Evie has a number of ancestors she had found for whom baptisms by proxy hadn't been done (5 female and 12 males to be exact - something of a gender imbalance in her family). Normally, she would ask some youth in the ward to do the baptisms in connection with a youth temple trip, but we missed the last one. The alternative plan was to go with Daniel and Syndee to do them. However, between work schedules and difficulties in scheduling anytime in the evening (due to scheduled youth groups at the temples), that plan never worked out. So we decided to go perform them ourselves in the Salt Lake Temple.
This was a new and special experience for us. While we work in the Salt Lake Temple, neither of us work in the baptistry and really had never been in there in this temple. I can't remember when I last actually was baptized as a proxy. I think I may have done proxy baptisms in the Logan temple when I was freshman at Utah State in 1968. For Evie I think it has been even longer.
Evie was baptized by me five times for these ancestors and I was baptized by another brother 12 times. It was a special experience (although I think there is a reason why these are more often done by youth).
Here's a picture of the baptismal font at the Salt Lake Temple where we did these baptisms:
While on the topic of the Salt Lake Temple, Evie and I work as ordinance workers in the Salt Lake Temple every Saturday afternoon. We are becoming very familiar with this temple and developing a particular affection for it. I want you to see this special place where we spend our Saturday afternoons.
Actually, many years ago Evie and I were sealed (married) in this temple, although I can't remember which sealing room. Also, the day before I started my mission (entered what was then the mission home), I received my endowment in this temple. I remember the experience, but really nothing of the building.
The South Visitors Center at Temple Square has a "cut away" model of the temple showing its interior (looking in from the south side). Here's a picture of it:
The baptistry is on the lower level to the left. That is where Evie and I performed these proxy baptisms. On the right is what is referred to as the "Garden Room" and is used in connection with the part of the endowment ceremony dealing with events in the Garden of Eden. Not visible, but behind the Garden Room from this viewpoint, is the "Creation Room," which is used in connection with the part of the endowment ceremony dealing with the creation. Immediately above the baptistry is the "telestial" room and behind it (but not visible in this model) is the "terrestrial" room. To the right of the telestial room from this perspective is the "celestial" room. That small room immediately above the telestial room and to the left of the celestial room is the "council room" where the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles meet every Thursday. At the top is the Solemn Assembly room. Temple workers rarely (hardly ever) go up there as no ordinances are usually administered there. However, Evie has been up there. It was where they held a devotional for temple workers that Evie was able to attend, but I missed (in Idaho). It generally follows the same plan used first in the Kirkland temple, with pulpits at each end.
Here's a larger picture of the celestial room.
What is missing from the model is a rather confusing labyrinth of rooms and hallways below ground in the annex outside the foundation of the temple. It is through this annex that one actually goes into the temple and it is where dressing rooms, clothing rentals, cafeteria, laundry, foyers and waiting rooms, cloak rooms, chapels, various offices and other rooms are located. This is an easy place to get lost in.
In Dallas on a busy Saturday four or five weddings or sealings on a single day was a big deal. In the Salt Lake temple 40 or more sealings on single day would not be unusual. Since brides and grooms (but especially brides and their mothers) can be rather "high maintenance" individuals on a wedding day, and since the temple and its annex is large and confusing, temple workers spend a lot of time (and take a lot of care in) escorting them and their wedding party around to be sure everyone ends up in the right place at the right time.
My impression so far is that the Salt Lake Temple and its workers are very good at handling weddings and sealings. They are well organized and experienced at guiding wedding parties around and helping make it a special experience for them, notwithstanding the volume and the size of the temple. Here is a picture of one of the sealing rooms in the temple. This one is located just off the celestial room. Most of sealing rooms are much larger.
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