Utah Issues
Governor's Inauguration 2025 - Spencer J. Cox
Special | 1h 17m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
Watch the inauguration for Utah's constitutional office holders.
Watch as Governor Spencer Cox and Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson are sworn in for their second terms in office. Utah's other constitutional office holders also take the oath of office. The inauguration features special musical performances by Gentri, Dallyn Vail Bayles, and The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Utah Issues is a local public television program presented by PBS Utah
Utah Issues
Governor's Inauguration 2025 - Spencer J. Cox
Special | 1h 17m 5sVideo has Closed Captions
Watch as Governor Spencer Cox and Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson are sworn in for their second terms in office. Utah's other constitutional office holders also take the oath of office. The inauguration features special musical performances by Gentri, Dallyn Vail Bayles, and The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
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(intense music begins) - [Cailley] Good morning and welcome to the Eccles Theater in downtown Salt Lake City, where we're standing by for the second inauguration ceremony of Governor Spencer J. Cox to begin.
Thanks so much for joining us.
I'm PBS Utah's Cailley Chella, and I'll be hosting our live coverage this morning.
Right now most guests have taken their seat and we're listening to a welcome video, as you can hear as they started, and there are a few attendees that are still making their way into the auditorium.
Some of the notable guests for today are Senate President Stuart Adams, house speaker Mike Schultz, as well as co-chairs of the Utah Inauguration Commission, Case Lawrence and Brad Wilson.
This will be the second inauguration for Governor Cox and Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson as they won their reelection back in November.
Other statewide office holders will also be sworn in today, including Attorney General elect Derek Brown, state Auditor elect Tina Cannon, and State Treasurer Marlo Oaks.
This will be the first term for both Brown and Cannon, and the second for Oaks.
Today's ceremony continues a long tradition of inaugurations in the state, dating back almost 130 years to when Utah became the 45th state in the union in 1896.
Now, that first inauguration was held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square, and in the years since it's been held in the rotunda of the state capitol.
But four years ago, governor Cox held it in an amphitheater in St. George to show his commitment to rural Utah.
Now in 2025, the ceremony is back in Salt Lake City.
Today's event will feature musical numbers from several groups, including Utah based trio, Gentri, musical theater star and Utah native, Dallyn Vail Bayles, and the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
The prelude music here in the theater is provided by the Utah National Guard Band.
Now the master of ceremonies for today's program is Major General Daniel D. Boyack of the Utah National Guard.
Let's go ahead and listen in as the ceremony begins.
(audience applauds) - [Announcer] Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Schultz.
(audience applauds) Senate President Stuart Adams with Susan Adams.
(audience applauds) We are pleased to have with us today former governor Michael Levitt with Jackie Levitt.
(audience applauds) Former governor John Huntsman Jr. with Mary Kay Huntsman.
(audience applauds) Former governor Gary Herbert with Jeanette Herbert.
(audience applauds) We would also like to acknowledge seated members of the Utah Supreme Court, Utah legislators, and other dignitaries.
(audience applauds) And now please welcome to the stage Utah's Constitutional Officers, Treasurer of the State of Utah, Marlo M. Oaks with Elaine Oaks.
(audience applauds) Auditor of the State of Utah, Tina M. Cannon with David Cannon.
(audience applauds) Attorney General Derek E. Brown with Emily Brown.
(audience applauds) Please rise for the entrance of the official party.
Ladies and gentlemen, the master of ceremonies for today's event, the Adjutant General of Utah, Major General Daniel D. Boyack.
(audience applauds) Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, who will be administering the oaths of office.
(audience applauds) Please welcome Lieutenant Governor Deidre M. Henderson and Gabe Henderson.
(audience applauds) And Governor Spencer J. Cox and Abby Cox.
(audience applauds) - Governor Cox, Lieutenant Governor Henderson, elected officials, students and Utah residents.
On behalf of the 2025 inaugural Commission and the Utah National Guard, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025 State of Utah inaugural ceremony.
(audience applauds) Thank you to the Utah National Guard Band for their music before the ceremony began.
I'm Major General Daniel Boyack and I will be today's master of ceremonies.
Today the honorable Spencer J. Cox will take the oath as the 18th governor of the great state of Utah and Deidre M. Henderson will be sworn in as Lieutenant Governor.
Marlo M. Oaks will be sworn in as treasurer, Tina M. Cannon will be sworn in as auditor, and Derek E. Brown will be sworn in as Attorney General.
To begin today's ceremony, the colors will be posted by a joint color guard of the Utah National Guard, followed by the national anthem being sung by Gentri.
