Graham guardian., 1921-12-02

iS3 feet inches long and 123 feet
wide, had been cleared by members
OF the Maricopa stake and fenced of
with steel wire. The structure itself,
according to tentative plans CON-
pleted in Salt Lake City, Is to be
I1S3h feet long by 1923 feet wide and
60 feet high. 1t is to be Of reinforced
concrete. Finishing materials have
not been decided upon as yet.
On each side of the speaking plat
form, seats have been provided for
perhaps 1000 but the crowd complete.
lily overwhelmed the committee. Au-
Itomobiles parked on both sides Of the
platform and these were Allied with
spectators, while hundreds of others
stood throughout the service, which
lasted nearly three hours
The service opened at 1850 o'clock
with orchestra selections by the Mesa
Union High school orchestra. AZ 3,
o'clock, the children Of the Sunday
schools in the Maricopa stake, all
carrying yellow chrysanthemums
joined In community singing. AS they
sang they marched around the tenn.
pie foundation, spreading palm leaves
as they went. The combined stake
choir of several hundred voices sang
LET the Mountains Shout for JOY"
after the string orchestra Of Is pieces
OF the Second Ward chapel had
played several selections.
Ray L. Pratt, president Of the Mex.
ican mission, which comprises all
Mexican people In the Southwest.
pronounced the invocation.
Anthony w. Iyens, second coun.
selor to President Grant, spoke next.
President Ivens is well known to all
members OF the Maricopa stake and
to the older residents OF Arizona, for
he is one of the true pioneers OF the
valley. He came to Arizona AZ years
ago on church mission and for
many years made his home in the
valley, being among one OF the first
settlers.
"The dedication OF this site Is but
the beginning and almost the small
est part Of the work we have to do
in the building Of this temple" ne
said.
"The material part of the work
comes later. Then comes the sac
rificing. These temples do not come
spontaneously, but are result Of
our own labor and liberality. We
must give back to the Lord por.
tion Of that which he has given to
us. i
"You people OF the Maricopa stake
are not strong in number of wealth.
but it Is our hope that your temple
may be finished without delay"
John w, McMurrin, president OF the
California mission spoke on "The
Need of Temples" >
81 know of no other occasion in the
history OF the church just like this"
President McMurrin said. 1T Is in
deed an occasion Of occasions, this
rearing OF magnificent temple con.
secrated to the work OF God where
only few years ago was a great des.
ert."
"A male chorus sang the Arizona
temple anthem, entitled Hail the
Day." written by Miss Bertha A. Klein
man. member OF the Maricopa stake.
President Grants remarks and
prayer followed, the meeting being
brought to a close by Andrew Kim.
ball, president OF the st. Joseph stake
who pronounced the benediction.
All Mesa schools were closed dur.
ing the afternoon, tnat the children
might attend the dedication services.
A half holiday also was observed in
the business section Of the city, prac.
tically every store closing at O'Clock |
In the afternoon. Some reopened aft.
er completion Of the services.
AT meeting at the home OF o. 8.
Stapley Monday morning, at which
time organization of temple dis. |
trict was perfected, plans for carry. |
ing on construction work were dis. |
cussed. II was decided that arch.
itects should start Immediately on
completion OF details In connection
with building the temple. AS soon as
these plans are finished, a superintend-
ent will be put in charge Of the work |
which VIII then proceed without in.
terruption. Completion OF the temple
is matter OF months and possibly
years, 1t was agreed.
The Mesa temple is to be the eighth
built by the church and the sixth pres.
ent day temple, two having been aban.
ioned. The first temple was erected
At Kirkland, Ohio. in 1888. II has
since been abandoned. The second
was constructed at Nauvoo. ILL.,, and Il i
also has been abandoned.
The biggest Of all present day tenn.
Pies is at Salt Lake City, the seat OF
he church. There are temples at
81. George and Manti. Utah. in Can.
ida and In thu uauauap istand. IL