Cornerstone box 'within our hearts'
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A century from now, when generations yet unborn open the cornerstone of the Draper Utah Temple, they will find a score of items reflecting the time period of the historic occasion when it was sealed by President Thomas S. Monson and other dignitaries.
Less tangible are the memories and spiritual experiences of those who oversaw the temple open house and preparations for the dedication.
They gathered on Thursday, March 19, in the foyer of the temple to place the items in an archival case to be contained in the cornerstone and to recollect some of those memories and experiences.
President Rodolfo C. Franco of the Draper Utah South Mountain Stake, who chaired the open house committee and conducted the meeting, said he wanted it to be informal and low-key so as not to overshadow the dedication itself. But the remarks and testimonies of those whom he called upon to speak caused some to wipe away tears of quiet emotion and gratitude.
A listing of the items contained in the cornerstone can be found in the Web version of this article on www.ldschurchnews.com
Among the more unique articles are two sets of writing pens handcrafted by historical committee Chairman Jim West from roots of some of the scrub oak cleared from the temple site and from the maple and imported African makore wood used in the interior construction of the temple. He said he arranged with a neighbor who lives across the street from the temple site, to notify him on the day workers tore out the oak brush so he could come and cut some of the roots for making the pens.
Also, a Draper Temple History Book compiled by Brother West, Vicki Taylor and LaRayne Day, covering the time from the announcement of the temple to the day of dedication was placed in the cornerstone. The book includes the history of the Church in the temple area, pictures of the temple in various stages of construction, photos of the local committee, an account of the groundbreaking service and open house, newspaper clippings and committee newsletters, written testimonies and experiences and minutes of the open house and dedication.
In conducting the meeting, President Franco remembered a story told by President Monson about being at the opening of a cornerstone at a Church meetinghouse. To the surprise and gradual amusement of those gathered, the cornerstone was found to be empty.
Drawing an analogy, President Franco said, "Each one of us has a cornerstone box within our hearts, and as we go through life, we put things into the box, experiences that we have."
He remarked, "At one point after this life, we are going to open that cornerstone box in front of our Savior, in front of our Maker. Hopefully, it will not be empty."
The box will contain experiences the committee has had over the past year, and sacred ordinances and family associations, he said, "who we are, what we're made of, coming back to the temple many, many times for both the living and the dead, experiences that will help build up our faith in Christ."
President Franco related an experience he had early on during the open house taking special guests on a tour through the temple.
"I don't remember the family, but I remember this little girl," he said. "When they came to the celestial room, he encouraged the family to be seated and pause to enjoy the moment. As they did so, he observed the girl, about 8 or 9 years old, fold her arms and bow her head.
"Then, she opened her eyes, looked at me and gave her smile to me," he said. "She was communing with the Lord. That told me, this is the House of the Lord."
Sister Taylor, who interviewed members of the committee in assembling the temple history, said the experience has been a defining moment for them, that she and other members are different today as a result of the experience.
Cynthia Terry, in charge of housing and accommodations, said she learned much from the children that she observed in the reception area in the adjacent stake center at the end of the temple tour. One boy, about 4 or 5 years old, had been told by his mother two days prior to their temple tour that they would be visiting Jesus' house. They were making cupcakes at the time, and he said he wanted to make a cupcake for Jesus.
"To make sure he didn't lose it, he put it in a little plastic bag and put it in his pocket and carried it around with him for two days," Sister Terry said. "By the time he had been through the temple and come to the reception area, it didn't look too much like a cupcake anymore, but he came up to us. His mother said, 'Just take it, and I'll tell you the story later.'
"He said, 'Will you give this cupcake to Jesus, and tell him that Caleb made it just specially for Him?' I learned from little Caleb that I need to be constantly thinking of more gifts that I can give to the Savior, more of my time, more of my love."
In a conversation with the Church News, Sister Day, a 54-year resident of Draper, shared a personal incident that perhaps shows how close she feels to the pioneers who settled Draper. She noted that the first settler was Ebenezer Brown, a Mormon Battalion veteran. The community was named Draperville (later shortened to Draper) after William Draper, the first presiding elder.
"But he didn't stay in the area very long," Sister Day said. Some of the settlers thought the name of the town should be Brownsville after Ebenezer Brown, but there were already Mormon settlers in the Ogden area who wanted to use that name, she said.
Sister Day said her grandchildren have created a profile for her on Facebook. They encouraged her to post a photo of herself; instead, she posted a photo of Phoebe Brown, wife of Ebenezer, Draper's first resident.
"Grandma, that's really scary!" her grandchildren said.
Here is a list of items included in the Draper Utah Temple Cornerstone:
A recent edition of the Standard Works
A copy of Standing for Something by President Gordon B. Hinckley
A copy of Inspiring Experiences that Build Faith by President Thomas S. Monson
A copy of The Joseph Smith Papers – Journals, Volume 1 by the Church History Department
Copies of the Church hymnbook and an illustrated edition of the hymnbook
A copy of Preach My Gospel, the Church's guide to missionary work
A copy of the 2009 Deseret News Church Almanac
A copy of Sivogah to Draper City: The History of Draper Utah by the Draper Historical Society
A copy of the Draper Temple History Book prepared by the Historical Committee of the temple open house and dedication committee
Copies of the March 2009 editions of the Ensign, Friend and New Era
A copy of the Church News edition published just prior to the dedication
A pamphlet from the open house
A copy of "For the Strength of Youth"
A copy of "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve
A copy of "The Living Christ" by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve
A photo chart of the General Authorities
A photo of the First Presidency
A photo of the Quorum of the Twelve
Two sets of pens handcrafted by Historical Committee chairman Jim West from wood gathered from the temple site.
Written testimonies from each member of the temple presidency
A copy of the dedicatory prayer
