Phoenix Arizona Temple

The announcement of plans to build a temple in Phoenix came partly as a response to the high concentration of church members in the area and to help ease the load on the nearby Mesa Arizona Temple.{{citation |last= Biscobing |first= David |title= Mormons planning to build temple in Phoenix |url= http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/117062 |newspaper= East Valley Tribune |date= May 25, 2008 |access-date= May 25, 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081101202027/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/117062 |archive-date= November 1, 2008 }}

The original design of the temple, which resembled the Draper Utah Temple, exceeded the maximum height restrictions imposed by existing zoning law and required an exception be granted by the Phoenix city council. The primary issue was not the planned steeple height of {{convert|126|ft|m}}, as church steeples are exempt from zoning laws, but the temple's structural height of {{convert|40|ft|m}}.{{citation |url= http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/internet/@inter/@dept/@dsd/documents/web_content/z-40-09n.pdf |title= Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Phoenix Temple", Hearing Draft Version, Rezoning Request from Re-35 to Planned Unit Development, Case No: Z-40-09-01 |work= Phoenix.gov |access-date= November 2, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131021184353/http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/internet/@inter/@dept/@dsd/documents/web_content/z-40-09n.pdf |archive-date= October 21, 2013 |url-status= dead }} The exterior color of the temple was also changed from the traditional white to a more natural stone color in an effort to address the concerns of residents in the neighborhood.{{citation |url= http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/11/11/20091111phx-nchurch1111online.html |title= Planning Commission OK's Mormon temple; critics won't give up |date= November 12, 2009 |first= Betty |last= Reid |newspaper= The Arizona Republic |access-date= November 2, 2012 }}

The city council voted to approve the requested zoning exemptions on December 2, 2009.{{citation |url= http://www2.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/north_phoenix/City-council-OKs-addition-to-Phoenix-LDS-temple |title= City council OKs addition to Phoenix LDS temple |date= December 31, 2009 |first= Jodie |last= Heisner |publisher= ABC15.com (KNXV-TV) |access-date= November 2, 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130116063237/http://www2.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/north_phoenix/City-council-OKs-addition-to-Phoenix-LDS-temple |archive-date= January 16, 2013 |df= mdy-all }} Local residents opposed to the construction mounted a successful campaign to call for a voter referendum on the council's decision, delivering the requisite signatures by December 31, potentially delaying the approval process until September 2011 when the issue could be put to a vote.{{citation |url= http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/12/31/20091231-phoenix-mormon-temple-debate.html |title= Phoenix Mormon temple foes claim enough signatures to overturn council action |first= Betty |last= Reid |date= December 31, 2009 |newspaper= The Arizona Republic |access-date= November 2, 2012 }} After a series of talks with the opposition, LDS Church representatives announced on January 26, 2010, that the temple would be redesigned to comply with the zoning restrictions by limiting the structural height to {{convert|30|ft|m}}, eliminating the need for any exceptions or any further approvals.{{citation |url= http://www.azcentral.com/community/northvalley/articles/2010/01/26/20100126phoenix-mormon-temple27.html |title= Mormon Church will lower height of Phoenix temple |date= January 26, 2010 |newspaper= The Arizona Republic |first= Betty |last= Reid |access-date= November 2, 2012}}
(Note the height of the steeple was not addressed in the news reports.) LDS Church representatives indicated that the redesign process would take from 8 to 12 months. The height of the steeple, building color and lighting are not regulated by zoning laws and it was unclear at that time if the steeple height would be changed with the redesign, or previous design concessions would be retained in the new design.{{cite news |url= http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/02/05/20100205-phoenix-mormon-temple.html |title= Phoenix Mormon temple backers, foes must wait for redesign |date= February 5, 2010 |first= Betty |last= Reid |newspaper= The Arizona Republic |access-date= November 2, 2012 }}

On August 17, 2010, the redesign was submitted to the city of Phoenix for preliminary approval.{{citation |url= http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/08/18/20100818lds-church-phoenix-temple-redesign.html |title= LDS Church unveils Phoenix temple redesign |last= Reid |first= Betty |date= August 18, 2010 |newspaper= The Arizona Republic |access-date= November 2, 2012 }} A meeting for neighbors of the temple was held that same day.{{citation |url= http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoenix/articles/2010/08/14/20100814mormon-phoenix-temple-zoning-height.html |title= Neighborhood to have meeting on height of Mormon temple |last= Sexton |first= Connie Cone |date= August 14, 2010 |newspaper= The Arizona Republic |access-date= November 2, 2012 }} The redesigned structure is 30 feet high with a 90-foot spire. This met the 30-feet zoning limit on building heights, and the total height is 9 feet lower than the previously proposed design.

