BRASILIA, Brazil — After dedicating the Curitiba Brazil Temple on Sunday, President Thomas S. Monson flew to Brasilia Monday and met with Brazil's Vice President Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva in his government office.

Accompanied by Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder Charles Didier of the Seventy, the leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the vice president talked about common interests, particularly the family.

President Monson and his LDS general authority colleagues presented Alencar with a small statue depicting a family and a framed copy of "The Family: a Proclamation to the World."

As the visit concluded, Alencar asked President Monson to offer a prayer. He did so, asking that the vice president as an individual and the nation of Brazil would be blessed.

Elder Ulisses Soares, a counselor in the Brazil Area presidency who also attended the meeting, said, "I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. It was a very special moment, a significant moment."

On Monday evening, President Monson presided over and addressed what might be called "a huge family night" meeting. Some 8,000 members gathered for the meeting, during which President Monson was joined by Elder Nelson and Sister Wendy Nelson in addressing the gathering.

Members of the church came from far and near, and some arrived at 9 a.m. in anticipation of seeing and hearing the church president at the 7 p.m. meeting. A choir of 400 provided music for the program.

President Monson and the Nelsons are scheduled to return to Salt Lake City today.

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