Comments about ‘New LDS library has some history’

"the choicest remaining vacant parcel of real estate in downtown Salt Lake City."

laughable.

the lot hasn't really been vacant. the church owns almost every inch of downtown salt lake real property. jensen makes it sound like the space has been looked over by everyone since the wagons rolled into town 150+ years ago.

i would wager that a lot of people have offered a lot of money for that "vacant" space over the years for projects that would have employed people and brought revenue into downtown salt lake.

now salt lake houses yet another gray cube while business is forced to operate outside of downtown. when will somebody realize that every new square foot of downtown church-owned structures represents another nail in the coffin of main street business?

Am I the only one that squirms when "LDS" and "history" are mentioned in the same sentence?

Um, gee I don't know maybe the millions of people who visit Temple Square might go across the street and buy something at the mall or eat in a restaurant or stay in a hotel room. Folks coming to visit these grey cubes are keeping a bunch of people gainfully employed not only downtown but all over the valley. I am the only one who laughs when hate starts spewing when the LDS church does anything at all!

Hmm, does the billion dollar renovation in downtown count as helping out the business side? How about all the millions spent in upkeep and restoration every year for many years now?

What do you want the church to do with the property that's been in its possession since 1847 when the Mormon pioneers were the first settlers? Sell it to Starbucks, McDonalds and Best Buy? Yeah, that'll do it!

Sheesh, heaven forbid someone do what they want to with their own property.

Nearly all downtown businesses depend on those who work or visit downtown for their survival. Those grey cubes represent exactly what downtown needs to thrive. Without them, businesses would continue to die. GeeBee certainly does not understand economics. I am glad he is NOT one of the city planners or he would drive off the very customers that the businesses need.

A recent news paper article in March 2009 stated:

"In spite of a struggling economy, 5 million visitors made Temple Square the 16th most visited site in the United States, according to ForbesTravelr.com"

It is also the number ONE tourist attraction in Utah. ($$$$ to downtown SLC businesses).

Now, to claim that the LDS folks did not have anything to do with that financial gain is absurd.

Ha and geebee, open you eyes to the facts.

This is going to be such a wonderful building. All who have the courage to venture there with an open heart and an inquisitive mind, after it becomes operational, will be able to come away with a better understanding of Americas most influential Religion.

The Joseph Smith Papers publication project, so far, is incredibly valuable. It makes thousands of pages of Joseph Smiths writings, dealings, and revelations available to any interested person. These book volumes are becoming available through a grant of Larry Miller and through the records preserved in the current historical library. This new church history library will become even more important to serious researchers of this religion - which has become a modern day marvel.

With the LDS Church being one of the most misunderstood and therefore the most suspicious religious movements in the world, a prominent historical library is very appropriate. I will be excited to browse some of it's collections in a couple months.

LOL! No. I was thinking exactly the same thing. I can think of a few books that should go in the time capsule.

I don't believe that the church would publish anything that puts it in a negative light. Hence, I believe the Joseph Smith papers are just a PR movement by the church to try and curtail the perception of the public.

Wow, igornace is bliss, especially for bloggers and people who comment on new articles. I find it amusing, or rather, shameful for so many people who bash the LDS Church or others as well as those who believe they are the defenders of the Church. It is a ridiculous game of who can sarcastically slam the other person best. All of you are so ignorant it is unbelievable.

@ Ignorance...
Calling legitimate criticism "bashing" is what I find ignorant and shameful.

A wonderful building for an amazing history. Very fitting.

It was interesting to read of the historical department learning from the past regarding the preservation of capsule contents. While there have been mistakes/errors in the past, they're moving forward towards the future. This applies to so many arenas in the vast field of Church History (and personal lives, too): despite mistakes or errors that may have been made, the work of God moves forward.

I hope to participate and contribute positively in this work!

I find it interesting what is considered valuable "history" and what is considered to be history not worth exploring.

The LDS library will be like the presidential libraries that are censored of so much of the truth so as to make them museums of propoganda.