A double blessing
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President Thomas S. Monson said he's never had a birthday like his 82nd. "Being able to commemorate it by participating in the dedication of the temple made it different from all the others," he told the Church News on his birthday, Aug. 21, the first day of three days set aside to dedicate the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple.
"It's a double blessing to have a birthday and, at the same time, to participate in a temple dedication."
He expressed appreciation for the birthday greetings sent by members of the Church, especially children. "I've received a lot of artwork from little boys and girls," he said. "I appreciate it. It's the spirit of the artwork, not the technicality of it, that touches the heart."
Of the Church's newest temple — the 130th worldwide and the 13th in Utah — he said that it sits on what was once largely farmland. "You could go for miles without having enough people to make a ward, but it's growing by leaps and bounds," he said of the area. He said that this part of the Salt Lake Valley will be blessed with the presence of the new temple.
He spoke of the dedicatory events. "The weather was beautiful and the spirit of the music was lovely," he said. "Everyone seemed to come with the desire to seek the Spirit of the Lord, and I believe they received it." — Gerry Avant
