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THATCHER, Ariz. -- Thousands of Latter-day Saints gathered in southern Arizona Saturday night to welcome President Thomas S. Monson, who will dedicate their new temple Sunday.
President Monson and his First Counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, were in fine voice as they preformed a Spanish song for the people who would soon perform for them.
After a warm reception in the city of Thatcher, President Monson spoke to Latter-day Saints about how important their new temple should be to them.
"It shines as a beacon of righteousness to all who will follow its light," he said. "We thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings this temple and all temples bring into our lives."
Young Latter-day Saints from the region rehearsed for two days at the football field of Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher for Saturday's cultural celebration. They are overjoyed about the Gila Valley Temple and President Monson's visit.
The desert of the Gila Valley, made green by generations of farmers, now has a new landmark -- a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church members say they have prayed for this for decades.
This is a prayer answered, a dream come true, wonderful. I don't have the language to say how excited we are about having a temple here.
–Marlin Whetton
"We are absolutely excited to have this temple," said Stephanie Hoopes of Pima, Ariz. "It's been years in the making, as everyone knows. I think the most exciting part is just to get going, to finally get to do temple work here in the Gila Valley."
"This is a prayer answered, a dream come true," said Thatcher resident Marlin Whetton. "Wonderful. I don't have the language to say how excited we are about having a temple here."
The area of this temple holds a bit of Church history. Former Church President Spencer W. Kimball spent his childhood at 3513 Church Street in Thatcher. He lived there from age 7 to 22.
President Kimball became the 12th president of the Church.
"President Kimball, when he was the prophet, came and stayed at our home. That was one of the most blessed time of my life," said Ron Curtis, a member from Sierra Vista. "He talked about, one day maybe. It's great to see it come to fulfillment."
Nearly 1,700 young Latter-day Saints expressed their excitement in a cultural celebration.
"We've always heard rumors of a temple coming and watching it be built every day it's kind of exciting," said Jonathan Reidhead of Pima. "Just to celebrate our heritage here in the valley, it's very exciting."
- Announcement: April 26, 2008
- Groundbreaking: February 14, 2009
- Dedication: May 23, 2010
- Address: 5291 W Highway 70
Central, Ariz. 85531
Through history, bulls attacking the Mormon Battalion in the late 1800s, and beautiful expressions of faith, they looked forward to performing for their prophet.
"I'm so excited to dance in front of the prophet," said Morgan Maroney of Sierra Vista. "It's such a great opportunity and I've been looking forward to it ever since they told us we were doing it."
The cultural celebration ended with a tribute to their new temple.
President Monson will seal the corner stone Sunday morning, followed by the dedication of the temple.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
