My name is Elder Kyle Rasmussen. I'm a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The message of the Church is one of joy and happiness. This message has given me this great joy and happiness in my life and now I want to share that same joy with everyone else. I know it can bless everyone's life and that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

My Christmas Blog Post


Temple Square at Christmas
It's the Christmas season so therfore it is required to make a blog post about Christmas.  So in order to prevent myself from becoming a Scrooge or a Grinch, I shall do such.

Living only 20 miles from down town Salt Lake City and having a dad that works in the office tower across the street from the temple have a couple of benefits.  One of which is the opportunity our family has almost every year to go and see the Christmas lights at temple square.


Temple Squre from Above
As you can see there are many attractions on temple square.  One of which is the visitors center which is circled in red.  It's an amazing building with so many pictures of Christ and various displays of Bible and Book of Mormon prophets.  It even has a very large model map of the city Jerusalem back when Christ was on the earth and where everything is.

After walking around with my family, looking at all the lights and all the buildings, our final stop is usually this same visitor center.  Then after looking at all the various cool displays and models do we reach my most favorite part of the building.
Jesus Christ in Visitor Center

In the main circular room stands an amazing statue of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  The walls of this room are of the celestial heavens, of stars and the earth and the glories of the night sky.  He stands there pure and magnificent, with open arms waiting to receive those who will come unto Him.  His hands bear the imprint of the nails which peirced His hands as He willingly gave His life for us on the cross.  Every time I enter that amazing place, tears fill my eyes as I look into His eyes and see the love that He has for me and all of us.
This is what Christmas is about, Jesus Christ.  It's as simple as that, it's about the Savior.  It is our the time of year we have to celebrate His magnificent birth.  Without His coming into the world and His suffering we wouldn't be able to return to our Father in Heaven.  May we remember through all the hectic hussle and bussle of the Christmas season that we reflect on that marvelous event. 

"For behold, I say unto you there be many things to come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all - for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people." - Alma 7:7

Nativity Scene at Temple Square Reflection Pool


Thursday, December 8, 2011

The Salt Lake Temple

I was born and raised in Utah and have been there all my life. For fourteen years my family lived only twenty miles north of Salt Lake City. My dad works in down town Salt Lake so I have had many opportunities to go down there. Temple Square was and still is one of my favorite spots to go in the city. I have always grown up so close to the Salt Lake temple and it has a special place in my heart. Here's a little bit more information on the Salt Lake Temple.




Salt Lake Temple Time Line:

1847 July 28: Salt Lake Temple site is identified.
1853 February 14: Ground-breaking ceremony is held. April 6: Cornerstones are laid.
1855 July 23: Foundation is completed.
1857 June: First basement floor stones are laid.
1858 May: Foundation is covered to resemble a plowed field.
1860 Foundation is uncovered.
1862 Portions of foundation are replaced.
1867 Salt Lake Temple walls appear above ground for first time.
1873 April 4: First train brings stones from quarry for Salt Lake Temple.
1892 April 6: Capstone is laid.
1893 April 6: Salt Lake Temple is dedicated.


It took 40 years to build this amazing structure! It required a lot of sacrifices from the Saints. Why did they go to such lengths to build it? Becuase the blessings of the temple are real. The temple is built in a way that it resembles a fortress. That's symbolic because the temple is a fortress, a sanctuary from the things of the world. It's the Lord's house and within the Lord's house we can find comfort and peace from the things outside. I love the temple and the blessings they hold. I know this Church is true and the Savior Jesus Christ is real.


Photo's of Salt Lake Temple:


(East Towers)


(Assembly Hall)


(Celestial Room)