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Carole Mikita ReportingFrom Salt Lake City, Utah to Santiago, Chile, President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traveled to South America this weekend for special events.
President Hinckley appears to be doing well. He's walking with a steady gait, his voice is strong, and he's maintaining his sense of humor. He told Latter-day Saints in Chile today that he recently had cancer surgery, but he wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
With purpose to his steps, President Hinckley arrived ready to conduct special services. He rededicated the temple, closed for the last year for renovation. For Chilean Latter-day Saints, there was joy and emotion being with their prophet.
Sergio Poblete, Panco, Chile: "To be that close, to be in the same room with President Hinckley, to sing in the choir was a very spiritual occasion and I'll remember it for the rest of my life."
Silvia Cadamano, Santiago, Chile: "To see the prophet pass by us, very close by. It was just an incredible experience to feel his closeness."
Everyone worried President Hinckley might not make the trip, following cancer surgery last month.
Elder L. Tom Perry, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "And you wouldn't know that he'd ever been ill. His vigor is absolutely amazing and of the spirit of the occasion."
During the dedication, President Hinckley told members he's not sure how much longer he'll live, and it's likely he will never come back to Chile.
Elder Francisco Vinas: "It was the most difficult part of this dedication, because the feelings of love that we all have in Chile for President Hinckley are without measure.
But the desire of his heart, President Hinckley said, was to provide temples for the people, like this one. Soon there will be 130 of them.
President Hinckley: "It went very well, very very well. It was a wonderful occasion. Glad I came."
Latter-day Saints in Chile are still talking about President Hinckley's last visit to the area in 1999. At that time, they were experiencing a severe drought and asked President Hinckley to pray for rain. He did, and it began pouring. At the time they were having a meeting in a stadium, so they prayed for the rain to stop during his speech. Then when his speech was over, he said it could rain again, and it did. They called it a miracle then and they call it a miracle now to have President Hinckley there to dedicate their temple.
