The MTC Murals

 One of the major changes at the MTC was the HUGE training facility built on the edge of 900 W. It is six stories high and has two large lobby areas connected with classrooms for the young missionaries to study. Each of these lobbies (six floors high plus two on each side which makes twelve) has a large mural on them of missionaries throughout the scriptures and the challenges they faced. Each picture is backlit so that light shines from the canvas. They are incredible...and some are better than others. Here are a few of my favorites... and others that were close but a bit of a miss.

This picture of Nephi heading back into Jerusalem after almost being killed by the armies of Laban really encourages missionaries to not get discouraged even if they have had setbacks. Nephi's tenacity is so impressive, and the mural makes you want to be that goal-focused.

(Just not sure about the haircut and beanie.)

I LOVE that they included Esther as a missionary because she was. She had such a very particular mission to fulfill. I met a sister missionary in Crawley recently who told me she found the person she felt that she was sent on a mission to find. Although there may be others, she found a special connection to this friend who joined the church. As a young missionary in England, I had a similar experience. There were two specific people that my challenges and quirks really seemed to help. I hope that on this mission, I'll find the reason for my call here and that I meet and fulfill that purpose. 

(Also, the hair? Reminds me of Barbara Streisand in the 70's)

This one was gorgeous with the light behind it. You have to see it if you are in the area! Funny, we so often think of the Brother of Jared with the sixteen stones, but he didn't just pick them up. He made them... more like invented them since they were molten by inspiration so that when touched by the Lord, they would shine. The first light bulbs! But on our mission, we too need to prepare if we want miracles to happen. (On this one, I have nothing to say but it's brilliant.)

I honestly think this was my favorite. The light shining from the window was like a ray of hope in a hopeless situation. What Joseph went through at Liberty Jail had to be harrowing. His family and the saints being driven from their homes while he sat helpless. It would have seemed so WRONG. But the Lord could see more than Joseph. He was aware that the Saints would have to make the trek west so they could be free of the impending Civil War. The early church also had to be free of other influences as it worked on expanding to a point it would not be snuffed out like a flame in the early stages of building a fire. God's ways are not our ways and when things don't make sense, do we get mad at God or have faith that He knows way more than we do and is bringing to pass his holy purposes?