Our family roots run deep.
The designers of the Rome temple decided on the basic shape for the temple known as the "Vesica Pices". This icon of a fish was a visual reference to the Greek title “Jesus Christ, Son of God, and Savior”. The design of carpets, chandeliers, and walkways in the garden reflect this shape, and is repeated over and over throughout the temple and the entire temple site.
Additionally, in the first century after the death and resurrection of Jesus, one way to covertly identify fellow Christian converts was to draw the icon in the dirt. That outline of a fish is shown in upper left and right of this image along with the oval shape in the background.
The statue of Christ is shown in high relief since he is at the very center and purpose of all temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Peter and Paul are demonstrated as sentinels at the entrance of the temple. The reason for this is that although the Scriptures do not record the deaths of Peter or Paul, it has been said that they went to Rome as missionaries and were martyred at the command of the Emperor Nero and buried there.
Wise Men Still Seek Him
The Pieta by Michelangelo in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy
The Toledo Monstrance:
Defined as one of the greatest jewels of Christianity, the Monstrance is housed in the Toledo, Spain cathedral. Its creator, German master Enrique de Arfe took seven years to build, between 1514 and 1524 (500 years ago) . Scenes from the life of the Savior are illustrated in relief. Keep in mind, the first bible printed was in Mainz, Germany in 1455, just 60 years earlier.
The Monstrance is 8.2 feet tall and weighs more than 440 pounds (over 200 pounds of silver and almost 40 pounds of gold), and contains 260 statuettes, placed under canopies or small embossed vaults. Enrique de Arfe not only left the finished jewel; he also wrote a manual on how to dismantle and reassemble the 5,600 pieces that compose it by means of the corresponding 12,500 screws, which has served on several occasions for its cleaning and restoration, the last one in 2002.
The Monstrance is housed in a bullet proof glass case. My original photos of it contain reflections from the glass and supports which distracted from it's beauty. This image took some time to develop in order to remove the distractions.
Coming Around the Bend. Segovia, Spain
Moon Backdrop
A Road Less Traveled
Early Morning Hunt
Minimalism
Lunar Eclipse Progress - May 15, 2022
Island for All Seasons
Cast at Sunset
The Garden of Gethsemane
Don't Sit on the Fence Too Long
John 21:5-6
Stockholm Street
Mid 40's Vintage
Rome Temple
In Rome Temple Visitors Center
Across the River in Salzburg
Stockholm Temple
Southwestern Bavaria, Germany
Rothenberg, Germany
Frankfurt Temple
On March 29, 1942, Allied forces bombed the city of Lübeck in Germany. Lübeck was the first German city to be attacked by a massive Royal Air Force air raid. By the time the bombing raids were done, the RAF had dropped 400 tons of bombs and destroyed or damaged more than half the buildings in Lübeck. One structure that sustained extreme damage was St. Mary’s church. But one feature of the church was never repaired: the bells.
During the bombing, the church bells fell from nearly 400 feet and crashed into the floor. Today the church has been rebuilt, but the bells remain exactly as they fell and remain as a stark reminder of the destruction of war.
Florence, Italy -- Florence is known as the "cradle of the Renaissance" for its monuments, churches, and buildings. The best-known site of Florence is the domed cathedral of the city, Santa Maria del Fiore, known as The Duomo. It was begun in 1296 and was structurally completed by 1436. Florence contains numerous museums, art galleries, some of the world's most important works of art, and no detracting skyscrapers or high rise buildings.
Versailles Palace, France
Madrid Temple
The Forum - Rome
Versailles Palace, France
Both in Rocky Mountain National Park