Tucson Mormon Temple as it readies for public tours in early June, 2017
Tucson’s Mormon Temple will be dedicated in August as the only temple in the metro area, though there are five others in the state.
VIEW LARGER The corners of the Tucson Mormon Temple are art deco designs of prickly pear blossoms. For the next three weeks, the public can take tours of the building. It's the only chance to see inside until it needs to be renovated in 40 or more years, said Elder Larry Wilson, the temple director of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“It reflects the fact that the church has reached a point of maturity here - and its size and its development - that we’re able to support a church and have people use it in an effective way," Wilson said of the decision to add a temple in Tucson.
In the LDS Church, group congregational worship happens at neighborhood meeting houses, Wilson said.
VIEW LARGER Detail of the architecture of the Tucson Mormon Temple reflects desert cacti blossoms and ocotillo. "The focus in the temple is really on the individual's relationship with God," he said, so it's designed to encourage individual contemplation and support family religious ceremonies.
The purpose informs its design.
"People often expect that our temple is going to be like a large Catholic cathedral with one large space inside, and when they come in they find there are many smaller rooms with different purposes,” he said.
Those will be visible on public tours, which are free, though they require reservations. They’re available through June 24. No images or video are allowed inside the temple, and once the public tours end June 24, there will be access only for Mormons who have been granted access by the church.
The temple architecture and color scheme also reflect the desert, with art deco depictions of cactus blossoms and ocotillo arches. Its blue dome is based on other notable desert architecture: the domes of the San Xavier Mission and the historic Pima County Courthouse.
Other Arizona cities with Mormon temples are Mesa, Phoenix, Gilbert, Snowflake, and Gila Valley.
The main entrance to the Tucson Mormon Temple.CORRECTION: The headline of a previous version of this story incorrectly stated the number of temples in Arizona. There are six.
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