Thursday, June 21, 2012

What crystal chandeliers in the temple remind me of


We are reminded every so often that various elements in the temple are symbolic and thus are meant to teach us things.  The promenance of crystal chandeliers in all of our temples has always caused me to wonder what principles could be represented thereby.   So here’s my list of different ideas.  See what you think and feel free to add to the list in the comments.

The chandelier reminds me of the Holy Ghost that broods over everything and shares light with us.
Gila Valley temple baptistery
 The way the light is shaped like a bowl makes me think of it as if heaven is about to pour out a blessing of light on the person being baptized and the person for whom the baptism is being vicariously done. 

Some chandeliers in the temple remind me of the scripture in the D&C 130 about how the earth in its sanctified state will become like crystal. 
Salt Lake City temple in the garden room

This earth, in its sanctified and immortal state, will be made like unto crystal and will be a Urim and Thummim to the inhabitants who dwell thereon, whereby all things pertaining to an inferior kingdom, or all kingdoms of a lower order, will be manifest to those who dwell on it; and this earth will be Christ’s. (D&C 130:9)

Provo temple celestial room

 I like to look at the crystals in the chandelier and imagine that each one represents a sanctified earth and the whole chandelier is like all the sanctified earths in the galaxy brought back to the place were God dwells.

Each crystal also makes me think of an angel, and the whole chandelier puts me in mind of a crowd of angels coming to the earth with Christ at His Second Coming and standing about the throne of God singing praises.
Atlanta, Georgia temple celestial room
 It can also remind me of the city of Enoch that will come down from heaven to join Zion on the earth.
 
When there are three different levels to the chandelier, it reminds me that the celestial kingdom has three degrees in it and I am striving for the highest degree.

Idaho Falls temple celestial room
 
The chandelier as it hangs in the air reminds me of the First Vision of Joseph Smith when Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared and stood above him in the air in a pillar of light.  (Of course, the glory of a crystal chandelier must be dim compared to the glory of diety, but nevertheless its beauty still reminds me.)

Oquirrh Mountain temple celestial room chandelier
 
I really love how the St. Louis temple’s celestial room chandelier harmonizes with the architectural dome to teach about ascension to heaven. 

St. Louis, Missouri temple celestial room
 
The shape of the chandelier draws the eye upward into the domed ceiling, symbolizing our hope of ascending into heaven to meet Christ at His coming.  

Notice the way the below chandelier in the Oquirrh Mountain temple sealing room starts small on the bottom and gets larger toward the top. 

Oquirrh Mountain temple sealing room
This reminds me of the promise of eternal increase, and posterity that we are given when we are sealed for time and eternity. We will increase as we are exalted.

Do you have anything to share that you are reminded of when you study the temple’s chandeliers? 

Images Sources
Image: Salt Lake temple garden room,
Image: Provo temple celestial room chandler, http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/temples/celestial_room.html
Image:  Atlanta Georgia temple celestial room.  http://www.dwstratton.com/tag/chandelier/
(angels, second coming, zion to come down)
Image: Oquirrh Mountaint temple celestial room chandelier, http://thetrumpetstone.blogspot.com/2011/07/lds-temple-symbols-stars-oquirrh.html
Image: St. Louis Missouri temple celestial room, http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/temples/celestial_room.html
 Image: Oquirrh Mountain temple, sealing room, http://www.mormontemples.com/770/inside-the-mormon-temple

7 comments:

Michaela Stephens said...

Kind of you to say so, Jean, and thanks for the invite!

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catania said...

I read this post a few days ago, then last night toured the Phoenix Temple (that is under construction). The Elder who was guiding us told us that the chandelier in the temple is custom made in each temple. Other lights are already pre-fabricated, but the chandeliers are made specifically for that temple and according to the design of the celestial room.

When he mentioned this, it made me think of your post, and I thought I'd share.

I haven't put much thought into chandeliers, but often when I am in the temple, I look at it. It is easy to gaze and ponder into a sparkly chandelier. The way I gaze into it is like how one might gaze into a fire. It is kind of hypnotic. This is helpful in the temple, to gaze into the crystals, refracted light, and shimmers of a chandelier while pondering.

Thanks for the post and helping me to be more aware of my surroundings - especially while in the temple.

Michaela Stephens said...

Catania, I agree, it can be pretty hypnotic to look at the temple chandeliers at length. And thanks for sharing that little tidbit about the individuality of the temple chandeliers; I never knew that!

Danelle said...

Love your post! I'm speaking at a YW event about how each crystal on a chandelier represents each of us and how the crystal reflects the light, we reflect the light of Christ. Some crystals reflect rainbows, reminding me of the YW values and how living those principles helps us to be more pure and clear. I also think that when all the crystals are put together the light is magnified just as we as saints are unified in our wards/stakes and bring light to the earth through our gospel commitment. FYI, the Oakland Temple has a beautiful chandelier that actually jingles a little bit because of the way the air conditioning vents hit it. To me it's the sound of heaven.

Michaela Stephens said...

Thanks for sharing those ways of looking at it, Danielle. Clearly we can see all kinds of lessons in those chandeliers if we are in a spiritual frame of mind.

Lights Online Coupon Code said...

Oh God, these chandelier are so beautiful. They just give life to the place they are installed. In these pictures, every single place looks like heaven just because of the chandeliers.