Following the national anthem, Cassandra Reed, a fifth grader from Meadowlark Elementary, will lead us in the pledge of Allegiance.
Please rise for the presentation of the colors, national anthem, and Pledge of Allegiance.
(color guard stomps) ♪ Oh say can you see ♪ ♪ By the dawn's early light ♪ ♪ What so proudly we hail ♪ ♪ At the twilight's last gleaming ♪ ♪ Whose broad stripes and bright stars ♪ ♪ Through the perilous fight ♪ ♪ O'er the ramparts we watched ♪ ♪ Were so gallantly streaming ♪ ♪ And the rocket's red glare ♪ ♪ The bombs bursting in air ♪ ♪ Gave proof through the night ♪ ♪ That our flag was still there ♪ ♪ Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave ♪ ♪ O'er the land of the free ♪ ♪ And the home of the brave ♪ (audience applauds) - I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
(audience applauds) - Thank you.
You may be seated.
The invocation will now be given by Elder Kevin W. Pearson, president of the church, president of the Utah area of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Following the invocation, the Academia Reyes and Esperanza Elementary will perform "America the Beautiful."
- Oh God, the eternal father of us all, we humbly bow before thee with grateful hearts on this beautiful wintry morning to celebrate this historic event.
We invoke thy blessing, Father in heaven, on this morning and the events of this day.
We acknowledge thy hand in the founding and preservation of our great nation, the United States of America, and we pray that thou will ever preserve, and bless, and defend our beloved homeland.
We are grateful, Father in heaven, for the founding fathers.
We pray, Father in heaven, that we will ever uphold, and defend, and protect the inspired constitution they established under thy hand.
We are grateful for the privileges, and the blessings, and the rights we enjoy as a free people.
We pray for the leaders of our nation, that they will have the courage, and the strength, and the will to overcome division and contention, that we might yet always be a united nation under God, a nation of liberty and justice for all, and a beacon of hope and light to the world.
We acknowledge and are grateful for the pioneers who, with faith, and determination, and courage, and great sacrifice established communities all along this great state.
And we acknowledge thy hand, Father in heaven, in the prosperity that we enjoy as a people, and pray that they'll continue to bless us with thy mercy and prosperity in years to come.
We're grateful for good men and women who see collected office and public service for the benefit of our communities and humanity, and we pray a blessing upon them and their families for their devoted service.
Now on this day of celebration, Father in heaven, we ask a blessing on Governor Spencer J. Cox and his dear wife, first Lady Abby, and their four children, and likewise a blessing upon Lieutenant Governor Deidre M. Henderson, her husband Gabe, and their children and family.
Bless them with health, and strength, and protection.
We bless our dear governor and lieutenant governor that they will have wisdom, and integrity, discernment, and judgment, that with compassion they will have clarity to see the right and to do the right, that they will lead with a sense of unity and civility and mutual respect in our state.
We pray for all of the leaders of our state, Father in heaven, that they will be blessed as they address the difficult and challenging issues of our time.
Now, heavenly Father, we live in unprecedented times.
We're grateful for the extraordinary abundance and prosperity that we live under.
Yet these are difficult times and challenging times, times of great distress and difficulty, and even hopelessness for too many.
We pray for compassion and charity.
We pray for peace and healing.
We pray for harmony in our lives, in our homes, in our communities, in the state, our nation, and across this troubled world.
Father in heaven, on this day of celebration, we are grateful unto thee for all things, and we express our love and devotion to thee and to thy beloved son, and continue to pray for thy help, and thy blessings upon this great state and this great country for which we humbly pray, in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
(upbeat music playing begins) ♪ O beautiful for spacious skies ♪ ♪ For amber waves of grain ♪ ♪ For purple mountain majesties ♪ ♪ Above the fruited plains ♪ ♪ America, America ♪ ♪ God shed his grace on thee ♪ ♪ And crown thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ ♪ O beautiful for patriot dream ♪ ♪ That sees beyond the years ♪ ♪ Thine alabaster cities gleam ♪ ♪ Undimmed by human tears ♪ ♪ America, America ♪ ♪ God shed his grace on thee ♪ ♪ And crown thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ ♪ And crown thy good with brotherhood ♪ ♪ From sea to shining sea ♪ (upbeat music continues) (audience applauds) - Ladies and gentlemen, it is now my privilege to present the honorable Matthew B. Durrant, Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court, to administer the oath of office to treasurer Marlo M. Oaks, auditor Tina M. Cannon, Attorney General Derek E. Brown, and Lieutenant Governor Deidre M. Henderson.
After these oaths are administered, Lieutenant Governor Deidre Henderson will give her inaugural address.
