The Gila Valley Arizona Temple

Dedication of The Gila Valley Arizona Temple

Apostle John W. Taylor visited Latter-day Saints in The Gila Valley, Arizona, during the St. Joseph Stake conference on Jan. 30, 1898, and prophesied that “One of the most beautiful temples that was ever built among the Saints in the Rocky Mountains will be built in this valley.”

Church President Spencer W. Kimball, who grew up in The Gila Valley, wrote more about the prophecy in a letter on May 1, 1973, to his friend and newly sustained stake President Seth G. Mattice. President Kimball mentioned that although The Gila Valley was small in population and few in Latter-day Saints, “if that prophecy was made by inspiration, then the Lord will find a way to do it."

Church President Thomas S. Monson announced a temple for The Gila Valley along with his counselors in the First Presidency — President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor — via a press release on April 26, 2008.

“It is my personal priority to make sure members of the Church have access to the blessings of the temple,” wrote President Monson. “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.”

Elder John W. Taylor’s prophecy was fulfilled when The Gila Valley Arizona Temple was dedicated May 23, 2010, by Church President Thomas S. Monson.

Mark S. Bryce, coordinator of the local temple committee, noted that numerous visitors to the temple each described the building as “beautiful.” He told the Church News that “Every time they would say it, I would think to myself, ‘The prophecy is fulfilled.’”

Dedicatory prayer excerpt: “We ask Thee to bless all who seek to do Thy will, who walk in righteousness and faith and obedience to the commandments Thou hast given. Wilt Thou comfort them when they face adversity. Wilt Thou strengthen them when the winds of opposition blow against them. Wilt Thou bring joy and peace into their hearts and the assurance that Thou dost love them.”

Read the dedicatory prayer of The Gila Valley Arizona Temple here.

The First Presidency announced a temple for The Gila Valley on April 26, 2008. Construction on the temple started with its groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 14, 2009.

Visitors toured the house of the Lord during its open house from April 23 through May 15, 2010, and youth from the temple district performed in a cultural celebration in honor of the temple on May 22, 2010. Church President Thomas S. Monson dedicated The Gila Valley Arizona Temple on May 23, 2010.

Architecture and Design of The Gila Valley Arizona Temple

The 18,561-square-foot Gila Valley Arizona Temple was built on 17 acres of land. The exterior is made of architectural precast concrete, and the lands are decorated with trees and shrubs.

The temple features a celestial room, two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms and a baptistry. Interior decorations include art-glass windows and murals of local river, desert and mountain landscapes.