I think I was well into my twenties before I managed to make the an enduring distinction between Woodrow Wilson and Wilford Woodruff.

Oh man–good ones.

It’s a Reformed Egyptian Sphinx.

Nah, it won’t hurt their testimonies.

Yeah, you can look at the website, but I don’t think it will satisfy you entirely.

“I can understand the sentiment behind them, but cannot quite comprehend why they would actually be made. I’m about there with the Joseph Smith sphinx, too, but I’ll keep on thinking about it and why oh why anyone would put forth the requisite effort to create a lion/Joseph Smith hybrid of stone in their backyard.”

Because of the lasting effect and the impression they leave on the spectators! I love the Gilgal Garden! It’s a place I never skip to take any acquaintance that comes to Utah for the first time. You know, there are the obligatory places you have to take them like Temple Square and the Joseph Smith building… well the Gilgal Garden is on my list of places people must visit when in Salt Lake City.

To me, it is representative of how important symbology was to Mr. Thomas Battersby Child Jr, both as a Freemason and as a Mormon. I also believe is representative of how Mormons in general embrace their religion through symbology in a deeper level (Temple rites).

The ability to view life and religion through a symbological lense is basic to understanding Mormon religious expression. Therefore, the Sphynx to me is not only a tribute to Joseph Smith, his wisdom and his mysticism, but also a tribute to the symbological nature of both Mormonism and Freemasonry.

I think annegb is right. There’s no rational explanation for Gilgal. It wouldn’t be on my list of places to take most people because it’s just too eccentric. Lifetime members might think it’s interesting, but for those just getting acquainted with Mormons, it’s bound to up the weird quotient to extreme levels.

Manuel, if you don’t see the weirdness in Gilgal, there’s something wrong with you. Yes, every religion, including ours, has weird-sounding beliefs when you look at them from a purely rational point of view. But add to that a sphinx in a backyard with the prophets head on it, and someone not familiar with our religion is apt to be a little confused and yes, weirded out. That’s a simple fact, and it’s not coming from a molly mormon.

Oh I love seeing these behaviours annegb. I am an avid current culture observer. As long as these people don’t start a petition to remove the sculpted fellowship masonic handshake from the Salt Lake Temple, I’ll be fine. ;)

Oh, it’s weird. Unquestionably weird.

Chris, it these people bothered to read the pamphlet provided for free at the garden, they would understand those things. But no, they rather make a shallow judgment of their first impression of something they don’t understand and of someone when they don’t bother to step in their shoes and attempt their vision even if for an instant.

They are the same as those who criticize Mormonism in general without bothering trying to understand their views. They pass shallow judgment on things they don’t understand, thus “Mormons are weird” will always be their motto. Only when you try to understand and make a minimal effort to visualize through their view is when things begin to be more understandable.

Let’s just be greatful these people aren’t Evangelicals.

Manuel, I think your tone is a little harsh, not everyone is thinking on the same brainwave so to speak…
But I didn’t realize the connection to masonry until your earlier post. Sphinxes ask certain questions (bad luck if you can’t answer). And they “guard” the entrances to masonic temples. So there’s actually some nice symbolism to dig into behind what is on the face an aesthetically unattractive piece of art.

MCQ, that’s why I love Mormons! But I think it is unfair for anything to be labeled weird just on shallow perceptions.

Nothing shallow about my perception. I’ve been to Gilgal many times. It’s still weird.