During the inaugural address, we ask you please hold your applause until the end of each speech.
Following her address, Dallyn Vail Bayles will perform "Bring Him Home," reflecting on our shared hope for peace and joy in our Utah home.
- I, state your name.
- I Marlo McKay Oaks.
- Do solemnly swear.
- Do solemnly swear.
- [Matthew] That I will support, obey, and defend.
- That I will support, obey, and defend.
- [Matthew] The constitution of the United States.
- The Constitution of the United States.
- [Matthew] And the constitution of the state of Utah.
- And the constitution of the state of Utah.
- [Matthew] And that I will discharge.
- And that I will discharge.
- [Matthew] The duties of my office.
- The duties of my office.
- [Matthew] With fidelity.
- With fidelity.
(audience applauds) - I, state your name.
- [Tina] I, Tina Cannon.
- Do solemnly swear.
- Do solemnly swear.
- [Matthew] That I will support, obey, and defend.
- That I will support, obey, and defend.
- [Matthew] The constitution of the United States.
- The Constitution of the United States.
- [Matthew] And the constitution of the state of Utah.
- And the constitution of the state of Utah.
- [Matthew] And that I will discharge.
- And that I will discharge.
- [Matthew] The duties of my office.
- The duties of my office.
- [Matthew] With fidelity.
- With fidelity.
(audience applauds) - I, state your name.
- I Derek E. Brown.
- [Matthew] Do solemnly swear.
- Do solemnly swear.
- [Matthew] That I will support, obey, and defend.
- That I will support, obey, and defend.
- [Matthew] The constitution of the United States.
- The constitution of the United States.
- [Matthew] And the constitution of the state of Utah.
- And the constitution of the state of Utah.
- [Matthew] And that I will discharge.
- And that I will discharge.
- [Matthew] The duties of my office.
- The duties of my office.
- [Matthew] With fidelity.
- With fidelity.
(audience applauds) - I, state your name - I, Deidre M. Henderson.
- [Matthew] Do solemnly swear.
- Do solemnly swear.
- [Matthew] That I will support, obey, and defend.
- That I will support, obey, and defend.
- [Matthew] The constitution of the United States.
- The constitution of the United States.
- [Matthew] And the constitution of the state of Utah.
- And the constitution of the state of Utah.
- [Matthew] And that I will discharge.
- And that I will discharge.
- [Matthew] The duties of my office.
- The duties of my office.
- [Matthew] With fidelity.
- With fidelity.
(audience applauds) Governor Cox, chief Justice Durrant, legislators, fellow Utahans, and mom.
Four years ago I was sworn in as Utah's ninth lieutenant governor, with little understanding of this role.
Today I have a better idea of what it means to be the state's number two.
To paraphrase Shakespeare, a lieutenant governor shines as brightly as a governor until the governor is near.
(audience laughs) So that the greater glory dim the less.
Governor Cox, there is no one's shadow I'd rather stand in than yours, but thank you for also allowing me opportunities to shine.
I am a seventh generation oldest daughter.
Being the descendant of a long line of strong and faithful oldest daughters who sacrificed, loved, lost, overcame, and endured has shaped who I am today.
Growing up, my home was not at all political, but it was instructive.
My mother didn't speak much about politics, except occasionally to say how much she hated them.
But during casual conversations, she taught me the principles of freedom, liberty, and good government.
As much as my mom hated politics, my grandmas loved them.
They openly spoke of current events, national political trends, and hosted cottage meetings for candidates.
All three women lived lives of service to their families and communities.
Their examples fostered my deep love of country, reverence for the American experiment, and faith in God.
From them, I inherited the strong foundation upon which I have built my life.
During the last four years, I have visited every corner, every county of this glorious state many times over.
I have been inspired by people who overcame personal challenges, communities that pulled together to clean up and rebuild after natural disasters, volunteers who served the hungry and elderly in their cities, and neighbors who dropped everything to comfort those who were devastated by tragic loss.
Utahans are good people who don't just understand the importance of community, but live it every day.
My love for you in this state knows no bounds.
This morning I'm filled with gratitude for the chance I've had to help lead this great state, and I'm humbled by the trust placed in me by Governor Cox and the people of Utah to continue serving as lieutenant governor for another term.
During my 12 years in elected office, I have driven up Capitol Hill thousands of times, and yet the sight of that capitol dome still fills me with awe.
Not only that I get to work in such a magnificent place, but that I have been entrusted as a guardian of all that building represents.
For 20 years after statehood, however, Utah didn't have a capital building.
State government was essentially homeless, but in 1912, a German immigrant and renowned architect named Richard Cladding was awarded the contract to build the capitol building we know and love today.
