LDS Church dedicates Brigham City Temple, 14th in Utah

Nancy Smith holds her nephew Bryson Wight and Leah Wilson holds her daughter Lydia as they join about 200 at the cornerstone ceremony at the Brigham City Temple prior to the dedication Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012.

Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

BRIGHAM CITY ? When President Boyd K. Packer broke ground for a new temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints here two years ago, he promised to return for the temple's dedication

"When we look back at the memories here and the places we lived and grew up, it really is home and the center place for our family," he had said during the groundbreaking ceremony. "It is a very sacred event. Temples are being built all around the world. I am getting a little rickety, but I feel confident in promising you that I will be back for the dedication of the temple here in Brigham City."

The president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles kept that promise Sunday. On the same site where he once attended grade school, President Packer dedicated the Brigham City Temple.

The 36,000-square-foot temple ? which can be seen from across Box Elder County ? is the LDS Church's 139th worldwide and the 14th in Utah.

"I didn't propose there be a temple in Brigham City," President Packer told the Church News. "The Brethren brought that up. My contribution was not objecting. The same was true of the dedication; I didn't assign myself to that. I am glad I was assigned to it. I am grateful."

A small crowd gathered outside the temple Sunday morning for a cornerstone ceremony, marking the completion of the building prior to its dedication.

During the event, President Packer applied mortar to seal the cornerstone box, which contains items significant to the temple. President Packer then asked his wife, Sister Donna S. Packer; Elder L. Tom Perry of the Twelve and his wife, Barbara; Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Twelve and his wife, Wendy, and other general authorities and their wives to do the same.

"They have done a nice job, president, in filling that in," Elder William R. Walker of the Seventy and executive director of the church's temple department told President Packer while examining the cornerstone.

A choir, made up LDS Church members from 23 wards in eight stakes, also performed at the outdoor ceremony.

Brad Archibald of Tremonton participated in the cornerstone choir, calling the ceremony "a choice experience."

"To see President Packer and to be reminded of his lifelong service and to have watched the temple being built and to see it in its completion has been an absolute joy," he said.

After the church leaders re-entered the temple, people outside were invited to place mortar.

Source: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765606396/LDS-Church-dedicates-Brigham-City-Temple-14th-in-Utah.html

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