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SALT LAKE CITY — Breaking ground for a new temple and marking the 75th anniversary of Deseret Industries, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in important events in both Utah and Connecticut over the past week.
Roughly 500 Latter-day Saints gathered Saturday morning to witness a historic day in central Connecticut — the groundbreaking for the first temple in the state.
"Today is a special and sacred day as we bring to fruition the hopes and dreams of the church members here and break ground for the Hartford, Connecticut temple," said President Thomas S. Monson.
The temple site is actually in the town of Farmington, which has a connection to Church history. In 1807, Wilford Woodruff, the fourth president of the Church, was born in what was then Farmington.
The temple's architecture is similar to a landmark in Farmington, the First Church of Christ Congregational. The master builder for the historic church was Judah Woodruff, Wilford Woodruff's great-uncle.
"We actually just moved to this area about a year ago and the temple we attended was about four hours away one way, so having one about 45 minutes away is very exciting for us," said Connecticut resident Jaemi Rost.
The Hartford temple district will include Latter-day Saints from across Connecticut, Rhode Island, southwestern Massachusetts and eastern New York.
Last week also brought the 75th anniversary of Deseret Industries. Hundreds gathered to attend the grand opening and dedication of the newest welfare facility. One speaker was there when it all began.
"I was a young boy, I remember when all these things took place," said Emeritus Seventy Elder Glenn L. Rudd. "I had the privilege of going into the first storehouse when it was opened."
The 58,000-square-foot space includes a Thrift Store, LDS Employment Resource Center, where last year 100,000 people found jobs worldwide, and LDS Family Services, where counselors help those with addictions.
"I rejoice that this welfare facility will serve as a temporal representation of our spiritual commitment to fly to the aid of the Lord's poor," said President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency
The new Deseret Industries in Sandy opened to the public on Thursday.
