During my last visit to Salt Lake City, I spent a day at Temple Square. The Square is located in the heart of Salt Lake City and includes a number of interesting buildings such as the Salt Lake Temple, the Tabernacle, the Assembly Hall, the Visitor Centers and the nearby LDS Conference Center. With the exception of the Temple itself, photography is welcome in all of these facilities. The inside of the Temple is off limits as the church considers it to be sacred and requires a "temple recommend"--which I didn't have.

At first, I captured images of the Salt Lake Temple from the outside. There are two reflecting pools nearby.

Salt Lake TempleTowers of the Salt Lake Temple in Temple Square in Salt Lake City on August 16, 2013. The Salt Lake Temple is the largest of more than 140 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This photograph consists of three exposures blended together using HDR Efex Pro2 software to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image.

I wasn't sure what to expect as I entered the Tabernacle. But, I was told that I was free to take as many photographs of whatever I wanted--a message that was repeated in every building that I entered! Unlike so many other venues, my tripod wasn't a problem either. Later, I would return to the Tabernacle on a free guided tour. The building has a fascinating history and amazing acoustics. While all of us sat in the back pews, the guide stood at the podium. She slowly tore a single piece paper. Then, she dropped a pin on the floor. We could hear both of those things very clearly!

TabernacleThe Tabernacle on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on August 16, 2013. This photograph consists of three exposures blended together using HDR Efex Pro2 software to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image. Next, I came across the Assembly Hall. Once again, I was greeted by a missionary who encouraged my photography. The Assembly Hall was relatively crowded, but the building cleared as soon as the Organ Recital started at the nearby Tabernacle. This provided me with an opportunity to capture photographs of the Assembly Hall without anybody in the frame. My plan was to take some pictures and then to join the Organ Recital in progress. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the Tabernacle doors are locked once the recital starts to avoid distractions. So, I missed the recital--and would later miss my opportunity to hear the Tabernacle Choir!

Assembly HallThe Assembly Hall (1880) in Temple Square in Salt Lake City on August 16, 2013. This photograph consists of three exposures blended together using HDR EFex Pro2 software to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image. While visiting the Assembly Hall, a missionary told me about the LDS Conference Center located across the street from Temple Square. Apparently, the LDS Conference Center houses the largest auditorium in the World. The building has a park on its roof and a waterfall on its side. It's a stunning building. I was a little hesitant to visit since a guide is required to access the building. Later, I would learn why the guide was necessary.

I entered the building and asked if I could view the auditorium. Before long, a guide was assigned to me and two other visitors. The guide brought the three of us to the viewing area. The auditorium is certainly impressive, but the perspective from the viewing area isn't the best for photography. I asked if it would be possible for me to move down to the floor.

AuditoriumAuditorium in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Conference Center in Salt Lake City on August 16, 2013. It contains a 21,000-seat auditorium with a 7,667-pipe organ and no visible support beams. This photograph consists of five exposures blended together using HDR Efex Pro2 software to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image. AuditoriumAuditorium in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Conference Center in Salt Lake City on August 16, 2013. It contains a 21,000-seat auditorium with a 7,667-pipe organ and no visible support beams. This photograph consists of three exposures blended together using HDR Efex Pro2 software to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image. The other two visitors left. I now had a personal guide for the rest of my visit. I suspected that my guide, a former bishop in the church, would try to "convert" me! My guide was clearly very proud of the facility. Mostly, he provided information about the history and architecture of the site.

Next, he asked me if I would like to go up on the roof of the building. The roof houses a beautiful park--including trees and grasses and lots of water. While up there, I captured a photograph of downtown Salt Lake City:

Downtown Salt Lake CityDowntown Salt Lake City from the roof of the LDS (Latter Day Saints) Conference Center in Salt Lake City on August 16, 2013. He then showed me an overwhelming amount of beautiful and historic paintings and sculptures. These paintings are just hanging on the wall with little evident security--hence the guide.

During my nearly 3 hour visit, I asked several questions about the Mormon religion. Or, as I learned during my visit, the religion is better referred to as the Latter Day Saints. I'm always interested in different religions and was (probably still am) ignorant of the Latter Day Saints. As I asked these questions, my guide (a prior bishop of the Church) always started his reply by telling me that the only reason he was talking about the religion is because I was asking. He said it wasn't the purpose of the tour to "push" his religion--but that he would be happy to discuss it if that was my preference. I enjoyed my visit with the guide very much. He respects my religious views and I respect his--and we had a great time that afternoon in Salt Lake City.

After my visit to the LDS Conference Center, I returned to Temple Square and went to the Visitor Center to learn some more about the religion. Like all of the other buildings I visited, the Visitor Centers (there are two on the Square) are immaculate. It requires a great deal of attention to keep everything so clean. For example, I noticed that people came by to clean the outside water fountains on a regular basis.

Adam and EveAdam and Eve sculpture and exhibit at the North Visitors Center in Temple Square in Salt Lake City on August 16, 2013. Jesus sculptureSculpture of Jesus in the North Visitors Center in Temple Square in Salt Lake City on August 16, 2013. This photograph consists of three exposures blended together using HDR Efex Pro2 software to create a high dynamic range (HDR) image.

As my visit to Salt Lake City was coming to a close, I was disappointed that I didn't have time to capture photographs of the city from the top of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Office building. I was told that a guide would take me anywhere in the office building that I wished--and that once again I was free to take photographs of whatever I wished.

Office buidingThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints office building at 50 E North Temple Street in Salt Lake City on August 15, 2013 I was also disappointed that I wasn't able to stay in Salt Lake City for one more day as the Tabernacle Choir was performing (for free) the next day at the LDS Conference Center.  Maybe next time...