, to represent the heavens and the earth. Coincidence? Who knows. 

     The San Diego Temple is also entirely gorgeous on the inside. It's white and beaming, and every room is wonderful. The Celestial room was one of our favorites. It's not typical like most, for it had a second floor in it. We went up to this second floor and admire the entire room. It was amazing, and the spirit was strong. 

     We then went through some doors on the second floor and came to another room, where the sealing rooms were. In the center of this room was a star shaped atrium, and walking up to it we noticed we could look outside. It was a window of sorts, but we could only see the sky, and the angel Moroni on one of the spires. It was beautiful and unique. 

     The staff was also very kind, which I have to mention. The members everywhere are always so nice and love to be of service. It makes it feel like home wherever we go. 

     After the Temple we went to the Mormon Battalion visitor center, which was a fun little experience. It's neat to see what the pioneers did, and it is always a spiritually uplifting experience. I have to note that Ivy's Grandma and Grandpa Peart served one of their missions there in San Diego. They served at the Mormon Battalion and also greeted people at the temple. They loved their mission, and still talk about it today. Ivy and her family even had the chance to go visit them, which she says was a great experience. It increased her love for the San Diego Temple and the Mormon Battalion Visitor Center. 

     The San Diego Temple is one of a kind, and definitely a must see. It is one of our top favorite temples, for its beauty and divine architectural design. If ever in California, especially San Diego, you better make the easy trip to the Temple. It is nothing short of spectacular.