A total of 157,917 people participated in the 27 dedicatory sessions of the Mount Timpanogos Temple Oct. 13-19.
Samuel Barnes, 12, told his family members after attending a session Oct. 17 that he understood why so many people went to the temple - he felt so good inside the edifice that he didn't want to leave.During the session that Samuel attended, President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, directed some of his remarks to the young man, who is suffering from Crohn's Disease, an incurable, life-long illness.
Samuel, a member of the American Fork 14th Ward, American Fork Utah East Stake, wrote a letter to President Monson the week before the temple groundbreaking on Oct. 9, 1993. In the letter, which President Monson read during the 19th dedicatory session, the then-9-year-old said he had learned in Primary that pioneer children helped build early temples and asked President Monson what he could do to help with the new temple that would be built in American Fork.
President Monson answered Samuel's question during the groundbreaking ceremony and made sure the boy got one of the shovels used during the ceremony. President Monson cited him as an example that others should follow and encouraged Samuel to continue to keep a temple journal.
Since then Samuel and President Monson have stayed in touch and consider each other "good friends."
During the dedicatory session, President Monson asked Samuel to come stand by him at the podium, where he told the boy he and Sister Monson pray for him daily. President Monson gave Samuel a piece of granite from the temple and asked him if he wanted to say anything.
"He said he was thankful that there was a temple close by and looked up at President Monson and said he was thankful he has such a good friend to help him make it through the hard times," related his mother, Deborah.
Samuel said the experience was one of his happiest moments. "I think I will remember it forever," he said, adding that when he passes the temple, which is about a mile from his home, he will think about the dedication, President Monson and "going and doing temple work."
One week after attending the dedication, Samuel went to the temple with the youth in his ward to do baptisms for the dead.
Samuel's mother said that her son's health was better just before and just after the temple dedication than it had been in the last two years. "He has taught the family about faith and about answers to prayers," said Sister Barnes. "He really does know how special this is."
The temple dedication was not only a special time for Samuel, but also for many other Church members who felt the Spirit and left the sessions with a renewed resolve to keep it with them on a daily basis.
"One thing I wanted to do was rededicate myself," said Sue Bradley of the Pleasant Grove 5th Ward, Pleasant Grove Utah Stake. "The dedication was a great opportunity to rededicate my life to the Lord."
Marcela Cisternas of the Timpanogos Park 5th Ward, Orem Utah North Stake, hopes the memory of the dedication will give her children a desire to return to the temple when they are older. During the dedication they were told to "put into your mind to return to this place, and not forget this moment," said Sister Cisternas. "
The childrenT want to return again in the most holy way. It is their dream and their mom's dream."
For other Church members, such as Keith and Teri Wilson, of the Alpine 11th Ward, Alpine Utah Stake, the dedication was a time to ponder the eternal nature of families.
"Our youngest daughter [Melissa] passed away a year ago Saturday," said Brother Wilson, adding that before her death she followed the construction of the temple on a daily basis. "These are tender moments for Teri and me and our family. When we go home we will not only be thinking about the beautiful dedication, but about her."
Karl Pearson and his family of the Dry Creek Ward, Lehi Utah South Stake, spent months preparing to attend the temple - knowing the event was a once-in-a-life-time opportunity. Brother Pearson sang in the choir, and the other members of his family were among the first to arrive for their session - walking up to the temple gates more than two hours before the session would start. Each of the seven children who were old enough to attend the dedication memorized the song "The Spirit of God."
Brother Pearson was sick with a chest cold days before the dedication, but said he felt a priesthood blessing made it possible for him to sing in the choir during the sacred event. He called the temple a place of "miracles."
Stephen M. Studdert, vice chairman of the temple committee and president of the Highland Utah East Stake, said every day of the dedication brought tender moments for those who attended.
"It has been a spiritual feast for all who have prepared themselves and come in the spirit of worship and reverence. Each day has been a day of joyous grandeur."
He said the choirs sang "beyond themselves," the volunteers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve, and the guests were patient and courteous while waiting in line before the sessions and while waiting to leave the parking lot after their completion.
"As you work in and around the temple," Pres. Studdert said, "the temple works on you."