The Denver Temple

Did you know that the Denver Temple isn't technically in Denver? It's in Littleton, or should I say Centennial. I guess there was a redrawing of city lines not to long ago. The point is, it doesn't matter. It is known as the Denver Temple. (Just a little discussion I had with a distant cousin of mine.)

Noah and Zoe thought it was really cool to see another Temple and discuss how it is different from the "Castle Temple" (Salt Lake), Grandma's Temple (Sacramento), and where Mommy and Daddy got married (Oakland). We should have planned our visit better and not gone at the end of the day, when we had spent a good portion of it at the Zoo, or the day after traveling. The kids weren't the most cooperative and Noah had a major meltdown. But at the time we didn't know if we'd be down that way again before the end of the week. So, unfortunately we didn't get to do all the exploring I would have liked to do.

I really can't blame Noah all that much, he had a very valid point and argument that led to his meltdown. The church has this habit of making the Temple grounds so beautiful and inviting. Full of trees, grass, flowers, fountains, and sometimes statues. Often resembling nice parks, without the play structures. Well this particular Temple has a very nice grassy area. It is large and sloped just right. Very inviting for a child. The perfect area for running around. We tried to explain to him that it was the Temple grounds and we needed to be reverent and not run around. He insisted that it was just grass and not the Temple grounds. However, he is now 6 and thinks he knows everything. He went back and forth with his Dad several times, they even had a private discussion. Nothing seemed to work. We were going to try and walk around really fast before they started locking everything up. Somehow Noah tripped on his own feet, blaming it on his Dad, and the tears and screaming started. Being totally embarrassed at this point we headed back to the car and called it a night.

I have to admit he had a very valid point. The Temple didn't touch the grass in any way. It was on the other side of the fountain, several steps, and a road (driveway). So, how could it be the Temple grounds?

Kids, you gotta love them.

A few more Temple pictures: