The Story of Salvation Mountain

[@TomScottGo]

I figure that there'll be some predictable comments on this video, so I've warmed up a few threads below to help keep them all together!

[@tommyrichards1589]

Tom Scott well planned, get ready for the commend to. Implode

[@BlazeStorm]

'Commented 3 days ago' It says that for each of your comments. Weird.

[@Blinkdawg23]

He probably had the whole vid unlisted for a few days.

[@tommyrichards1589]

BlazeStorm he probably uploaded 3 days ago. And then uploaded today

[@fynbo1007]

Tom Scott thank you for sharing your amazing video. God bless you and your family

[@TomScottGo]

If you think that Ron looks a bit like me, if I'd been living in the California desert for a year and a half, comment here.

[@SamSpain]

The red shirt helps.

[@derekconwaygd]

Tom Scott Me

[@casualonion]

Yep

[@EvanRoden]

These threads are great

[@unknownnoon800]

I thought he was you for a few seconds jk

[@TomScottGo]

If you've seen a version of this place in Grand Theft Auto 5, comment here.

[@ilovejesus1238]

Tom Scott yep

[@ok-eh3lk]

yup

[@JAFC49]

Yup

[@thanksfordoxingpeopleyoutube]

haha just about to make a comment about gta

[@SamSpain]

Yep! And only ever had seen it in GTA V.

[@juanvrico]

"TV is awesome too though. I'm not knocking TV" What a wonderful human being

[@OrigamiMarie]

Juan Rico I think he sort of realized in the moment that, hey, he was being recorded for a TV sort of thing, and so a lot of people watching him would have a strong opinion, and he wasn't interested in getting into an argument with them (even if he may never interact with the viewers). Which is just the right kind of easy-going.

[@squirlmy]

Is it easy-going, or pure genius? If it was me, I'd only think about that the day afterwards, spend the next few kicking myself. Actually I'm think of going there myself soon. Maybe I won't come back 😎

[@NinitoPh]

Wow the caretaker seems like a 200% chill dude

[@Kim_Jong-un1356]

Because 90% of the time he is 100% high.

[@TheRealPentigan]

Which means to average it out he's uh... For the remaining 10% of the time, he's 1100% high!

[@catfish552]

He's exactly the type of dude you'd expect to find taking care of this thing.

[@SmokeyChipOatley]

I think you’re slightly off. I’d say about 220% off.

[@KaiCyreus]

He likes that people are getting away from their TVs, but TV is still cool. Yeah, he's got the right idea.

[@eduardovargas1133]

“I don’t wanna knock tv” he’s the most accepting person ever. He literally just said yes to and about everything.

[@dontspikemydrink9382]

wanna hit homeless people with a shovel

[@TomScottGo]

If you'd like to argue religion for some reason, please don't comment. Just... please don't.

[@-Omega]

Tom Scott what about my freedom of speech?

[@cycklist]

Freedom of speech relates to government censorship of what you say. It has nothing to do with people abusing you in KZbin comments. And Tom is not your government nor anybody's so he can do what he likes.

[@GBart]

But the Great Prophet Zarquod is a true prophet of the Flying Spaghetti Monster! I'm offended at the mere mention of Christianity, how dare you acknowledge its existence!!

[@-Omega]

Portsmouth FC what if i told you that tom is my government

[@JohnDoe-dg1dl]

Most important comment on this entire video. You should probably pin it if this gets out of your usual fanbase...

[@BCandSL62309]

The guy you interviewed was very well-spoken. I can see why he was chosen to be the caretaker and share Leonard's passion with others.

[@cgomes1610]

BCandSL62309 I met Leonard when I was younger, such a genuine dude and great guy who just loved. This was his passion

[@MythicalRedFox]

I'm an atheist and even I think this is really cool. I think that's what's so great about it: the creator obviously made it from his love of Jesus, but anyone of any faith or lack thereof can still appreciate the art, dedication, and message of it. It's great.

[@chaoswebz]

I hope Tom makes a video on the near by Slab City, which is another place of beauty/interest in its own right. The whole area is really amazing, although this salvation mountain is certainly the most notable.

[@IceSpoon]

Agnostic here, and I totally agree.

[@LateNightHacks]

the art is cool. however I see some serious hints of mental illness that makes it rather dark than cool

[@TheGrooseIsLoose]

I was thinking the same thing. The total universal acceptance is such a noble and respectable thing that you can’t help but feel good hearing them talk about it in this video.

[@Aj32678]

Think of it this way, instead of condemning any of his children to eternal separation he chose to take that guilt on himself taking the consequences of our disobedience himself.

