Snowflake Arizona Temple facts for kids

Snowflake Arizona Temple
Number	108	edit data
Dedicated	Quick facts for kids March 3, 2002 (March 3, 2002) by Gordon B. Hinckley
Site	7.5 acres (3 hectares)
Floor area	18,621 sq ft (1,730 m2)
Preceded by	Columbia River Washington Temple
Followed by	Lubbock Texas Temple
Official website: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples/details/snowflake-arizona-temple • News & images
Additional information Announced April 2, 2000 Groundbreaking September 23, 2000 by Rex D. Pinegar Open House February 2–16, 2002 Current President G. Merlin Hancock (2014) Designed by Trest Polina Location 1875 West Canyon Drive Snowflake, Arizona United States Exterior finish Two tones of polished granite, Empress White and Majestic Grey, quarried in China Temple design Classic modern, single-spire design Ordinance rooms 2 (Movie, two-stage progressive sessions) Sealing rooms 2 Clothing rental No Cafeteria No Visitors' center No

The Snowflake Arizona Temple is a special building for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the 108th temple built by the Church. Temples are important places where members go to learn more about their faith and make promises to God.

The town of Snowflake was settled by Mormon pioneers in 1878. They came at the request of Brigham Young, who was the Church's president at the time. The town was named after two early Church leaders, William J. Flake and Erastus Snow. They helped guide the pioneers who settled this area.

The Snowflake Arizona Temple serves about 35,000 Church members. Many of these members are descendants of the first pioneers who settled the area. The temple is built on a small hill, which people now call "Temple Hill." Workers carefully removed about eight feet from the top of the hill to make space for the temple. The temple has two levels, and the lower level is partly built into the hillside.

Building the Temple

Even though about 9,000 people live in the Snowflake area, more than 94,000 visitors came to see the temple during its open house. This event happened in February 2002. Gordon B. Hinckley, who was the Church president then, officially dedicated the temple. He did this in four special meetings on March 3, 2002.

Temple Design and Materials

The outside of the temple is made from two different shades of polished granite. This beautiful stone, called Empress White and Majestic Grey, came all the way from China. It is similar to the stone used for the Fukuoka Japan Temple.

Inside the temple, much of the furniture looks like it came from pioneer times. This design honors the history of the pioneers who settled the area. The temple's interior also features patterns inspired by Native American art. These patterns are stenciled on the walls and woven into the carpets. You can also see handcrafted rugs, baskets, and pottery decorating the rooms.

The Snowflake Arizona Temple is about 18,621 square feet in size. It has two rooms for special ceremonies and two rooms for sealing families together. This temple was the second one built in Arizona. The first Arizona temple was dedicated in Mesa in 1927.

Recent History

In 2020, the Snowflake Arizona Temple, like many other public places, temporarily closed. This closure was a safety measure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

See also

In Spanish: Templo de Snowflake para niños