Click here for Snowflake Arizona Temple information including temple schedule and directions from temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Announced: April 2, 2000.

Location: About 150 miles northeast of Phoenix; 1875 West Canyon Drive; Snowflake, AZ 8593; phone, (928) 536-6626; no clothing rental.

Site: 7.5 acre site.

Exterior finish: Two tones of imported polished granite.

Temple design: Traditional.

Architect: Trest Polina of Fanning Bard Tatum Architects.

Project manager: Leon Rowley.

Contractor: Okland Construction Co. of Tempe, Ariz.

Rooms: Baptistry, celestial room, two ordinance rooms, two sealing rooms.

Total floor area: 16,567 square feet.

Dimensions: 91 feet by 149 feet, two stories.

District: 11 stakes in northeastern Arizona and a small portion of western New Mexico.

Groundbreaking, site dedication: Sept. 23, 2000, by Elder Rex D. Pinegar of the Seventy.

Dedication: March 3, 2002, by President Hinckley; 4 sessions.

Dedicatory Prayer

Done by President Gordon B. Hinckley

O God, our Eternal Father, we bow before Thee as we dedicate this sacred temple.

Thou art the great Elohim, the Almighty, the Governor of the universe who rules over all. And yet Thou art our Father, and as Thy humble children we come unto Thee in solemn prayer in the name of Thine Only Begotten, the Savior of the world, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude for this beautiful edifice which has been erected in our midst. It stands magnificent on this high elevation where it may be seen by all in this community. May it be a constant reminder to those who pass this way of the obligations of Thy covenant people to walk in righteousness before Thee.vFather, we thank Thee for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in this the dispensation of the fulness of times. The everlasting priesthood, in all of its fulness, has been restored through the instrumentality of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The keys of that priesthood are with Thy people and will be exercised in this holy house. The incomparable blessings flowing therefrom will be experienced not only by those in this life, but in the life beyond by Thy sons and daughters of all generations through living proxies acting in their behalf. All of the ordinances of Thy house, whether in behalf of the living or the dead, are eternal in their consequences.

We are thankful for those who laid the foundations of this and other nearby communities. They struggled so desperately for so long against adversities of many kinds. Now their posterity enjoy the sweet fruits of their efforts, and crowning all is this magnificent and beautiful temple.

We are grateful that this Thy house will be available to the sons and daughters of Lehi who live nearby. Let the scales of darkness fall from their eyes and bring a fulfillment of the ancient promises made concerning them. May this house become a hallowed sanctuary for many of these, our brothers and sisters.

And now, dear Father, as Thy servants acting in the authority of the holy priesthood which Thou hast bestowed upon us, and in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we dedicate and consecrate unto Thee and unto Him this the Snowflake Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Wilt Thou accept it as Thy holy house. We pray that Thou might see fit to visit it. Permit Thy Holy Spirit to be here at all times, its presence to be felt by all who labor here. May this house be ever sacred to those who enter it and to all who look upon it. May it truly be the House of the Lord, a place of holiness.

We dedicate and consecrate the structure itself and the grounds upon which it stands. We dedicate these beautiful surroundings adorned with Thy handiwork of grass, flowers, shrubs, and trees. We dedicate the footings and the foundation, the walls, the steeple, and the crowning figure of Moroni. We dedicate the interior of this Thy house, the Baptistry, the ordinance and instruction rooms, and the magnificent celestial room. We dedicate the sealing rooms with their sacred altars where the priesthood will be exercised to insure the eternal perpetuity of the family. We dedicate all other facilities which combined together constitute this sacred edifice.

O Father, please let Thy blessings rest upon this Thy house the erection of which has been made possible through the faithful contributors of tithes and offerings throughout the world. We thank Thee for those who have provided the land, who have worked in the planning and construction, who have served in any capacity whatever to bring this undertaking to this day of consecration.

Now, dear Father, protect this Thy house from any desecrating hand, from the storms of nature, and from any other destructive force or element. Bless all who enter these portals that they may be clean of mind and body, worthy to enter into Thy presence. May they serve herein with an eye single to Thy glory. May Thy faithful Saints be edified and strengthened through the endowment they will here receive.

May Thy servants who go from this Thy house to represent Thee be endowed with power to bear witness before the world of Thy great cause and kingdom restored to the earth for the blessing of thy sons and daughters, both those living and those beyond the veil of death. May all who kneel at these sacred altars feel the power of Thy binding covenant for them and their posterity through all eternity.

We pray for all who will serve here as workers that they may do so with a spirit of love and with a desire to bless the lives of those who come as patrons. We pray for the temple president and his counselors, for the matron and her assistants. May none weary in the beneficent work which they will perform.

Father, as we pray for those who will use this sacred building, we pray for Thy people throughout the earth. Let Thy blessings rest upon Thy faithful Saints wherever they may be. May each hold in his or her hand the torch of faith and be guided thereby in all circumstances. Open the heavens and pour down blessings upon those who live the ancient law of the tithe. Stay in their behalf the hand of the destroyer and multiply the fruits of their labors.vWe pray for those whom Thou hast called to lead Thy Church in this season of history. Make them equal to their great responsibilities and endow them with power from on high. Give them strength and energy and great capacity.

We pray for this nation of which we are part. In this time of national sorrow, bring peace and comfort to those who mourn. Preserve the freedom of the people. May the blessings of liberty rest upon its citizens. Bless those who lead and inspire them in their endeavors that righteousness may grow, that the people may look to Thee, and that this nation, under God, may continue as a base from which Thy work may spread throughout the earth.

Now, our beloved Father, how grateful we are for Thy precious Son; He who left Thy royal courts on high to come to earth, here to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of all men. He is our great Redeemer, our Savior, and our Lord. As we love Thee, we love Him.

