Helsinki Finland Temple: Diamond of the North,
Part 2
A Photographic Essay by Scot Facer Proctor

Notice how the eastern sky began to break up and the light began to come. Everyone noticed the beautiful light.

The sky just become more and more beautiful. The temple was beginning to be awash in this wonderful morning light.

I love to see the inscriptions of Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord on our temples.

I kept seeing the reflection of the birch trees in the various windows of the temple. The temple is surrounded on the outside with birch, and the temple is full of fine birch woodwork on the inside.

Whenever I see these inscriptions of Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord, I think of Alma’s talk we have recorded in Alma chapter 5. He asked the deep questions throughout this chapter—like a very insightful stewardship interview—and one of them is this: Have ye received His image in your countenance? (see verse 14) The people who came to the temple dedication here (whom you will see in the next few days) understand these inscriptions. It showed in their faces.

The light was just starting to touch the figure of the Angel Moroni on top of the spire—but the light will get better for a brief few minutes.

Those of you who are living in Finland or have served a mission there will look in this window and its reflections and see Finland all over it. Isn’t that beautiful?

The sun started peaking through at 8:43 AM. The first session started 17 minutes later.

Now the beautiful light began to touch the tower of the temple. Everyone was so happy that the light was coming and that the Prophet would walk out of the temple for the cornerstone ceremony in just a few minutes.

That polished Italian granite is certainly beautiful as it reflected the lovely light of this dedication morning.

I just love this picture. I love the play of light on the walls and window of the temple here. It just makes me happy.

Click here to go to Part 3 of The Helsinki Finland Temple: Diamond of the North.