Before pronouncing the dedicatory prayer for the new Ezra Taft Benson Science Building, President Gordon B. Hinckley said BYU's newest facility will enhance the school's divine educational mission.

The building, he stated, "says much concerning the mandate of the Lord given to this people to promote education, to seek knowledge by study and also by faith, to learn of things in the earth, under the earth, and above the earth, to explore the great secrets of the mighty Creator, who was the designer of the world in which we live with all of its components, its features, its flora and fauna, and the sons and daughters of God who walk the earth."President Hinckley presided over dedication ceremonies in the Benson Building rotunda Oct. 20.

About 250 people gathered in the rotunda, which is used as a study hall, and hundreds more viewed the proceedings on television in the building's lecture halls as well as the Joseph Smith Building auditorium.

Seated on the stand with President Hinckley were his counselors, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust; President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve; Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve; Janette Hales Beckham, general Young Women president; Elaine Jack, general Relief Society president; BYU Pres. Rex E. Lee; and Bill R. Hays, dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.

Among the special guests in the audience were more than 100 members of President Benson's posterity including many spouses. Among them were President Benson's children: Reed A., Mark A., Barbara Walker, Beverly Parker and Bonnie Burton; his sisters Lera Whittle and Margaret Keller; 71 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

Other special guests, dignitaries, BYU administrators and faculty members were seated in the audience.

Pres. Lee conducted the ceremonies and also spoke. Dean Hays offered remarks and President Hinckley asked his counselors to speak before he gave his dedicatory address.

President Hinckley began by noting that almost everything in the room was in some way a result of chemistry. Then he brightened the audience by adding, "I look down here at these wonderful husbands and wives and I say it is chemistry."

He reminded listeners that sacred resources from the Church were used to construct the new building for scientific teaching and research. "As we have heard, this is a tremendous facility. I doubt there is anything superior to it in all the world.

"I thought as I sat here of what the Curies and Pasteurs and some of the other great pioneers would think of a facility of this kind in which to experiment and work out their theories.

"It is important that if we are to operate a university that we have good facilities for the study of chemistry and related science. The world in which we live is a world made possible by chemistry and this science affects our lives everywhere and will continue to do so in increasing measure."

He expressed gratitude for the facility and said: "I hope that it will be appreciated by all who use it, and I carry in my heart a prayer that out of that which takes place within these walls by way of teaching and research will come further significant applications and discoveries to bless the lives of all mankind."

In his address and the dedicatory prayer he emphasized the importance of another use for the building. In the prayer he said: "We dedicate it also as a facility in which may be taught the gospel of Thy Beloved Son. Here on the Sabbath will be held sacred services. This new structure will accommodate the carrying forth of Thy work among those who are members of student wards on this beautiful campus. May Thine eternal truths be taught here with integrity, with faith, and with good example.

"To this end we invoke the presence of Thy Holy Spirit within the walls of this structure, the enlightening power of the spirit of Christ, to touch the minds of those who will study, work, and worship here. May there be experienced the direction of the Holy Ghost to enlighten the minds and quicken the understanding of those who have received this precious gift as a divine bestowal."

President Hinckley expressed his respect and love for members of the Benson family and said: "I am confident that President Benson would feel so highly honored by this great facility which will carry his name. We remember him with love, respect, and appreciation and are pleased to dedicate this magnificent structure to his name."

President Hinckley was joined by his counselors in paying tribute to President Benson.

President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, said: "President Hinckley and I had the privilege of serving for a number of years as President Benson's counselors. We knew him, we loved him. When he came here as a student he was voted "Most Preferred Man." That phrase personified our feelings for him. He was the most preferred man in our hearts and in our lives, an example of the believers, as Paul taught Timothy. He was a doer of the word, as we read in sacred writ. He was a man who could cry easily and who could defend vigorously, depending upon the nature of the topic and how close it was to his heart. He was a great prophet of love and a prophet of accomplishment."

During his brief remarks, President Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, gazed at the enlarged photograph of President Benson that will hang in the building and said: "I think this portrait is a very good likeness of President Benson. It catches his warmth, the gleam in his eye, his zest for living and his love for humanity. We join all of you in honoring President Benson and his family today and appreciate the blessing and privilege that we have this marvelous facility on this campus."

President Lee brought up two points during his talk. First, that the building will enable BYU to achieve a new level of excellence in teaching and scholarly work. Second, that the building bears the name "of the 13th prophet of this dispensation and the only prophet who graduated from Brigham Young University," he said.

After he spoke, Pres. Lee invited Reed Benson to join him in unveiling the portrait of President Benson.

As members of the First Presidency departed after the dedication, they warmly greeted BYU students gathered outside the Benson Building. Other guests at the dedication participated in tours of the building and viewed displays of the life of President Benson.