Ronald A. Rasband, then of the Presidency of the Seventy, presided at a small groundbreaking ceremony held on June 4, 2011.{{citation |first= Jill B. |last= Adair |date= June 5, 2011 |title= Ground broken for Phoenix Arizona Temple |url= https://www.thechurchnews.com/archive/2011-06-05/ground-broken-for-phoenix-arizona-temple-37150 |newspaper= Church News |access-date= November 2, 2012}}{{citation |first= Scott |last= Taylor |date= June 5, 2011 |title= Mormon temple in Phoenix now started |url= http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700141689/Mormon-temple-in-Phoenix-now-started.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110608015435/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700141689/Mormon-temple-in-Phoenix-now-started.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= June 8, 2011 |newspaper= Deseret News |access-date= November 2, 2012}} After construction was completed, a public open house was held from October 10 to November 1, 2014. The temple was dedicated on November 16, 2014, by church president Thomas S. Monson, and ended up being the last one he dedicated before his death in early 2018.

In 2020, like all the church's others, the Phoenix Arizona Temple was closed for a time in response to the COVID-19 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 desert-inspired architecture,{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Holly |date=2024-11-16 |title=Through the Lens of Faith: 10 Years of the Phoenix Arizona Temple |url=https://www.ldsdaily.com/personal-lds-blog/through-the-lens-of-faith-10-years-of-the-phoenix-arizona-temple/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=LDS Daily |language=en-US}} and traditional Latter-day Saint temple design. Designed by CCBG Architects, its architecture reflects both the cultural heritage of Arizona and its spiritual significance to the church.

The temple is on a 5.19-acre plot, with surrounding landscaping including three fountains, as well as desert trees and shrubs. These elements are designed to provide a tranquil setting that enhances the sacred atmosphere of the site.

The structure stands one story tall,{{Cite web |title=Inside 5 LDS Temples in Arizona |url=https://www.azcentral.com/picture-gallery/news/local/phoenix/2014/10/08/inside-5-lds-temples-in-arizona/16925687/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}} constructed with precast integral colored concrete panels.{{Cite web |title=Phoenix Arizona Temple Facts |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/multimedia/file/phoenix-arizona-temple-facts |website=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}} The exterior has carved detailing, especially on the tower that supports the angel Moroni statue.

The interior has “an aloe stalk motif, designs of desert tree leaves, terracotta and turquoise designs, and other earth tones that reflect the desert landscape of the area.”{{Cite web |title=Phoenix Arizona Temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/almanac/temples/phoenix-arizona/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}} The temple includes two instruction rooms, four sealing rooms, and a baptistry, each designed for ceremonial use.

The design has symbolic elements representing the natural landscapes of Arizona, to provide deeper spiritual meaning to the temple's appearance and function. Symbolism is important to church members and includes the river-inspired fountains, which represent “life-giving water in the arid landscape.”

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 Phoenix Arizona Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/phoenix-arizona-temple/presidents/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}

Serving from 2014 to 2017, the first president of the Phoenix Arizona Temple was Russell S. Gilliland, with Karen J. Gilliland serving as matron.{{Cite web |date=2014-06-07 |title=New temple president |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2014/6/7/23223322/new-temple-president-10/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}} As of 2024, Paul D. Sorensen is the president, with Julienne K. Sorensen as matron.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-16 |title=These 5 U.S. and 3 international temples will have new leaders this year — learn about them here |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2023/2/16/23598272/temple-presidents-arizona-arkansas-alberta-new-zealand-africa/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Church News |language=en}}

On August 7, 2014, the church announced the public open house that was held from October 10 to November 1, 2014 (excluding Sundays).{{Cite web |title=Latest News on the Phoenix Arizona Temple {{!}} ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org |url=https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/phoenix-arizona-temple/news/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}  The temple was dedicated by Thomas S. Monson on November 16, 2014, in three sessions.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-17 |title=President Monson dedicates Phoenix temple |url=https://www.thechurchnews.com/2014/11/17/23212482/president-monson-dedicates-phoenix-temple/ |access-date=2025-01-18 |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 |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org}}

{{portal|Arizona|LDS Church}}

• 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 (Latter-day Saints)
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Arizona

{{reflist|2}}

{{commons category}}

• [https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/phoenix-arizona-temple?lang=eng Phoenix Arizona Temple Official site]
• [https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/phoenix-arizona-temple/ Phoenix Arizona Temple] at ChurchofJesusChristTemples.org

{{LDS-Temple-USA}}

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

Category:Buildings and structures in Phoenix, Arizona

Category:Temples (LDS Church) in Arizona

Category:2014 establishments in Arizona

Category:Temples (LDS Church) completed in 2014