During my first two years in college, here in Venezuela, I shared an apartment with two guys who were Mormons. They were very into it, eventually both of them quit. Anyways, On sundays, we had this lunch time when they invited some of the missionaries and we shared some of their experience. We were styudying english, so the presence of some gringos was more than welcome, we needed to practice our english.
In the process, of course, they tried to convert us (another friend and I) to mormonism. We even visited their local church as "researchers".
I liked many things about their religion, their organization, their discipline, their sort of corporate view of organzied religion.
I even got my Book of Mormon and read quite a bit of it.
Of course, I ended up rejecting most of the story (never considered to join the church, etc. Many questionable issues, like with all churches), but I enjoyed the company and the lessons.
One thing I do remember was the Chorus of the Tabernacle. They had these tapes they'd listen to on sundays and I ended up developing some taste for it.
I was also impressed by the devotion with which they talked about THE TEMPLE. It was Mecca for them. My mormon friends dreamed of visiting, of marrying there, etc.
And that leads me to your post (and you thought you were digressing). Amazing!
Just incredible photographs. I think that if my friends had shown me these pictures back then, I would have converted!
Just impressive structure and the aesthetic around it is simply a proof of the good things humanity can do when it puts all energy and resources to it.