No. The temple’s purpose is to accommodate small groups throughout the day rather than large congregations at one time, and so traffic flow is well within the capacity of local roads to handle. Ample parking is available on site.

A traffic impact study was prepared and submitted to the city of Phoenix as part of the approval process. It is anticipated that traffic on Pinnacle Peak Road and 51st Avenue will continue to operate at acceptable levels of service once the temple is completed.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, public open house and temple dedication (all of which are one-time events), we work closely with our neighbors to minimize the impact of the traffic and parking and to ensure continued access to their homes and businesses. Attendance at these services will be by invitation only, and a traffic management plan will be in place along with off-site parking to minimize impact during these limited activities.

Data:
Actual Pinnacle Road traffic data
Estimated temple traffic based on attendance at similar temples

Key Points:
Temple Traffic out of phase with rush hour traffic
Temple Traffic only adds 3% increase to peak traffic

All persons in this video are neighbors of other Mormon temples and members of other faiths.

No. Temples are used only for performing sacred ceremonies and not as centers for local congregations or for proselytizing.

Experience worldwide demonstrates that temples positively impact property values. Latter-day Saint temples are built using the finest craftsmanship and materials available. They are beautifully landscaped and maintained and designed to complement the community.

All persons in this video are neighbors of other Mormon temples and members of other faiths.

Temples are quiet, sacred and an integral part of the LDS faith, providing members the opportunity to participate in religious ceremonies, such as marriages and baptisms. The Phoenix Temple will be open Tuesday through Saturday and closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Unlike the Mesa Temple, this temple will not have a visitors’ center or hold special events like the Easter Pageant. Temples are not used to provide food or shelter to the homeless, and no other services, such as materials distribution or canning, will occur at the Phoenix Temple site.

Mormon temples do not have bells or chimes. The temple grounds will be quiet and peaceful and are open to the public.

The lighting of the temple will comply with all applicable dark-sky and light-trespass codes of the city of Phoenix. The temple illumination will be significantly less than existing facilities in the area.

All persons in this video are neighbors of other Mormon temples and members of other faiths.

Many people are under the impression that the interior of a Latter-day Saint temple is like a great hall or cathedral. Actually, temples are made up of numerous smaller rooms designed to accommodate functions such as marriages, baptisms and small gatherings, as well as personal reflection and contemplation. Inside the temple, Church members change into simple and modest white clothing before taking part in temple ceremonies. The white temple clothing symbolizes purity and reverence.

Yes. After the temple is completed, an open house is held for the general public (typically for several weeks). During the open house, public tours (organized by reservation with a special neighbor’s tour) and information are provided to answer questions and to explain the purpose of the various rooms in the temple. See interior photos.

Church meetinghouses or chapels are open to all, and everyone is welcome to attend the Sunday worship services and other activities held there. Chapels are open and busy all day on Sunday, while temples are closed that day. Besides Sunday services, Church meetinghouses can be used for a variety of activities such as a neighborhood dinner, a youth activity, or even a community blood drive. Temples are used only for sacred ordinances that bless individuals and bind families together for eternity. After temples are dedicated, only faithful Latter-day Saints may enter them.

The temple is closed on Sundays. The existing Church building will continue to operate as it always has. Additional parking provided by the temple site will eliminate any need to park on the street on Sunday during regular worship services.

The original design provided for a two-story temple. To conform to the zoning height requirements, it was determined that the best design was a single-story building, which resulted in a larger footprint. The enlarged building area also allowed for an increased capacity to better meet the needs of the members of the Church.

Most of our temples are built in existing neighborhoods, particularly the smaller temples like the one planned for Phoenix.  However, even some of our largest temples are found in residential neighborhoods like those in Washington, D.C.; Boston; Portland; and Bountiful, Utah.

Our experience with more than 130 temples is that they have a very positive impact on the peaceful atmosphere and quiet settings of neighborhoods. Temples are sacred houses of worship, where people come for quiet contemplation. Temples do not significantly impact local traffic, and they add beauty to the neighborhoods where they are built. As such, they are most fitting in residential areas. The surroundings, atmosphere, noise and busy nature of commercial areas make them undesirable locations for these sacred edifices.

Temples are subject to the same local zoning and building regulation and approval processes as any other church or house of worship.

All persons in this video are neighbors of other Mormon temples and members of other faiths.

With all construction projects, some disruption is inevitable. However, the Church will work closely with city officials and the neighborhood to minimize the inconvenience as much as possible.

The Church and its contractors work diligently to meet all local environmental regulations and to maintain the atmosphere of the area.

All persons in this video are neighbors of other Mormon temples and members of other faiths.

Temple grounds are always beautifully landscaped, meticulously maintained, and open to the public.

All persons in this video are neighbors of other Mormon temples and members of other faiths.

The temple will be constructed to meet the height restrictions of local building regulations. Temple spires are slender, tapering structures designed to both inspire the viewer and create a minimum of obstruction.

All persons in this video are neighbors of other Mormon temples and members of other faiths.

Neighbors throughout the world have found temples to be good additions to the community. Temples are ideal neighbors because the buildings and landscaping are meticulously maintained and those who visit come in small groups throughout the day, rather than in one large group. In addition, it has been repeatedly shown that temples help neighborhoods increase or hold onto their value, even in a bad economy.

All persons in this video are neighbors of other Mormon temples and members of other faiths.