Provo Tabernacle is a goner

I have about 26 things that I could write about on my blog...that is the number of exciting things i have done since I last posted, but this most recent life event takes priority. This morning, I get a text from Camille that said, "Provo Tabernacle is on fire! You should check it out today." Despite my state of undress and wet hair, I headed immediately to work (after putting clothes on and putting my sopping hair up in some sick bun). Our office balcony looks right over the Provo Tabernacle and I would have the perfect spot. I got there and saw this awful sight.

If you can't tell what is missing, look at this pre-fire picture of the tabernacle:

The entire roof caved in! Now, I am not going to pretend that I have these amazing life changing experiences that happened at the tabernacle because I don't. In fact, I can say that I dreaded going there for Stake Conferences because I can barely sit still for an hour, but sitting still for 2 hours on hard wooden benches in a stifling room was almost unbearable. You do have to admit that this building was one of (if not, the) prettiest buildings in Provo. It definitely does have the most history though, and I will miss it. I loved the spiral staircases and the stained glass windows, and the wooden pews that sit at a slant on the sides. Going in there felt like going into a church (not that our churches aren't church-y, they just are a lot more simple than other churches) I will especially miss it if it means I have to go to the Marriot Center. Personally, I don't think they will be able to salvage the building, but I hope they replace it with a building that is just as beautiful. If they don't, I just pray that NuSkin doesn't buy out the lot and build another one of their buildings on the property.

The fire started last night around 2-3 am. This makes me upset because I was lying awake in bed with a bout of insomnia at that time. If I would have known about the fire, you bet I would have jumped out of bed to watch the action. That smoke and fire probably would have put me right to sleep.

Update: I just went down to the tabernacle to get a better look and it is 10 times more sad than I thought. The whole building is just a skeleton with nothing but burnt wood on the inside.