Scott and I had never been to Arizona. Yet, Scott's roots are in the Grand Canyon State.
His paternal grandfather, Ivan Magnusson, met his future wife Cula Haws in Mesa, AZ, in 1919, a community that borders Phoenix.
Ivan and Cula moved to Los Angeles in 1922 to find work. They continued to return to visit their families in Mesa, as well as the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (seen in the background).
Taken from a home movie in about 1940, the Magnussons walk the grounds of the temple. Scott and I decided to take our own trip to Mesa last week! We wanted to walk those same footsteps.
Halfway in our drive was Page, AZ, where we stayed over night.
Page is home to the Glen Canyon Dam that creates Lake Powell. The dam, the bridge that crosses the river, and the hydroelectric power plant can be seen in the distance.
We read the display information at Page City Hall. We learned that the city was originally built to house the workers who constructed the dam and maintained the power plant.
Since first filling to capacity in 1980, Lake Powell water and electricity have helped grow and maintain the western states.
The bridge to the right was erected first, before the dam, to transport the workers from Page and bring essential materials for the dam's construction.
I always know that Scott will read every display in the visitor's center. So, we're never in a hurry!
Lake Powell is a renowned boating and fishing paradise. But, I cheated. I caught my fish in the gift shop!
The drive towards Mesa was breathtaking.
Arizona is famous for its saguaro cactus. Saguaros can have a lifespan of 150 years or more, and have been a source of food and shelter for humans for thousands of years.
Our trip took us through the Navajo Nation. We could see many Native American homes from the highway.
We enjoyed the scenery as we neared the Phoenix valley.
The Mesa Temple was dedicated in 1927. Its appearance is reminiscent of Solomon's temple in Jerusalem, lacking the spires that have become a mainstay of temples built since then.
In 2018, the temple closed for three years for renovations. Necessary upgrades were completed, and the grounds were enhanced and updated.
Above the doorway to the Mesa Temple, and visible on all temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the inscription: Holiness to the Lord, the House of the Lord.
We consider the temple to be holy, the house of God. Worship in the temple is a sacred privilege for us, and has been the source of many blessings for us, for our children, as well as for our ancestors.
We greatly enjoyed our stay with our dear friends, Harvey and Rebecca Carter, who live in the area.
Our trip coincided with the annual Easter Pageant that's held on the Mesa Temple grounds nightly for two weeks prior to Easter. We arrived early to save seats, in the shade.
The production's cast mingles with the audience prior to the show. (Oops, I photo bombed the photo of a family visiting with a Roman soldier!)
Scott liked his visit with a Jerusalem Pharisee and a shepherd woman.
The Mesa Easter pageant is titled, Jesus the Christ. Here's what it's all about.
To see a longer version of the above video, click here.
Scenes from this year's Jesus the Christ.
Rebecca and I were childhood friends in California. We share many happy memories together.
You can tell we haven't changed a bit.
Our last sunset in Arizona. This was a trip we'll always remember.
