Jabari Parker - Life as a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the NBA

Photographs courtesy of Molly Peterson

At 6 feet 8 inches tall, when Jabari Parker entered the chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pittsburgh, it was evident that the distinguished guest speaker had arrived at the fireside. A fireside is an evening gathering of members of the Church and friends, usually characterized by a speaker of interest. In tonight's case, a missionary serving in Pittsburgh named Elder - a title for missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Caden Judd, had invited Jabari to visit and share his experiences with an audience of young single adults. Elder Judd had grown up with Jabari, and all it took was a phone call from his lifetime friend to get Jabari on a plane headed to the 'Burgh. When Jabari walked up to the front stand of the chapel, he looked each man and woman seated in the eye and shook their hands. Not one person was left out.

What struck me about Jabari was at first his soft spoken humility, then his streetwise application of the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jabari was raised on the South Side of Chicago, in the notorious Oakland neighborhood, ironically the same name of the Pittsburgh neighborhood where he was now addressing an audience as the VIP. Jabari was born to a mother who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a father who was not a member, but attended weekly. His father is a former NBA player. According to Jabari, his family was there for him while growing up. With all of the negative influences around him in his home neighborhood, Jabari also found refuge and direction in the Church. His Bishop, who was Caden Judd's father, allowed him to practice basketball at the Church's facilities. Jabari felt the positive influence of his religion as he honed his skills daily at the chapel basketball court.

By the time he was in the 6th grade, Jabari was 6 feet tall. His incredible skill put him ahead of his peers. As a freshman in high school he was invited to play on the varsity team. His success continued, and by the age of 17 he was featured in Sports Illustrated as the best high school basketball player since LeBron James.

At 19, Jabari Parker was the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. 

The public continues to be fascinated by his humility, his faith, and his practice of that faith. His basketball career is not more important to him than his relationship with God. "Basketball is what I do. It's not who I am". He does things like renting out an entire movie theater to treat 120 Milwaukee kids to see Black Panther, paying also for their snacks and transportation.

The audience at the fireside was captivated as he shared his feelings. He was asked about how he reacts when he sees so many around him not living right. He said he does not pay much attention to others - his battle is within himself. Metaphorically: "You eat what you eat, and I eat what I eat". He does not impose himself upon others. He said that the hardest thing about the NBA was the "outside noise". He turns off the negative then turns on the positive and focuses on it. He doesn't want to talk about and laugh at others, and he doesn't think he is "hot stuff". When asked how he grew to be humble, he said that he does not think that what he does is amazing. He does not seek attention. He treats someone who is important and someone who is not important in the same way.

Jabari believes that things are what you think they are. He feels that he and God have been able to do some things together. He does not feel that he is perfect, and he tries to give people the benefit of the doubt. He believes that he is no more and no less than anyone else. He lives the principle of the parable of the rich young ruler, who was asked to give up everything he had for the Lord. A painting of this parable hangs in his home.

He believes in keeping the Sabbath day holy, and chooses to stay in his home on Sunday when he is not at mandatory basketball practice. His coach gears practice around his Church schedule so that he may worship. He has torn his anterior cruciate ligament twice in the NBA, and when asked what he did to get through the normally career ending injuries, it was prayer that helped his patience. Having faith got him through. He explained that prayer is very important, and puts the things inside of us into words. If he was to meet God, he would ask him "How am I doing so far?" He emphasized that mistakes are allowable through God.

When asked how he feels about education and more particularly homework for kids, he said "Get it done, so you can go play!". A part of Jabari's name is after Muhammad Ali. His middle name is Ali, and Jabari lives by the saying coined by Ali: "Service to to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth".

He believes we need to give ourselves praise, and love and please ourselves. "The way we think can really change things". If Jabari were to give any advice it would be to "Keep doin' you!". The news media may twist his words, but he remembers who he is.

