Gilbert Arizona Temple

The announcement of the intent to construct the temple on April 26, 2008, was made concurrently with the Gila Valley Arizona Temple, which were the first new temples announced after Thomas S. Monson became the LDS Church's president.{{cite news |first= Mike |last= Branom |title= New Mormon temple slated for Gilbert |url= http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/114955 |publisher= East Valley Tribune |date= April 27, 2008 |accessdate= April 28, 2008 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080429141617/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/114955|archivedate = April 29, 2008}}{{cite news |url= http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2009/08/06/20090806gr-temple0807.html#reply18070445 |title= Gilbert begins process for approving new LDS temple |date= August 6, 2009 |accessdate= August 6, 2009 |first= Katherine |last= Green |newspaper= The Arizona Republic}}{{cite news |url= http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/09/03/20090903gr-temple0904.html |title= Panel paves way for new Mormon temple in Gilbert |date= September 3, 2009 |accessdate= September 30, 2009 |last= Green |first= Katherine |newspaper= The Arizona Republic}} It is the LDS Church's 142nd temple, and the fourth built in Arizona.{{Cite web|title=Photos: The LDS Gilbert Arizona Temple|url=https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/gilbert/2017/07/06/photos-the-lds-gilbert-arizona-temple/103483790/|access-date=2022-02-14|website=www.azcentral.com|language=en}}

{{stack|File:2021 Gilbert Arizona Temple from south.jpg}}

The temple is near the intersection of Pecos and Greenfield roads in the southeast Phoenix metropolitan area. The temple was built due to increasing church members in the area and to help ease the load on the nearby Mesa Arizona Temple.{{citation |title= LDS Church announces two new temples in Arizona. |url= http://www.sltrib.com/lds/ci_9071215?source=rss |newspaper= The Salt Lake Tribune |date= April 27, 2008 |accessdate= November 2, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120930014058/http://www.sltrib.com/lds/ci_9071215?source=rss |archive-date= September 30, 2012 |url-status= dead }}

The Gilbert town council gave unanimous approval to requested zoning changes in a meeting on September 29, 2009. Key among the requests was an allowance to build to a height of 85 feet, higher than the existing restriction at 45 feet. The temple's planned {{convert|180|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} steeple did not require an exemption, as the town does not restrict the height of steeples. While not providing a specific timeframe for construction, an anticipated completion within three years was repeated at the meeting.{{cite news |url= http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2009/09/30/20090930gr-temple1002.html#reply18448642 |title= Gilbert Council OKs Mormon temple zoning changes |date= September 30, 2009 |accessdate= September 30, 2009 |first= Alia |last= Beard Rau |newspaper= The Arizona Republic }}

The temple sits on 15.4 acres of land,{{Cite web |date=2014-03-08 |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple facts |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2014-03-08/gilbert-arizona-temple-facts-41606 |access-date=2022-02-14 |website=Church News |language=en-US}} bounded by Greenfield and Pecos Roads and Somerset and Granview Boulevards. It stands at 195 feet tall with the addition of an angel Moroni statue put in place on May 15, 2012,{{Cite web |date=2014-03-08 |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple facts |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2014-03-08/gilbert-arizona-temple-facts-41606 |access-date=2022-02-14 |website=Church News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Photos: The LDS Gilbert Arizona Temple |url=https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/gilbert/2017/07/06/photos-the-lds-gilbert-arizona-temple/103483790/ |access-date=2022-02-14 |website=www.azcentral.com |language=en}} and is 85,326 square feet.{{Cite web |title=Photos: The LDS Gilbert Arizona Temple |url=https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/gilbert/2017/07/06/photos-the-lds-gilbert-arizona-temple/103483790/ |access-date=2022-02-14 |website=www.azcentral.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2014-03-08 |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple facts |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2014-03-08/gilbert-arizona-temple-facts-41606 |access-date=2022-02-14 |website=Church News |language=en-US}} The building's exterior is completed with light cream colored precast concrete with white quartz.{{Cite web |date=2014-03-08 |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple facts |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2014-03-08/gilbert-arizona-temple-facts-41606 |access-date=2022-02-14 |website=Church News |language=en-US}} The interior is decorated in blues, greens, and earth tones on the walls and stained glass windows with the same scheme. Some limestone completes the beauty of the temple along with eucalyptus wood, white oak, and painted hardwoods.{{Cite web |date=2014-03-08 |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple facts |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/archives/2014-03-08/gilbert-arizona-temple-facts-41606 |access-date=2022-02-16 |website=Church News |language=en-US}}

