The Mesa Arizona Temple, a beautiful landmark, was announced on October 3, 2019, with a rich history that dates back to its dedication on November 28, 1921, by Heber J. Grant. Can you believe the groundbreaking happened on April 25, 1922? The grand dedication took place from October 23 to 26, 1927, also led by Heber J. Grant. After a time of renovations, the temple had a special open house from March 19 to April 3, 1975, before its rededication on April 1516 of the same year, which was presided over by Spencer W. Kimball. More recently, the public was invited to explore the temple from October 16 to November 20, 2021, followed by its rededication on December 12, 2021, by Dallin H. Oaks.
Architecturally, the Mesa Arizona Temple is striking. It features a flat roof adorned with sculpted friezes and has four instruction rooms, six sealing rooms, and one baptistery, spreading across an impressive 75,000 square feet. Standing 53 feet tall and perched at an elevation of 1,240 feet, the temple is situated on 20 acres of beautifully manicured grounds that include a lovely cactus garden and large reflection pools.
The temple is more than just a place of worship; it anchors a historic district near the original Mesa Townsite, settled by pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Each Easter season, thousands gather to enjoy “Jesus the Christ,” the world’s largest annual outdoor Easter pageant. At Christmas, the grounds transform into a stunning Nativity display adorned with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights.
Fun fact: the Mesa Arizona Temple was the first temple built in Arizona and was the first to present the endowment in a language other than English. Originally called the Arizona Temple, it was also the first to open for a public open house before rededication. Historically, the endowment was delivered through live acting here.
The temple is beautifully decorated with carved friezes, showcasing the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy about gathering His people from across the earth. Between February 1974 and 1991, the temple underwent significant renovations to modernize its facilities while preserving its historic character, including the reinstallation of precious original murals.
After a recent threeandahalfyear renovation that began on May 19, 2018, which focused on improving the building’s systems and enhancing its historic beauty, the temple is more inviting than ever. Changes included new roofing, upgraded systems, and the addition of a new visitors’ center and Family Discovery Center, making it an even more welcoming space for all who visit.
The Mesa Arizona Temple is truly a gem, bringing together history, beauty, and community spirit!