A welcome befitting a prophet was accorded President Gordon B. Hinckley and his wife, Marjorie, at the Polynesian Cultural Center Feb. 19.

Owned and operated by the Church, the 43-acre center was established to help maintain and share the island cultures of the Pacific and to provide employment for students attending BYU-Hawaii.President and Sister Hinckley arrived at the center for a luncheon and spent the remainder of the day there, into the late evening, visiting replicas of Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Tahitian, Maori and Marquesas Islands villages. Accompanying the Hinckleys were Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve and his daughter, Linda Mickle, and Elder Loren C. Dunn of the Seventy and his wife, Sharon. Center president Lester W. B. Moore and his wife, Jeanie, hosted the visitors. An entourage of local Church leaders, cultural center officials and others joined the group.

The prophet arrived at the Marquesas village to find hundreds of people in native costume lining a mat-covered walkway. He, Sister Hinckley and the other General Authorities were greeted with leis there and as they visited each subsequent village.

Tributes at each village were read in native tongues, with interpretation provided to the president and his wife. All made reference to the life, leadership and example of President Hinckley and included spiritual references relevant to their particular cultures. Brief programs of dancing, singing and chants were rendered at each village, with President and Sister Hinckley seated in the forefront of the onlookers in special seats of honor.

President Hinckley took the microphone on one such occasion and thanked the people, expressing his recognition that the people were not honoring him personally but the office which he holds. "We are overwhelmed at your kindness," he said. "I know this is not for Gordon Hinckley the man, but for the office of president of the Lord's Church. Thank you very, very much. We will never forget this occasion. Thank you my dear friends."

As his party left each village, the hymn "We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet" was typically sung in the native language, along with other Church hymns. The Hinckleys were visibly moved on several instances, though the prophet maintained his sense of humor during the experiences, joking back and forth with the entertainers. When a fully dressed roast pig was brought before him, President Hinckley pulled out a tiny pocketknife and asked if anyone wanted to join him, to the delight of the crowd.

After visiting the various villages throughout the afternoon, President and Sister Hinckley watched a half-hour canoe show and participated in a banquet hosted by the center.

"What a day this has been," said the prophet in remarks at the banquet. "We are overwhelmed, not only by the gifts which you have so generously given, but by the expressions of love.

"I'm so grateful for the faithful people of this Church, thousands of whom we have seen yesterday and today. Please know of our great appreciation for your faith and your works, for all that you do to build the kingdom."

Following the banquet, the official party attended the colorful night show, and President Hinckley spoke to the cast after the production.

Brother Moore seemed to capture the essence of the day and weekend visit from the prophet: "This has been a marvelous weekend to be taught, in the conference sessions, priesthood leadership and here today. I have seen our people work miracles in preparation, spending many extra hours to ensure everything looks perfect and is exactly right.

"This has been a wonderful day with wonderful expressions of love."