Jabari Parker's simple, straightforward, and often profound answers inspired all. Basketball has not been much of an interest in my world in the last decade or two. The Pittsburgh sports of hockey, baseball, and football have dominated what little time and interest I have in the subject. After hearing Jabari's stories you can bet I will be tuned in to see this fascinating talent on the basketball court. But it won't be his moves that inspire me. It will be knowing what I now know about him - that God is the head coach of his life, and that if he were to see me again, he would treat me the same as he does an important sports news anchor or the queen of a nation. That's just Jabari - focused on what matters most: His relationship with God, and the kind treatment of others. Fan for life!

Who is this remarkable woman? Read more about Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, member of the United Kingdom House of Lords, founder of AMAR Foundation, and awardee of an honorary Doctor of International Leadership and Humanitarian Service from Brigham Young University.

Photo by Molly Peterson

The audience hushed as Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne began her acceptance speech for an honorary doctorate at Brigham Young University's recent commencement ceremonies. With heartfelt expressions of gratitude and words of compassion about the world's forgotten, she captivated the crowd. Her beautiful British dialect and countenance alone convinced all that she was someone extraordinary. One of Britain's best-known politicians, she also has a long-standing relationship with many leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Holland said of her "She has embraced wholeheartedly the Savior's teaching that if [we] have done it unto the least of those among us, we have done it unto Him". Elder Holland was invited to speak at Windsor Castle in September of 2016 to a conference on religious persecution and forced migration. Additionally, in 2015, he addressed a group at the UK Parliament on humanitarian efforts. Baroness Nicholson addressed BYU that same year.

Among her many other accomplishments, the Baroness founded the AMAR Foundation 25 years ago, which provides aid and public support for refugees and displaced persons in the Middle East. AMAR stands for Assisting Marsh Arabs and Refugees. The word amar also translates as "the builder" in some Arabic dialects, reminding people of the Foundation's central mission of rebuilding lives. In the words of Sister Sharon Eubank, first counselor in the general presidency of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "Baroness Nicholson is an absolutely fearless advocate for people who have no one else to speak for them...she has used her position and platform to shut down human trafficking, increase protections of religious rights, and to open doors for families caught in conflict. Her work in the marshlands of Iraq attracted the attention of the Church's humanitarian organization, LDS Charities".  For the past 8 years, LDS Charities together with AMAR has worked to build health clinics and schools, and help victims of sexual violence in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Particularly touching in Baroness Nicholson's speech was her recollection of a child she encountered in a small front line hospital in Mosul, Iraq. She had just supervised equipping the hospital with every possible need to help those injured. She saw a tiny boy around two or three years of age, miserable, completely silent and motionless, sitting on one of the beds that had just been delivered. What had happened? Why had the boy distanced himself so completely from people? His mother pointed to his scalp of black hair, where there were patches of bare skin. She said that ISIL (Iraqi terrorist organization) had come in and picked the child up by the hair and swung him around like a toy, again and again. He hadn't spoken since. A nearby cameraman gently leaned forward and took a picture of the child. He turned his camera around and let the child see the picture. The boy's eyes caught his own face. He looked, and suddenly, he smiled. In Baroness Nicholson's words "A wonderful moment to remind us all that saving just one life - giving that little boy hope - is worth all of the effort we can put in."

"Count me in as one of you," said this woman of great achievement and compassion to the audience. What an honor to do so, and as a Church, what a statement our relationship with her is to promoting interfaith partnerships that help our world become a more peaceful and humane place for all mankind.

Photographs from "An American-Born Faith: Writings from the First Century of Mormonism" exhibition at the Free Library of Philadelphia

In this third article on the exhibition of historical writings by and about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, photographs from the exhibit as well as other photographs from the Free Library of Philadelphia's Rare Book Department are shown. The exhibition is found at the Parkway Central branch, the heart of the Free Library system in Philadelphia. It is a beautiful Beaux-Arts style building located at 1901 Vine Street on Logan Circle, just down the street from the Philadelphia Temple. It is wonderful to see the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints showcased at this institution, which houses one of the world's preeminent collections of rare books, artifacts, and manuscripts. Allison Freyermuth, head of the Rare Book Department, provided the tour.

