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By Kent Larsen
Angel For Snowflake Temple Placed
SNOWFLAKE, ARIZONA -- Attracted by the chance to see construction
workers place a statue of the Angel Moroni on the steeple of the new
Snowflake Arizona Temple, more than 200 people were on hand to
witness the 7 a.m. event. Those watching applauded when the statue
was put in place. The Snowflake Temple will be complete in November
or December, and serve Church members in northern and eastern Arizona.
Some Church members, such as the Kevin Johnson family, got up early
and traveled hundreds of miles to see the statue be put in place. The
Johnson's arose at 4 am and traveled the 120 miles from Flagstaff,
Arizona. "This is pretty significant for us in our faith and in the
northern Arizona region to have a temple built," said Johnson, a
Flagstaff accountant. "This is closer, and it's going to be
accessible to all of northern Arizona." His 10-year-old son Austin
was also impressed, "It's a spiritual thing just to see it."
Snowflake was passed over for a Temple in 1920 when the Church
planned its first Arizona Temple, even though the rural town had more
Church members at the time than Mesa, where the temple was built.
However, Church leaders felt that Mesa would grow faster.
Like the Angels Moroni placed on temples recently, the Snowflake
statue made of Fiberglas covered in 24-karat gold leaf. It is 8 1/2
feet tall and depicts Moroni with a trumpet to his lips.
Later on Saturday, Snowflake held its Pioneer Days celebration, which
included a parade at 10 a.m. Arizona has more than 305,000 Church
members in more than 71 stakes. Overall more than 6% of the state's
population are on Church rolls, however in many northeastern Arizona
towns, including Snowflake, membership is greater than 50%.
Source:
Mormons celebrate angel statue arrival at new rural temple
(Phoenix) AZ Republic 22Jul01 D1
By Kelly Ettenborough: The Arizona Republic
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