Recounting his experiences with members of the Church in Eastern Canada, President Thomas S. Monson said those special memories - prompted by the Toronto Ontario Temple dedication - are "days never to be forgotten."

Speaking Sunday morning about the August temple dedication, he said, "In its gleaming glory, the temple seems to beckon to each who views its splendor: "Come! Come to the House of the Lord." Here is found `rest for the weary and peace for the soul.' ""And how the people did come!" said President Monson, second counselor in the First Presidency. "First they thronged to the public open house where reverently and quietly they viewed the interior of the temple and learned the purpose for its erection and of the blessings which the temple can provide.

"Then came the faithful membership of the Church to the dedicatory sessions. None who came returned home disappointed."

President Monson told of Dora Valencia, a woman who had lain four years in the Ajax, Ontario, Hospital, but who had enough courage and faith to attend the temple dedication.

"From her hospital bed, which was wheeled into the celestial room, she not only basked in the spirit found there, she helped to provide that spirit. As I walked past her, upon leaving the room, and gazed at her expression of profound gratitude to the Lord, I bent low and took her hand in mine. Heaven was very near."

President Monson said speakers at the dedication shared the history of the Church in the area, "and the beautiful dedicatory prayer given at each session whispered peace. The words of Oliver Cowdery, spoken of another time, seemed to capture the spirit of the dedication: `These were days never to be forgotten.' "

By recounting the history of the Church in Eastern Canada, "we come to appreciate the tender feelings of the members of the Church on having a temple in their midst," he continued.

Among the historical accounts related by President Monson was that of the Archibald Gardner family, which was "one of the great families to join the Church in Canada."

From a journal account given in 1843, Robert Gardner shared his experience of being baptized in a stream where an 18-inch hole was cut in the ice. Archibald Gardner's mother, who was "desperately ill," was also baptized in a hole cut into the ice and in the presence of a crowd of doubters who had come to witness her demise. However, after she was baptized, she said she was "quite well."

"Down through the years this same spirit of faith and confidence in the Lord has continued," President Monson said.

While serving as mission president from 1959-1962, President Monson and his family were witnesses to the love God has for the saints in that area, he said.

One story of faith occurred when President Monson visited the St. Thomas Branch of the mission, situated about 120 miles from Toronto. The branch met in the basement of a decrepit lodge hall, and only 12 of about 25 members were in attendance.

The branch president, Irving Wilson, told President Monson the St. Thomas Branch needed a meetinghouse like one built in Australia, pictured in The Improvement Era.

President Monson told him they would have to grow in numbers first.

The branch president responded by requesting six additional missionaries and set out to begin further missionary work.

"President Wilson took the (Yellow Page telephone directory) in hand and observed, `If we are ever to have our dream building in St. Thomas, we will need a Latter-day Saint to design it. And since we do not have a member who is an architect, we will simply have to convert one.' "

The branch president continued down the list until he stopped at one name. "This is the one we will invite to my home to hear the message of the Restoration," he said. The branch president followed the same procedure for other craftsmen needed to build a meetinghouse.

"The individuals were invited to his home to meet the missionaries, the truth was taught, testimonies were born, conversion resulted," President Monson said. "Those newly baptized then repeated the procedure themselves, inviting others to listen. Week after week and month after month the procedure continued.

"The St. Thomas Branch experienced marvelous growth. Within 21/2 years, a site was obtained, a beautiful building was constructed and an inspired dream became a reality. That branch is now a thriving ward in a stake of Zion.

"Temples like the Toronto Temple are built with stone, glass, wood and metal," President Monson explained. "But they are also a product of faith and an example of sacrifice. The funds to build temples come from all tithe payers and consist of the widow's mite, children's pennies and workmen's dollars - all consecrated by faith.

"The beautiful Toronto Temple prepares all who enter to return homeward - homeward to heaven, homeward to family, homeward to God. That all of us may travel safely to our eternal home is my humble prayer."