CEBU CITY, Philippines — President Thomas S. Monson after arrived in Cebu City on Friday, having come here to dedicate the Cebu City Philippines Temple on Sunday, June 13.
On Saturday morning, he walked through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' newest temple, which is the 133rd worldwide.
He said he has been to the Philippines several times. "It's like returning home," he said of his return visit to Cebu City.
"I think they (Mormons on Cebu Island other nearby islands) have long awaited a day of having a temple," he said. "The Lord has honored their faith and their prayers and now they have a temple of their own, and it's a beautiful temple."
Asked how he would describe the Filipino people, President Monson replied, "Teachable."
While at the temple, President Monson shook hands with and congratulated the construction project engineer, Knut Klavenes, who was baptized during construction of the temple.
On Saturday evening, President Monson atte
nded a cultural celebration held in conjunction with the dedication of the new temple.
Some 4,000 young people – 2,000 performing live in Cebu Coliseum and another shown on large screens performing in the far-flung reaches of the temple district, which includes the Visayas and Mindanao islands in the southern Philippines.
The dedication of the new temple will be conducted in three sessions on Sunday. President Monson is to preside over, address and offer the dedicatory prayer in all three sessions.
Assisting him are President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency; Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve; Presiding Bishop H. David Burton, and Elder William R. Walker of the Seventy and executive director of the LDS Church's temple department.
Proceedings of the dedication will be broadcast to LDS meetinghouses throughout the Philippines.
The First Presidency announced plans to construct the temple in April 2006. Ground was broken to mark the beginning of construction in November 2007.