This past Monday was to be the day the old statue of Angel Moroni was to be replaced with a shiny new statue. The weather and pollution in the air has taken its toll on this statue.
We headed for the temple way ahead of time to get a good view of what was about to take place.
Some of the full-time missionaries, temple workers,
and local members gathered around to observe.
All was underway as we watched a drone fly overhead to film the entire process around 10:00am.
Can you spot the drone?
Couldn't pass up a photo opportunity to show the guy controlling the drone.
This is the majority of those who came to observe, with Pres. and Sis. Wong in the center.
Look closely and you might spot Sister Bodily (aka Grandma B)
The new replacement was packed in a crate across the street patiently waiting
to be removed and installed.
Pres. Hui, Grace Cheng, and Elder Pett standing guard.
Elder James requested to take the old one home to put in his yard. His request was denied.
A comparison between the old and the new.
It was terribly hot and humid as we waited, and waited,
and still waited, for the crane operator to complete the job,
and not sure of what was holding things up.
We soon learned that an unfortunate mistake had been made, which was delaying the process.
President Wong and Bro. Choi discussed what to do about it.
While they were deciding, we were getting hungry. Bro. Choi recommended we try the Student's cafeteria at the Baptist University nearby. We just got sat down when in walked
Pres. and Sis. Wong and the Ngais informing us that the problem had not be resolved. So the placing of the statue was cancelled until further notice.
Side note: Bro. Choi's recommendation was a good one.
With the heat and all the waiting, Elder Bodily collapsed from exhaustion at the beach display in the Metropolis Mall.
However, it was only seconds before he recovered and walked the last 7 minutes to our flat.
For now,
we'll hang tight until we get further word of when
the statue of Angel Moroni will be placed on the temple.
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Part Two
Today we gathered across the street at 11:00am to watch the Statue of Angel Moroni be respectably placed on top of the temple. Its four days later since we gathered here on Monday to see this event take place. We have waited six weeks, whats a few days more, right?
First, the removal from the crate.
Then the gradual raising.
Doesn't he look like his arm is broken and wrapped in a cast?
As the Angel Moroni was being raised, a small choir was singing so beautifully
while,
others were gazing upwards to see what many of us have not had the opportunity to see before.
The clouds moved in overhead just at the right time to cool it down some for the guys up on top.
Elder Bodily visited with the man in charge of this operation,
and learned that each of the Angel of Moroni statues on the temples throughout the world
are replaced when needed. Most are changed on an average of 20 years. He also learned that the Boise Idaho Temple holds the record of lasting the longest. It stood 30 years before being replaced and expect that is because of the milder climate and clean air.
Events like this give us opportunities to get photos of some of those we have come to love.
Brothers Wong and Chan
Sisters Chan and Chan (no relation)
Sister Ling (you can find her on mormon.org)
The Friday-Shift Sisters and Temple missionaries
The Friday-Shift Brothers and Temple missionaries
Elder Bodily is missing in this photo because Bro. Choi asked him to take photos of all the excitement across the street at the time this was taken.
Our hour was over, and we needed to get back to work before it was all completed. But, even though it was extremely warm, it was interesting to watch a good share of the process.
It will be nice when the protective covering has been removed and we can see him shine so brightly.
For now, we anxiously await the scaffolding to come down.
1 comment:
This would be so cool to watch. I love seeing both of your playfulness in your pictures. :)
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