More than 3,500 people gathered on a mountainside overlooking this southern Brazil city May 2 to witness the ceremonial beginning of construction of the Porto Alegre Brazil Temple.

President James E. Faust, second counselor in the First Presidency, presided at the groundbreaking ceremony.The new temple is the fourth for this populous land and will overlook the city from the east toward a large river and port for which the city is well-known. The temple was announced Oct. 4, 1997, in general priesthood meeting by President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Following the services and after he turned the ceremonial first shovelful of earth, President Faust invited a young girl and young boy to come forward and assist him. They not only complied, but the little girl also waited for him the next day at the Campinas regional conference so she could give him a hug of appreciation.

President Faust was accompanied by his wife, Ruth, and Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve and his wife, Elisa. Also in attendance at the ceremony were Elder W. Craig Zwick of the Seventy and president of the Brazil Area, and his wife, Janet.

Speakers at the ceremony were President Faust, Elder Wirthlin, and Elder Zwick.

"None of us will ever forget how we feel today because of the Spirit of the Lord that is present," said President Faust.

He said the temple would have two endowment rooms and all the capacity for ordinances as do the larger temples in the world.

He asked members to ponder and meditate upon the privilege that it is to enter a temple, and encouraged them to be loyal and worthy and ready to enter the temple when it is dedicated in about two years.

President Faust cited Doctrine and Covenants Section 109, which contains the dedicatory prayer for the Kirtland Temple, and noted the promises made at the time of the temple dedication.

He emphasized the need for Saints all over the world to begin to sacrifice for temple building. He recalled how, when the Sao Paulo Temple was being built, members in Argentina found ways to donate.

They gave the gold from their dental work to help pay on the temple, said President Faust. He explained that he had purchased some of that gold, for more than the market price, and has shown the gold fillings to various congregations to illustrate the nature of the sacrifice made by these members.

This sacrifice has been the hallmark of the success of members in the Latin American nations, he noted, indicating that the same principle of sacrifice is needed today, where members in one area can reach out to help those in other areas.

Elder Wirthlin spoke of the importance of temple work, and said that nothing will hold back the sacred movement of temple work.