1944 Mesa Arizona Temple closure

[danij4]

My parents were married in the Mesa Temple on August 11, 1944. The temple was closed, but at that time a person was able to make arrangements for a sealer to marry them. I've searched online but cannot find any information about why the temple was closed. Was it for cleaning? Is there anywhere I could find this information?

[russellhltn]

You're talking about World War II. There's a strong possibility that the temple schedule had been reduced. Looking at church history during that time. all stake leadership meetings were suspended in 1942. Months later, there was tire and gas rationing. As such, it quite likely the temple schedule was reduced.

What was the status of your rather at that time? If he was in the military, there's a fair chance he only had a narrow window of opportunity to get married while on leave, and it may not have fit with the temple's schedule.

Edit: More history. I have to say looking though that I find interesting parallels with the situation we find ourselves in today.

[lajackson]

In 1945, the Mesa Temple was the first temple to provide the endowment in a language other than English (in this case, Spanish). Is it possible that the temple was closed in 1944 while modifications were being made for that purpose? I am not sure this would be the case, because the temple was not modified until 1974 to put in video capability.

Is there a biography somewhere of Charles Pugh, who was the president of the temple from 1940-44? There may be a clue there.

Finally, and most likely, might it have had anything to do with World War II and any government restrictions concerning travel, etc. For example, in 1942 because of wartime restrictions on travel, general conference was closed to general church membership and confined to general authorities and stake presidencies. The First Presidency closed the Tabernacle for the duration of the war and conference sessions were held in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square.

Is is possible that there was some type of wartime restriction involving temples at that time, as well, from 1942 to 1945?

[russellhltn]

In 1945, the Mesa Temple was the first temple to provide the endowment in a language other than English (in this case, Spanish). Is it possible that the temple was closed in 1944 while modifications were being made for that purpose? I am not sure this would be the case, because the temple was not modified until 1974 to put in video capability.

I think it unlikely. What kind of modifications would have been needed? I don't think film was introduced until the Switzerland Temple in 1955.

And then there's the scarcity of material for any kind of construction due to the war.

While I wouldn't rule out other things, I think it's most likely due to the war.

[lajackson]

I think it unlikely. What kind of modifications would have been needed? I don't think film was introduced until the Switzerland Temple in 1955.

It was just a thought. I also think it unlikely since, as I said, "the [Mesa] temple was not modified until 1974 to put in video capability." You are correct that the film was first used at the Swiss Temple when it was dedicated in 1955.

I think it most likely that it was due to wartime restrictions on travel, rubber, gasoline, and other critical and rationed items that would have been needed to travel to the temple.

I have a call into a brother who was a Mesa Temple engineer for many years and will post his thoughts when he responds.

[lajackson]

My friend does not remember hearing of restricted temple activities due to the war, though there may have been some.

However, he said that back then the temple was always closed during the Summer months because there was no air conditioning. Members could still make individual appointments for ordinances as your parents did if there was a sealer willing to do it, and most were.

So it may have been something as simple as that.