I recently returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. While I was there I had the amazing opportunity to visit the D.C. temple. In the visitor’s center, there is a replica of the Nauvoo temple made entirely out of LEGOs.
That’s right. LEGOs.
That’s right. LEGOs.
I had to do a double take. I honestly couldn't believe what I was seeing. Having been an avid LEGOer as a child, I could fully appreciate the craftsmanship that it must have required. At the same time, my brain found the collision of my religion and my childhood pastime to be borderline sacrilegious. But the more I found out about the man who built it, the more I realized that I’ve missed my calling in life. Galen Fairbanks is living the life I should be living.
Galen J. Fairbanks is a Macintosh specialist who lives in the D.C. Metro area. He participated in the Nauvoo temple dedication ceremony and felt inspired. Now, when most people feel inspired they paint, write, blog, etc. But not Galen. As a result of the spiritual experience, he felt compelled to express himself through LEGO building.
Galen quickly recognized that he would have to acquire a lot of white LEGO pieces. He purchased any LEGO set he could find with white pieces in it and eventually started ordering individual pieces via the internet. It took him 18 months of labor to complete the masterpiece. None of the pieces are modified. They are 100% standard.
My favorite part about the replica can be seen if you look really close. On the front steps you can see Joseph Smith and Gordon B. Hinckley dressed up in their Sunday best. If you look above the door, you can see the “House of the Lord” plaque found on all LDS temples.
I was already jealous of Mr. Fairbanks, but that jealously increased tenfold when I discovered that in 2006, he was elected as the event coordinator for the D.C. Metro Area Star Wars Club. His favorite things to build out of LEGOs? Scenes from the Book of Mormon and Star Wars. Go figure.
Needless to say, I am changing majors and careers as soon as possible. Is there a chance I can dual major in computer science and micro-engineering? If you know the answer, call me. If I don’t answer I’m probably watching either a documentary on LDS temples or one of the Star Wars films.
I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
1 comment:
You can't change your major nor your career at this point. You have too much invested into not "staying out of the west wing". Here I sit in the great state of Utah only to inundated by a million yards of snow. Little Timmy would have enjoyed it but do to your lack of caring, he no longer can! So how does it feel to be a bagman.........actually the son of a baglada with a pony tall? Enjoy living in the banana belt
Love,
Dad
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