Phoenix Arizona Temple

Phoenix, Arizona
November 20, 2014
Temple #25

     The Phoenix Temple was the next temple on our fun Arizona trip. We were extremely happy that it had just opened, which is partially why we went the week that we did, and not earlier, so we could for sure do the Phoenix temple. Waiting for it to be opened was completely worth it. 

     The Phoenix Temple was also a highlight of the trip to Arizona. It's hard to compare temples because they are all so fantastic and beautiful. The Phoenix Temple was no exception. It was fairly new when we went, just barely having been dedicated and opened a week earlier. We could tell with the newly planted trees and the building itself felt new. 

     After reading about the temple and it's building process, which I like to do on every temple we go to, we found out that it had been built differently than originally planned. It was supposed to be much taller, be two storied, include a visitor center and many other things. To please the neighborhood and the city, it was changed to the one story building, with a full basement. It's sad that much was changed, yet neat to see how the church tends to please the neighbors and the community as well as the saints. 

     We went in and were blown away with its beauty. It was gorgeous. We always try and do a session in each new temple we go to, but sometimes because of time we only do a sealing or initiatory. We did sealings in the temple that day, and did not regret it. It was the sealers first time, and he proxy sealed Ivy and I first. It was very emotional and wonderful, as this man teared up as he used his sealing authority for the first time. It was great to experience and be part of that. 

     Every time Ivy and I do sealings it is spiritual. We remember back to when we were married, and back to that day in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. It often brings tears to our eyes and wide grins to our faces. Knowing that we are sealed together for eternity is the biggest comfort we have. It's exciting and makes everything worth it. 

     It was a great day at the Temple, and we left excited to go to the next one for that day. We were so glad to be able to do the brand new temple. Phoenix is a great place, and it's great that it is now blessed with a new temple. We love to see new temples.