During more than two and half years of work, more than 2,000 craftsmen worked to "preserve, strengthen and return the old, original Salt Lake Tabernacle revitalized and ready for another period of distinguished service.
"Today, dear president, we present this senior citizen of a building, all attired in a fresh new finish, fitly framed together in its historical elegance — although a bit more comfortable."
"If these old walls could talk, I'm confident they would express appreciation for their new firm foundation."
"One can only imagine what these old walls would recall about the many sermons they carefully listened to over the years."
They would remember several talks that inaugurated new church programs, such as family home evening and the church welfare plan. "The aim of the church is to help the people help themselves."
And the walls would also recall President Hinckley's call in 1995 that "marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of his children."
"I'm grateful for this extraordinary building. It stands as a sacred monument to our past and a magnificent ensign to our future."