Mesa Arizona Temple

Mesa Arizona Temple

Mesa Arizona Temple - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints South Lesueur Mesa Arizona, United States. Located just east of the original Mesa Townsite—settled by Mormon pioneers—the Mesa Arizona Temple anchors a historic district, which has predominantly retained its residential character. A public visitors' center shares the meticulously manicured grounds of the temple, which feature a cactus garden and large reflection pools. The Easter season brings thousands of guests to the temple grounds every year to watch Jesus the Christ, the largest annual outdoor easter pageant in the world. At Christmas time, the grounds are converted to an exquisite Nativity display accented by hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights. Temple Facts The Arizona Temple was the first temple built in Arizona. The Mesa Temple was the first temple to present the endowment in a language other than English. (The first non-English session was presented in Spanish in 1945.) The Mesa Arizona Temple was the first temple to reopen to the public for an open house prior to a rededication. The Mesa Arizona Temple was originally named the Arizona Temple. Before the Mesa Temple was constructed, Arizona members performed temple ordinances in the St. George Utah Temple. Because of the numerous bridal parties that traveled the wagon road between St. George and Arizona, the well-trod path became known as the Honeymoon Trail. The architects chosen for the Arizona Temple had recently designed the Utah Capitol Building. The Mesa Temple was designed around a grand staircase that leads to the Celestial Room, occupying the highest level of the temple. The Mesa Arizona Temple is one of four temples built with no towers or spires. (The others are the Laie Hawaii Temple, the Cardston Alberta Temple, and the Paris France Temple.) www.ldschurchtemples.com Aerial views of the Mesa Arizona Temple. Music is by Kyle Warr.