Elder Robert D. Hales, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and chairman of the Church's Olympic Coordinating Committee, carried the torch down South Temple to the Church Administration Building where Church President Gordon B. Hinckley, accompanied by his first and second counselors, Thomas S. Monson and James E. Faust, briefly held the torch.
President Hinckley invited the crowd to salute the Games' athletes and organizers, the state of Utah, the United States and "the whole world as they join in celebrations of excellence."
"Let this be a great and historical and wonderful occasion for everyone who joins us here in this beautiful city and this great mountain place of beauty. To everyone we extend our gratitude and best wishes," he said before handing the flame off to Elder Neal A. Maxwell, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and a leukemia survivor.