Brigham City Temple Ground Breaking

Today was the ground breaking ceremony for the Brigham City Temple. This was such an important event for so many of the people here because the people here tend to stay forever. I mean, a good deal of our ward was born and raised here, and then had their children and raised them here, and so forth. These people have roots. And although we have only lived here for a little over one year, the joy I felt at seeing so many peoples' dreams realized made me feel so close to the Lord. The people in Brigham are good people. So even though there are two Temples within half an hours distance this is a fabulous blessing.

While this choir was small it sure packed a punch. Right before the ground breaking they sang "The Spirit of God" and it brought tears to my eyes. So many have waited so long for this moment.

President Boyd K. Packer was the presiding General Authority and he was just great. His wife (above) also spoke and they are such soft spoken, kind hearted people.

When President Packer got up to speak (above) the first thing out of his mouth was, "I am Home". I think that really meant a lot to the audience. It did to me. It was so heart felt and emotional that you could feel his love. To describe the history of Brigham and how things have progressed in this city was amazing. The Temple is to be built in the middle of Brigham on main street, right across from the Tabernacle. The ground it will sit on used to be a school. That school is the school that Pres. Packer attended as a child. It will sit at the highest point in the city, along with the Tabernacle to be a beacon unto those who believe and those who do not. A panel on the front of the Temple will bear a peach blossom. Nothing could be more suited to Brigham and it's people than this. Pres Packer said it was to remind us who we were and who we are and those we have come from. I can't wait to see it.
Here is a picture of the first shovel of dirt, but you really can't tell. It was exciting to see it finally getting under way.

This is what the Temple will look like upon completion. It will be beautiful. I wanted to get a family picture, but it was a mob. I barely made it out alive, well maybe just with my camera intact, but seriously, wow!! They invited anyone who wanted to come and turn some dirt to come up and the picture was right next to it so I to do some pretty fast moving just to get a picture.

There were so many people there. The great thing about this Temple is that so many people live within walking distance. We walked and it took us 8-10 minutes. There were people just sitting on their lawns listening and a lot sitting on the Tabernacle ground listening. It was also broadcast to all the churches near by. It may take two years to build, but we as a people are ready and waiting. It was a beautiful morning and there was no better way to spend it.