It’s difficult not to feel a sense of awe stepping inside the Willamette Valley Temple, the recently constructed temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Springfield.
After walking through large cherry wood and stained glass doors, visitors are met with plush green carpets depicting mountain laurel flowers, gold crown molding and intricate gold-framed paintings of Jesus Christ and sweeping landscapes decorating the foyer. The temple’s design incorporates motifs such as dogwood and the mountain laurel that represent the region.
Past the reception desk, where ordinarily only members of the faith can go, is a maze of white marble floors branching into a series of rooms, including changing areas, a confirmation room, baptistry, waiting and instruction rooms, a celestial room, sealing rooms and a bridal suite. Along the way, visitors can take in the temple’s artistry: dozens of detailed paintings, stained glass windows with pink floral motifs, ornate crystal chandeliers and a baptismal font upheld by 12 gold oxen…