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Show i v. c?l 1 1 p!e Completed By DELI VAN ORDEN Church News Assistant Editor KENSINGTON. MD I he magnificent $15 million Washington Temple built in the nations capital which less than iOO years ago vtas passing laws against the church was formally completed in impressive ceremonies Monday, Sept. 9. The structure, called by the church architect a subtle reflection of the Salt Lake Temple, rises majestically over the lush, green landscape above the Capital Beltway in Maryland, just outside the District of Columbia. Highlighting the completion ceremonies, President Spencer W. Kimball and his second counselor in the First Presidency, President Marion G. Romney, and Elder Gordon B Hinckley of the Council of the Twelve applied six-spir- mortar to the cornerstone and sealed a time capsule inside. The time capsule contains items of historical significance, not only to the church, but also to its relationship to the federal government during the churchs infant years. (See separate story for list of items in the time capsule.) About 300 invited guests attended the ceremony, held outdoors at the northeast corner of the temple, under partly overcast skies. Among those attending were national, state and local officials, area church leaders and members of the press from along the Eastern Seaboard. President Romney, in conducting the ceremony, said, Temples to' the true and living God are built only under His direction, built to His plan and the work (in them) is carried on as revealed by Him. Pres. Spencer W. Kimi!!,.!eft, and Pres. Marion G. Ror.iney and Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, far right, prepare to apply mortar to temple cornerstone. We have no finer buildings in the church than the temples, he continued. A temple is a bouse of God. It belongs to God. It is His dwelling place. It is a place where God reveals His presence to His faithful saints. , Pres. Julian C. Lowe of the Oakton Virginia Stake and chairman of the temple committee, represented the local church officials at the ceremony, This is truly a happy occasion for Saint w this area and. every Latter-da- y I believe, around the world. Weve looked forward to this house for several years. President Kimball was the keynote speaker, and he told the assembled congregation that the pace of constructing new temples will accelerate in the future. Were a people, he affirmed. Wp believe in eternity; we believe in permanence. When we build a temple we build it temple-buildin- g , forever; when we perform - temple ordinances we perform them forever, he said as he explained the purpose of temples President Kimball said that in the temples, which the Lord has planned and organized, ordinances, absolutely essential to salvation are made possible for the living and for those who have passed away. Pres. William D. Ladd, of the Continued on page 4 Church Divests Self of Hospitals By DAVID CROFT hospital because their health needs seemingly could not be met in any other way. Today, however, there are other ways that these needs can be met. It is no longer necessary for the church to be involved in hospital ownei ship or The church, emphasizing that the full efforts of its Health Services are to be turned to the health needs of saints worldwide, is divesting itself of the 15 hospitals it operates in three western states, the First Presidency announced Sept. 6. The hospitals will be ' turned over to a new nonchureh, nonprofit corporation which will own and operate the church hospitals in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. , , Said the First Presidency in making the announce-- " The First Presidency also affirmed that the decision in no way signifies loss of interest orconcera on thejiart of the church for the sick and afflicted. To the contrary, they said, it provides greater flexibility as the church assists members and others everywhere with their temporal needs. - - -Worldwide Health Services, which emphasizes disease prevention and assists people in various parts of the world to appropriately use local health facilities and personnel, is being expanded to a major degree. This will require a substantial increase in the number of Health Services missionaries. , William N. Jones, a Regional Representative of the Twelve and , former mission president, who is chairman of the board Electro Controls Corp. of Salt Lake City, was named chairman of the board of the new hospital corporation, which does not yet have a , r After a thorough study and consideration, the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve has decided to divert the full efforts of the Health Services of the church to the health needs ef the worldwide church membership. As a result of that decision, and because the operation of hospitals is not central to the mission of the church, the church has also decided to divest itself of its extensive hospital holdings, including the 15 hospitals that have been operated in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming by the Health Services Corporation. The growing worldwide responsibility of the church makes, it difficult.. to justify provision of curative services in a single, affluent, geographical vw - , name. Named to the new corporate board, in addition to the chairman, were 12 prominent .business, educational, medical and civic leaders from Utah and other parts of the West. Nine are church members; three , - are nocmembers- The board, once established, will be self perpetuating and independent of the church. Members of the board are not paid. Dr. James 0. Mason. Commissioner of Health Services for the church, will retain his present post, directing the activities of his division of the Churchs Welfare Services in meeting the health needs of church members and others throughout the world. Two other departments. Social Services and Welfare, also operate wortnde under direction of the Presiding Bishopric, . The net ..worth' of the hospitals involved in the transaction is approximately $61 million, and they included 2,092 hospital beds. Replacement value of the physical facilities is approximately $107 Million.. - The new corporation will be' a viable, y health services. provider of It will assume all current hospital indebtedness to the church, some $28 million in loan balances, " v "The loans are based upotTnniesmade available f by the church for capital improvements. said Dr. Mason, noting that .tho CRperatioB of fjesWj Services 'Corporation hospitals hat,b?e enterprise, totally fedependeid. of church hinds.-- " ' -- The transfer agreement between the TteweorporaT lion and the church will include fee stipulation that if any property eurrentlyAsed for hospital operation is f. " Continued on age ML' - management. ment: locality, In past years, the church responded to the appeal of communities to save an existing facility or to build a Church News Staff Writer 1 high-qualit- ? T ' f WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER ' -- .f! s,. U, .ri'; 1974-- $ CHURCH-r-- 3 , ti ... |
