For those of you visiting for the winter, or already living in and around Mesa, the Mesa, Arizona Temple and its grounds are spectacular. Take a leisurely walk in the middle of a busy city, with green, green grass, tall palm trees swaying in the wind, freshly planted allysm, petunias in the beautiful planters. As we were strolling on the grounds, there were many coming and going and smiling and enjoying our beautiful weather. The grounds bring such a sense of peace and serenity that you can't help but feel that it is a special place.
I've attached a Real Estate Show below for you to see some of the photos I took just today in 71 degree weather, clear blue skies, but there is a lot of history surrounding this beautiful edifice.
The Mesa Arizona Temple (formerly the Arizona Temple) was the seventh operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in the city of Mesa, Arizona, it is the first of two LDS temples built in the state.
The LDS temple in Mesa was one of the first to be constructed by the church. Announced in 1919, only a few short years after Arizona had achieved statehood, it was one of 3 temples announced and constructed to serve outlying Mormon settlements in the early part of the century, the others being constructed in Laie, Hawaii and Cardston, Alberta. While neither of the three settlements were particularly large in their own right, they were considered thriving centers of largely Mormon populations. The long and arduous trip to existing temples located in the state of Utah would prove costly and even dangerous for the faithful of the era, and temple attendance was (and is) an important part of the faith, and as such it was seen as necessary to construct temples in their communities.
Numerous colonies had been set up in Arizona by the Mormons during the last half of the nineteenth century, 
and plans had been discussed for a temple in the area as early as 1908, but the start of World War I stopped these for a while. Plans to build a temple in Mesa, Arizona were finally announced on October 3, 1919 and a 20-acre site was selected and bought in 1921. The site was dedicated shortly after on November 28, 1921 and on April 25, 1922 the groundbreaking ceremony took place. President Heber J. Grant conducted the ceremony.
Following the earlier traditions set forth in the building of temples such as the Salt Lake Temple, the new structure in Mesa was a centerpiece of an organized and planned community for the faithful that lived nearby. Upon its completion in 1927 it was the third largest temple in use by the church and the largest outside of Utah, and remains among the largest temples constructed to this day.
In a departure from the style of temples constructed prior, the Mesa temple (along with the temples in Laie and Cardston) was built in a style suggestive of the Temple in Jerusalem, lacking the spires that have become a mainstay of temples built since then, and was in fact the last LDS temple constructed without a spire. On the outside walls are depictions of the gathering of God's people in the Old and New world and on the Pacific Islands. The temple design is similar to ancient buildings found in the Southern U.S. and South America.
When construction was finished on the temple, the public was able to take tours through the temple. Two hundred thousand people were able to take a tour through the Mesa Temple. The temple was dedicated on October 23, 1927 by Heber J. Grant. By that afternoon, the temple was being put to use.
The Mesa Arizona Temple was renovated and rededicated on April 16, 1975 by Spencer W. Kimball. In 1945, the temple was distinguished by becoming the first to offer temple ordinances in Spanish, the first time in a language other than English
The Show below has lots of other good information about the Easter Pageant being presented during the days and weeks prior to Easter. Dates include March 18-22, begins at 8:00, and the Pageant lasts about an hour.
For more information about the Temple, about the Pageant, or about Mesa and what it offers to the homeowner, just give me a call at: 480.216-3334.
Thinking about relocating to Mesa, Arizona? Call me at: 480.216-3334 for information on purchasing or selling a home in Mesa, Arizona or surrounding towns. OR email me: Teri@TeriEllis.com. OR visit one of my websites: www.MoveToSunnyAz.com
, www.TeriEllis.com, or www.AzLadyInRed.comfor photos of models, floorplans, new construction, resale and more.
Whether you are buying or selling a property in Mesa or Phoenix, Arizona and beyond, my goal is to provide the tools and resources you need to make a smart and stress free real estate investment.
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Teri, I went to the Easter pagent with my parents several years ago. My children would have been school age like grade school age so it was quite a few years ago. It was quite good though.
