MESA, Ariz- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints announced it will be closing the Mesa Arizona Temple and its visitor’s center May 19 for extensive renovations.
Sources inside the LDS church say it’s almost certain there will be no annual Easter pageant or temple lights after the temple closes because the property, about 20 acres, will be fenced off.
According to the church’s local spokesperson, the Easter pageant draws about 80,000 people each year, while the temple lights attract over 1 million visitors annually.
The Mormon temple will be closed for about two years, and local business owners are concerned income for their business will dramatically drop after it closes.
“That’s a huge part of our business and we lose all that,” said Antonios Xanthoudakis, who owns Haven Burgers right across from the temple.
More announcements on the temple’s closure are expected in the next few months.