On our trip back from Oregon and Washington we had to fly into Salt Lake City on Tuesday afternoon for a connecting flight to St. Louis. Unfortunately, our connection was cancelled due to mechanical problems and we ended up stranded for 36 hours in Utah (with twin 10-month olds). Note to Delta: You are in such big trouble with us.
So what are a UCC seminarian and his family to do when stranded in Salt Lake City? Tour Temple Square. This is the downtown city block where the Mormons have set-up their national shop. We visited the outside of their temple (non-Mormons aren’t allowed inside), walked through some truly beautiful gardens, toured their new convention center with its really breathtaking roof-top garden and view of the mountains, and ate some pretty good food. Everyone we met on the tour was incredibly gracious and friendly. Neither Liz nor I had ever visited the city before. Theologically I have some rather profound differences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints (the official name of the denomination). We enjoyed our trip there regardless of any differences and hope that some time in the future we get to spend a little more time in Salt Lake City (maybe exploring the mountains). Since we often fly Delta there is a high degree of probability our wish will come true….
