COLUMBIA, S.C. — John and Patty Cline met in Lake City, Fla., when the furniture company for which he was a supervisor bought out the furniture company for which she worked. He took a liking to her, and a relationship blossomed. She called him "Mr. Cline" for a long time, but through her influence, he accepted the gospel and joined the Church.

That was 51/2 years ago. They were sealed a year later in the Orlando Temple, and their son was sealed to them. They have a 3-year-old daughter who was born under the covenant.

Before then, they attended the dedication of the Orlando Temple in 1994. It was such an edifying experience that the Clines, members of the Beaufort (S.C.) Ward, both jumped at the opportunity to serve as ushers for the Columbia South Carolina Temple dedication, shepherding people into the building as they arrived for their scheduled sessions.

"I was overwhelmed just with the cornerstone ceremony," Sister Cline said. "Just to be in the presence of the prophet, not even being inside with him, but as soon as he walked out, the Spirit was overwhelming."

Brother Cline added, "As you move within a hundred yards of that man, the Spirit just reaches out to you."

There is another reason that the temple dedication was especially meaningful for the Clines.

"I found out last week that I'm terminal with cancer," he said, "and so this is really special to me.

"I've got some time, one and a half, two, maybe three years."

The cancer was first diagnosed a year ago. He had thought that treatments had overcome it, but the Clines learned last week that it had metastasized and spread throughout his body.

"But I'm still happy," he smiled. "I still feel good, and I've got some good times left."

And there is yet a 20 percent chance that the cancer could go into remission. Brother and Sister Cline cling to hope and faith, but they are prepared to accept the will of their Father in Heaven.

"I'm the only one in my family who is a member of the Church," he said. "I told my brother, 'If you knew in your heart what I know in mine, you would know that I have absolutely no fear of crossing over. None. The only sadness that I feel is leaving unfinished business with my wife and my children."

He said colleagues at work express amazement that he is so positive. "I tell them it's because I know what I know. It's because of the things that we learn in the temple."