Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock, the most famous Islamic site in Jerusalem. This impressive, beautiful edifice can be seen from all over Jerusalem. Interesting to note that the Dome is not a mosque, but a Muslim shrine. 

Wondering why I have a picture of Kelly in this post? Well, it's like this. The Dome of the Rock is on the Temple Mount, or Mount Moriah (under Muslim control). It was a hot day so Kelly wore a shirt very similar to this one. See, the clavicle bones are showing. As we entered the site, there was a guard there checking to make sure everyone was dressed appropriately. Guess who got sent to the side and not allowed forward? Guess why? Wow, was that a awful feeling, I of course always wear t'shirts that come right up to my chin and I didn't have anything extra give to Kelly to cover her up. Kelly didn't have a sweater, why would she, she doesn't have alot of tolerance for the heat so she wasn't about to pack around any extra clothing. So we stood on the side hoping for someone to lend a scarf, sweater, anything!! It gave us both a new appreciation for the parable of the ten virgins. The wise vs the foolish.

Finally, a nice gentleman was willing to lend his pullover and Kelly was able to wear that while on the Temple Mount. (HOT!!) It was interesting that neither Mike nor I had anything extra we could give Kelly. Oh man, the thought of leaving Kelly behind, or missing out on the site was almost more than I could take. I remember thinking, how can I give her my T'shirt? But really, that wouldn't have been pretty either!! Ahhhh! Perish the thought!

OK, back to the Dome. The Dome is build over a huge rock, 40' x 52' rising 7 feet above the level of the temple area. The rock is the summit of Mount Moriah. Jews believe this is where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac, the Muslims believe that is was Ishmael and not Isaac. Also the Muslims believe that Mohammad went to heaven from this point on his winged steed, al Baruck (lightning). When he ascended, the rock began to rise with him, but an angel appeared and held the rock down.

We weren't able to go inside the Dome, but the outside is interesting and beautiful.

 Just a picture of the pillars and the various marble that was used. It is believed that this is the site of Solomon's, Zerubbabel's and Herod's temples.

An interesting start to Sunday 14 November 2010. Kelly did a whole RS lesson based on this experience. It is quite a thing to watch a man (with a gun) admit some and refuse others based on manner of dress.

The Garden Tomb

After church at the BYU Center we toured some more. The Garden Tomb is one of my favorite spots. It was very peaceful and beautiful here.

Too bad I can't truly explain how nice it was to be in this garden, calm, quiet, beautiful, the picture gives an idea, but the feeling was incredible. This is an excellent candidate for the site of the burial and resurrection of Jesus. The Garden Tomb is located outside the city walls of Jerusalem and close to the Damascus Gate.

Our guide for this site was a very sweet English gentleman who bore a beautiful testimony of Christ and his sacrifice for mankind. I felt his humility and love for the Savior. Probably one of the sweetest experiences of the tour.

This is Golgotha, very possibly the site of the biblical Golgotha. This escarpment is located very close to the Garden Tomb and today is located behind a Palestinian bus station. Golgotha is the Aramaic word for skull. (Look closely, perhaps you can see why this could very well be the site.) Also this location is highly visible to people using the main road leading north from the city. For crucifixion to serve as a deterrent and a punishment, it makes sense that the crosses would be near a main thoroughfare.

This is the entrance to the tomb. I took this picture just to give an indication of how busy each of the sites in Jerusalem/Israel are. There are so many groups from all over the world visiting Israel.

Oh got lucky and got a picture without anyone in it, an accomplishment for sure!! This makes me think of Simon Dewey's painting of Christ's resurrection "He Lives". 

Inside the tomb, this is # 4, the burial place.

This is also in the tomb, # 8, the unfinished burial place.

Kelly and I are in # 6 the weeping chamber. Very interesting spot to be indeed and too bad we didn't have more time to spend pondering and just being. Yet, so lucky to be able to see these sites and put something physical to all the stories I've read and studied for years. (Ok, I'm not that old!!)

The sign on the door that can be seen as one exits the weeping chamber. "He is not here for He is risen!" That is the good news of the gopsel.

Sacred Pit

This was an education for me, as I can't say that I remember the fact that Jesus spent time in a pit or dungeon, but he did.

This is the sign that explains some of what we were seeing.

A view from above. This pit is located near Caiaphas' Palace. He is the Jewish King that was asked to judge Jesus and condemn him.

The view from below. Christ was imprisoned overnight while awaiting trial before Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.

This may be the dungeon or pit where the Savior spent the night. According to the information given this pit was very dank, dark and I believe sewage was part of the deal. "He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things..." (D&C 88:6)

Really, can one fully understand what was truly sacrificed for us? A quest of a lifetime and beyond it seems.

  

The sign for the church that was built at the location of Peter's denial of Christ 3 times before the "cock crows."

And this is the church of the sign! (Oh I know, master of the obvious!!)

This is a view of the path the Savior most likely took once he was arrested and escorted from Gethsemane across the Kidron Valley to Caiaphas' Palace. Gethsemane is in the general direction you are looking. Kind of fun to picture in the minds eye the Savior walking up those steps after his time in the Garden of Gethsemane.

These stairs/rocks/stones are dated to the time of Christ. These steps are roped off and the chances of these being the actual steps Christ used are high. Interesting idea for sure.

This is a view of the actual City of David, and it really gives one a perspective of the kind of things King David may have seen from his roof top on a hot summers eve. (I'm sure he didn't see satellite dishes, but perhaps he did when he was a good boy and got to see future events, who knows????)