MADRID, Spain — President Gordon B. Hinckley, in Madrid for the dedication of the Church's 56th operating temple, paid a visit to Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the royal palace March 18.
President Hinckley later described the noon-time visit as "very pleasant."
President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve accompanied President Hinckley.
During the visit, President Hinckley presented a Lladro figurine, "Christus," to the royal couple. He also presented the king and queen with a copy of the book, The Mission, and with three CDs by the Tabernacle Choir — "Amazing Grace," "Hymns of Faith" and "Christmas Gloria."
A certificate accompanying the figurine, which the Church president described as a beautiful piece of porcelain, said that it was made by Lladro artists, drawing inspiration from the original by Bertel Thorvaldsen (1768-1844). The certificate also stated that the figurine "was created in commemoration of the opening of the very first Temple in Spain pertaining to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."
Earlier in the day, Jose Lladro, president of the family-owned Lladro company, traveled from corporate headquarters in Valencia to the temple grounds and personally delivered the first five issues of the figurine to President Hinckley, President Monson and Elder Holland.
In return, President Hinckley gave Mr. Lladro three CDs of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a copy of the book "The Mission."
President Hinckley's visit with the king was the third time the two have met.