[@jacobreeves7980]

Those better be cans of the pinkest pink you've donated

[@HanabiraKage]

My thoughts exactly. XD

[@recklessroges]

Preservation vs restoration: do we only use the materials that the original artist used or do we take advantage or progress? If we add to a piece of art are we effectively destroying it?

[@theoriginaldylangreene]

+Reckless Rogues Under the artistic philosophy of Wabi-sabi preserving this site could be considered destroying it. Entropy is king, why fight it?

[@johnuferbach9166]

Dylan Greene because thats what life does... fight entropy

[@100GTAGUY]

@@recklessroges I'd consider it to be a form of "living" art perhaps

[@AGOW100]

The caretaker is an awesome dude

[@russdill]

Ya, big thanks for including the interview. It might be worth the trip just to meet Ron. Seems like an awesome guy.

[@MeAuntieNora]

What an interesting guy with a great attitude.

[@DissociatedWomenIncorporated]

I came here to say the exact same thing. Hell, I'm half tempted to run off and help him preserve the place.

[@diederik6710]

And he has a red shirt on

[@alwaysfallingshort]

"I aint knockin TV, TV's pretty cool too."

[@magiclegend1501]

I like that for a religious piece of art that the preserver is just cool with everybody; whatever they come for and whoever they are. More people should think like him, would save a lot of trouble in this world...

[@eddies7883]

Life is a bit more complicated than that..

[@Papperlapappmaul]

Eddie S That's probably true in many cases, but does it really have to be?

[@magiclegend1501]

@Eddie It most definitely is; but we also make it so complicated. Some things; such as rasicm; aren't that complicated when you break it down. Human psychology is to; that is true :-)

[@Cruxador]

Most really religious people are actually like that. The people giving religion in general a bad rap are the loud minority.

[@mitchelldavis482]

"More people should think like him, would save a lot of trouble in this world..." Rolling over for Christianity, historically speaking, is a greater guarantee of genocide than anything else. For example: this art was only able to be created on this hill because the locals were slaughtered in the California Genocides. Leaving out the context of constant genocide in this 'live and let live' mentality is pretty despicable. Whenever we let Christianity go unchallenged, whole peoples get exterminated. It's utterly evil to pretend that being cool with everybody is a good idea, because most people and most ideas are somewhere between volatile and entirely evil.

[@birdmn9930]

The colours look like something out of Yellow Submarine

[@AtomicShrimp]

And the supporting framework is straight out of Dr Seuss

[@Nosirt]

*color

[@AT-ry3ki]

Nizte Nitze you can spell color as colour. So he isn’t wrong

[@wmjm9931]

Nizte Nitze your probably telling a Commonwealth citizen on an English KZbin channel that the English way to write colour, a word in the English langue, is wrong.

[@DavidLee-fo6gd]

True love comes from a yellow submarine.

[@briangarrow448]

A classy gesture, Tom. Whether we believe in a God, or not, this is a monument to human persistence.

[@user-qx7tm5df8j]

its a pile of painted cement afterall.. ^^

[@MithykalGaming]

Don't cut yourself on that edge there Jimbo.

[@Ucceah]

everything is only a "just", after all. the memories of a lifetime are just a drop in the ocean of information. every dream, hope and desire, is just a flicker in the fire. and time is that fire, which consumes all. leaving anything more than just a memory behind, is a thing few accomplish. this work will live on, and every appreciation and effort to preserve it, is love given to it's creator, every smile is him returning it. * sniff * peace!

[@TheVeritableQuandary]

... and a supreme waste of time and money. Donate your time to the sick and your money to the poor. THAT would be a greater achievement.

[@nxs1811]

Veritable Quandary Then go do that instead of wasting your time on KZbin comments. That thing is still better use of time than whatever you're doing here.

[@InTheBeginningTheUniverseWas]

this guy is chill. i like him

[@1.4142]

42

[@UFOhunter4711]

Cool

[@fyuko]

Why do u have such a long name

[@txrxw]

hitchhikers guide?

[@sebis6513]

@@1.4142 42

[@RareEarthSeries]

Great video Tom!

[@uremailingalex]

Astronaut! Wow! Thank you for your service to science and humanity!

[@ShihammeDarc]

It seems like a rare earth video subject

[@TheOfficialCzex]

The impressive part of this art project is its sheer magnitude in scale and its collaborative nature. It's like a pre-Internet r/place.

[@607]

TheOfficialCzex But originally made by one person!

[@garbage63]

...Except for the fact that it was mostly constructed by one person.

[@Primalxbeast]

TheOfficialCzex Well, they don't have electricity or running water out there so I wouldn't bet on a quality internet connection.