Claudio R. M. Costa presided at a groundbreaking ceremony on November 13, 2010,{{cite news |last= Leavitt |first= Parker |date= November 2, 2010 |url= http://www.azcentral.com/community/gilbert/articles/2010/11/02/20101102gilbert-days-parade-lds-temple-big-day.html |title= Gilbert Days Parade, LDS temple groundbreaking land on same day |newspaper= The Arizona Republic |accessdate= December 19, 2010}}{{cite web |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/gilbert-arizona-temple-groundbreaking |title= Gilbert Arizona Temple Groundbreaking |date= November 13, 2010 |work= Church News and Events |publisher= LDS Church |accessdate= December 19, 2010}} with completion of the temple expected to take approximately two years. The design of the temple was overseen by Gregory B. Lambright of Architekton. During construction a trailer at the site served as a visitors' center, greeting guests and answering questions.{{citation |url= http://www.azcentral.com/news/azliving/articles/20120928mormonism-arizona-lds-church.html |title= Side by side: Mormonism in Arizona |first= Richard |last= Ruelas |date= October 12, 2012 |newspaper= Arizona Republic }} A public open house was held from January 18 to February 15, 2014. The temple was formally dedicated on March 2, 2014 by Henry B. Eyring and Monson. Like all LDS Church temples, the temple in Gilbert was built and dedicated as a "refuge from the storms of life and the noise of the world" for church members.[https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/news/gilbert-arizona-temple-dedicated-as-a-sanctuary-of-serenity?lang=eng Avant, Gerry. "Gilbert Arizona Temple Dedicated as a “Sanctuary of Serenity."" churchofjesuschrist.org 2 March 2014. Last accessed 17 April 2016.]

In 2020, like all the church's temples, the temple was closed for a time in response to the coronavirus pandemic.Stack, Peggy Fletcher. [https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2020/03/26/all-latter-day-saint/ "All Latter-day Saint temples to close due to coronavirus"], The Salt Lake Tribune, 26 March 2020. Retrieved on 28 March 2020.

The building has a traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. The landscaping around the temple features fountains, plazas, trellises, arbors, and pergolas.{{Cite web |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/gilbert-arizona-temple/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

The temple includes a baptistry, three instruction rooms, and seven sealing rooms, each arranged for ceremonial use.

The design uses elements representing Latter-day Saint symbolism, which provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is an important subject to church members. These symbols include the motif of interlinked agave leaves, which represents “the eternal nature of marriage and family.”

A cultural celebration was held at the Discovery Park, kiddie corner to the temple, to commemorate the temple’s dedication. 12,000 young church members participated in the celebration, which featured stories from the Old Testament, the Book of Mormon, and church history.{{Cite web |date=2014-03-08 |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple: Raining down blessings |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2014/3/8/23223509/gilbert-arizona-temple-raining-down-blessings/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Church News |language=en}}

The church's temples are directed by a temple president and matron, each serving for a term of three years. The president and matron oversee the administration of temple operations and provide guidance and training for both temple patrons and staff.{{Cite web |title=Presidents and Matrons of the Gilbert Arizona Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/gilbert-arizona-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

The first president of the Gilbert Arizona Temple was David E. LeSueur, with the matron being Nancy L. LeSueur. As of 2024, the president is Leonard D. Greer, with Julie N. Greer serving as matron.

On October 26, 2013, the church announced that a public open house would be held from January 18-February 15, 2014 (excluding Sundays).{{Cite web |date=2013-10-26 |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple open house and dedication |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2013/10/26/23223878/gilbert-arizona-temple-open-house-and-dedication/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Church News |language=en}} The temple was dedicated by Eyring and Monson in three sessions on March 2, 2014.{{Cite web |date=2014-03-08 |title=Gilbert Arizona Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2014/3/8/23223517/gilbert-arizona-temple/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Church News |language=en}} Like all the church's temples, it is not used for Sunday worship services. To members of the church, temples are regarded as sacred houses of the Lord. Once dedicated, only church members with a current temple recommend can enter for worship.{{Cite web |title=Inside Temples |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/inside-temples?lang=eng&lang=eng |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

{{Portal|LDS Church|Arizona}}

• Comparison of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• List of temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by geographic region
• Temple architecture (LDS Church)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arizona

{{Reflist|2}}

{{stack|{{commonscat|Gilbert Arizona Temple}}}}

• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/gilbert-arizona-temple?lang=eng Gilbert Arizona Temple Official site]
• [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/gilbert-arizona-temple/ Gilbert Arizona Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org
• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/list?lang=eng Dedicatory Prayer]

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Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Arizona

Category:Gilbert, Arizona

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 2014

Category:21st-century Latter Day Saint temples in the United States

Category:2014 establishments in Arizona