The Lord has a way of turning adversity to the good of His people and His work, said President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, before rededicating the Bountiful Regional Center Feb. 3.

The Bountiful Regional Center was originally known as the Valley Music Hall. After fire damaged the building in the 1970s, the Church purchased the building and converted it for conferences and other Church and cultural functions. It was originally dedicated for Church use in 1977 by Elder Mark E. Petersen of the Council of the Twelve.In 1989, the center was closed for remodeling. The most notable change since the renovation is now the stage faces the congregation. Previously, the stage and seating were structured in a "theater in the round" setting.

President Hinckley spoke of the good that often results from adversity. The sorrow of the fire in the center turned to gratitude as Church members gained the use of a large facility in northern Utah.

In his dedicatory prayer, President Hinckley remembered the pioneer forefathers and stated, "We thank thee for the faith of our fathers. . . . They came to these valleys of the mountains, and here again planted thy work, and it has grown and goes forth to the nations of the earth with power and conviction and testimony spoken from the mouths of thy servants who have dedicated themselves and have been set apart to this divine and holy work.

"We thank thee, Father, for this beautiful structure, . . . a place in which thy divine words shall be taught, a place where the peace of thy people will be strengthened, a place where testimony will be borne, and a place that will be filled with thy Holy Spirit as thy saints gather here."

President Hinckley also made reference to the current conflict in the Middle East and added a petition "to the many thousands of petitions that have ascended unto thee this day." He continued, "We pray that thou wilt overrule and touch the hearts of leaders on both sides of this conflict that there may come about a just and wonderful and remarkable peace and a reconciliation that will lead to that peace, . . . and that out of all of this may come . . . stability in that part of the earth."

Prior to the dedicatory prayer, President Hinkley said, "I thank the Lord that I am living in this great day of the history of the world when the God of heaven through His almighty power has brought to pass the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times, when there has been brought together in one all of the power and blessings and principles and standards of all the previous dispensations of the gospel."

Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Council of the Twelve also offered remarks during the services.

Elder Ballard said that the dome roof on the Bountiful Regional Center was, at the time of its construction, only the third one of its kind. He said it took construction workers 30 hours to lift the dome 14 feet in the air onto 36 columns.

"This building will serve the Lord. Twenty-two stakes can come here and worship the Lord and sing the songs of Zion," he added.

Elder Wirthlin commented, "What a beautiful building and what a wonderful history it has. I marvel at the Church - it's great growth and its ability to erect sacred buildings such as this and the many temples that are being built today."

Lyle C. Owen, Bountiful Regional Center coordinator, said about 1,600 people attended the dedicatory services. He noted that stakes from the Woods Cross, Bountiful, Centerville and Farmington regions will be served by the center.

Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the Seventy conducted the services. Also attending were President Hinckley's wife, Marjorie; Elder Ballard's wife, Barbara; Elder Wirthlin's wife, Elisa; Elder Jensen's wife, Kathleen; Elder Earl C. Tingey of the Seventy and his wife, Joanne.

F. Michael Watson, president of the Bountiful Utah South Stake and secretary to the First Presidency, offered the invocation. Ardeth G. Kapp, Young Women general president, offered the benediction.