Draper Temple dedicated

DRAPER — Christoffer Hotvedt, 13, and his 7-year-old sister, Katrine, were overwhelmed when LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson called them out of the crowd Friday to help him place mortar on the cornerstone of the church's new Draper Temple.

"It was hard to stand up," Christoffer said. "My legs were shaking. … I don't think I'll ever forget this."

President Monson, considered a prophet by the 13 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, asked more than a dozen people to help him with the cornerstone ceremony before he dedicated the building in a ceremony inside the temple, which church members consider to be the holiest of the church's houses of worship.

President Monson called on four children — with their candid and cute behavior — to be the focal point of the mortar and trowel portion of the cornerstone ceremony.

Katrine Hotvedt said her legs were shaky like her brother's. Their mother, Terrie, said the Draper family was there because another child sang in the 150-voice youth choir at the cornerstone ceremony.

"It was so touching," she said, to have three children surprisingly participate.

Sandy's Justin Spainhower, 9, also placed some mortar.

"I was kind of freaked out," he said. "I'm still nervous now," he added as he fielded questions from the media.

President Monson called Gracie Awerkamp, 8, "a professional" after overseeing her work with a trowel. "Pretty hair, too," he added, before exhorting her to add this experience to her personal journal.

The first of 12 dedication ceremonies followed, four a day spread across three days.

The Draper Utah Temple will be the 129th operating LDS temple in the world, the 12th in Utah and the third in Salt Lake County.

President Monson thoroughly enjoyed himself as he orchestrated the mortar's placement for the temple's final touches.

"The mortar is ready," he said. "The trowels are ready. Those who will use them are not trained." Then he called up his helpers and served as a delighted "coach."

Lynne Cannegieter, President Monson's secretary for 45 years, was the first person called on to place mortar, followed by her husband, Bill.

Later he asked his wife, Frances, his daughter, Ann, Church News Editor Gerry Avant, choir director Becky Alexander and others to take a turn at the cornerstone.