Photographs by Molly Peterson

 A view of the Free Library of Philadelphia from Vine Street. The Philadelphia Temple can be see far right

 Front banners about the exhibition 

 Early guidebook for visiting teachers and missionaries

  Coinage associated with the early Church

  An account from western traveler John Wesley Clampitt, who shared observations of early Mormon settlers 

A rare copy of the Book of Mormon in the Hawaiian language 

 Books that taught reading by the curious phonetic "Deseret alphabet", invented for new converts who did not speak English

 The Story of the Book of Mormon, by Elder George Reynolds

 Photograph of Brigham Young on a collectible card used for trading, similar to today's baseball cards 

 The exhibition is found in the William B. Dietrich Gallery of the Rare Book Department

The next photographs are from other exhibits in the Rare Book Department

 One of many in a lovely collection of original Beatrix Potter art and books

 Carta executoria, late 16th century manuscript. These writings were issued in the name of the current king to provide certain people with nobility 

 Puppet hornbook - used to hold a "horn", which was bone, wood, or other material on which was written school lessons for children 

Hornbook

 Charles Dickens' taxidermy of his pet raven "Grip"

 Section of the 62 foot long Georgian style room in the Rare Book Department, bequested by heirs of William McIntire Elkins, who donated his entire book collection and other treasures to the Free Library 

 Giant globe in the Elkins room

The desk of Charles Dickens, part of the Elkins bequest

General Sunday School President Tad R. Callister Gives Inspired Counsel at Training Fireside Hosted by the Pittsburgh Stake

Photo courtesy of LDS Media Library © 2015 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

General Sunday School President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Tad R. Callister

What a rare blessing it was to hear direction on teaching in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Sunday School general president. Nothing is so frequently used and needed in the functions of the gospel as inspired teaching. Brother Callister's warmth and candid words left little room for interpretation of the Lord's direction in this regard. He allowed the spirit to speak through the voices and hearts of the audience as well as himself, which gave special life to his presentation. A note on Brother Callister's title - he is referred to as Brother due to the fact that he is a Church general auxiliary leader. When he was a Seventy, he was referred to as Elder. 

By way of background information, Brother Callister was serving in the Presidency of the Seventy and as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy when he was called as Sunday School general president. He has served in a number of Church callings including full-time missionary in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission, bishop, stake president, regional representative, mission president, and Area Seventy. He received a bachelor of science degree in accounting from Brigham Young University, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master’s degree in tax law from New York University Law School. He spent most of his professional career practicing tax law. He and his wife Kathryn Louise Saporiti are the parents of six children. He has also authored a number of outstanding gospel related books, among which are the classic "The Infinite Atonement", his newest, "The Blueprint of Christ's Church", and "The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration".

Brother Callister began his address by reflecting on his time serving a mission in the Pittsburgh area. He has real roots here. He then gave an overview of the new Church resource "Teaching in the Savior's Way". This book shares 20 teaching principles that can be the basis for teacher council meetings, which are to be led by a member of the ward Sunday School presidency. Such meetings are a time when teachers can share successes, problems, and principles together. One audience member asked "How long will the Church continue to have these meetings?" There is not an end planned. Ward auxiliary presidencies are to train new teachers in their organizations, and this book is a resource to help those auxiliary presidencies in doing so. They will sit down with the teacher for 45 minutes to an hour and give vision and instruction. Brother Callister then shared some things to look forward to in regards to curriculum in the years to come. 

Teaching should be by the spirit so that it inspires class members to be more Christlike. Some think they can't do it. Whom the Lord calls the Lord qualifies. By weak and simple things...the keystone to being a better teacher is to be humble and rely on Christ. Elder Groberg once said to a stake president: "There are many revelations waiting for you". Inherent in every calling is the right to receive revelation to help magnify that calling.

"There is no doubt that if a person lives according to the revelations given to God's people, he may have the spirit of the Lord to signify to him his will and to guide and to direct him in the discharge of his duties...I am satisfied, however, that in this respect, we live far beneath our privileges" (Brigham Young).

