罗马圣殿广场受意大利文化和历史启发的 4 种方式
这篇文章是由耶稣基督后期圣徒教会的当地成员投稿的。所表达的观点可能不代表耶稣基督后期圣徒教会的观点和立场。对于教会的官方网站，请访问 churchofjesuschrist.org网站.
伊桑·迪·吉罗拉莫
Though Italy has famously been the home of Catholicism for millennia, Rome specifically, I have found, has been seen as an important city for countless religious groups. Rome holds the title of the largest Muslim mosque in the European Union, and also the largest Jewish population in Italy. In addition, Rome also houses the continent’s largest church of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. And that is without even mentioning the beautiful Vatican City which, for many, represents the ancient foundations of Christianity in Europe as a whole. But, in my eyes, what may be numbered as one of the most special religious institutions to see in Rome is the temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was this temple, having taken over ten years from planning to completion. One might wonder, being erected on Roman soil, how does this large new structure reflect and preserve the archaic culture of Rome and its inhabitants? Here are four clever ways that will surely sate any rising curiosity.
1. The Temple adopts the theme of Michelangelo’s twelve-pointed star in the 坎皮多格里奥广场
不需要任何仔细观察就能注意到罗马意大利神庙的地板、天花板和家具中弥漫着一颗特殊的十二角星。这个具体的设计直接来自 坎皮多利奥广场， one of Michelangelo’s most renowned architectural masterpieces. Sometimes referred to as the top of Rome, the twelve-pointed star piazza sits at the top of the highest of seven hills in Point Rome. The ancient Apostle John likened stars to Christ when he taught that “The light shineth in the darkness,” (John 1:5), while the twelve points, that stem from the star, symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel, as well as the original twelve apostles. The twelve-oval design that encompasses the star (both in the piazza, and in the temple) reminds us all of the religious significance of the oval shape, including rebirth, immortality, and eternity. All of the ceremonies that are performed in this sacred edifice repeatedly remind Latter-day Saints of these vital and God-given principles.
2. Much of the building is crafted of high-quality Italian stone
Quarried from various locations in Italy including Lucca and Rome itself, Perlato Svevo and Mediterranean beige travertine stones are used as the primary materials for much of the Temple’s floors, stone base, walls, and countertops. Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are intended to prevail through generations, making specifically durable marbles and stones a vital and standard part of the materials list. Jesus Christ taught us that “…whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). Realizing that using strong materials creates a firm and secure temple, I have understood the figurative significance of a strong spiritual foundation, striving to build my testimony on sure doctrine and sound principles.
3. The stained glass is inspired by the Roman olive tree
作为上帝为他的孩子们塑造的美丽地球的提醒，大部分彩色玻璃都是为了模仿生机勃勃的植被而制作的ㅡ，但不仅仅是任何随机的植物。神庙中的彩色玻璃展示了郁郁葱葱的意大利橄榄树枝条，它们似乎缠绕在一起，仿佛已经生长了几个世纪。但出于某种原因，一些孤独的罗马老鼠和橄榄树叶子本身的简单性证明对寻找艺术的眼睛来说是惊人的。然而，上帝的爱并不是绿色植物的描绘唯一提醒我们的东西；橄榄树象征着耶稣基督和他为我们所做的牺牲，因为他在客西马尼园中被象征性地像橄榄一样压榨，以补偿我们的悲伤、痛苦和考验。关于我们的救主，先知以赛亚教导说：“他为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤：他受的刑罚使我们得平安，因他受的鞭伤我们得医治”（以赛亚书 53:5）。罗马橄榄树无疑是我们救世主的恰当象征，后期圣徒在里面举行的每一个圣殿仪式中对他了解得更多。
4. Ancient native-grown Italian flora is displayed in gardens on the temple grounds
有趣的事实：耶稣基督后期圣徒教会的意大利罗马圣殿实际上建在一片古老的橄榄树林中，一排又一排非常古老的罗马本土橄榄树。虽然这些树中的大多数可能已有 150 年左右的树龄，但据推测其中一些树的树龄已有 5 个世纪之久，如今仍保留在寺庙内，展示在花园和其他灌木丛中。罗马松也有特色，混合在它们的水果亲戚中。事实上，说到水果，实际上是采摘和压榨现场树上的橄榄，然后将油用于意大利罗马神庙内的必要仪式。
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints view temples as being crucial to the salvation of all of Heavenly Father’s children. While primarily used to provide Latter-day Saints with a sacred place to feel an increase of the Holy Ghost and make two-way promises (also known as covenants) with God, Latter-day Saints recognize that temples are, above all, Houses of the Lord. Because of the sacred nature they bear, Latter-day Saints strive to build these holy temples with a standard of as close to perfection as is humanly possible. From its footings to its spires, to every square inch of the land parcel it stands on, to each blade of grass on the lawn, and every pedal of every flower, all are dedicated solely to the Lord as an expression of our love and gratitude for Him, and all is maintained with utmost care and respect. We invite all, “…black and white, bond and free, male and female…” (2 Nephi 26:33) to come, partake of the goodness of our Savior Jesus Christ, and enjoy the blessings of His holy temples. These special buildings are sacred, not secret, and the blessings received inside are available for every human soul despite one’s imperfections. If you find yourself wanting to see the temple for yourself, please come and feel the wonderful spirit that is always plentiful on the temple grounds. It may just change your opinion about where in Rome architectural beauty can truly be found and maybe even bring to new light the religious significance of the Biblical city itself.
