Phoenix Arizona Temple Site

22 November 2009

Producer, Channel 5 KPHO
www.kpho.com

Dear Producer,

Re: "Proposed LDS Temple Draws More Fire," the writer states that a temple currently exists at 51st Avenue and Pinnacle Peak Road. This is incorrect. The only Latter-day Saint building that currently resides at that address is a meeting house (a church). Temples and meeting houses are different types of buildings that serve different purposes. Meeting houses are used for Sunday worship service and other weeknight activities, open to everyone. A temple is a building dedicated to be a house of God, where only worthy members are permitted entrance to perform sacred ordinances for themselves and for their ancestors, during the week. About 130 temples are in operation around the world, whereas the Church has built over 4500 meeting houses.

Regards,

Skyler J. Collins

Re: Temple in Jackson County, Missouri

Regarding my Letter to the Editor of the LDS Newsroom website, I'm told it has been corrected. You can find the corrected article here.

Temple in Jackson County, Missouri

03 October 2009

Editor, LDS Newsroom
newsroom.lds.org

Dear Editor,

Re: "Five New Temples Announced," the writer says that "Church founder Joseph Smith built temples in Kirtland Ohio, Jackson County Missouri, and Nauvoo Illinois." This is incorrect. Joseph Smith built temples in Kirtland, Ohio, and started one in Nauvoo, Illinois (later finished under the leadership of Brigham Young, subsequently destroyed, and rebuilt under the leadership of Gordon B. Hinckley over 150 years later), however, he never built a temple in Jackson County, Missouri.

Regards,
Skyler Collins

*Update* - This has been corrected.