Temples of Learning

One of the distinct features of BYU life is that everything is gospel oriented. We are encouraged to be “disciple-scholars” (Or, as Christie, Mikayla, and I put it – “Discible-Scholar-Warriors in training” which is almost straight out of a Jackie Chan movie…don’t ask). This includes class prayers, the Honor Code, referencing scriptures within lessons, bearing testimony, and all the other wonderful things that happen down here at BYU. This experience is absolutely amazing and, even after a solid week, I’m still feeling like this feeling of excited euphoria won’t subside. It is just so wonderful here!

Now, I titled this post very specifically. The title is straight from accounts of BYU way back in the day when it was only BYA (Brigham Young Academy). University presidents saw in vision “countless temples of learning covering temple hill.” Well, it’s true – there are temples of learning here, my favorite of which is the Joseph Fielding Smith Building. If you ever have an afternoon, come down to the JFSB just to see it. Modern design, cascading waterfalls in the courtyard, plate glass windows, and the interior is dead silent (more quiet than the library, actually), with part of the second floor a shrine to the early saints and Joseph Fielding Smith himself. Nate and I count it as our favorite building simply because it feels like a temple when you’re there. Quite remarkable when it should really just be a building by any other standard.

Nate and I have a favorite wall too. It’s part of one of the engineering buildings, I believe. The south wall of this building has figures of men, women, and children essentially as gods, using engineering to create worlds and universes. But it’s all in Art Deco style, which really emphasizes man’s potential for greatness and underscores the visual meaning and appeal of the images cast there.

I’ll post pictures when I remember to bring my camera to the JFSB. It really is a temple of learning, though, and I love it.