Snowflake Arizona Temple
Snowflake Arizona Temple
Snowflake Arizona Temple Canyon Drive, Snowflake, Arizona, United States Temple History The site for the Snowflake Arizona Temple is situated on the west end of town on top of a bluff scattered with cedar trees that has become known as "Temple Hill." Unlike many other recently constructed temples, the temple does not share property with a stake center or Church meetinghouse but is adjacent to a golf course. Approximately 8 feet was removed from the top of the knoll to accommodate the two-level temple, patterned after the Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple, with the lower level partially set into the knoll. The temple district includes Arizona stakes in Snowflake, Taylor, Eagar, St. Johns, Pinetop/Lakeside, Show Low, Flagstaff, Tuba City, Holbrook, Winslow, and Chinle. Temple landscaping and plantlife complement the natural surroundings. In front of the temple's entry canopy is a beautiful water feature. Interior treatments reflect the history and culture of the area. Much of the furniture, for example, has a pioneer appearance similar to that of the Vernal Utah Temple. Several pieces were custom built including some that have Native American designs carved into them. Native American patterns appear as painted stencil work on walls and sculpted into the carpet. A console cabinet featuring a peach tree branch design on the doors is on display. Jacob Hamblin, an early pioneer and missionary, traded goods with Native Americans for peach pits which he planted to grow peach trees. A print depicting Jacob Hamblin meeting with Native Americans on horseback hangs in the temple. A second console cabinet placed in front of art glass windows features a gold-leaf sunburst on each of the three panels. Art glass windows are like those used in the Hong Kong China Temple featuring beveled cuts that create a shimmer of light outside the rooms of the temple. An exquisite set of stained-glass windows depicting Christ instructing a circle of children and adults is on display in the temple interior. Dark cherry wood and painted, light toned wood has been incorporated throughout the building (Snowflake Arizona Temple Times Vol. II, pp. 1?2). At the groundbreaking ceremony, President Stephen Reidhead of the Snowflake Arizona Stake related the history of the early pioneers who settled the area, dreaming that a temple would be built there one day. In fulfillment of years of fasting and prayers, those dreams began their culmination at the temple's groundbreaking. Elder Rex D. Pinegar of the Seventy, who presided at the ceremony, said the temple was the most sacred place on earth. He encouraged members to dissolve any feelings that drew them apart and to gather in the temple where no differences exist. President Norris Baldwin of the Taylor Arizona Stake exhorted members toward worthiness to attend the temple. The gospel of Jesus Christ, he said, leads to brotherhood and sisterhood. "If you want to love God you must love other people" (30 September 2000, Church News). www.ldschurchtemples.com Aerial views of the Snowflake Arizona Temple. Music is by Kyle Warr. www.kylewarr.com