Brother Callister then asked how we might live that we can receive revelation. One audience member said to "Live worthy". Another shared "Love the people". The Savior spoke to people as individuals: "I'm praying for you Peter, that your faith won't fail you". Joseph Smith was the master receiver of revelation because he was the master asker. What is appropriate to ask? What kinds of things would help teachers touch the hearts of the people they teach? One audience member said to ask help for their students' testimonies.  Dixie Thielet said to ask for help in conveying that the gospel is exciting! An idea shared by Brother Callister to make teaching exciting was to give class members a "spiritual trailer" of sorts. A missionary he knew not only told an investigator to read 3 Nephi 11 in the Book of Mormon, but that missionary explained the scriptural passage and the amazing events surrounding the coming of Christ to the Nephites and how God spoke to them, "Do you know what he told them to do?" Read the part that I underlined to find out!

The more specific we are about prayer, the more specific will be God's blessings to us. Revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge - this is the revelation that teacher's have. A video example was given for auxiliary presidents to help them teach. The gift to teach must be earned. The Savior was a teacher, and he should be our ideal. His image can become engraven on our countenances. We teach what we are. Our conduct may determine whether his words are accepted or rejected. There should be deep regard for what he taught and how he taught, for Christ was the master teacher. Brother Callister asked for comments on important principals. Cynthia Greathouse said we need humility. Another sister said that we are teaching who we are - our words don't hold value unless we are living them. "You can't fake the spirit". The audience contributed these thoughts: When our countenance reflects Christ's countenance, people will trust us. It's okay to aspire to be like him.

Brother Callister counseled to read the scripture block for a lesson before reading outside commentaries. Read the scripture, ponder, and seek revelation first. "If you are familiar with it, it will come back to you". One sister shared that she feels that reading the Pinterest versions of lessons blocks our own personal revelation. Brother Callister said to seek our own revelation before others'. Another resource or commentary can never predict the questions that will be asked in class. (As we study the actual passage, God can inspire us with a certain part of it that we may need to know to answer a question one of our students may ask). So much comes out of the original scriptures. Get information from the head of the river, so to speak, before the cattle have trodden through it. Don't go to the commentary for the answer. Think it through yourself first, then consult the commentary. Brother Callister found that when he did this, sometimes he would get things that were the same as the commentators, and sometimes he would get a customized answer. Spend the bulk of preparation time on the scriptures.

So what could be better than spending from 1 to 3 in the afternoon on Saturday preparing for our Sunday lessons? Prepare at least a week early, and ponder the lesson. Brother Callister repeated to prepare at least a week in advance. If we start early enough we give the Lord time to inspire us, and also we have a chance to assign readings to class members. If we have very little time but do the best we can with what time we do have, the Lord will still help. Record spiritual impressions. Elder Richard G. Scott told Brother Callister to record every single spiritual impression he had when he was called to be stake president. Why is it so critical to record spiritual impressions when they come? We show God that we value them. The Lord gives us counsel and sometimes we roll our eyes! "Knowledge carefully recorded is knowledge available in time of need". This practice enhances the likelihood of one receiving further light. A little seed of spiritual knowledge can become a great redwood. Joseph Smith said that if we fail to write what God has told us, the spirit could withdraw, and there would be "A vast knowledge of infinite importance which is now lost".

Brother Callister said to teach the doctrine with the spirit. Doctrine has an inherent power. (Doctrine is the word of God as found in the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets and apostles - lds.org). Boyd K. Packer said that "the study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior". If you teach the doctrine, the spirit will come". Doctrine counters falsehood. A story was shared about an elder who wanted to go home from his mission because he felt that he had failed in explaining a gospel concept to someone. The mission president told him to go to his apartment and study the doctrine on his perceived failure for a time period, then tell him what he learned. The elder did this, and no longer wanted to go home because he learned the doctrine of the situation. Doctrine counters falsehood. The purpose of the Holy Ghost is to bear witness of the doctrine that we teach. Joseph F. Smith said not to substitute your testimony for the needed discourse of instruction. The course of instruction is the meat of the learning experience for a class.

