Since part of our doctrine states:  “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things,” [1] I felt like I would like to take you to a few temples and let you feel the amazing peace that truly dwells around the House of the Lord.  These temples truly are lovely and praiseworthy and I want to share some beautiful photographs of them with you.

Maurine and I are blessed to be able to travel a great deal.  Whenever we are near a temple, save a few exceptions, I schedule in the time it takes to shoot a photo essay of that edifice.  This very week, one year ago, we were in the islands of Hawaii and I was able to take some lovely pictures of the Laie and the Kona Temples.  Today, we go together to Laie. 

I will not only take your around the temple site with my camera but with my stream of consciousness.

Click on all photos to enlarage

The light would come any second to touch this place.

There are few temples in the world that can match the breathtaking setting of the Laie Hawaii Temple. 

The moon was still setting as the light first touched the eastern façade of the temple.

Hawaii is the most remote place on the earth — located further away from civilization than any other place.  And yet, not counting the Kirtland and the Nauvoo Temples (which we lost), the Laie Temple was the fifth operating Temple of the Church after the St. George (1877), Logan (1884), Manti (1888) and Salt Lake (1893) Temples. 

It was first announced October 1, 1915 and was dedicated November 27, 1919.  To put it in perspective, Joseph F. Smith had died just one year before. Heber J. Grant was now the President of the Church.  Young Gordon Hinckley was nine years old.  Tommy Monson would not be born for another nearly eight years.

Flowers abound in this beautiful place, including this stunningly beautiful hibiscus.

If I were to picture what paradise really looks like, I think I would have to start by imagining the setting of the Laie Hawaii Temple.

The first light caused beautiful shadows to be cast on the walls around the temple lot.

I love what happens to my mind when I am walking around the temple. 

The bird of paradise grows prolifically here.

It is as if the verse from Section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants just naturally comes to bear — “and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon they soul as the dews from heaven.” [2]

The Psalmist wrote:  “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  or who shall stand in his holy place?  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart…” [3]

No matter what direction I would turn with my camera around this beautiful edifice, I would capture wondrous pictures.

Morning light bursts through the beautiful palm trees.

Click here to go to Part 2 of The Laie Hawaii Temple One Beautiful Morning