Volunteers from the West Jordan area serving at Welfare Square in Salt Lake City were surprised to see some familiar faces as they worked at the Church's Dairy Plant Dec. 1.

The volunteers looked up to see President Gordon B. Hinckley and his counselors, President Thomas S. Monson and President James E. Faust, as well as the Quorum of the Twelve, the Presiding Bishopric, Presidents of the Seventy and the general presidency of the Relief Society.

The volunteers found it hard to concentrate as leaders toured the new dairy products plant to see firsthand the processing of dairy products that go into the bishop's storehouses and food banks — milk, chocolate milk, cheese, cottage cheese, and drink mixes.

The leaders, comprising the Church's General Welfare Committee, formed two groups as they toured. After seeing the plant, President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, commented: "It's a plant to meet the needs of the hungry and poor whom we are serving; and it does so efficiently, with the utmost cleanliness and in a spirit of love.

"And it is very user friendly. The design is such that visitors, through large, horizontal windows, have a full view of what is taking place without interfering with the operation. It is easy to visit and an inspiration to see."

President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, observed that the facility was "clean and it is well-operated. I like the idea of stakes providing volunteers in the spirit of service."

As the group walked through the plant, they immediately became the center of interest, said Joseph Love, director of the dairy facility.

"The volunteers felt like it was a blessed event," he said. "One comment that came up regularly was that they felt such spiritual power as they saw the leaders walk past. All were impressed and felt this was one of those profound spiritual blessings that only comes once in a lifetime."

As President Hinckley looked through the window and waved to the volunteers, one mentioned feeling "there is a prophet of God."

Brother Love said that he was impressed with President Hinckley's energy as he took the lead as the first group walked from room to room. "He was right at the front and ready to see more," he said.

"Being such great men, the General Authorities and Relief Society leaders were gracious and humble," said Brother Love. "Each one of them thanked us for the opportunity to visit and for the work we do here, when it was us who should have been thanking them. It meant so much to us."

The support of the General Welfare Committee helps employees and volunteers at the plant to do their work in an efficient manner in compliance with the regulatory guidelines, providing significant opportunities for service, he said.

After the tour, the group was invited to partake of refreshments and to taste the products. A number of them commented favorably on flavor and quality of the products, said Brother Love.