Community Celebrates Trek to the Temple in Anaheim

Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Members of the Anaheim Stake walking together during the Trek to the Temple event.

News Summary

Approximately 250 members of the Anaheim California Stake participated in the ‘Trek to the Temple’ event, walking, running, and biking to the Yorba Linda Temple. Stake President Scott D. Hicken reported heightened spiritual momentum and community bonding throughout the event. Volunteers supported participants along the route, ensuring everyone could take part, especially new members and youth. With pleasant weather and a sense of unity, the trek symbolizes commitment to spiritual growth and connection within the community as they look forward to the completion of the new temple.

Anaheim

On May 17, 2023, approximately 250 members of the Anaheim California Stake and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in a community-focused event known as the “Trek to the Temple.” The event involved participants walking, running, biking, and driving a distance of 7 miles to reach the site of the Yorba Linda California Temple.

Stake President Scott D. Hicken reported that the event fostered miracles and heightened spiritual momentum within the stake community. The extensive coordination required for the event emphasized a strong group effort, with volunteer bishoprics from six units stationed along the route to provide water, refreshments, and encouragement to participants. To include everyone, carpools were arranged for those unable to walk or bike the full distance.

The event intended to ensure that every stake member could participate. Community leaders expressed that helping all members connect with the temple was a priority, especially for new members and youth, who are encouraged to serve in temple roles.

Weather and Community Spirit

Participants experienced significantly cooler temperatures, dropping from previous highs in the 90s to a pleasant 64 degrees with cloud cover on the day of the trek, which many regarded as a blessing from the Lord. Kelli Price, the stake communication director, noted a special spirit among the participants as they left the starting point and felt a sense of unity upon arriving at the temple site.

The trek was particularly significant as construction on the Yorba Linda Temple is ongoing. Workers at the construction site acknowledged the group by lowering a boom lift for a photo as the trekkers arrived, further enhancing the sense of community and accomplishment among participants.

Experiences and Reflections

Participants reported feelings of spiritual uplift and greater closeness to Heavenly Father through the experience. They expressed how the combination of physical and spiritual challenges made the trek rewarding. The event not only fulfilled a spiritual purpose but also helped strengthen connections among community members.

Community members currently worship at the Newport Beach California Temple, which was dedicated in 2005. The anticipation for the upcoming open house for the new Yorba Linda Temple is high, as it marks an important milestone for the congregation.

Background of the Yorba Linda Temple

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Yorba Linda Temple was held on June 18, 2022, after its announcement by President Russell M. Nelson during the April 2021 General Conference. The newly planned temple is expected to serve as a vital place of worship and community gathering for the local congregation once construction is completed.

As members wrapped up their trek, the sense of accomplishment and community spirit remained palpable. This event represents more than just a physical journey; it symbolizes the commitment of the Anaheim Stake to foster spiritual growth and unity among its members.