Moroni in Manhattan

When President Hinckley announced a "New York" temple during a 2002 regional conference, attendees mistakenly assumed he was talking about an area 22 miles north of the upper west side. But the Manhattan temple was dedicated two years later. White Plains is still waiting.

Branch attendees with sister missionaries

Our first temple sighting was on July 4th. One month later we are escorting a group of young adults back via the Queensboro Bridge and Central Park. The temple has its own parking. It is not free, but offers a significant patron discount.

Following Plainview Branch custom, we first strolled around the park, watching vendors, horse-buggies, pedicarts, cyclists and pedestrians. I thought I saw Lennie Brisco crime scenes around every corner. 

Eventually we came upon the Strawberry Fields memorial.

The "Imagine" mosaic offered an abrupt contrast to our religious purposes. The Dakota, scene of Mr. Lennon's murder, is immediately across the street. Both are situated only a few blocks from the temple - a place of spiritual hope for those beyond the veil.  I studied the mosaic and remembered a part of the song:



Ayrton "Gary" Ferreria dos Santos Jr.

The "Mayor" of Strawberry Fields

"Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
. . . .
And no religion too"

 

 

 

__________________

The entrance is unassuming, but Manhattan's high-rise temple offers a sharp spiritual divide. 

As a "stacked" temple there is an economc use of space. Unique sound-proofing is incorporated into the design. Door hardware displays a Statue of Liberty motif. I appreciated the paintings near the font commemorating baptisms in the Jordan and Susquehanna rivers. We hope to return soon. The temple president offered to buy lunch next time if the youth each bring a family name.