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PROVO — As a Utah County commissioner years ago, Gov. Gary Herbert drove past the Provo Tabernacle on his way to work across the street at the county government center.
He attended many events in the tabernacle and had just spoken to a graduating college class there shortly before it burned down in 2010. On Monday, Herbert toured the building now restored as the Provo City Center Temple.
"It's back better than ever," the governor said. "The whole thing is just a work of art."
Herbert praised The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for creating a place of serenity.
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"In many ways, it's just inspiring to be there," he said on KSL Newsradio's "The Doug Wright Show." "It's not just the beauty that you see but the beauty that you feel."
The temple, he said, is a recognition that God "gave us this wonderful world to take care of" and reminds people of the "fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man." It provides peace and comfort and leads people to consider what they can do to make the world a better place, he said.
Herbert, a Mormon, said after the tour that he wants to work harder this year to be a better person, to be a "little more godlike."
The free public open house begins Friday and runs through March 5. The temple will be dedicated March 20.
Contributing: Sam Penrod