Almighty God, please smile with favor upon us. Forgive our weaknesses. Magnify our talents. May we walk acceptably before Thee as Thy sons and daughters we humbly pray in the sacred and holy name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Leaders break ground, offer counsel at temple site in Snowflake, Ariz.

SNOWFLAKE, Ariz. — On top of what has become known as "Temple Hill," Church members here gathered Sept. 23 in fulfillment of years of fasting and prayers to attend the groundbreaking of the Snowflake Arizona Temple.

President Stephen Reidhead of the Snowflake Arizona Stake told the congregation about the early pioneers who settled the area, dreaming that one day a temple would be built there.

The temple district includes Arizona stakes in Snowflake, Taylor, Eagar, St. Johns, Pinetop/Lakeside, Show Low, Flagstaff, Tuba City and Chinle. "Although it is located in Snowflake, it is everyone's temple in the district," President Reidhead said.

Elder Rex D. Pinegar of the Seventy presided at the ceremony, calling the temple the most sacred place on earth. Elder Pinegar encouraged the members to break old feelings that draw them apart and gather together in the temple where there are no differences.

President Norris Baldwin of the Taylor Arizona Stake told members to become worthy to attend the temple. The gospel of Jesus Christ leads to brotherhood and sisterhood, he said. "If you want to love God you must love other people."

Tiffany Nez, a youth speaker from the Snowflake 9th Ward, Snowflake Arizona Stake, said that only by entering the doors of the temple can one have all of Heavenly Father's blessings. Chris Reed, a youth speaker from the Taylor 4th Ward, Taylor Arizona Stake, shared his feelings about the temple.

A joint Snowflake and Taylor Stake choir under the direction of Eugene Webb provided music. Frank Gilmore, Tuba City Stake president, gave the closing prayer in his native tongue, Navajo.

‘The temple — I’m going there someday’

By Julie Dockstader Heaps

Church News staff writer

I love to see the temple.

I'm going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I'll prepare myself while I am young;

This is my sacred duty.

("I Love to See the Temple," Children's Songbook, p. 95.)

In 2002, Primary children throughout the Church will be singing and learning about temples and the eternal nature of families. And many — those at least 8 years old — will have the opportunity to be part of a temple dedication service during the upcoming year.

Snowflake Arizona Temple

Intellectual Reserve Inc.

"The Primary's 2002 focus on temples will help us and children better understand the work of President Gordon B. Hinckley in building temples and blessing lives," Primary general President Coleen K. Menlove said. "President Hinckley desires for all of us to have temples within our reach. We can help children get themselves ready as we help them learn of the temple, help them prepare to be worthy, and we can love the children by testifying of our love for the temple."

Sister Menlove and her counselors, Sydney S. Reynolds and Gayle M. Clegg, met with the Church News to discuss "The Temple — I'm Going There Someday," the theme for the 2002 outline for Sharing Time and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. In the fourth quarter of the year, children throughout the Church will share in their wards and branches what they learned and experienced concerning temple worship during the year. As in the past, the general presidency hopes Primary leaders and teachers will help the children share their testimonies and love for the temple in their own words compiled from Sharing Time, opening exercises and in family settings.

"This year in sharing time we hope the children will come to understand the blessings of temples, and they will feel joy and peace in their lives and in their homes," Sister Clegg said. "What a blessing to know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love each of them. They will have opportunities to show gratitude and to live the gospel. It is hoped that each child and his or her family will prepare for the Savior's coming by living to be worthy of temple blessings."

Speaking of temple dedications, such as the dedications of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple and Snowflake Arizona Temple scheduled for this year, Sister Reynolds said: "Children are so wonderful in the temple dedication setting. They're sitting with their parents and they have no problem having wonderful reverence and respect for what's going on. It's because of the preparation they've had in their families and in places like Primary."

"We teach that it literally is the house of God, and they feel that," Sister Clegg added. "They are going to Heavenly Father's house. You ask little ones, and they say that. They give you that answer."

This understanding begins at home, Sister Reynolds explained. In fact, she said, the feelings of peace and love found in the temple should already be familiar to children in comparison to what they should feel at home. "We want their own homes to have that kind of spirit."

But whether in their homes now or in their future homes, children are being taught the blessings of eternal families and temple worship through the teachings and music found in the 2002 Outline for Sharing Time and the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation. For example, the music for the first month is "I Love to See the Temple." A sharing time idea suggests a booklet prepared by Primary leaders for each child entitled "The Temple — I'm Going There Someday." The outline explains: "Have the children draw a picture of a temple on the first page. Give each of them a cutout picture of a boy or girl to color and glue to the next page. Have them write their names and one way they can prepare to go to the temple on the picture. Use the additional pages of the booklet throughout the year to have the children write their thoughts or draw pictures as you teach about temples."

The eighth month includes ideas for family history work. Music includes "Family History — I Am Doing It," from p. 94 in the Children's Songbook. A concept teaches: "I can prepare to serve in the temple by learning about my ancestors and doing family history work."

The Primary general presidency specifically encourages Primary teachers and leaders to regularly attend the temple themselves throughout the year and then share their love for the temple with the children. "The children will be able to sense their love and commitment about the temple and that it makes a difference in their lives," Sister Reynolds said.

Sisters Menlove, Reynolds and Clegg also hope parents will not only attend the temple but also share their testimonies of temple worship with their children. "How wonderful to tuck a child into bed and talk about the opportunity for families to be together forever," Sister Menlove said.

"This is a wonderful year to prepare those children to have spiritual experiences through the Spirit in regards to the temple."

E-mail: julied@desnews.com