President Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the Draper Utah Temple today. Prior to the first dedicatory session President Monson, his wife, Frances, and their daughter, Ann M. Dibb, joined hundreds outside the temple for the traditional cornerstone ceremony.
“He has such a warm and engaging personality about him,” said Debbie Haggerty, who attended the cornerstone ceremony. “It was a very special day.”
Eight-year old Gracie Awerkamp, of Sandy, Utah, was invited by President Monson to assist in placing mortar around the cornerstone.
“It was my first time to see the prophet and to watch a dedication,” said the eighth-generation Draper resident. The placing of the cornerstone symbolically depicts the completion of construction. Four children in all were invited to participate in the ceremony.
“He just pointed at me and my sister, and we got to help the prophet,” said Christoffer Hotvedt, 13, of Draper.
“It’s a great opportunity to know there’s a living prophet and that I was in his presence today,” said Tom Beauchamp, of Salt Lake City.
A choir of 200 young men and women from multiple stakes in the area welcomed President Monson and his entourage by performing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.”
President Henry B. Eyring, of the First Presidency, and President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and their wives also participated in the cornerstone ceremony.
President Monson began the first of 12 dedicatory sessions for the Draper Utah Temple following the cornerstone ceremony. Nearly 2,000 attendees are expected to attend each session over the next three days.
The two-month public open house for the new temple ended on Saturday, 14 March. Over 650,000 visitors toured the building during the open house.
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