The question was asked of the audience: "What is an inspired lesson?" One audience member said "To help our class members learn the doctrine and live it". Using questions that begin with why or how is teaching more like the Master. Ask inspired questions. Lead inspired discussions. Teachers do not need to rush - just cover the most important things. Remember that a discussion is a means, not an end. Discussions are successful if they help the learner to understand and live the gospel. A teacher is not the facilitator of a discussion! The discussion is just a component. A teacher gives instruction and doctrine. A teacher know his or her students. A teacher uses stories, art, and music to enhance his or her words. A teacher reaches to less active members of the church. Neal A. Maxwell compared teaching to belonging to a big army. When a soldier walks past artillery and digs a foxhole, for that spot, he is the army. When we go into the classroom, we are the Church. Strive to be the most influential teacher we can be!

Photo by Molly Peterson

Left to Right: Brother Tad R. Callister, the Pittsburgh Stake Presidency: First Counselor President Ron E. Paul, Stake President Erich B. Peterson, Second Counselor President George P. Cavalier, and Elder S. Marc Clay of the Seventy 

Interview with Allison Freyermuth, Curator of Historical Exhibition on Mormonism at the Free Library of Philadelphia

Photo courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia

Allison Freyermuth, Branch Head of the Rare Book Department at the Free Library of Philadelphia

Allison Freyermuth is head of the Rare Book Department at the Park Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. She curated a fabulous new exhibition at the Library entitled An American-born Faith: Writings from the First Century of Mormonism. The Library is steps away from the new Philadelphia Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In honor of the temple, this exhibition of rare writings has been created. It was truly a pleasure to speak with Allison and learn further insights about the exhibition, which will run through February 6, 2017. 

The Free Library of Philadelphia has 54 locations throughout the city, as well as the separate Rosenbach collection, which became an affiliate in 2013. This affiliation brought together two of the world's preeminent collections of rare books, artifacts, and manuscripts. "We are a huge system. The building that I am in, the main library - Parkway Central, was built in 1927. The rare book department has been where it is since 1949."  When asked about the mission of the Free Library, Allison shared: "As a public library we serve the community of Philadelphia by advancing literacy, guiding learning, and inspiring curiosity." Allison went on to describe the proximity of the Library to the Philadelphia Temple, and a surrounding building. "There is one building in between us - it used to be Family Court. It is the twin building to the Free Library - they are matching buildings. It's going to be turned into a boutique hotel - a very handsome building".

Photo by Jason Smith for Visit Philadelphia

Parkway Central Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia

Allison shared that many people had learned about the exhibit through social media. "We have had a huge amount of visitors. On Saturday we had over 100 people visiting the exhibit, which is amazing for us. We usually don't get that kind of traffic".

When asked about the acquisition of the pieces in the exhibition, Allison shared "Every single book in the exhibition is either owned by the Rare Book Department or the the Free Library itself. They were part of a circulating collection at one point, or they are from the Rosenbach Museum and Library collection. We borrowed one book from the University of Pennsylvania, I believe it is a Doctrine and Covenants from the 20's. About 17 items came from [the Rosenbach] collection, such as the Deseret Newspapers, a 1st edition Book of Mormon... and a little hymn book...there are around 70 items".
"We have an Americana Collection - some of the books came from that. Some came from the History of Books and Printing Collection - books that are printed in the Deseret Alphabet came from that. We have a very very extensive Children's Book Collection - some of the the primers came from that".

Part of the exhibition is traveler's descriptions of Mormon settlements and the faith. Allison tells us that Dr. Rosenbach had a keen interest in traveler's descriptions of the early west. "There are lots of books and memoirs about that. Most of them are books, no manuscript journals. The exhibit is very book heavy, containing all books, newspapers, and one photograph... for wall exhibits, text panels have been used." In the section of the exhibition about early Americans' reactions to the faith, Allison tells us that both pros and cons were touched on, but they did not go too heavy on anti-Mormon literature and tried to be balanced.

Allison described a positive general reaction to the exhibit. The Library has not been criticized for doing an exhibit on just one religion, though they are a public institution. They have not had any pushback so far, for which she is glad.

When asked if there were any general questions about the church that the exhibit might answer or clarify, Allison said "We...tried to do a historical perspective of the first 100 years. It definitely touches on scriptures, tenets, and what is believed, but there is a lot more to it than that. There is the missionary experience which I found really fun to put together, and there is Deseret inventing this whole new alphabet, which might be the most visually interesting part of it. We tried to give people a perspective of what it was like".

