Freiberg, Germany ... Dec 6, 2008

We woke up early the next morning to drive the 30 minutes to Freiberg to the temple there. This temple was originally dedicated on June 30, 1985 in the communist German Democratic Republic (East Germany). While obviously inspired, my understanding is that the government's official logic to permit a religious building such as this to be built was to minimize external travel from the GDR to attend the Swiss temple in Bern. I think, personally, that secular logic doesn't resolve the reasoning behind allowing this temple to be built at the time it was built. On a side note, I had visited this temple in 1996 with my parents and sister. While it is admittedly hazy, I rember walking up to the door, a little window opening up and someone asking us what we wanted. We asked when the next session was, and either it was closed for the day, or there were not more sessions because we turned around and left, not even able to enter. I may have my facts wrong, but that is what I recall of the experience.
I did find out that the original temple was renovated in 2002, nearly doubling the square footage, also building a waiting room (which may be the source of my recollection of that little window, like in the Wizard of Oz at the gate of the Emerald City). The Angel Moroni was not permitted in the original construction but was placed on the temple in 2001.
I did a session first, while Heather waited, intending to switch and have her do a session while I then stayed with the kids. After my session Heather didn't think the kids could handle waiting for her, so we continued on (next time we will have to arrange babysitting or come with another family).

It was a great experience though, one which we should schedule more often.