The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints blessed its members in Arizona with another temple, as the Phoenix Arizona temple was dedicated on November 16.President Monson, President Uchtdorf, and Elder Kent F. Richards, the executive director of the temple department, joined the members of the Phoenix area for the cornerstone ceremony, signifying the completion of the temple.Elder Richards said the cornerstone ceremony is more symbolic than substantial, the Deseret News reported. “The cornerstone contains a history of the temple’s construction and other significant items. It brings to mind the Savior being the chief cornerstone,” Richards explained.“There is a box and it will contain artifacts and memorabilia that the dedication committee planned and brought together," Richards continued. "On Friday, just two days ago, it was filled symbolically. Yesterday it was put into its place on the southeast corner and it will never be opened."The 27,423 square-foot temple occupies 5.19 acres in a Phoenix suburb, and will serve 60,000 LDS members from 16 stakes in the Phoenix area, according to the Deseret News.The Phoenix Arizona temple is about a one-hour drive from the Mesa Arizona temple. Other Arizona temples are located in Gilbert, Snowflake, and Gila Valley.“It’s amazing that in the last 10 years, 2 more temples have been built that are within an hour drive from my house. I feel so blessed that I can choose which temple to go to, when other people have to drive hours to get to the nearest temple,” said Alyssa Troyanek, a junior majoring in international cultural studies from Arizona.The Phoenix temple is the fifth LDS temple to be dedicated in Arizona, and the 144th temple worldwide. A sixth temple was announced last year to be built in Tucson, Arizona.The temple dedication was preceded by a youth celebration, consisting of LDS youth ages 12-18 from the Phoenix area. The program highlighted the history of the area, with numbers inspired by the Hohokam Native Americans. The program also highlighted Arizona’s five C’s- copper, cotton, cactus, citrus, and climate.After the celebration ended, President Uchtdorf concluded by saying, "You are indeed the strength of the youth. In many ways, you represent even more Cs, whether it's caring, cheerful or courageous, and tonight you are also cool."Carson Booher, a freshman majoring in business from Arizona, had the opportunity to participate in the Gilbert Temple cultural celebration in February of this year. “It was amazing to be in the presence of the prophet,” he said. “After participating in the cultural celebration, I felt unified with the other youth, and the Gilbert temple will always hold a special place in my heart.”Kaitlin Hancock, a freshman majoring in psychology from Arizona, feels the blessings of the temples being built in her home state although she is far away. She said, “I’m so grateful for the many temples being built all over the world. There is a lot of bad in the world today, but with each temple being built, it brings more peace and light, which is something I’m always striving to find.”Ground was broken for the Phoenix temple in June 2011, where Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy presided. At the groundbreaking, he said that the building would be a “beautiful and magnificent temple” and will bless the LDS members and the entire Phoenix community, according to Mormon Newsroom.
Writer: Emily Halls ~ Multimedia Journalist
