The Jerusalem Center

After hearing an uplifting and humorous talk by Dean and Susan Madsen, we collapse into bed while they are taken to the airport.  As a parting gift, Susan gave us her book, The Second Rescue:  The Story of the Spiritual Rescue of the Willie and Martin Handcart Pioneers.  This book recounts the events around the discovery by the Riverton Wyoming Stake Presidency that the temple work had not been done for those who perished on that trek before reaching Utah.  Carl and I are very interested in this because of our involvement with the 1997 Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Westward Migration of the Church from Nauvoo to Utah.  (We organized the reenactment which was held on the BYU campus.) The Riverton Wyoming stake was able to trace all those who died and see that 4,200 temple ordinances were done in their behalf.  It is a treasure to receive an autographed copy by the very author who was able to capture all the events related to this great episode in seeing the Lord’s hand in the lives of His people in this present day.

As we awake the next morning, we look out at the beautiful scenes that surround us.  The Temple Mount, the walls surrounding Jerusalem, and the BYU Jerusalem Center itself.  How marvelous that on this outstanding piece of property the church was able to bring about this building and all it stands for.  Look closely at the middle of this picture.  You will see an arches on a building. That is the Jerusalem Center. 


Here we are looking out the window into the city. 
















We are overcome with the beauty of the Jerusalem Center and the quality of its workmanship.  The architecture reflects this very land and stone at every vantage point.  The windows in the large hall give a view of the whole of Jerusalem both day and night.  It is breathtaking.  Inside the stone, the woodwork, and the light that enters in everywhere reflects holiness.  






When you stand on the outside looking into the building through the large windows, the glorious organ just turns your heart to heaven.  Then when you enter in and hear the music played by world renown, Walter Whipple, it goes beyond words.

Here we are meeting Eran Hyet.  He is the local Director of the Jerusalem Center.  He is very astute in what he does--negotiating between the needs of students, the Center personnel, the country demands and restrictions, etc.  He is Hebrew and works alongside many who within the center are Arabs.  It is a wondrous balance.  

Next we join in a Pray Meeting with the Center couples who lead tours, care for the medical and physical needs of the students, watch over financial needs, support humanitarian needs, etc.  

Then we party with the rest of them at a going away party for the Allens.  Food like you wouldn't believe.  And of course, following which we collapse into bed, again!