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LDS Temple to be built in Gila Valley

Published on Monday, April 28, 2008 6:50 PM MST

Attending a temple session will be an easier journey for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in the Gila Valley – the church has announced the building of a new temple here.

According to the LDS Church News magazine, plans to build two new temples in Arizona, one in the Gila Valley and the other in Gilbert, were announced by LDS President Thomas S. Monson.

"It is my personal priority to make sure members of the church have access to the blessings of the temple," Monson said. "It is here where members learn of their divine origin and destiny; where they are strengthened spiritually as individuals and as families. Temples are sanctuaries from the storms of life."

There are currently two temples in Arizona: One in Mesa and another in Snowflake. The temples in the Gila Valley and Gilbert will bring the total number to four in Arizona and 134 worldwide.

The two new temples are the first to be announced by President Monson since he became president of the LDS Church on Feb. 3.

History of the LDS Church in Arizona dates back to the earliest days of the western migration of the church. The Mormon Battalion marched through the area now known as Arizona in 1846 on its way to California.

Various efforts to colonize the area followed with the first large-scale effort coming in March 1873. By Jan. 27, 1878, the Little Colorado Stake, the first stake in Arizona, was created.

Eventually, more than 30 colonies were started, with others in northern Mexico. These pioneers overcame severe hardships in the early years, including drought, crop failures, difficulties with neighbors and floods.

Over the years, members gained prominence and were involved in the progress of the state. They earned reputations for their industry and integrity.

On Oct. 23, 1927, the first Arizona temple was dedicated in Mesa. Prior to that time, members traveled to the St. George Temple in Utah. So many bridal parties traversed the trail during the early years that the wagon road to St. George became known as the Honeymoon Trail.

President Spencer W. Kimball, 12th president of the church who served from 1973-1985, was reared in the Gila Valley community of Thatcher.

Today, membership continues to flourish in Arizona, with approximately 370,000 members divided among 84 stakes and four missions.

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Comments

25 comment(s)

Future Reflections wrote on Jan 28, 2009 8:24 AM:

" The Gila Valley holds a special place in my heart. A sacred gove of trees and canal resided by the old instatute. Great spiritual times were had there. Now a great blessing to the people of the region will be unfolded soon as well. "

Brineybones wrote on Jun 30, 2008 6:09 PM:

" This is great news. I see a few folks got on the day of the announcement and tried to wetblanket this great news. Three (well, at least three different names) posted adjacent to each other. Hmmmm. It is a shame to see negativity and prejudice against the Church, even in a small, LDS-founded place like the Gila Valley. "Leave 'our' town alone?" Double Hmmmmm. "Father, forgive them..." "

gilligan wrote on May 17, 2008 8:19 AM:

" The Yoda Kimball post is clever, I laughed. But the meth in Pima thing, I don't know one way or the other on that. But other sites may also have problems. In thatcher for example the THS kids may break the lamps in the foyer, then other kids could really be offended and violence may result. Also someone could try to carry a shoe box with a hole cut in it to video tape others lets not underestimate the technology and lamp pride we could face. "

Michael Stevenson wrote on May 11, 2008 4:55 PM:

" I once served a mission in Pima and Safford. I greenied in Pima in November and December of 1995 then transferred to Safford. It is wonderful to finally see what I had seen in a dream a few years back. Shortly after my mission, I had a dream of a temple in Pima. This is the work of the Lord here and the Lord is blessing the Saints throughout Gila Valley. Do not oppose the Temple, but be grateful because you can now take fuller advantage of the House of the Lord! "

aznative wrote on May 6, 2008 10:07 PM:

" Once a local - Thanks! That means a lot. It's about time someone talked about Christianity being inclusive, not exclusive. It's all about tolerance! "

semi-informed wrote on May 6, 2008 12:20 PM:

" For those concerned with the number of LDS buildings, and the reason for a temple here... Someone didn't just look into a crystal ball and say," Thou shalt build a temple in Pima." The LDS church builds when the current facilities are working at capacity. The church buildings are here because they get used. The temple is here because of the large number of people here that will put it to good use. "

Once a local wrote on May 6, 2008 10:01 AM:

" I am a Catholic and happy to welcome the growth and special meaning for my LDS Christian brothers and sisters. I cling to those things we commonly hold sacred and pray that our walls dim in comparison. "

So Grateful wrote on May 6, 2008 6:45 AM:

" Doesn't matter where it is built, everyone in the Gila Valley will be mad because it wasn't built in there town. Oh, their better than us so they got the Temple...Please! We should be blessed and grateful we are getting one so close to us. "

Yoda Kimball wrote on May 5, 2008 6:46 PM:

" Predict I will, the temple on the north side of Hwy 70 in Thatcher it shall be.

