Mesa Arizona Temple

Temple #26

Mesa, Arizona

November 20, 2014

     The Phoenix area in Arizona is wonderful. Not only are there thousands of members, there are three temples all fairly close to each other. Right after the Phoenix Temple we headed to the Mesa Temple, which was not too far of a drive. 

      The Mesa Temple is similar to the Cardston Alberta and Laie Hawaii Temples. It has an old style look like Solomon's Temple of Jerusalem. It's square, with no Angel Moroni. It is extremely beautiful though, with palm trees and a reflection pool in front of it. It felt as if we were in a small paradise in the middle of a desert, it was wonderful. 

     It was near the end of November and it was still warm and sunny, which we were very grateful for. Flowers were still out and there was even some fruit on the trees on the temple grounds. 

 

     We went into the Mesa Temple, and loved our experience. We did a session, and in this Temple we went through different rooms as we did a session, similar to only a few other temples. 

     We had a great time, for it was a beautiful Temple, and we were with family. I love the old style look, and was glad to have now done three Temples with that style. To know that there are temples today in the Church just as there were thousands of years ago with Moses, Solomon and even during Chris’s life, is a reassurance of the truthfulness of the gospel. It’s neat to have temples that similar to the temples of old, and it strengthens my testimony every time we see one. 

     As I have said before, we always seem to meet someone who knows us or someone else we know. Somehow Ivy’s grandma and mom got talking, and remembered that the temple president, President Hatch, was from Randolph, which is where Ivy’s mom and grandma is from. Ivy’s grandma’s maiden name is Hatch as well, and so they were somehow related. 

     They talked for a while to the temple president, and it was fun to see them catch up and talk about home and people they both knew. It’s always fun to run into people like that, especially if they are members and in the temple. 

     Phoenix, and the surrounding area, is great for many things, including escaping the cold months of Utah. If ever visiting though, you cannot miss out on a chance to visit three temples all within an hour drive of each other. They are all gorgeous, bright and spiritual, and none of them should be missed. We were sad to leave the Phoenix area, but glad to go on to another temple.