REXBURG, Idaho — Newly-named LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the church's newest temple in Rexburg Sunday morning in his first official act as leader of the 13-million member church, thanking God for the restoration of priesthood authority and asking for help in spreading the faith throughout the world.

Church officials said dense fog prevented his plane from arriving in Rexburg as scheduled, and the cloud-cover hampered travel for thousands of Latter-day Saints who gathered at the site and in LDS stake centers around the area.

The first of four dedicatory services, schedule to begin at 9 a.m., was delayed for about 30 minutes as President Monson's entourage drove through the fog from Pocatello, where the plane was forced to land.

Named Monday as 16th president of the church following the death of President Gordon B. Hinckley on Jan. 27, President Monson directed the traditional cornerstone ceremony outside the temple before the dedicatory service, explaining that the ceremonial event reminds church members Jesus Christ "is the cornerstone of this work."

Placing mortar on a silver trowel, he fitted it into a crevice near the entrance to the temple, then handed the blade to Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve, quipping, "He's a surgeon," referring to the steady hand given to the task.

The party included Elder David Bednar, former president of nearby BYU-Idaho. Elder Bednar is also a member of the Twelve.

Following that ceremony, the group returned to the temple's celestial room, where the three leaders spoke of the building's significance in the lives of Latter-day Saints.

Having been involved in some of the directives for the new temple, Elder Bednar said Jesus Christ "related his will concerning the location of his holy house," which sits on a hill overlooking the upper Snake River Valley next to BYU-Idaho.

He told of escorting leaders of other faiths through the temple open house and of explaining the purpose of baptism for the dead in the building's baptistry. He said the temple provides a "protecting power" for church members who serve there "in a world that grows ever more wicked and more confused."

Elder Nelson said church members learn about eternity in the temple, including the creation of the world, the fall of Adam and the atonement of Jesus Christ — "the three pillars of God's plan of happiness." Latter-day Saints believe that through ordinances performed there, they can united as families for eternity in heaven.

President Monson told those assembled that Elder Henry B. Eyring — his first counselor and former president of Ricks College (before it became BYU-Idaho in 2000) — had been looking forward to attending the dedication, but fell and broke his ankle, so was unable to attend. He also announced the death early Sunday of Sister Ruth Faust, wife of President James E. Faust, who served as second counselor in the First Presidency until his death in August.