DRAPER — Christoffer Hotvedt, 13, and his 7-year-old sister, Katrine, were overwhelmed when LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson called them out of the crowd Friday to help him place mortar on the cornerstone of the church's new Draper Temple.
"It was hard to stand up," Christoffer said. "My legs were shaking. … I don't think I'll ever forget this."
President Monson, considered a prophet by the 13 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asked more than a dozen people to help him with the cornerstone ceremony before he dedicated the building in a ceremony inside the temple, which church members consider to be the holiest of the church's houses of worship.
President Monson called on four children — with their candid and cute behavior — to be the focal point of the mortar and trowel portion of the cornerstone ceremony.
Katrine Hotvedt said her legs were shaky like her brother's. Their mother, Terrie, said the Draper family was there because another child sang in the 150-voice youth choir at the cornerstone ceremony.
"It was so touching," she said, to have three children surprisingly participate.
Sandy's Justin Spainhower, 9, also placed some mortar.
"I was kind of freaked out," he said. "I'm still nervous now," he added as he fielded questions from the media.
President Monson called Gracie Awerkamp, 8, "a professional" after overseeing her work with a trowel. "Pretty hair, too," he added, before exhorting her to add this experience to her personal journal.
The first of 12 dedication ceremonies followed, four a day spread across three days.
The Draper Utah Temple will be the 129th operating LDS temple in the world, the 12th in Utah and the third in Salt Lake County.
President Monson thoroughly enjoyed himself as he orchestrated the mortar's placement for the temple's final touches.
"The mortar is ready," he said. "The trowels are ready. Those who will use them are not trained." Then he called up his helpers and served as a delighted "coach."
Lynne Cannegieter, President Monson's secretary for 45 years, was the first person called on to place mortar, followed by her husband, Bill.
Later he asked his wife, Frances, his daughter, Ann, Church News Editor Gerry Avant, choir director Becky Alexander and others to take a turn at the cornerstone.
At the conclusion of the organized part of the cornerstone ceremony, the general public — including additional children — was invited to line up and take a crack at spreading mortar, too.
Also in attendance at the cornerstone ceremony were President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, and President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve.
Ashley Hesterman from Sandy said watching the cornerstone ceremony even from a distance was "a spiritual experience." She and her son Carter arrived at 7:30 a.m., more than 90 minutes early, as he was in the choir.
Carter said it made the 10 weeks of choir practice well worth it. "I almost cried," he said, noting the reverent hush that came over the crowd as the ceremony started. "It was so spiritual."
Jennifer Jensen of Sandy, her three children and a friend arrived at 7:15 a.m. and earned a front-row view of the event. "We're way excited," she said.
"I think it's cool," added her youngest child, Ammon, 8.
The youth choir, composed of male and female voices from the temple district, sang "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet" and "Now Let Us Rejoice."
A crowd of about 500 attended the cornerstone ceremony and enjoyed perfect spring weather.
The church's new temple is unlike any other along the Wasatch Front. That's because it's smaller, has its own special design, features some unique artwork, lacks a patron cafeteria and has no clothing-rental facilities.
Nestled in Corner Canyon in the southeast foothills of the Salt Lake Valley at 14065 S. Canyon Vista Lane, this temple (and the Oquirrh Temple now under construction in South Jordan's Daybreak community) will ease pressure on the Jordan River Utah Temple. It will serve approximately 60,000 church members in the Draper area.
Latter-day Saint temples differ from church meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. A temple is considered by church members to be a "House of the Lord," where Christ's teachings are reaffirmed through marriage, baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. In the temple, church members believe they learn more about the purpose of life and strengthen their commitment to serve Jesus Christ and their fellow men.
Draper Utah Temple
Address: 14065 S. Canyon Vista Lane, Draper
Announcement: Oct. 2, 2004
Groundbreaking: Aug. 5, 2006
Open house: Jan. 15-March 14
Dedication: March 20-22; four sessions scheduled for each day.
Temple president: Donald L. Staheli, 76, Monument Park 16th Ward. President Staheli's wife, Afton Stratton Staheli, will serve as temple matron.
Rank: It will be the 129th operating temple in the world and the 12th in Utah.
Area of service: Approximately 60,000 church members in the Draper area.
Property: 12 acres.
Building: 58,300 square feet.
Height: 50 feet, or 168 feet 8 inches to the top of the Angel Moroni statue.
Contractor: Okland Construction
Architects: FFKR Architects.
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com