Temples #31 and #32

As a reminder, Josh and I make it a point to visit temples when we travel. Or, perhaps, we travel to visit temples. Either way, we're pretty nerdy. So when we made to plans to visit Boston over Spring Break, we decided to tack on NYC as well so we could go to two temples instead of just one. Plus, Josh has always wanted to see NYC. I, the jaded overtraveller, have already been to Boston and NYC, so it was cute to see how excited Josh was when I was mostly "meh."

Temple #31: Boston

It was a cold, blustery day, so I didn't stay long for many pictures. The Boston temple has an interesting history. It was dedicated in 2000 without a spire because the neighbors filed a lawsuit that was heard by the Massachusetts Supreme Court. Previously, a judge had ruled that a steeple was not a necessary element of  a temple, but the MSC ruled that no one could dictate religious architecture necessity. On September 21, 2001, the angel Moroni was set atop the temple. 

The spire:

From the back:

Another interesting thing about this temple is that the distribution center is built underneath, which is the first I've ever seen like that:

The Distribution Center

Surprisingly, though the Boston temple is gorgeous from outside, it is relatively plain on the inside. Also, I asked a temple worker whether they were relatively busy, and she said that they sometimes had to cancel sessions during the week, though they were usually full on the weekends. So, if you're from the Boston area, you should attend the temple more often during the week.

The Celestial room was interesting because it's positioned like a long hall, with a little faux balcony that runs the perimeter of the room, with 12 little chandeliers. 

Temple #32: Manhattan 

The Manhattan temple is pretty amazing, since it sits on the crossroads of two very busy streets: 65th and Broadway, and across from Lincoln Center. It was an existing building, used as a meetinghouse, stake center, and offices, but then dedicated as a temple in 2004. It's so tiny! The temple areas are on the first (baptistry), fourth, fifth, and sixth floors. It's the first temple I've been in where you have to take an elevator. 

The angel Moroni:

I love how temples reflect the local area. In this temple, the door handles are made to look like the torch of the Statue of Liberty. Also, the elevator is carved with wooden beehives.

All of the walls are soundproof, which makes being there pretty amazing because you really can't hear anything from the outside. Also, there are stained-glass windows throughout and it looks like light is coming through them, but it has to be artificial since the windows aren't actual windows (they aren't connected to the outside). It makes you feel like you're really close to the outside when you're not.

I think that the Manhattan temple is my new favorite.