NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — As about 100 people watched, a statue of Angel Moroni was placed on top of the Newport Beach California Temple Jan. 13, another milestone in the construction process of what will be the Church's 121st temple.
"I got really excited to see (the statue of) Angel Moroni being put on top of the Newport Beach Temple," said 10-year-old Paige Terry of the Laguna Niguel 4th Ward, Laguna Niguel California Stake. "I had a warm feeling in my heart, and I was happy to be a member of the Church," she said
"It was pretty overwhelming for me," said Sister Juanee Baird, serving as a project missionary at the temple with her husband, Elder Vaughn Baird.
"It was one of those 'pay days,' so to speak, when we see a milestone happen. Watching them unwrap that beautiful statue and taking it over to the temple gave me a feeling of being so grateful for the gospel."
Located at 2300 Bonita Canyon Dr., Newport Beach, the temple stands 90 feet high on an eight-and-a-half-acre site adjacent to a meetinghouse. When completed, it will have 17,000 square feet of space and granite stone facing on the exterior walls. Dedication is expected later this year.
Other temples under construction are in San Antonio, Texas; Aba, Nigeria; Sacramento, Calif.; and Helsinki, Finland. The Apia Samoa Temple is being rebuilt. The Santiago Chile Temple is being remodeled as well.
