Week 11 - July 9-15

For Elder Koberstein's seventieth birthday he wanted to take a tour of the Conference Center.  I was not so sure because it was a very hot Salt Lake City afternoon.  I decided that I could do it for him for his birthday.  After our service in the Family History Library we walked over to the Conference Center and asked for a tour.  I took this picture as we walked across the street between the Conference Center and the Family History Library.

The tour started by showing us the Conference Center auditorium.  It was interesting to learn that it currently is the largest theater style auditorium ever built seating 21,000 people.  A 747 jet could fit comfortably inside.  There are 7667 pipes in the organ.  What a vision of growth our leaders have.  It is an amazing and beautiful place.

 I was not aware of all the original art work that is on display here.  I love this stained glass window of the "Tree of Life".

The original paintings by Arnold Friburg that we all love from the Book of Mormon are in the art gallery.

Elder Koberstein and our tour guide looking at the Arnold Friburg paintings from the Book of Mormon.

There is a bust of each of the latter-day prophets.  This is the Joseph Smith's bust.

 This is the first vision in bronze.

We then went to the roof of the conference center.  Can you believe that there is a fountain on the roof.

A view from the roof of the conference center looking toward the state capital.

Elder Koberstein looking at one of the dome lights which allow the sunlight into the conference center.  These windows can be covered if darkness is needed inside the auditorium.

A second fountain on the roof.

This is an interesting granite picture that reflects those looking at it.  They become part of the people in the picture.  It was fun to be part of it.

Looking at the Salt Lake Temple from the Conference Center roof.

I am saddened that I did not take pictures of some of the hundreds of native trees planted on the north side of the roof.  The south side of the roof has been planted with 21 native grasses and wild flower to conserve water.  These environments echo the mountains and meadows of Utah.  One does not feel like they are on a roof.  City Creek is the water that flows through the conference center.  It was a wonderful tour and if you have the opportunity, I recommend you take it.  It is worth your time.

We then enjoyed a short ride on the Trax and a hike but decided to drive instead  to Elder Koberstein's birthday dinner.

We enjoyed Japanese Ramon at Ko Ko Ramon in Salt Lake City.  It was a fun reminder of our time in Japan.

For fun this week, Elder Koberstein and I went to the Discovery Floor of the Family History Library and took "...a virtual tour of the Great Wall of China, running as fast as we can from the Mongols" as Elder Koberstein states on his Facebook posting.  There are many fun things to share with family and friends on the Discovery Floor.  Don't miss the learning opportunity when you visit Temple Square.

Tuesday, Elder Koberstein and I drove to the Jordan River Temple and did a session there in the afternoon.  The Jordan River Temple is the seventh dedicated temple in Utah.  It was dedicated in 1981.  Hard to believe it was that long ago.

This is the beautiful view on the mountains as we exited the temple.

On Wednesday, Elder and Sister Buffington visited our Prayer meeting on B1.  Elder and Sister Seiter, who have been serving in the Salt Lake Headquarters Mission for all most 30 months and as co-zone leaders for much of that time are going home in a few days.  Elder Koberstein and I had an assignment change and will now be serving as co-zone leaders.  You never know what opportunities and/or challenges lay ahead.  This week we have been trying to learn our new responsibilities.

Some of the Johnson's grandchildren selected Terry an angle food cake and ice cream.  They lite the candles and sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

As Elder Koberstein and I walked to the Church Office Building on Friday for lunch, we ran into someone who recognized and shared our name, Greg Koberstein and his family.  Greg and Elder Koberstein are 3 cousins 1 time removed.  A tender mercy to have been able to met them.

Saturday morning I went and cut hair for the young missionaries in our mission.  They have barbers there while exercising.  Elder Koberstein biked from Bountiful to Salt Lake and took this picture as I was finishing up the hair cuts.

A THOUGHT FOR YOU

Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains or the waves of the sea.
Jacob 4:6 - Book of Mormon