With fountains, walkways and landscaping, the rooftop of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City does more than cover the building below.
It is a peaceful four-acre setting where people can go to elevate thoughts or spirit, or to simply be physically elevated and enjoy a panoramic view of mountains and the Salt Lake Valley.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, during his Conference Center dedicatory address in October 2000 general conference, mentioned that ground was broken for the building on July 24, 1997, then said, "We did not know it at the time, but in 1853 Brigham Young, in speaking of temples, said, "The time will come when . . . we shall build . . . on the top, groves and fish ponds. (Deseret News Weekly, April 30, 1853, p. 46.)
Later, President Hinckley added, "We have not built a temple with trees and fishponds on the roof. But on this edifice we have many trees and running water. Brigham Young may have foreseen this structure very near the temple."
With numerous small stands of trees conifers such as bristlecone pine and Serbian spruce, and deciduous such as elm, linden, maple and oak; a fountain, streams and pools of water, and a meadow, the roof can relieve visitors from the distractions of its urban setting.
The rooftop is generally open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, but is closed during meetings and events in the Conference Center. It may also be closed for things such as snow and ice removal.
Visitors can climb exterior or interior stairways to the roof or reach it by elevator from inside the Conference Center. The roof itself has many stairs along its walkways, but it also has ramps to make it fully accessible to everyone.
Scenic views from the roof — including the Wasatch Mountains to the north and east, and the Great Salt Lake and the valley to the west — are highlighted by an overview of Temple Square to the south.
The walkways seem endless for those who want to keep moving. While there are no park benches, when visitors want to rest they will find that the granite borders around planter boxes, pools, and the fountain provide plenty of places to sit.
A walkway from the fountain in the northeast corner to the south edge is in direct line with the Salt Lake Temple. The view from the southeast corner is of two long, narrow pools in line with the building's steeple. The northwestern third of the roof is a meadow landscaped to provide a typical Utah scene.
A visit to the rooftop can be part of a guided tour of the Conference Center (available from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily), or an independent short or long-term experience.