羅馬聖殿廣場受意大利文化和歷史啟發的 4 種方式
這篇文章是由耶穌基督後期聖徒教會的當地成員投稿的。所表達的觀點可能不代表耶穌基督後期聖徒教會的觀點和立場。對於教會的官方網站，請訪問 churchofjesuschrist.org網站.
伊桑·迪·吉羅拉莫
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 坎皮多格里奧廣場
不需要任何仔細觀察就能注意到羅馬意大利神廟的地板、天花板和家具中瀰漫著一顆特殊的十二角星。這個具體的設計直接來自 坎皮多利奧廣場， 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
作為上帝為他的孩子們塑造的美麗地球的提醒，大部分彩色玻璃都是為了模仿生機勃勃的植被而製作的ㅡ，但不僅僅是任何隨機的植物。神廟中的彩色玻璃展示了鬱鬱蔥蔥的意大利橄欖樹枝條，它們似乎纏繞在一起，彷彿已經生長了幾個世紀。但出於某種原因，一些孤獨的羅馬老鼠和橄欖樹葉子本身的簡單性證明對尋找藝術的眼睛來說是驚人的。然而，上帝的愛並不是綠色植物的描繪唯一提醒我們的東西；橄欖樹象徵著耶穌基督和他為我們所做的犧牲，因為他在客西馬尼園中被象徵性地像橄欖一樣壓榨，以補償我們的悲傷、痛苦和考驗。關於我們的救主，先知以賽亞教導說：“他為我們的過犯受害，為我們的罪孽壓傷：他受的刑罰使我們得平安，因他受的鞭傷我們得醫治”（以賽亞書 53:5）。羅馬橄欖樹無疑是我們救主的恰當象徵，後期聖徒在裡面舉行的每一個聖殿儀式中都對他了解得更多。
4. Ancient native-grown Italian flora is displayed in gardens on the temple grounds
有趣的事實：耶穌基督後期聖徒教會的意大利羅馬聖殿實際上建在一片古老的橄欖樹林中，一排又一排非常古老的羅馬本土橄欖樹。雖然這些樹中的大多數可能已有 150 年左右的樹齡，但據推測其中一些樹的樹齡已有 5 個世紀之久，如今仍保留在寺廟內，展示在花園和其他灌木叢中。羅馬松也有特色，混合在它們的水果親戚中。事實上，說到水果，實際上是採摘和壓榨現場樹上的橄欖，然後將油用於意大利羅馬神廟內的必要儀式。
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.
