Mormon Temple Tours

[tvp2003]

^ Some other night time photos (not mine):





Last week, on the night it snowed:

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by GreatWhiteEbola

Haven't read the entire thread, can anyone comment on the accessibility of the building and grounds.

There was a person in our tour that was in a wheelchair -- they had a wheelchair lift to and from the chapel and there was an elevator inside the temple so they can definitely accomodate.

[Dentoman]

I'll be happy when the public tours are over .... the parking congestion in the neighborhood yesterday was stupid. Otherwise, I like the building. Plus I hear that the temple will bump up property values ... sounds good to me.

[STAMPEDRED]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

And once again tithing is 10% off the top. That’s gross income, not net. Please people, don’t force us to audit. Now I’m going to pass this around a second time.

Actually, common thought is argued both ways whether it is gross or net.
The Bible states many times that those even in Old Testament times gave off of their increase.

The best way to think about it is giving from a cheerful heart - what you have determined in your heart to give and get past the 'religious' idea that is should be exactly 10% or else. Truthfully, you are taught to bring your entire tithe and offerings in the old testament which when added up equates much closer to 2/5ths of your entire income. Ten percent doesn't look so bad anymore! Lol

The whole thing about tithing is coming to the realization that it is all God's and it is just giving back a portion to him so money doesn't become your whole purpose in life - keeps God involved. As God gives the increase, you find that you can do much more with 90% than you can do with 0.

To relate, buddy gets you an in to a job you would have never have gotten and as a kind gesture you give him a 'finders fee' for lack of a better term of $50, or 5% or 10%... You gladly pay him because that is 90% you would have never had unless he had hooked you up with a lead that became a paying customer.

The correlation ends in this example however at the point that you are NOT paying off God as he can not be bought nor can his favor be bought at any price.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Dentoman

I'll be happy when the public tours are over .... the parking congestion in the neighborhood yesterday was stupid. Otherwise, I like the building. Plus I hear that the temple will bump up property values ... sounds good to me.

Can you explain why you think that would be the case? They're going to build it somewhere, as is the right of all religious organizations, but living right next to it doesn't feel like a benefit to me. The biggest reason is the parking will likely continue to be an issue, which is a downside. I understand (someone correct me if not) that essentially all "true" Mormon marriages have to be done at a temple, which will put further pressure on the parking at other times.

Since prices are controlled by supply and demand, it's possible that those using the temple could drive up prices if they have a strong preference to live near the temple. That seems unlikely to me, as I don't believe Mormons have anything similar to Orthodox Jews. (Who need to live close to their place of worship so they can walk to it on the Sabbath).

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Can you explain why you think that would be the case? They're going to build it somewhere, as is the right of all religious organizations, but living right next to it doesn't feel like a benefit to me. The biggest reason is the parking will likely continue to be an issue, which is a downside. I understand (someone correct me if not) that essentially all "true" Mormon marriages have to be done at a temple, which will put further pressure on the parking at other times.

Since prices are controlled by supply and demand, it's possible that those using the temple could drive up prices if they have a strong preference to live near the temple. That seems unlikely to me, as I don't believe Mormons have anything similar to Orthodox Jews. (Who need to live close to their place of worship so they can walk to it on the Sabbath).

I think I can address this. I went on the tour yesterday afternoon, and the parking lot was pretty full. I imagine the tours at night are much better attended, so I can see how that would spill out onto the street parking.

There is more than enough parking on site to handle the full capacity of the temple. The temple isn't open Sunday, so the whole parking area on both the church and the temple will be available for use the rest of the week. There were a couple instruction rooms that looked like they might hold about 50 people, at max capacity. Even the larger of the 2 rooms that weddings are held in looked to be about 30 or 40 people maximum, the smaller was probably about 20. I doubt there are enough weddings that these rooms are constantly in use. I suspect Saturdays during the summer would be peak demand for the temple parking, but I would bet that the occasional Sunday would bring a larger crowd with stuff like Easter or special church conferences being the high water marks. One of the guys I talked to mentioned that if parking was ever to be a problem for the community, there was a lot just below the temple that is empty that the church would likely buy for overflow parking. I forgot to look to see about that when I left though.

Prices going up due to demand is likely, but its not just about church members. Its an amazing piece of architecture, looks great at night and during the day. Sure there might be a larger amount of LDS people who might want to live nearby, but I doubt that number would be really high, like maybe a dozen or 2 families? I have no idea how much upward pressure that would put on the houses in the immediate neighbourhood. Large LDS families are not going to uproot kids from schools and friends to be near the temple, but I could see empty nesters or retired people considering a place nearby. Keep in mind, these people used to have to drive to Edmonton or Cardston sometimes as often as once a week, although once a month or more is probably more common. For them, just being able to drive to Royal Oak is a good enough bonus.

