The opening and dedication of the LDS Church's new 21,000 seat conference center was named one of our top stories of the year.

Religion Specialist, Carole Mikita reports on its construction and the events that took place there in the year 2000.

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley/April 1996: "WE HAVE HAD OUR ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WORKING ON THE DESIGN OF A HALL WHICH WILL SEAT THREE OR FOUR TIMES AS MANY FOR CONFERENCE AND WHICH WILL SERVE OTHER CHURCH PURPOSES, AS WELL AS POSSIBLY SOME COMMUNITY CULTURAL EVENTS."

That announcement came during April's General Conference of 1996.

Ground was broken on July 24th, 1997, the 150th anniversary of the pioneers entering the valley.

The building required a massive excavation, one of the biggest ever in the state of Utah.

While digging was going on, architects and designers were putting final touches on the construction plans.

Five months later, workers were placing thousands of tons of granite on the building's exterior.

In August of 1999, a near disaster. The tornado that swept through downtown Salt Lake City struck the site, snapped one arm of a huge crane and sent it crashing onto the roof below. There were a thousand people working there everyday. Only two suffered minor injuries and there was little damage.

Inside, the auditorium was taking shape. The space was massive. Before the 21,000 seats were installed, a 747 jumbo jet would have fit comfortably on the main floor.

There was still work to be done, but it opened in time for General Conference in April.

Carole Mikita reporting/ "The first invitation for people of all faiths to visit the new Conference Center came on the occasion of President Hinckley's 90th birthday, June 23rd of this year."

Called "An Evening of Celebration", it featured some of the president's favorite music, performed by LDS entertainers.

Then in October, President Hinckley dedicated the Conference Center in historic fashion, leading the attendees in the "Hosanna Shout."

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley/"THE CHURCH WILL GROW AND THIS GREAT NEW STRUCTURE WILL BE USEFUL IN THAT GROWTH. IT WILL SERVE AS A CENTER FROM WHICH THE WORD OF THE LORD WILL GO FORTH TO THE WORLD."

It is said to be larger than any other building in the world used for religious meetings. Its size and purpose are exactly what President Hinckley had in mind.