Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas festivities abound
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MESA, ARIZ.
"Beautiful" is a word you hear a lot from visitors as they stroll through the gardens of the Mesa Arizona Temple, say those who serve there during the Christmas season.
Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights adorning trees, bushes and flower beds set the scene and nearly life-size replicas help tell the story, depicting the prophet Isaiah prophesying of Christ's birth and Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem.
A large, outdoor Nativity scene gives visitors a spot to stop and contemplate the birth of Jesus as they listen to an audio presentation about the significance of that event.
"People come here to feel peace on earth and goodwill toward men," said Elder Wesley White, director of the visitors' center.
"They want something that is not commercial, something that is spiritual; this reinforces family and testifies of the Savior," he said.
Elder White says that of the nearly 120,000 people who enter the visitors' center throughout the year, nearly half come during the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.
Sister missionaries meet and greet those visitors.
Stacey Hansen from Utah said she loves the people that she meets.
"This is the place to be," she said. "We're all here to celebrate Jesus Christ, and even if someone doesn't believe in Him, they are celebrating the unity that He brought into the world.
"We want them to know that God loves them and God wants them to be happy," she said. "And if they aren't happy, they can change. That's why we're here."
Many who go inside the visitors' center find their way into the nativity display, where 89 cr?he scenes made from different materials from around the world add to the Christmas spirit.
"I think that people come to realize a belief in Christ is something that can fit in any culture," said Brittany Fors from California, who points out interesting facts about the different collections.
"Everyone finds something that is beautiful to them and that strikes a personal chord," she said. "That allows them to feel the sweetness of Christmas and for their own testimonies to grow."
The Rudd family of Queen Creek, Ariz., visited the temple grounds Nov. 28 with their two young children.
Ryan Rudd said it was their first year back after living out of state and that visiting the temple grounds was always a family tradition when they were living nearby.
"We hope it's something that our kids look forward to," he said.
Five-year-old Reagan said she especially liked seeing the bright star over baby Jesus.
The lights are turned on 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. nightly through Saturday, Dec. 31.
Free outdoor concerts take place in front of the visitors' center at 7 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 25.
Those who go inside the visitors' center can view a 13-foot marble replica of the original Christus statue, exhibits and dioramas and a short film depicting the birth of Christ.