[@ludwig2345]

I have 8-9 pixels left in the canvas There is a tool for checking that but i dont remerber the name

[@TheOfficialCzex]

@Ulti Did you? A volunteer group has been maintaining the site since 2011.

[@CharlesTheClumsy]

I had no idea it was actually him in the movie "Into the Wild" That's awesome!

[@TheRatchetnclank]

Charlie Clumsy I knew I saw this in a film rather than a music video. Just couldn't remember which one. You just saved me going mad for a few hours trying to remember.

[@jmckendry84]

Yeah, I was fairly sure that it was in Into the Wild but wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for the confirmation! I love the caretaker. Seems like a really laid back guy, would be a pleasure to spend a day hanging out doing some painting with him!

[@MisterMajister]

jmckendry84 Agree! I adore people who puts love and respect before anything else.

[@ilicythings]

This hits really weirdly halfway through 2020. There is hope in the world. That's something you might not have known.

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

"The moment I knew about it, I wanted to come here and see it for myself." That pretty much sums up my love for the Mountain and for your channel, Tom :)

[@Tara_Li]

I loved the quiet enthusiasm you showed in this video. You're usually so excited and energetic, and the enthusiastic solemnity you showed here was just underscored by the comparison.

[@thomasconnors9388]

I don't really believe in religion personally but there is still a beautiful message in this, no need to hate on people, just help and love eachother by preserving a beautiful piece of meaningful art :)

[@GmoneyStylez]

"TV is awesome too though I'm not Knocking TV" We all need to be a bit more like this

[@Crusade]

Tom Scott, you have one of the most pleasing voices to listen to. That's all. Carry on.

[@BubbleBlowingBanana]

I can only imagine Leonard was so lost in his life, then he found God and he must of believed it so much he spent 28 years building it, that's dedication

[@theodour8617]

I believe LSD had a lot to do with it also. Acid was the thing in California and this really looks like it was made from somebody who took a lot of acid.

[@utleychase7]

Glad you did a video on this. After your Cali singing road, I was hoping you would do more videos within the California deserts and their oddities like the Salvation Mtn.! Good timing Tom!

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Nice episode. A bit different feel to your normal stuff, it felt chill.

[@KC_Streams]

This is what knowing God and Jesus Christ is about. Not vain tradition or repetition, not ceremony, not authority or hierarchy. It's about personally experiencing the Living God in your own way. God bless Leonard Knight. He is with the God of Love now.

[@MrSamulai]

Too bad religious authorities wouldn't exactly line up to agree with you.

[@GoulartGH]

MrSamulai "authorities" they are people claiming to represent God, but that doesnt mean they actually do

[@DrunkenAussie76]

GoulartGH That sounds like a 'no true representative fallacy to me

[@GoulartGH]

DrunkenAussie how's that a 'fallacy'?

[@Mvzzi]

King Ar-Pharazôn how do you know he is with god now?

[@blitztim6416]

Met Leonard a few years before he passed. He seemed to really enjoy meeting the people that came out to see his mountain. I’m glad it’s being kept up.

[@NateBostian]

The last few seconds got me in the feels. Love is Love, and we are all either on a pilgrimage to find Love, or fervently trying to convince ourselves Love doesn't exist.

[@WakeUpHarold]

Gotta love the fact that dude literally just looked at it and thought "Imma make a Jesus mountain!"

[@theodour8617]

LSD

[@Mattteus]

Outsider art is like the b-movie of art, someone scrounged to make their vision a reality. The heart behind it trumps the finished product. I love this stuff!!

[@Pablorovirita]

This is so lovely! It just feels good, so much positivity. I love the guy who made it originally, I love the care taker, I love you all, peeps who are reading this~

[@AlexMR]

I came here after he passed its such a gorgeous thing to look at in the middle of no where to find this, and I'm not religious but Leonard was amazing in just the videos I've seen of him, learn that he means God Is Love, and he just wanted people to love and that was a beautiful message he left. Thanks Leonard

[@charless1935]

Dude, I love your videos, you make some of the best content on youtube. Keep it up Tom!!

[@gondiken]

This caretaker guy seems super-cool! Kudos to him, to the artist and to the people who maintain and respectfully visit there ❤️ Also I loved your final comments Tom: "It's difficult to be cynical here"

[@1874WL]

Guy being interviewed seemed like a lovely bloke

[@kaazmodan]

With Tom usually being so concrete and direct, which is what we like him for, it's nice to see him so heartfelt once in a while.

