The LDS Church's newest innovation, the small temple, was dedicated Sunday by President Gordon B. Hinckley.
More than 2,500 people attended the first of eight dedicatory sessions, with 300 in the temple and the remaining watching by closed-circuit television in nearby meetinghouses.In addition to being the first of what church officials have said will be many small temples around the world, the Monticello Temple was also built faster than any other LDS temple. It took crews eight months to finish the marble building located at the foot of the Blue Mountains.
Early Sunday, President Hinckley used a trowel to symbolically seal the temple's cornerstone. Afterward, he invited other general authorities and spouses to apply grout. Others also took a turn at the trowel, including a number of young people and a 96-year-old woman, Agnes Hurst of Blanding.
Hurst later said the temple is one of the most marvelous things to happen in the Four Corners area. "It is something we had hoped for, but I never expected it in my lifetime."
The Monticello temple is the 11th temple built by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Utah. When he announced small temples, President Hinckley said they would be built in areas of the world where there are fewer members of the church, making ordinances considered sacred by Latter-day Saints available to more people.
Small temples are also being built in Alaska and Mexico.
Only LDS faithful who live by a strict moral standard are allowed to enter the church's 53 temples around the world. In temples, sacred ordinances of baptism and marriage take place, linking families together in eternal life, according to LDS beliefs.
Despite its smaller size, the Monticello temple was ornately constructed with marble from Turkey, stained glass from Germany and magnificent chandeliers. It is topped with a white Angel Moroni statue, created especially for the smaller temple.
The 7,000 square-foot building was open for tours earlier this month with more than 20,000 people visiting during the 31/2-day open house.
Sandra Capitan, of Aneth, San Juan County, and Luci Begay, of Red Mesa, Co., attended the dedication with their children.
"It is overwhelming to be here," Capitan said. "I cannot believe the temple is actually here. How do you express it in words?"
President Hinckley, who is considered prophet, seer and revelator by church members, presided over eight separate dedicatory services Sunday and Monday.
The temple will begin operating on July 28. Unlike traditional temples, the Monticello and other small temples will be open according to local demand. Those who attend the temple must make appointments in advance and local members are responsible for the grounds and building maintenance.
The Monticello Temple district includes 13,000 church members in Monticello, Moab, Bluff, Blanding and Durango, Colo.