Sept. 28, 2001--
The number one tourist destination in our state is
getting a bit of an overhaul-- that's Temple Square.
Religion Specialist Carole Mikita reports.
Construction is still underway but almost complete.
Five million people come to Temple Square every
year and pass through the visitors' centers.
There are two
reasons to hurry with the finishing touches-- next
weekend's General Conference, and the Olympics.
The first new exhibit visitors will see in the North
Center, is a replica of the city of Jerusalem, circa
34 A.D., with audio explanation, and downstairs
displays of prophets from the Old Testament to the
present day.
The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints hosted a media tour this morning to
show the changes, some of which are still under
construction.
Church leaders say this was not done
specifically for the Olympics but it was good timing.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles/"AS WE LOOKED AT
DOING THIS, WE REALIZED THE WINTER
OLYMPICS WERE COMING, WE HASTENED
OUR EFFORTS TO GET IT DONE. BUT WE
WOULD HAVE DONE IT IRREGARDLESS OF
THE OLYMPICS."
Of the 5- million people who visit Temple Square
every year, a million of them are from foreign
countries. This new hands-on approach, church
leaders say, makes these centers more user friendly.
Elder Charles Didier, Exec. Dir.
Missionary Dept./"THE INTERACTIVE
INSTRUMENTS THAT WE'RE USING
WILL HELP, BECAUSE THEY CAN CHOSE
WHATEVER THEY LIKE. THEY CAN
SPEND MORE TIME IN ONE SPOT THAN
ANOTHER, ACCORDING TO THEIR
DESIRES."
Carole Mikita, reporting/"Elder Oaks
says there was a lot of discussion
on what to do in this section of
the South Visitors' Center with
displays. And as they looked out
the window they realized it
really needed nothing but this
view."
The emphasis here is on the Salt Lake Temple, it's
history, construction, and those displays then lead to
family history and an invitation for visitors to trace their
own genealogy.
So, is there a need for increased
security to Utah's number one tourist destination, in
the light of recent tragic events?
"WE'LL DO WHAT'S NECESSARY FOR THE
SAFETY OF OUR VISITORS. WE'RE
STUDYING THAT VERY CAREFULLY ALONG
WITH EVERY OTHER INSTITUTION IN THE
UNITED STATES THAT HAS LARGE
NUMBERS OF PEOPLE VISITING."
Both the North and South visitors' centers will reopen
Friday, Oct. 5th.
