The Mesa Arizona Temple was announced on October 3, 2019, representing a pivotal moment for the community. The site dedication was conducted on November 28, 1921, by Heber J. Grant, followed by a significant groundbreaking ceremony on April 25, 1922. The temple was officially dedicated from October 23 to 26, 1927, under the leadership of Grant. A successful public open house ran from March 19 to April 3, 1975, leading to the formal dedication on April 15 and 16, 1975, by Spencer W. Kimball. Most recently, a public open house occurred from October 16 to November 20, 2021, culminating in a rededication on December 12, 2021, by Dallin H. Oaks.
The temple’s architectural design, featuring a flat roof and sculpted friezes, includes four instruction rooms, six sealing rooms, and one baptistery, totaling 75,000 square feet. Standing at 53 feet tall and positioned at an elevation of 1,240 feet, the temple commands attention. Built on 20 acres, its exterior consists of concrete reinforced with 130 tons of steel, elegantly finished with glazed, eggshell-colored terracotta tiles.
Strategically located east of the original Mesa Townsite, the temple anchors a historic district that preserves its residential character. The grounds include a public visitors’ center, a cactus garden, and striking reflection pools. Each Easter, the temple hosts the acclaimed outdoor pageant “Jesus the Christ,” drawing thousands of visitors and reinforcing community bonds. During Christmas, the grounds transform into a stunning Nativity display, enhanced by an impressive lighting scheme.
The Mesa Arizona Temple is the first temple built in Arizona and the first to present the endowment in a language other than English. Originally called the Arizona Temple, it also pioneered the use of live acting in its endowment presentation.
Carved friezes decorate the temple, illustrating the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the gathering of the Lord’s people. In February 1974, the temple closed for vital renovations focused on modernization. This included updating the Creation, Garden, and World Rooms for single-room film presentations of the endowment and converting the Terrestrial Room into a veil room. Deteriorating burlap murals were removed, with salvaged pieces sent for preservation. An additional 17,000 square feet were added, enhancing dressing rooms and increasing sealing room capacity. In 1980, a fourth ordinance room was established, allowing for more frequent endowment sessions, while in 1991, key sections of the original murals were restored.
On May 19, 2018, the temple closed for an extensive three-and-a-half-year renovation aimed at elevating its facilities and visitor experience. This comprehensive project involved the installation of new roofing and drainage systems, upgrades to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems, and impactful interior improvements that respect the building’s historical character. The grounds were redesigned strategically to enhance the visitor experience, culminating in the construction of a new visitors’ center and Family Discovery Center, further enriching the offerings for all who visit.