Lead Me, Guide Me , Walk Beside Me

Story Time at the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center instructs young children about Jesus and his teachings.  The story of the "Lost Sheep" helps them understand that Jesus loves each of His children.  The pre-schoolers learn about praying for help in time of need in the story of the "Savior Calming the Sea."  Jesus loves and cares for our needs is the message in the story of "Feeding the Five Thousand." Each of the songs and stories helps "lead and guide" children to "help them find the way".

Sister Grow and Sister Lund wear costumes reminiscent of Biblical times as they lead songs and tell stories

Sister Kohler and Sister Rios  teach about the "Lost Sheep"

Children sing "The Wiseman and the Foolish Man" 

Welcome with a Brightness of Hope

We welcome two new sisters and two full-field sisters to the Visitors' Center with a bright hope for the season that is approaching:  a wonderful time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all we meet.

Hermana Stringfellow from Washington 

Hermana Orr will provide an example of love and leadership

Hermana Anderson from Utah

Hermana Duffin's bright countenance will guide Hermana Anderson 

Sister Whitten joins us from the AMM  

Sister Pajaro will act as guide in new calling for Sister Whitten 

Hermana Del Valle joins the VC from the AMm

Hermana Lund will enjoy serving with Hermana Del Valle

Sisters Alcocer, Castillo, Pickett and Tingey lead us all with great love and leadership as we approach the Christmas Lights and Concerts Season

Each Life that Touches Ours for Good

We rejoice in the service of six Visitors' Center missionaries whose lives have been examples of powerful faith and commitment to serve with all of their hearts, might, mind and strength. Thank you sisters for your love and leadership.

Sisters Younce, Jeppson, Leon, Hourrutiner, Luna and Finau  leave knowing they have given and received much from their service

Final picture in the room so familiar to those who have served at the Visitors' Center

Tradition of Farewell Breakfast continues

Waiting in line for breakfast quiche

Birthdays in October are celebrated with donuts brought as a tradition by the Ballards
Sisters Rios, Ballard and Pajaro  have birthdays in October

I Like to Look for Rainbows

Young children who are turning eight years of age are often brought to the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center and Temple Grounds to capture the significance of their decision to be baptized with photographs to remember this time in their lives.

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
and I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain,
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

Let the Mountains shout for Joy

The Visitors' Center missionaries met early on their preparation day to enjoy the beauty of the Superstition Mountains on a hike along the Hieroglyphics Trail.  

Ready for the Hike!

Along the Trail

The Hieroglyphics are surrounded by exuberance 

We were surprised when the Wilson brothers shared a spiritual thought with us as they hiked near us

Brother Wilson from Mountain View Idaho shared his testimony of the Atonement.  He was born with club feet and is a double amputee.  He spoke of the need for both physical and spiritual healing in our lives.  He spoke of the need to strengthen ourselves spiritually - just as he had to do in order to walk after his surgeries.

Elder Cameron with a view of the Saguaro and a view of the valley as we prepared to return to Mesa

Preparing for the wonder of Christmas Lights

The Visitors' Center missionaries prepare for the wonder of Christmas lights by anticipating the opportunity to host an abundance of guests who come into the Visitors' Center beginning the day after Thanksgiving and ending on December 31st.

Sisters Rios and Duffin demonstrate the introduction to the Christus statue

Sisters Jeppson and Castillo explain how to welcome people into the Visitors' Center after the Concerts

The Visitors' Center Sisters practice speaking with visitors who will come during December

Sisters Finau and Luna demonstrate an introduction in English and in Spanish

Sisters Younce and Hourrutiner provide the example of experienced sisters to teach the sisters 

Worship through Service

In living the two great commandments, loving God and loving one's neighbor, the Christmas lights' volunteers at the Mesa temple Visitors' Center are letting their actions reflect their worship and devotion.  Their handiwork in setting up the lights show reverence to God's Plan of Happiness and the centrality of Jesus Christ in that Plan.  Sharing the lights at Christmas with over one million visitors annually is a way of assisting others in coming closer to the Savior of the world and His Father's plan of happiness.

The first night time view of the Christmas lights this season

Hundreds of volunteers use their skills to set up the lights

With his father on the lift, the son adds helpful perspective from below

Another father and son team wrap the trees

All ages enjoy help with the preparation

The  lights for the Palm Trees

The lights are hung at the top of the Palm Trees