By AUDREY PERRY
perry@du2.byu.edu
You've heard tales about the mysterious tunnels under Temple Square where amazing things happen and great men walk.
These intricate tunnels, or so you've heard said in hushed whispers, weave in and out all around below the temple block. Up until now, all they have been to you are rumors, bedtime stories told by those who have never actually seen the tunnels. You've always wondered whether these mystical tunnels actually exist, or if they are just another Mormon myth. If pondering over the existence of the tunnels under Temple Square has kept you awake at night, then today is your lucky day because not only do I know the tunnels exist, I have been down there. And to prove their existence, I will take you on a walk through the tunnels to the Tabernacle, just in time for Conference.
The landmark you have to find to get into the tunnels is the Relief Society Building. Just to the right of the main entrance is a driveway. Take your car slowly down because it curves sharply and goes down quickly like a spiral staircase. It is very dark driving down this driveway. Giant gray walls is all you can see. Once you come to the end of this driveway, you see a massive parking lot. A security guard stops you, asks who you are and asks to see your pass. If you don't have one, tough luck, you're going back up into the light of day. But, if somehow the security guard lets you pass, drive straight on and to the right.
When you have gone as far right as you can, you see a row of conservative gray and maroon cars. These belong to the First Presidency and the Twelve, parked in a row in order of seniority. Park your car and get out. In front of the General Authorities' cars are several doors. These all lead to tunnels that lead to landmarks all over downtown Salt Lake. On the far left is the door that leads to the Lion House. Next, is the door to the Church Administration Building -- the door the Council of the Twelve use to get to work every day. Then, there is a door that leads to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building tunnel. On the other side of the parking lot is a door to the Relief Society Building, and another one that goes to the towering Church Office Building. But we don't want to go through any of these doors, our destination is the Tabernacle.
We have a little walk ahead of us, so if you don't think you're up to the challenge, or your heels are killing you, feel free to hop into one of the golf carts driving around. For the next part of our journey, we will walk along the sidewalk to the right. Soon we will come to a giant doorway without a door. This is where we want to go. (You will probably have to pass through some more security guards -- they are spaced throughout the tunnels.)
You will be amazed at the space in this tunnel. Instead of the dark crawling space you may have imagined, they are wide, tall spacious walkways (there's plenty of room for the golf carts to go around each other and the people walking), with many doors and rooms on either side. They are nicely carpeted and decorated. Somewhere along this tunnel is an entrance to the tunnels under the Temple. Don't ask me where, but I know it's there.
As we walk along this branch of the tunnel, make sure you wave and say 'hello' to all the faces you recognize, and don't mix up the members of the Twelve. Don't say to Elder Ballard, 'Hello Elder Nelson,' or ask Elder Hale how his wife, Sister Holland is doing. They will probably just smile and say 'hello,' but when you figure out your blunder, you'll feel pretty stupid.
After taking several turns and getting thoroughly lost, you will come to a big open room with lots of people sitting down and busily talking. These are the translators. They are very friendly, so make sure you wave and call hello in your favorite language. The Tabernacle Choir can also be seen hanging out around here. Make sure you sing a song of hello to them as well.
The tunnel narrows a bit once you pass the translators, and soon you must go up a small staircase. (If you were riding the golf cart, this is probably a good time to get off.) At the top of the stairs is my personal favorite part of the tunnel system. At this point, you are standing right behind the organ pipes in the Tabernacle. You can see the backs of the larger pipes, bunched in threes with a tiny door in the middle. If you are lucky, maybe someone will unlock one of the doors for you, and you can squeeze into the cubby the three pipes make. It's quite a thrill to actually be inside the famous Tabernacle organ pipes!
Now our tour of the tunnels is almost over. Step through a door by the organ pipes, and you are on the stand in the Tabernacle. To your left are the chairs where the General Authorities sit. In front of you is the crowd sitting in the Tabernacle anticipating the start of General Conference. You go down the steps of the stand and take your seat near the front. The people sitting around you have been waiting in line in the rain since 5 a.m. just to get into the building. Aren't you glad you know your way around the mysterious tunnels under Temple Square?