Mormon Life - Arizona tag

Gilbert, Ariz. temple hits benchmark with placement of Moroni statue

Wed, 16 May 2012 09:24:00 -0600

source: eastvalleytribune.com

An impromptu gathering of hundreds took place Tuesday afternoon in south Gilbert.

Word spread through the East Valley’s Mormon community that the under-construction Gilbert Temple was set to reach a major milestone. And with a break from the winds, the visitors got to see what they came for: the placement of Moroni atop the temple spire.

The crowd cheered as the golden statute was put into place by a mammoth crane.

LDS youths bring Mormon Battalion to life

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:58:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

The Mormon Battalion’s original trek through Yuma, Ariz., took place in January of 1847. Those who attended Yuma’s 2012 Silver Spur Rodeo Parade in February were treated to a trip back in time and a lesson in history. More than a dozen young men and young women from Yuma’s 9th Ward, in period clothing with authentic equipment (including a reproduction U.S. Army wagon), walked the parade route to bring alive a part of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints..

The Silver Parade is the largest local event of this type, and the Arizona Centennial brought additional historical focus. Their efforts were rewarded by receiving the parade trophies for Best Horse-Drawn Wagon and 1st Place Religious Organization. Freddy Martinez, 17, said that winning the awards made him “feel like we did a good job representing the Battalion,” adding, “I know we were noticed ... and in a good way.”

The recognition didn’t stop there. In attendance at the parade was the commanding officer of the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, Col. Reed Young. Young noted that the group was recreating a U.S. Army unit and commended them for keeping history alive. He produced a YPG “challenge coin” and, regretting he didn’t have enough for everyone, called for the youngest member to step forward. Matthew Hill, 14, stepped up and received the coin in a handshake from Young.

Gardening project in Arizona

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:25:00 -0600

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: I love the idea of having ward or stake gardens. In February of 2009, Allen C. Christensen received a request from Larry Justice, president of the Tuba City Arizona Stake, for help with a project. A gardening project, to be more specific, that would help enhance self-reliance and provident living among members in the Tuba City Arizona Stake and the surrounding areas.

Brother Christensen, recently retired director of the Ezra Taft Benson Agriculture and Food Institute, went with his then-colleague Richard Brimhall to meet with President Justice and some of his priesthood leaders in March of 2009, and it was decided that they would do a comprehensive demonstration garden at the Tuba City Arizona Stake Center.

In the demonstration garden they planted corn, squash, beans, peppers, raspberry bushes, grape vines, fruit trees and just about anything else they could because they needed to spend some time working with the soil.

Mesa Easter Pageant starts March 28

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 08:34:00 -0600

source: deseretnews.com

The annual Mesa Arizona Easter Pageant titled "Jesus the Christ" will be March 28-31 and April 3-7 on the north lawn of the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center, 525 E. Main St. in Mesa. Admission is free and tickets aren't required.

LDS youth take on projects at Arizona Crossroads Mission

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:55:00 -0600

source: yumasun.com

About 250 boys and girls of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Yuma Stake volunteered their time Saturday to clean the kitchen at Crossroads Mission and to demolish a wall that had separated the dining area from the chapel.

In addition, they picked up trash in the dirt parking lot adjacent to the mission, built shelves for the storage areas and served a meal to the residents of the mission.

2012 'Time to Blossom' young women's conference

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 10:34:00 -0700

source: MormonTimes.com

Former Young Women General President Ardeth Kapp, singer Alex Boye and Olympic medalist Lacey Nymeyer-John will be among the popular speakers, musicians and athletes who will address young women as part of the third annual "Time to Blossom" conference in Arizona May 29 to June 1 at the Legado Hotel and Conference Center in Gilbert. Registration ends April 30.

The past two summers, more than 600 young women participated in sessions designed to help them understand their worth as daughters of God and their divine potential, say conference cofounders Debbie Forrest and Carla Jorgensen, both of Mesa, Ariz.

Mormon voters wary of too much public support for Romney

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 09:02:00 -0700

source: washingtonpost.com

Among the customers browsing the light-infused Jesus paintings and spiritually tinged volumes of a Mormon bookstore here, you will find some of Mitt Romney’s most passionate supporters. But don’t expect them to go starting a “Mormons for Mitt” group anytime soon.

Mormons, one of Romney’s most loyal voting blocs, are often quiet about their support. That might be because the church discourages political involvement. But Mormon voters also describe another source of personal reticence — the danger they see in associating Romney too closely with his faith.

Mormon Voters Raise Romney’s Advantage in Arizona

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:48:00 -0700

source: nytimes.com

Arizona might have less symbolic importance than Michigan, but it is probably of more practical significance. That is because it’s one of the few Republican states to award its delegates on a truly winner-take-all basis, without any qualifications or complication. Get one more vote than your rivals in Arizona, and you take all 29 of its delegates.

Arizona invites Mormon Tabernacle Choir to perform in state’s centennial celebration

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:05:00 -0700

source: Newsroom.lds.org

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square joined the state of Arizona in celebrating 100 years of statehood.

The choir’s performances on 10-11 February 2012 in the U.S. Airways Center marked the first time the 360-voice group sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has presented a concert in Arizona in more than 40 years.

Tabernacle Choir returns to Arizona

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 10:17:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

For the first time in nearly 45 years, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is set to perform in Arizona Feb. 10-11. The special occasion is part of Arizona's centennial celebration.

"We are thrilled to have them come," said Karen Churchard, director of the Arizona Centennial Commission. "This concert was actually the first of our signature events that we identified and approved."

