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.

He assured those gathered that his predecessor, President Hinckley, was intimately involved in having the temple constructed and intended to dedicate it. "Though he can't be here in person, I believe a loving Heavenly Father has allowed him to be here with us in spirit."

Emphasizing the significance of temples and the covenants Latter-day Saints make there, he told personal stories of families whose life circumstances had prevented them from being able to get to a temple, but who saw "miracles occur" that allowed them to participate in temple ordinances.

During the dedicatory prayer, President Monson asked God to protect the building "against the storms of nature and any destructive hand of man. May thy spirit be manifested by all who serve within," and "may all who enter here be worthy in every way."

When the service concluded, crowds exited the temple to blue sky and bright sunshine. Many were emotional following the service, including Kathy Webb of Rexburg, whose home fronts the south side of the new building.

"We're here because we love the Lord and we love Gordon B. Hinckley, who started this work. We love the feeling we get when we see it out our window. In the middle of the night when it's still and quiet, it stands as a beacon on the hill."

"It's amazing that I'm here, because miracles have brought me here," Webb added.

Anna and Curtis Nielsen moved to Rexburg two years ago and said the service was "beautiful. It's a nice thing to feel you have been doing the right things to get to this point, and still have some more right to do," Curtis said. Though both have been to previous temple dedications, "this one means more because this is our temple now."

Greg and Carol Lemmon of St. Anthony, Idaho, were waiting in a long line outside the building after the first dedicatory session, waiting to get inside. The couple met at Ricks College and said they would like to see their children married in the temple. "They're excited, and they love it. I think it's a miracle to have it in our midst," Greg said.