This "coffee table" book is full of photographs of various temples in the United States and Canada. Each photograph is its own a work of art, and then the layout of the pages adds more meaning and feeling to the pictures.
Because I'm less than an amateur photographer, I feel woefully under-qualified to review this book. Still, I will share a few things that stood out to me.
My favorite spreads on first impression (if I had to choose) were the one with Isaiah 1:18 as a reference, and the collage of photos of the Salt Lake temple in all four seasons. I'll not say anything more than that with the hopes that you will go look at the book for yourself. If you do, let me know what you think of these spreads, and share which ones you liked most.
It was interesting to see the different architecture of various temples side-by-side. I love how the Church often adapts much of the architecture to the local area and seeing many temples at once reinforced in my mind how that is the case. Many photos also capture the exquisite craftsmanship, the attention to detail, and the use of shapes, space, and symmetry that are often part of temple architecture. I think there are things to be pondered in such elements in temple design and I think Boyd captures them in a wonderful way.
It's also striking to see the different locations and the natural settings of the various temples. God truly is such an amazing Creator! Since I'm a lover of waterfalls, I found the photo of the Twin Falls Idaho temple particularly stunning (see p. 21). And how many temples stand boldly on a hill! The mountains of the Lord hold the figurative mountain of the Lord's house. I love that.
I got a better sense for how many temples tell about our history. The temples in Palmyra, Winter Quarters (note the glass work on p. 99), Nauvoo, St. George, and Salt Lake left me reflecting on the sacrifices of those who have gone before. These temples seem to be not only houses of worship, but monuments to the faith of Joseph Smith and the early Saints who did so much for the Lord's work. We are so blessed to live in a day when so many temples dot the earth that we may participate in hastening that work.
I found that my spirit and mind were even more engaged on the pages that had scriptures on them. Although I can understand the decision not to put many words on the pages, I wish that the artist had included a few more scriptural references to invite more reflection and insight into his thoughts about what he captured and how photos were clustered and arranged on the pages.
Along those lines, I also wish I knew a little more about the artist and his thoughts about and experiencing with these photos. Just as museums have placards explaining the artists' thoughts and impressions that can enhance one's experience with the art, I would have liked to hear more from Brother Boyd. I feel it might have enhanced this amateur's experience.
I did look up Boyd's website online that said that as soon as he started using his talents to photograph temples (first in response to his mother-in-law's request for a temple photo), "it seemed as if new, beautiful scenes were now waiting for him every time he went to photograph." I could feel his testimony that God was helping him, that he has experienced many tender mercies, that the Lord had prepared the way for him to capture the beauty of natural creation around these earthly creations that are His houses. Reading those words made me engage the photos even more earnestly to try to sense how God helped make these photos happen. It's a gift when someone seeks to use his talents to glorify the Lord and I feel that Brother Boyd desires to do this.
If you are like me and like getting glimpses into an artist's thoughts, you will definitely want to read the introduction of the book. For example, Boyd shares a little of how the temple helped him and his wife as they grieved the loss of their son. He shares about how the temple is, for him, a place of inspiration. And he shares a little about how he feels God helps him with his work: "I learned a long time ago that I cannot created beautiful, inspiring artwork alone.... Sometimes after finishing a new temple piece, I pick it up and feel like I am seeing it for the first time."
I'll end this review with a quote from that introduction, one I had never heard before.
"Every day an aura of light flows into the temple from the depths of eternity. As we enter the temple with a humble and receptive heart, we absorb some of that light. Thus, when we leave the temple, a portion of that light comes with us and 'without compulsory means' (D&C 121:46), radiates to those about us, bringing increased love, goodness, and joy to all." ~Elder John H. Groberg
About Robert A. Boyd: For ten years Robert A. Boyd has been creating images of temples around the world in a unique fine-art style. A professional photographer for nearly twenty years, Robert traveled the world photographing for clients, when one day his mother-in-law expressed her longing for a beautiful picture of the temple, and suggested that he should use his talents to photograph the temple in his artistic style. As soon as he began to try this it seemed as if new, beautiful scenes were now waiting for him every time he went to photograph. Robert hopes to share his feelings of the beauty of the temple as he strives to illuminate his photographs with peace, light and balance. He lives in Utah with his wife, Eleah, and their five children.
