The new Tucson temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will open this summer.Β
Church leadership in Salt Lake City announcedΒ Thursday that the temple's free open house for the public will begin Saturday, June 3 and conclude Saturday, June 24. It will not be open Sundays, according to press materials.Β
Following the open house, the public will no longer have access to the temple on North Skyline Drive.Β
The church announced the construction of the Tucson temple in October 2012 and broke ground in 2015. This, Arizona's sixth LDS temple, will eliminate a drive to Mesa or Gila Valley for faithful Mormons.Β
The construction of a temple in Tucson indicates that the Mormon community in Southern Arizona is engaged and large enough to sustain the volunteer-run temple. Β
It will serve 10 stakes covering much of Southern Arizona, said Jana Cherrington, a Tucson church member and public affairs worker. Stakes are comparable to dioceses.Β
A cultural celebration at a separate venue with performances by local LDS youth on Saturday, Aug. 12 will precede the temple dedication on Sunday, Aug. 13, according to press materials. The dedication is not open to the public but will be broadcast to Mormon meetinghouses.Β
"We have been anticipating this since it was announced, so this is a great day," Cherrington said.Β
