Temple Dedication today

Click on the post title for some video explanation about Temples with discussion from both within and without the Church.

The cornerstone was placed by President Monson, with the help of four local children, and the dedication is underway. Some of our family enjoyed the tour a couple of weeks ago. Excerpts from comment cards at the Draper Utah Temple open house speak volumes about the success of the 10-week event.

A member of another faith wrote: "When I was in the sealing room I felt like I never wanted to leave."

Another person wrote: "I am not an active member of the Church. I felt so lucky to come and see the temple. Today I recommitted myself to come back to the Church."

A young man noted: "I recently lost my mother and I have had some other trials. But today I knew I was in the right place. And today I decided I want to go on a mission."

And an investigator said: "Thank you so much for the wonderful experience. I have been studying with the missionaries and my goal is to be baptized. I was converted today."

Across the board, "people had great experiences," said Elder William R. Walker of the Seventy and director of the Church's Temple Department. "Over and over again we got reports of wonderful, positive experiences."

Photo by August Miller, Deseret News

In all, 684,721 people participated in the temple open house between Jan. 5 and March 14, 100,000 visiting the last week alone. President Thomas S. Monson is dedicating the new temple March 20-22 in 12 sessions. (Complete coverage of the dedication will be included in the March 28 Church News.) The temple will serve 60,000 Church members living in 25 stakes on the southeast end of the Salt Lake Valley.

To make the event possible, an average of 600 Church members a day — more than 35,000 total — volunteered their time directing traffic, working in security and with audiovisual, hosting and cleaning the building. Selected musicians from the temple district provided live music for the event.

The day we attended, we enjoyed a family who performed with strings and piano. It was delightful and the kids loved the cookies. Over a million were served in all.

Read about.com's LDS Religion Guide, Rachel Wood's explanation of the purpose of Temples here.
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