Suspicious box left outside LDS temple

ST. GEORGE — The bomb squad was called to the St. George LDS temple to deal with a suspicious package left on a staircase outside the building.

Police said the small white box was found last week on the south staircase. On it was a message that read "Happy Birthday to Jesus, from the Bailey's." As police, firefighters and paramedics stood by outside the temple grounds, bomb squad technicians took an X-ray of the box. Inside, investigators found strips of papers with little messages written on them, St. George Police Sgt. Craig Harding said.

Police said the package was harmless, but they were frustrated by the amount of trouble it caused.

"Even a simple act such as leaving a heartfelt message to Jesus and leaving it on stairs can be trouble. In our society we're looking for bombs and terrorists," Harding said. "There are more appropriate ways to make birthday wishes."