REDLANDS, Calif. Several hundred spectators peeked through fences and watched from the nearby stake center March 13 as the 13 1/2 foot gold-leafed statue of Moroni was raised by crane then placed atop the Redlands California Temple.
Members of the crowd cheered as they caught first glimpse of the statue. The excitement was in anticipation of the temple nearing its completion. Even though no announcement was made to publicize the event, hundreds of people showed up.
Kim Palmer, who traveled from Moreno Valley with four of her five children, said: "The real excitement will happen when I can bring my entire family and walk through this beautiful temple during the open house. After it is dedicated I can return with my husband to be instructed about how to be a better person."
Elder Jerald Quinn, along with his wife, Lisbeth, is serving a mission in the Redlands area overseeing the construction of the temple. He said: "I could hear a loud cheer when Moroni was put in place and I thought about all of the hard work and dedication that has gone into building this beautiful temple. Soon it will be completed."
The temple likely will be completed in the late summer or early fall. The outside construction is almost finished as the artisans continue to apply the large granite pieces to the tower and entrance to the temple. The details in the granite are hand carved and were shipped from China. The interior will soon be completed and the furnishings will be added prior to the open house, the dates of which have not been announced.
"This is truly a humbling experience to be working on the temple," said Leon Nelson, project manager. His experience has included much larger projects but he said, "This has a different feeling about it; something of true importance."
The Redlands temple is one of three temples announced in April 2001. The others are Newport Beach and Sacramento; construction has not begun on either.
