This is very exciting news.  And LDS meetinghouse in Farmington, Utah has been built with solar power energy.  The church has over 17,000 buildings and just this building alone will save about $6,000 per year.  I suppose if all of our chapels had solar power, that could save over 10 million dollars.  I wonder if each one will eventually be converted to more environmentally friendly and economical energy sources.

It makes me happy to think of the possibilities the future holds and all the good the church will be able to do with the savings and the ways we will be able to help others throughout the world.  The first meetinghouse to run on solar power was in Tahiti. 

The energy conversation didn’t stop with the solar panels.  Four other buildings are being constructed in the same manner and will have tankless water heaters, plants that require less water, more efficient toilets, bathrooms that are easier to maintain, and other impressive features.  Reading the full story here, I’m tempted to build my own home modeled after it, on a smaller scale of course. 

I don’t know how many people aware of The LDS Church’s views on taking care of the earth.  We promote the Scout program which strongly emphasizes respect for our environment.  As a young woman in the church, I took part in a service activity marking drains to show that they should be kept free of chemicals to protect wildlife.  My son got to plant trees with his Cub Scout troop yesterday and they spend a good amount of time learning about our world.  Other Scouts have adopted neighborhoods and highways to keep free of debris.  Some of our congregations also take part in programs like that. 

We believe that God’s creations are a gift and we have a responsibility to take care of them and show gratitude for the things we have been given.  I’m proud of the steps we are taking to improve in that way.