[@moisesfavela573]

It's videos like these that leaves me to wonder why hasn't Tom Scott received any awards

[@infraviolet]

i'm not a massively religious guy but this is an impressive work of art and i love that it brings people together

[@LudvigIndestrucable]

Regardless of whether people find it beautiful or even pretty, it's refreshing to find religious fervour channelled into an open ended, inclusive expression of 'love' rather than division, exclusion and hate.

[@confettibubbles7337]

This is what my religion is supposed to be, a shining example of it actually. The hate and division you often see is from unsatisfied 'christians' who don't know anything about being Christian, so they satisfy the void by dictating people and policing them so they can feel better about themselves. These were things Jesus openly opposed and was the whole reason why Christianity came to be

[@mouseman165]

"TV is awesome too though, so I'm not knocking TV" Classic

[@MisterAppleEsq]

A testament to human effort, really.

[@dotails]

Thank you Tom Scott, I hadn't heard of this place, Amazing, I think the art isn't just the paint and shape but the atmosphere of love and respect it fosters is beautiful and I'm sure God appreciates it.

[@danieladamczyk08]

They way your voice was so quiet and calm added to the feel of the place

[@Mattchupichue]

charlie we found candy mountain

[@breakingthemasks]

Matty sirotkin ... holy nostalgia Batman! Nice one!

[@jesslynch94]

Matty sim oh GOD MY KIDNEYS

[@emilyhughes5903]

It’s a leopluridon, Charlie! A MAGICAL leopluridon!

[@ThisLittleCriticSanad]

It’s so beautiful! Can’t look away!

[@eddies7883]

This Little Critic I would say the colour scheme is a little... random... just a bit...

[@AlexiLaiho227]

that's kind of what makes it really feel nice and outsider-y. like how daniel johnston doesn't actually sound 100% good when he sings or like has a bit of misplaced intonation. it's just what makes it outsider art, and that's the best kind of art

[@kiro9291]

what a nice critic aw

[@parkjimin6367]

I know right I hope I can go there in the future

[@GeoffBernard]

I really enjoyed your comments at the end.

[@tomkenning5482]

Even as an atheist I find this totally amazing. It just says so much about humanity, how much faith we put in unknowable beings, but also how those beings, real or not, in spite of all the bad, have helped create a hell of a lot of good.

[@connybrown8940]

I love this and this will be a great adventure for my daughter and I to do. Thank you so much for this video. I want to see it more than ever.

[@FuzzyPuppet]

The caretakers voice sounds exactly like Dennis Leary !

[@captainclipy6236]

This is such a true expression of God’s love, so incredible

[@TheKristyMack]

It looks like a coral reef, soo pretty 😊

[@PigeonDetectivesFTW]

this moved me to tears and gave me shivers, I'm not religious but from a religious family I respect people's faith and belief choices. What struck me is how camlingly beautiful the place looks when it could easily just look tacky. Tom this was a wonderful video thank you :). I really want to come here and to bring some paint.

[@grieferjones2237]

I'm not religious (in fact, I sort of despise Christianity), but this is amazing. Absolutely inspiring. Thanks, Tom.

[@curlminion]

Oh so when somebody draws on a hill its "art" and "inspirational" but when I do it its "graffiti" and told "im not allowed to play mini golf here again"

[@shmh6002]

Quit your crying

[@MD-qh6ld]

@@shmh6002 it was a joke dude

[@VenusVoice]

I cried at the end, it was so pure and kind.

[@uncledeath2246]

"Try dedicating 28 minutes of something nowadays" I can count at least 4 games i play with more than 1000 hours invested in them

[@joshuanorman2]

You're still missing the point

[@RarePupper]

28 minutes of something useful...?

[@NukelearFallout]

Yeah but are you thinking of others, or helping them?

[@max-ed1kk]

ur doing great honey

[@the1noodles]

Gaming is useful to many people

[@2week2slo79]

You're really impressing me with these last few videos you have made Mr. Scott. Thank you.

[@uttbigal]

Finally a video that is worth watching on youtube trending!

[@Terreur_rose]

This guy is so wholesome I love this, this video makes me feel good. :')

[@AlanWiltsie]

Who else loves Jesus as much as I do?! ❤

[@captainclipy6236]

I do :)

[@rowanzone]

cat at 1:58

[@bdf2718]

The cat appears twice. You should have watched more closely.

[@casualonion]

bdf2718 I noticed that.

[@tdolan500]

Did you see the guy in the red shirt?

[@elliottloverin3289]

wil son thank you

[@annamartin2211]

Who else spotted the desert?

[@McRocket]

I have seen at least 75% of your videos on this channel...I do not often recall you seeming as quietly moved by something you were reporting on. Excited, fascinated, thrilled...yes. But your reaction to this seemed more from the heart and less from the head. And, BTW, that caretaker seemed beyond cool. Thanks for presenting this to us.

