At a dedicatory service featuring brass band and bagpipe performances, President Thomas S. Monson, representing the First Presidency, officially donated the former Salt Lake 25th Ward meetinghouse to the Salvation Army June 19.

President Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency, presented the deed to the 86-year-old building to Col. Kenneth Hood, chief executive officer of the Salvation Army Western Territory.In an address prior to presenting the deed, President Monson said the building was vacated recently when the 25th Ward members began meeting in the same meetinghouse as the Salt Lake 32nd Ward, located to the west.

"We felt the future of the 25th Ward building ought to be a glorious future, one where good is accomplished and people worship in the building, carrying on the tradition of the people it has served for so many years," President Monson said.

"Through the providence of God and the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, this particular building became available not just for sale but as a gift. The thought came: Why not present it as a gift to the Salvation Army, which has done so much good to this community and communities throughout the world? And why not present it in tip-top shape, with a fresh coat of paint? And why give an empty building? Why not present it complete with an organ and piano, and the pews and fixtures that adorn this building?

"So this is a voluntary gift from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to our friends in the community, the Salvation Army."

President Monson quoted Matt. 25:35-40, in which the Savior said that to serve one of the least of His brethren is to serve Him.

"That typifies to me the spirit of the service you render," President Monson said. "Hunger knows no religious creed, and despair knows no formal boundary. The service you render is rendered unto God. I say God bless you for it."

President Monson reminisced about his experiences in the meetinghouse, recalling that he was born and raised a mile from it. He recalled basketball games, plays, roadshows and conferences in which he participated in the building.

In his dedicatory address, Col. Hood said, "President Monson, we express our sincere appreciation and wish you to express our gratitude to the Church [leaders] for this very generous act."

Col. Hood said the building would be used as a place of worship, fellowship, praise and education. "But its value to this community will be measured by the impact we have on the lives of people, by the service we can offer people, by the spiritual guidance we can give to people."

Elder James M. Paramore of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy attended the service, as did President Monson's wife, Frances Monson.

Pres. Donald Hemingway of the Salt Lake Pioneer Stake, which includes the 25th Ward, presented the building keys to Maj. Bill R. Lane, commanding officer of the Salt Lake City Division of the Salvation Army. Maj. Lane said the building and grounds are valued at more than $350,000.

Maj. George F. Church, commander of the Intermountain Division, conducted the service. The dedicatory prayer was given by Barbara Hood, wife of Col. Hood.

Banners on the front lawn indicated that the Salvation Army this year is celebrating its 100th year of service in Utah.

Located at 428 S. Ninth West, the building was constructed in 1902. In 1953 it was extensively remodeled with construction of a northern portion containing classrooms, a Relief Society room, kitchen and restrooms.