Our Trip, Part 6.1 - Old Friends, New Friends at Temple Square

Friday, Day 6, found us in Salt Lake City. We decided to end our trip with a day in Salt Lake City to take in a few sites and visit with some friends. We spent the morning at Temple Square. We first hit up the Conference Center. It was hilarious because when we came out of the doors at the center, you could hear the water from the huge waterfall that comes down the front of the building. Almost instantly, Jocey starts chanting, "Water, water, water, water..." She definately wanted to go for a swim.


Starting our day at the Conference Center - all Jocey could say was "WATER!"

We headed on over to the North Visitor's Center on Temple Square. Jon loved the interactive display about old Jerusalem. He has been reading up on Isaiah and Revelations, and has been learning alot about Jerusalem. When we walked into the visitor's center, I remembered that one of my sister's, Sara, old roommates from BYU is serving her mission there. She also went to a Jack Johnson concert with us a few years back. She had been proselyting down in Vegas for a short time, so I didn't know if she had been transferred back. I said, "Wouldn't it be hilarious if we ran into Goldie?" I turned around, and there was Sister Mehan (aka Goldie)! How fun it was to see her again. After a short reunion, we headed upstairs to see the Christus Statue and took a quick picture with our old, missionary, friend. Then we took a little time to check out the rest of the visitor's center, including the humanitarian exhibits and scripture exhibits.


Daddy and Jocey checking out the Jerusalem display


Sister Mehan (Sara's old roommate from BYU), Mommy, and Jocey


The Christus


Jocey checking out one of the humanitarian displays


"She's got the whole world, in her hands..." - this is a Bible/Book of Mormon display in the basement of the visitor's center with books from every language in the world

Next, we headed outside to check out the Tabernacle, Assembly Hall, and other monuments on Temple Square.


Mommy and Jocey at the Assembly Hall


Jocey with the handcart memorial


Mommy and Jocey at the fountain outside the South Visitor's Center - this is the visitor's center where Grandma and Grandpa Cook first met! Grandpa Cook worked here as a tour guide after his mission.


The Yates Family at the Priesthood Monument - this monument depicts the return of the Melchezedik Priesthood to the earth through Peter, James, and John to Joseph Smith.

For lunch, we hit up the Lion House Pantry. This was Jon's first time there and boy did he get a treat - clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, steamed vegis, famous homemade rolls and honey butter, and to top it off, french silk pie. OH YUMMY! After that, we were headed over to the church office building to show Jocey where Grandma Cook used to work and check out the observation deck. When we were walking toward the building, I noticed a familiar face, but wasn't quite sure if I was just seeing a look alike. As we got closer, the man, who was on the phone, said, "Oh my gosh, I have to go, I'll call you right back." It was Fred Woods, a man who I worked for when I was attending Ricks College back in 1997-1999. I worked on the LDS Church Migration project under his direction. It was amazing to see him after so many years. He was able to meet Jon and Jocelynn. After a quick reunion, we headed into the building and up to the 26th floor to look out over the Salt Lake Valley.


Daddy and Jocey on top of the Church Office Building, looking towards the Utah State Capitol Building


Jocey, looking down on Salt Lake


The Yates Family with the Salt Lake Temple in the background (still on top of the Church Office Building)


Looking down on Temple Square

We had decided that our morning was pretty eventful, and now we were headed over to the Gateway to meet up with some more friends. On our way to the car, we made a new friend:


Here's our photo op with Elder L. Tom Perry - he was very kind to stop and allow us to take a picture with him. Needless to say, we had a very eventful morning. We reconnected with two old friends, and made a new one. This was a very memorable visit to Temple Square.