August 21, 2025, 11:53am MDT
Farmington, New Mexico – Attending the dedication of Farmington New Mexico Temple is down as one of the distinctive spiritual experiences of Akea Kamairanijanikura’s young life.
After several times touring the new home with family and friends during the open house, the 18-year-old young woman from Shiplock Ward was a dedicated speaker. She was accompanied by her parents, Alohilani Rebeka Kura and Bishop Anthony L. Kura.
She thoughtfully chose outfits to represent her diverse family heritage, including Native American, Polynesian, Asian, German and Scottish.
“My overall experience with temple dedication was amazing, but even those words are too small to describe it,” Krack said.
Kura said that the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong that “my testimony was a tree that received rain and the sun at the same time, increasing every second.”
Currently attending Brigham Young University and planning to serve the mission, the class loves the rich Native American design and symbolism of the temple. She dreams that one day she will prepare in the bride’s room and be sealed by her future husband at Farmington Temple.
“I’m watching you get married there – 100%,” she said. “My husband has no choice.”
Kula was one of several members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who felt the love of the Savior in the devotion of the Farmington New Mexico Temple on Sunday, August 17th.
Davis Davis, 86, and his wife, Linna Davis, 82, attended devotion for two hours from their home in Vanderwagen, New Mexico, a community near Gallup. The couple currently lives roughly the same distance from three temples, Albuquerque New Mexico, Snowflake Arizona and now Farmington.
“It’s great to know that we have enough members and enough activity to support another temple in the area,” she said with a smile. “This is our temple and it’s great to be here today.”
Linna Davis became a member of the church in 1962 shortly before her 20th birthday. One of her parents warned her that she would regret the decision.
Standing outside the Lord’s new home, Davis confidently declared that he had no regrets about becoming a Latter-day saint.
“It was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she said. “I made that choice and I’ve never felt a shame in my life. I’ve always been happy about it.”
A little further afield, President Nolan Stewart of Kirtland New Mexico’s stock and his wife, Megan, were accompanied by four children, between the ages of 11 and 17.
She got emotional as Megan Stewart looked back on her life in the area and many trips over the years to both the temples in both Albuquerque, New Mexico and Monticello Utah.
“We are extremely honored to be here as a family,” she said. “We grew up here for our whole life and waited for this day, and 15 minutes from our home will be a blessing for our community and our family.”
“We’ve been working hard to get into the world,” said Olivia Stewart, 17-year-old daughter. “It’s a great opportunity to feel the spirit of (the temple work) for your family and feel the love for you. I go to school here, see the temple, remember all the special ordinances that take place here every day and all around the world.