Hi Teri - Beautiful post. I loved the show. The grounds look so peaceful.
Thanks so much for sharing.
While growing up in Arizona, I went to the Christmas lights display at the temple many times. It is spectacular!
Marchel, I think last year was my first time in mannnnny years. It was wonderful. I appreciate it more now I think! ;-)
Marzena, thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed the show. It, indeed felt very peaceful.
Ginger, I grew up here as well.......the Christmas lights are awesome aren't they. A gazillion lights all over the temple grounds. Amazing stuff.
Teri--What a beautiful place! Great photos and wonderful history lesson!
Teri, yes it is beautiful. It's really amazing to be in a place like that in the middle of a big city. Thanks, I took those with my little point and shoot instead of my other camera. Actually came out really good. I love taking photos. Thanks for coming by.
Teri- What a wonderfully written post in which I felt such peace as I was reading it. I had a goal to visit every temple in the U.S. years ago. The Mesa temple is so beautiful and on my list to visit. It never ceases to amaze me to see the wonderfully kept grounds at each temple. The Laie Temple in Hawaii is the first temple I ever saw as I was living in Hawaii at the time. Thank you for your wonderful history of the Mesa Temple. Katerina
Teri- I toured one of the new ones here, in San Diego. Apparently they open them up right after construction, then after a set time for tours, they close them to the Public. I was fascinated by the inside since I had grown up by the one in LA, and remember that huge golden statue. anyway, thanks for the memories.
Katerina, thank you so much. I've visited many temples across the United States. This one is particularly beautiful. I suppose three of my favorites would be the one in Los Angeles (since I was married there), the Mesa Temple since we visit it regularly, and Nauvoo.
Kathy, yep, the San Diego is spectacular as well. I actually attended the dedication of that temple. I can remember driving south along the 405, and there - appearing to sit on the freeway - was that beautiful edifice. Wonderful. Tours are always available to the public before they dedicate the temples. Then they are only open for members of the church. The one in Los Angeles was dedicated by the Prophet David O'McKay. I was there. Very special!
Thanks for dropping by - both of you. So glad you enjoyed the photos. I loved sharing them.
Teri- I would love to visit the Nauvoo temple. This is so funny- Candace told me to come and read your blog about the Spring pageant at the Mesa Temple. We both wondered if you were a member. But after reading your post, there was no doubt in my heart that you are. I got married in the Salt Lake Temple with the live ceremony to my first husband. And you know that story after that. But Nestor is not a member. So I pray that one day we will go together to the Temple. I go to the Orlando Temple which is 3 hours away from me. I went to the Manti pageant years ago and that was one of the most amazing pageants ever.
Hi Katerina - yep, it's true!!! I am a member. Isn't that cool? I also went through the Salt Lake Temple live session with another husband! Also the Manti Temple has/had live sessions. The Nauvoo Temple was amazing. I've actually taken some photos if you would like to see them. We also went through the St. Louis Temple. As sweet as you are, you just keep on doing what you know to be right. My "cyrrebt: husband joined the church in late September - 1991, and we were married on November 2, 1991. It is wonderful. Thanks for letting me know - and thanks to Candace for encouraging you to stop by. ;-) We'll have to share more stories offline. ;-)
Such a beautiful temple- I visited first in the seventies as a newcomer from Texas. At the time I was unfamiliar with temples such as these. I found it to be a very peaceful place... and the visitors center was populated with such kind and informative people. I was later married at this temple in the eighties. Thanks for your outstanding, heavily researched, post Teri.
Chuck, congratulations! I think that's wonderful. It's a beautiful temple, and we attend at least once monthly - usually the fourth Thursday.
Hi Teri: Me again. Yes, I toured the LDS Temple that just opened last year in Sacramento . Mostly because I was very curious about the architecture, and also because I wanted to see what really goes on beyond closed doors. :) I'm not about to convert. But it was interesting. And fascinating.