Gilbert approves zoning request for LDS temple area

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:12:00 -0700

source: azcentral.com

The Gilbert Town Council on Thursday approved a rezoning request that paves the way for hundreds of single-family homes, condos and commercial development surrounding the Mormon temple site at Greenfield and Pecos roads.

About nine acres of commercial land directly adjacent to the temple, which is still under construction, theoretically could be used to build a gas station or pharmacy, but council members said they are confident the developer won't let that happen.

Mormons oust Mormon: Why Russell Pearce lost

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:02:00 -0700

source: washingtonpost.com

Mormon Life says: Lewis (who won) has a more Christ-like approach to immigration, according to voters.

Most coverage of Tuesday’s night’s recall of state Senate President Russell Pearce ( R) in Mesa, Arizona has focused on the fact that Russell authored the state’s controversial immigration legislation.

Pearce was defeated by Republican Jerry Lewis, a charter school executive, in a Republican primary that many may see as a referendum on a harsh immigration law similar to the one signed by Gov. Jan Brewer ( R) and challenged by the Obama administration in the courts.

Immigration was a factor in his defeat — in large part because the Mormon Church decided that it should be. But an ethics scandal and under-handed campaign tactics also played a role.

Mormon voters, immigration help recall Russell Pearce

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:25:00 -0700

source: religiondispatches.org

Mormon Life says: Many Mormons who voted for Lewis (who won) felt he had a more compassionate approach to immigration.

Last night, Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce--author of the controversial and now infamous anti-immigration bill SB 1070--became the first sitting lawmaker in Arizona history to lose his seat in a recall election, in a closely fought contest that divided Mesa, Arizona's strong LDS community between Pearce, who is Mormon, and his challenger Jerry Lewis, who is also a Mormon Republican. Lewis beat Pearce 53% to 46%.

The Mormon grapevine was abuzz with expressions of relief and excitement that the Russell Pearce era has ended.

Mormon temple, Phoenix neighbors finally reach agreement

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 10:28:00 -0600

source: azcentral.com

After nearly two years of arguing about the height, parking and lighting of a Mormon temple under construction in north Phoenix, neighbors and church officials have formed a compact.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agreed to:

- Lower the Phoenix Temple's steeple by 10 feet.

- Turn off the lights at 10:15 p.m.

- Address traffic issues.

Ground broken for Phoenix Arizona Temple

Sun, 05 Jun 2011 19:40:00 -0600

source: Newsroom.lds.org

Officials from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with community leaders in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, 4 June 2011 to break ground for a new temple.

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy presided at the ceremony. He was joined by the Executive Director of the Temple Department, Elder William R. Walker, Elder Michael D. Pickerd and Elder Jim L. Wright of the Seventy and Ann M. Dibb, second counselor in the Young Women general presidency. Several community and civic leaders also attended, including Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, State Majority Leader Steve Court and the vice mayor of Phoenix, Thelda Williams.

Neighbors float balloons to protest height of Phoenix LDS temple

Fri, 06 May 2011 15:29:00 -0600

source: azcentral.com

White balloons with NO printed on them bobbed in the air Wednesday in a north Phoenix neighborhood where the Mormon Church plans to build a temple.

It was the latest protest by residents who live within 1 square mile of the planned Phoenix Temple at 5200 W. Pinnacle Peak Road. The group canvassed 328 homes over several weeks and asked residents if they would fly a balloon in their front yard to show they are unhappy with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' design of the temple.

Neighborhood organizer Scott Anderson said 264 agreed to do so and 64 declined.

Gila Valley Arizona Temple Celebration

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 -0600

source: lds.org

Mormon temple protests target Church's Utah leaders

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:16:00 -0700

source: azcentral.com

Neighbors of a planned Mormon temple in north Phoenix are protesting at the site, saying Utah's leadership is ignoring their concerns about the building's design, light and traffic.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wants to build a 26,000-square-foot Phoenix Temple at 5200 W. Pinnacle Peak Road. The church is seeking a building permit from Phoenix.

About 70 people, many of them members of the Phoenix Property Rights Coalition, have been protesting to get the attention of the church's main office in Salt Lake City.

The residents say the decisions about the temple are decided there.

During a late January protest, the group placed a 27-foot-tall inflatable gorilla with a message: "Utah: The 800lb Gorilla in our Neighborhood." They have been calling the project the "Temple of ill will" because when the church redesigned the building in August, it came back with an even larger structure, said Scott Anderson, a neighborhood organizer.

Church officials said leaders in Arizona and Utah work closely on all matters related to the temple, including the concerns raised by the neighbors.

Neighborhood protests Mormon temple

Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:34:00 -0700

source: myfoxphoenix.com

A Phoenix neighborhood is taking its feud against a proposed Mormon temple to the streets because they are unhappy about the church's design.

The feud has gone on for more than a year.

Neighbors said even some Mormons are nervous about the size of the temple.

The temple would be built in a bedroom community where the same neighbors have lived for decades, just off Pinnacle Peak Road.

Northeastern valley residents enjoy the view of the mountains. But they are worried the quiet place they call home will be disrupted, along with the view.

Festive feelings stirred with lighting of Mesa temple lights

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 11:02:00 -0700

source: ldschurchnews.com

Mormon Life says: Pretty photo gallery. "Celebrate the Birth of Christ in Lights and Music" features hundreds of thousands of colorful lights in stunning displays, including illuminated palm trees and flower gardens; a beautifully crafted Nativity scene, life-like figures of Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem and nightly concerts by local groups.

The annual celebration kicked off Nov. 26 when Arizona Cardinals players Max Hall and Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui flipped the switch at the official lighting program. Both LDS football players are graduates of local high schools.