Charming Copenhagen
Denmark days in Copenhagen! Such a pretty city! Mike and I both have quite a bit of Danish ancestry, so it somehow felt a bit like home while we were there!
Crown Jewels, their famous Little Mermaid statue and colorful Nyhavn were among the highlights. Other Danish delights were swans (their national bird), charming neighborhoods, a Legos shop (Denmark is the country where Legos were invented) and a spree at the Royal Copenhagen shop! Then we enjoyed, the incredible spiral steeple of The Church of Our Savior (quite a climb up winding stairs to the top), the Stock Exchange (from Medieval times), "meeting" a local favorite – author Hans Christian Anderson's sculpture, a tour of Rosenborg Castle (with its grandeur, treasures and history) and a boat ride to munch at the market place food stalls! We also noshed on native fish, harbor-side and found a favorite new restaurant called "Sticks and Sushi".
My favorite though had to be THE exquisite, original Christus statue in The Church of Our Lady (aka Cathedral of Copenhagen) and the intricately carved 12 apostles, all from flawless Carrara marble. Judas Iscariot was replaced by Paul. Each disciple holds items specific to them and their ministry. For example, Peter holds marble keys, as he was given the keys to Christ's church. Andrew holds a scroll, James the elder holds a staff, Paul holds a sword, Philip bears a cross. The resurrected Christ, with pierced hand and side has outstretched arms and a countenance of peace, beckoning all to come to Him. The very simple, plain even, exterior of the church itself was a perfectly humble contrast to the exquisiteness of the statues and the reverent, and joyous feelings taking them in invoked. Artist Bertel Thorvaldsen was obviously inspired.
Delighted to see the Copenhagen Latter-day Saint Temple! There was a reverent and peaceful feeling present as we visited the beautiful building and simple grounds. It was the ninth temple built in Europe and second built from an existing building. As the website indicates, “. . . The interior was completely gutted, leaving the exterior and a few carefully reproduced portions of the interior as reminders of the original chapel.” It was dedicated for sacred ordinances in May 2004 by President Gordon B. Hinckley. A meetinghouse for Sabbath worship and weekday activities is located near the temple. So grateful for my testimony of the power of Latter-day Saint temples as houses of the Lord and for the eternal blessings and learning that come from serving there! Our Danish ancestors would also be thrilled to know Denmark has a temple!
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