Gilgal Gardens

On a balmy summer evening I visited the restored Gilgal Gardens in Salt Lake on 5th South and 750 East. As a college student seeing this visionary's artist depiction of a long ago era, for the first time brought confusion and questions.

Over the years I wondered what reaction it would have on me visiting it now. The sphinx with Joseph Smith's head, stone archway, scriptural references and more hold deep meanings we may never understand. What is this pleasant name, Gilgal?

Mentioned in the Old Testament: 1 Sam. 11: 14-15
14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

The Book of Mormon lists it at the end of the Nephite era in 400 AD:
3 Ne. 9: 6 And behold, the city of Gilgal have I caused to be sunk, & the inhabitants thereof to be buried in the depths of the earth;
Morm. 6: 14 And Lamah had fallen with his ten thousand; and Gilgal had fallen with his ten thousand; as both a city and a brave captain.

What significance the name has for the artist, LDS businessman Thomas Battersby Child, Jr. (1888-1963) is not known. His desire was that the garden would make people think: "You don't have to agree with me," he said. "You may think I am a nut, but I hope I have aroused your thinking and curiosity."

It's a peaceful place begun in 1945 and recently restored by many donors where one can go to contemplate life.