[@TheLaptopLagger]

I love how Ron constantly mentions that it's not necessarily for religious people or whatever It's for people All people

[@jur4x]

have you brought them the pinkest pink paint? :)

[@rva]

Whose coming with me?

[@nafreal]

No one apparently

[@radiorebel1609]

Kesha filmed her music video here

[@ms94]

Hello Goodbye yeah that's where I've recognised this place from too.

[@gshalabama]

I really love it when one of your videos show up for me to watch ❤

[@marknava321]

It’s beautiful as a symbol and testament to human love, dedication, and creativity.

[@wiertara1337]

I wonder what colour of paint did you bring...

[@book81able]

Tom, where is the, "I visited this place when I was 7" thread? That's the one I'm in and I'm dispointed it's not here

[@THEH4RLEMSH8KERS]

Hey yo Tom, check out the Grotto of the Redemption in West Bend, IA.

[@Schpoople]

Thank you for putting an even better spotlight on what seems like such an important place and symbol. Seriously, thank you.

[@some-online-dude]

The world definitely needs more chill people like that one

[@davidlopez5315]

Is this where they shot the music video for Praying by Kesha?

[@Elit3Energy]

yep

[@GBart]

It's beautiful but also a little sad

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

AndroidDoctorr because Knight died in 2014 and didn't get to completely see his vision through?

[@ShaunCheah]

Just like life, then.

[@tonysansom]

AndroidDoctorr I find it inspiring.

[@jayteegamble]

Yeah, i'm not sure why i find it a little sad too.

[@pjrt_tv]

It kind of just looks like a Jesus-infused Teletubbies landscape

[@derps7746]

Uhh you say it like its a bad or unimpressive thing...?

[@Sadaaaaf]

Yuki Light no that’s how you feel, which says something.

[@theodour8617]

I bet a lot of LSD was taken before the making.

[@chase2337]

I'm a couple years late, but I got engaged at Salvation Mountain. Such a special place, very trippy.

[@ShaunDreclin]

This is the kind of religious message I can support, being good and loving your fellow humans.

[@jordanjaimonae]

Kesha - Praying 💗

[@Kori114]

Saw this in Jessica's (from Girls' Generation) music video Fly. Didn't realize it was a thing. Cool.

[@SSketchii]

Rest in peace Christopher McCandless

[@alexia3552]

It's so bright and full of joy, I really love it

[@eye2eye899]

Tom, you are so very close to 1 million subs! Keep up the great work!

[@sergh8605]

I want to go!

[@maurifinger]

It's hard for me not to think about Neil Gaiman's American Gods when hearing about this kind of places.

[@JRod0409]

I'm glad something like this exists, it's a little sad that I've seen jokes on the internet painting such a cool guy as an idiot though.

[@ladofthedamned7796]

The people on the internet making jokes about this guy is just your average atheist

[@nathankurtz8045]

damnLad This is about inclusivity, love, and free expression. I don't think ascribing vitriol to an arbitrary group of people is appropriate here.

[@lars1588]

@@ladofthedamned7796 No. Atheists aren't bad. God wouldn't want us to hate any group of people- ever.

[@ladofthedamned7796]

@@lars1588 some atheists aren't bad but some atheists are bad

[@theodour8617]

@@ladofthedamned7796 I'm an average atheist and I think Ron is cool.

[@jeremybarrios3805]

I would like to go there, not just because kesha was there filming praying but, it really does look like a beautiful piece of art.

[@jumpbubble]

You always interview the coolest people, Tom.

[@Coldd333]

2:36 that guy is totally praising the sun

[@CoffeeOnRails]

*End screen*. Me: "Woah I wanna go there!"

[@e4iojk]

I'm not religious at all. Personally, I don't see it, but this is lovely. I'd love to go see this

[@607]

Wow, this is amazing!! I hadn't ever seen this before, it's really beautiful. :) And thank you so much for how you presented this! It was so full of love!! Love and respect, 607.

[@lawrencecalablaster568]

Thank you for your contributions and everything you do, Tom.

[@Pfaeff]

One day before Halloween and this is the creepiest thing I've seen all day.

[@ncc74656m]

Tom, you big softy! :)

[@happyorangejuce]

Ron seems like the most stereotypically Californian person I've ever seen.

[@jrojassengard2586]

I, this gives me hope. It really shows there's some simple good in this world. Just that ya know, we can just be chill and happy sometimes and have fun. From the good of our hearts.

[@zachogilman7397]

Wow, that place is amazing. Almost speechless.