In Pima will it be built not, for too much meth is there. "

build it wrote on May 5, 2008 2:45 PM:

" Have a little info but what I heard from a friend who is involved with real estate. That the land being looked at is between Fort Thomas and Bylas. Like the saying goes " if you build it they will come". Their is a plateau that can be seen from the valley. after my friend told me this i went and checked the spot and there were guys surveying the land. Check it out for yourself its right off of the highway you can't miss it. about five miles west of ft. Thomas.

"

Not a member BUT... wrote on May 3, 2008 7:14 PM:

" I am not a member of the LDS church, BUT.. I am very excited about the temple being in the Gila Valley. It will be a blessing to the entire community. "

J.C. wrote on Apr 30, 2008 11:48 PM:

" Having a Temple in the Gila Valley will be a great blessing to ALL who live within its district! Whether you are a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints or not, Temples help to strengthen individuals which will then strengthen their families! Strong families are the foundation of every great community! "

excited wrote on Apr 30, 2008 1:49 PM:

" I'm so excited for a temple to be built here. It will bless families throughout the community.
"

one of the informed wrote on Apr 30, 2008 8:10 AM:

" I, on the other hand, encourage everyone who is interested to check out lds.org for actual LDS church doctrine. Informed people care more about facts from the source, instead of skewed information from people who have hidden bias and agendas. Whether or not you accept it or don't accept it, one should at least care about getting the facts straight. "

WOW wrote on Apr 29, 2008 10:59 PM:

" you've got to be kidding me. Is that really neccesary? There's enough churches in the area as is. Mesa isn't that far away... "

Ed Clinch wrote on Apr 29, 2008 10:11 PM:

" I have lived in many areas of the US, and the closer I am to the temple the better.

Arizona will now be doubly blessed.

Good luck Gila Valley and congrats. "

LDS wrote on Apr 29, 2008 8:25 PM:

" To Mr./Mrs. not excited.

The LDS pioneers started this community. When you say "leave our town alone" you show great ignorance of the areas history, or why there is even a town here at all. If you are not excited about a temple being built that's too bad, but don't tell descendents of those who founded the area to leave because you don't like their religion. The LDS welcome all no matter what religion to live and prosper in our beautiful Gila Valley. There should be more love and less hate. God speed. "

Mr. T wrote on Apr 29, 2008 8:22 PM:

" The ideal place for the new temple should be under the "T" on the hill in Ft. Thomas. "

Kryptoss wrote on Apr 29, 2008 7:40 PM:

" zzzzz is a hater 4 sho "

Janae wrote on Apr 29, 2008 3:56 PM:

" I think that a spectacular building like the temple will really help our community for the better. It will help boost our real estate economy, thus boosting our other economies. It will also add to the beauty of our area. I am very excited for it too come to the Gila Valley. "

zzzzz wrote on Apr 29, 2008 2:57 PM:

" as if we dont have enough influence in the community with lds members now a temple, u got to be kidding me "

not excited wrote on Apr 29, 2008 2:42 PM:

" The Gila Valley does not need a Temple right now especially after all the press releases. Leave our town alone "

One of the few NM wrote on Apr 29, 2008 12:37 PM:

" GAG. This is just what the Gila Valley needs... "

excited wrote on Apr 29, 2008 9:31 AM:

" Now the guessing begins; where will it be built? Pima? Thatcher? Safford? East of Safford? South of Safford? Central by the ballfields?

Or... has EAC been working behind the scenes to locate the new Temple at Discovery Park overlooking the valley?

Any ideas? "

Harriett wrote on Apr 29, 2008 8:07 AM:

" I am excited and I don't care where it's built! It is just wonderful to have one here. "

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