[Yeah_Baby]

Can someone explain to me why the two LDS weddings I've done this summer all wanted to wear chocolate brown tuxes or mocha suits?

[Dentoman]

Parking will not be an issue once the tours are over, they have tons of parking.The temple is not a gathering place for large groups ... that's what stake centres are for. Remember, I have dealt with construction traffic/parking, Moroni raising traffic and now tour traffic/parking .... forgive me for being a little tired of it.
As far as a Mormon premium on property values near the temple, it all depends on how devout the person is. The temple is a huge deal for Mormons. It will provide some bump, the question is how much. Hey, I'm all for the Mormon influx, they make good neighbors.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

There was a person in our tour that was in a wheelchair -- they had a wheelchair lift to and from the chapel and there was an elevator inside the temple so they can definitely accommodate.

They might have a new member!

[tvp2003]

Parking, property values, and other FAQ's: http://mormontemples.org/eng/calgary...hood-questions

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Dentoman

Parking will not be an issue once the tours are over, they have tons of parking.The temple is not a gathering place for large groups ... that's what stake centres are for. Remember, I have dealt with construction traffic/parking, Moroni raising traffic and now tour traffic/parking .... forgive me for being a little tired of it.
As far as a Mormon premium on property values near the temple, it all depends on how devout the person is. The temple is a huge deal for Mormons. It will provide some bump, the question is how much. Hey, I'm all for the Mormon influx, they make good neighbors.

Interesting. Even if parking isn't an issue go-forward, I can't imagine any significant bump in prices. While it might be nice architecturally, no way the average suburban house buyer pays more than a 10k premium to live near something architecturally nice. On a 450k royal oak house, that'd be 2%.

Whether devout Mormons will pay more to live near it I'm not sure, but again I doubt it will be significant. And if it is a significant difference, I suspect the current owners in the area would sell to try and take the gains and buy a similar house 1 neighbourhood over for less money.

Personally, I doubt it makes much difference to property prices either way.

[Dentoman]

It will be interesting to see what the present houses for sale do. There are 2 houses for sale in my neighborhood that look directly onto the temple and numerous others a few blocks from the temple that have just gone up for sale, so there is quite a glut of houses on the market right now ... so in the immediate future, I doubt there will be any increase in value.
I do believe that in time that the house prices will rise due to the temple .... and it will be more than $10,000. I am not moving anytime soon it doesn't really impact me.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Dentoman

It will be interesting to see what the present houses for sale do. There are 2 houses for sale in my neighborhood that look directly onto the temple and numerous others a few blocks from the temple that have just gone up for sale, so there is quite a glut of houses on the market right now ... so in the immediate future, I doubt there will be any increase in value.

I do believe that in time that the house prices will rise due to the temple .... and it will be more than $10,000. I am not moving anytime soon it doesn't really impact me.

Fair enough, it's certainly possible, but it will require buyers who are Mormon be willing to pay a large premium to live near the temple. Maybe they will.

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Can someone explain to me why the two LDS weddings I've done this summer all wanted to wear chocolate brown tuxes or mocha suits?

Because it's Fly!

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Can someone explain to me why the two LDS weddings I've done this summer all wanted to wear chocolate brown tuxes or mocha suits?

You always want what you can never have.

[stuck_in_chuk]

I plan on doing the tour with my wife and 4-year-old. The one thing I saw said it was all-ages - has anyone done this tour with young children (or had small children on their tour)?

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by stuck_in_chuk

I plan on doing the tour with my wife and 4-year-old. The one thing I saw said it was all-ages - has anyone done this tour with young children (or had small children on their tour)?

We brought our kids and saw lots of other kids/babies as well. Not a lot of walking but there are some stairs inside the temple they will need to navigate. Apparently the "jacuzzi room" is quite popular with the kids

Our toddler was also given little mini-booties to wear over her shoes

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by stuck_in_chuk

I plan on doing the tour with my wife and 4-year-old. The one thing I saw said it was all-ages - has anyone done this tour with young children (or had small children on their tour)?

I went with 4 kids 5 and under.

There was a bit of restlessness towards the end, but there was lots of interesting things to keep them interested. My son nearly went for a swim in the baptistry thing, but he is a water junkie.

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I went with 4 kids 5 and under.

There was a bit of restlessness towards the end, but there was lots of interesting things to keep them interested. My son nearly went for a swim in the baptistry thing, but he is a water junkie.

Did you say: "That's for dead people" ?

[Cole436]

So how many people here are actually considering becoming LDS?