New Christus now displayed at the Visitors’ Center
This article was contributed by a local member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed may not represent the views and positions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the Church's official site, visit churchofjesuschrist.org.
A similar Christus statue, which was once the focal point of the old Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center located north of the temple before the renovation from 2018 to 2021, has been installed as a permanent display in the new Visitors’ Center, located at 455 E. Main St. in downtown Mesa. The new statue is a more exact replica of the original, using laser measurements to reproduce it.
It is featured on the main floor where the temple model was located and is visible from LeSueur Street just east of the Visitors’ Center. The temple model is now displayed upstairs.
“We are excited to combine the Christus display, along with the temple model display, to bring our guests closer to Christ,” said Elder and Sister Hendrickson, VC directors.
The statue represents the resurrected Jesus and is a slightly smaller replica of the original created in 1833 by Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen out of Carrara marble, and which is located in the Church of Our Lady, an Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark in Copenhagen.
The statue has been widely reproduced; images and replicas of it were adopted by the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 20th century to emphasize the centrality of Jesus in its teachings. The Church’s new logo, introduced by President Russell M. Nelson in 2020, features a representation of Thorvaldsen’s Christus under an arch, along with the name of the Church in the cornerstone. He said, at that time, this symbol “should feel familiar to many, as we have long identified the restored gospel with the living, resurrected Christ.”
Elder and Sister Hendrickson said they love what the statue represents.
“Worldwide, the Christus serves as a reminder of Christ’s love and atoning sacrifice for us. We welcome this beautiful addition to the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center. We look forward to sharing the message of Jesus Christ’s love, and how the temple helps us to learn of Him and feel His love.”
They pointed to President Nelson’s recent conference talk, in which he said, “Please listen to this promise of Jesus Christ to you: ‘I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.’ (D&C 84:88) There is no limit to the Savior’s capacity to help you. His incomprehensible suffering in Gethsemane and on Calvary was for you! His infinite Atonement is for you!”
A 10-foot replica of the Christus statue was first introduced at the Visitors’ Center in 1981, when the original “Information Bureau,” which was built in 1956 on the north lawn of the temple grounds, was renovated and enlarged. Later, a sky background was added behind the statue.
The Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center, 455 E. Main St., is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free parking is available nearby or in the underground visitor parking. For questions, call 480-964-7164 or email [email protected]