An American-born Faith: Writings from the First Century of Mormonism is in the Library's largest exhibition space, however there are other compelling galleries in the Rare Book Department. "People are welcome to look at the other cases and other exhibits. We've got a huge collection of Edgar Allen Poe, a huge collection of Americana, and a Charles Dickens collection that's amazing. We have a Charles Dickens taxidermy pet raven, 'Grip'. People who have visited An American Born Faith, most of them, have...wandered around and looked at everything else".

The Rare Book Department is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and this exhibition is open the same days and hours. It is free to the public.

Allison graduated from the Philadelphia Arts and Business Council of Greater Philadelphia Designing Leadership class on April 15, 2015. She received her MLIS degree from Louisiana State University in 1995, and she has been working for the Free Library of Philadelphia since 1997.

An American-Born Faith: Writings from the First Century of Mormonism. Philadelphia Free Library Opens Rare Book Exhibition

Photographs Courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia

First Edition Book of Mormon

The City of Brotherly Love has opened its arms to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as our temple opens for public viewing. In honor of the temple, the Philadelphia Free Library, which is just a short walk from the temple location on Vine Street, has mounted an exhibition of historic material focusing on 19th and early 20th century writings connected with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These rare items come from both the Free Library and the Rosenbach collections.

Among the items on display are such historical treasures as a Book of Mormon written in Hawaiian, which may be one of only 15-20 in existence, early copies of the Deseret News, a phonetic alphabet devised for non-English-speaking converts, 19th century travelers descriptions of Mormon settlements, publications documenting the range of Americans' reactions to the new faith, as well as early copies of the Book of Mormon.

Book of Mormon, Hawaiian Copy

Deseret News, February 23, 1859

The exhibition, on display at 1901 Vine Street in Philadelphia, is currently being shown and will run through February 6, 2017.

The Rare Book Department of the Philadelphia Free Library is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and may be visited at any time during those hours. At 11:00 a.m. every day, there is a guided tour of the Department's general collections. For more information on the Department, please visit this LINK .

For further reading and information surrounding the exhibition, see this ARTICLE by Kenneth Hilario of the Philadelphia Business Journal.

The Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple Open House and Dedication

© 2011, Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

The time is almost upon us for the open house and dedication of the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple! It has been nearly 5 years since the groundbreaking on September 17, 2011. The open house will begin Wednesday, August 10th, and will continue through Friday, September 9th. The dedication, which is separate from the open house, will be held on Sunday, September 18th in three sessions at 9 a.m., noon, and 3 p.m. at local stake centers. These dedication sessions will be broadcast to all stakes and districts in Pennsylvania, as well as the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple district, which includes stakes in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and parts of New Jersey and Maryland. The three-hour block of church meetings will be cancelled that day to allow church members to participate in the dedication, and a special temple recommend must be obtained to attend. Please see your Bishop to arrange this. Reservations for the temple open house are strongly encouraged, as people will have to wait in potentially very long lines to attend without them. For reservations visit templeopenhouse.lds.org or call 855-537-2000. The open house tour is free to the public for all ages, and times are as follows: Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There will be no tours on Sundays. The address of the temple is 1739 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The tour includes a short video with a walking tour, and comfortable shoes plus modest attire are recommended. It is wheelchair accessible, however service animals are not permitted in the temple. It is requested to refrain from smoking on temple and chapel property. Parking will be limited, and public transportation is encouraged. For additional information, visit philadelphiamormontemple.org. 

The beautiful historic design of the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple incorporates elements that complement the classic architecture of the neighborhood buildings. The spires have similarities to the clock tower on Independence Hall, and the inner furnishings create an atmosphere of historic Philadelphia. Striking panes of stained glass run the length of the building, which is surrounded by a landscaped plaza with a reflecting pool and gardens open to the public. The lead architect is B. Jeffrey Stebar of the Fayetteville Georgia Stake.  Parking for the temple is to be provided by an underground facility.

Come and enjoy this magnificent house of the Lord! All are invited to the open house!