Creating The First Vision Stained Glass Windows For The Palmyra Temple

In all the work they have been privileged to do for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint temples, The Palmyra New York Temple project remains a tender and wonderful experience for both Gayle and Tom Holdman.  This is because it was the first project they did for their own Faith, and also because of the sacred nature of the project, depicting the origins of the church.

Having the task of depicting an experience that was stated to “defy all description” by Joseph Smith himself, was an overwhelming awareness that Tom and Gayle will never forget. The couple made it a matter of sincere prayer. Tom also sought for distinct insight for the temple design.

A distinguished window was needed for the temple, one that would make patrons feel the wonder and awe that Joseph sensed on that lovely morning. After much pondering and reflection, Tom and Gayle used this objective to blend the vision of Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ in many aspects of the temple glasswork.

For example, the edges of crystal leaves were sloped or beveled for each exterior window, refracting the light to symbolize the glorious light beaming through the trees draping the Father and Jesus appearing as if the foliage were on fire. This allows temple patrons to imagine what Joseph might have felt and experience that wonder for themselves. Each of the 108 windows installed in the temple represent the grove and symbolize how each individual may have their own personal witness to the truth taught in the temple, just like Joseph learned truth in the Sacred Grove.

Patrons to the temple can also discover another representation of the First Vision in the skylight above the baptistry. This octagon window makes the viewer feel as if they are gazing up through the trees with a glimpse of the blue sky on the outer edges and a glorious yellow and white center, as if you are seeing the light shining down on you in the font.

Although currently, the Holdmans have designed and created glasswork for dozens of temples around the globe, beginning with such a quintessential and history-compelling temple has shaped their dedication and love of this work from the beginning. Gayle and Tom Holdman's testimonies grew of the First Vision grew as they worked together on these sacred windows and the knowledge from this event has given them great insight to the origins of their religion.

Tom has expressed how each opportunity they've had to create art glass with any precept of the gospel expands their gratitude and knowledge of that principle. He calls the First Vision project, "Intimately personal" and yet "profoundly grand". Working on those glass art pieces for the Palmyra temple allowed the Holdman's to feel the Spirit many times bear witness that the First Vision really happened, as well as the ensuing revelations and miracles associated with the Restoration.

Both Gayle and Tom hope that this work will continue to suggest to viewers, thoughts about the eternal impact of the First Vision and how it is eternally meaningful to each of Heavenly Father’s children on earth.