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Carole Mikita ReportingPresident Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is back in Utah from Sacramento where he dedicated a new temple.
President Hinckley has slowed down this year, following cancer surgery, but he looks well. It's been a very busy weekend for President Hinckley and many others. In fact, there are still people cleaning up tonight.
This dedication has been a culmination of hopes, dreams and prayers, they say, for 30 years now. The new Sacramento Temple overlooks a lake on the American River. They call it Gold Country. Latter-day Saints who helped settle the area were in on the discovery.
This weekend, church members celebrated their faith. They say this temple and the life of their leader, President Gordon B. Hinckley, are more precious than gold.
President Hinckley: "This may be the last time that I ever come to this part of California. I'm now an old man in my 97th year. I don't know how long I'm good for."
Elder Richard Hinckley, Quorum of the Seventy: "He's feeling the effects of age, but remarkably facile, remarkably connected and remarkably on top of the issues.
Many families prayed for this day, none more than Harvey Greer's. He is the church leader who purchased the land.
Dr. Harvey Greer, Fair Oaks, Calif. Resident: "When I came up on the hill the very first time after I had been told about this, I knew there was going to be a temple here."
They attended church in a building on the property. Wild turkeys still roam and their used to be rattlesnakes.
Allison Frazier, Kaysville Resident: "They were underneath the Sunbeam chairs in the primary and in the drinking fountains. It was unusual."
The temple sits on 47 acres. A number of people opposed its construction, but members of an interfaith group spoke in favor of it.
Dennis Holland, Temple Public Affairs Director: "We were told by the planning commission that that was the largest contingent of interfaith people to come and represent any faith they'd ever seen."
As President Hinckley left the temple, a crowd of well-wishers expressed their gratitude.
President Hinckley: "We've had a great time. It's been a wonderful dedication. It's a beautiful temple and it's now in service."
This Sacramento temple is the seventh temple in California. Since becoming church leader eleven years ago, President Hinckley has tripled the number of temples worldwide, bringing the total to 123.