It stands as the crowning achievement of his career.
Cladding's genius was incorporating big, bold features with small, intricate details.
Impressive Corinthian columns and arches adorned with hundreds of marble rosettes, a towering dome and beehives woven into carpets and etched in glass.
The result is an architectural masterpiece that is both simple and spectacular.
His design embodies a quality that is foundational to our state.
The principle of and.
Our administration's focus on building for the future rests on that same fundamental belief in the power of and.
We have achieved significant accomplishments by embracing big visionary ideas and focusing on opportunities for individuals.
We delivered water to the Great Salt Lake and the tiny Navajo community of Westwater, whose few dozen residents will now have access to clean, running, drinking water for the very first time.
We fostered an economic environment that attracted large businesses like Texas Instruments and started Return Utah, a program that deliberately seeks out those who have been on the sidelines of the workforce while raising children or following their military spouses around the world.
We began construction on the West Davis Highway and completed road projects in rural Utah, that seemed small on paper, but make the greatest difference to the people who need them.
As we face new challenges, we will build on the foundation we've inherited.
We will continue to embrace the and.
We can experience high population growth and a high quality of life.
We can address housing demands and allow cities and towns to maintain the autonomy that makes them special.
We can maintain public safety and demonstrate the compassion that defines our values as a state.
We can welcome refugees and new Americans and support immigration reform.
Finally, following the leadership of Governor Cox, we can disagree with someone, and still show them respect.
Holding positions of public trust is an honor, but it comes with a weight that I could not bear without the support of my family.
Thank you to my five children, three sons-in-law, and two grandsons for being so supportive and understanding when public responsibilities divide my attention from you.
Gabe, thank you for being my strength, my champion, and my loving partner.
And mom, thank you for making me who I am.
Fellow Utahans, may God bless each of you and continue to bless the great state of Utah.
Thank you.
(audience applauds) (gentle music begins) (gentle music continues) ♪ God on high ♪ ♪ Hear my prayer ♪ ♪ In my need ♪ ♪ You have always been there ♪ ♪ He is young ♪ ♪ He's afraid ♪ ♪ Let him rest ♪ ♪ Heaven blessed ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ He's like the son I might have known ♪ ♪ If God had granted me a son ♪ ♪ The summers die ♪ ♪ One by one ♪ ♪ How soon they fly ♪ ♪ On and on ♪ ♪ And I am old ♪ ♪ And will be gone ♪ ♪ Bring him peace ♪ ♪ Bring him joy ♪ ♪ He is young ♪ ♪ He is only a boy ♪ ♪ You can take ♪ ♪ You can give ♪ ♪ Let him be ♪ ♪ Let him live ♪ ♪ If I die, let me die ♪ ♪ Let him live ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ ♪ Bring him home ♪ (audience applauds) - The music today has been outstanding.
Thank you.
Chief Justice Durrant will now administer the oath of office to Governor Spencer J. Cox.
Following the oath, governor Cox will address the audience.
- I, state your name.
- [Spencer] I, Spencer J. Cox.
- Do solemnly swear.
- Do solemnly swear.
- [Matthew] That I will support, obey, and defend.
- That I will support, obey, and defend.
- [Matthew] The Constitution of the United States.
- The Constitution of the United States.
- [Matthew] And the Constitution of the state of Utah.
- And the Constitution of the state of Utah.
- [Matthew] And that I will discharge.
- And that I will discharge.
- [Matthew] The duties of my office.
- The duties of my office.
- [Matthew] With fidelity.
- With fidelity.
(audience applauds) Ladies and gentlemen, before I start, we had a snafu with some airline tickets and some issues.
We called Dallyn Bayles in Virginia yesterday.
He dropped everything, got on a plane, flew out here to sing that song for you.
Can we give him another round of applause?
(audience applauds) A rural kid from Utah, not bad.
Chief Justice Durrant, President Adams, Speaker Schultz, former governors Huntsman, Levitt, and my friend and mentor, governor Herbert, distinguished guests, my fellow Utahans.
It is an honor to be with you today to give a brief accounting of my last four years as your governor, and to share with you a message about my remaining four years of public service to the people of Utah.
Now, before I do that, I'd like to spend a moment saying a few words by way of introduction to Utah statewide elected officials, chosen by you, the people, during the 2024 election.
Each one of them has joined us with their families and have been inaugurated today.
I'll begin with our new attorney general, Derek Brown.
Derek and I both served together in the Utah House of Representatives exactly 12 years ago this year.
In addition, Derek worked for three of Utah's United States Senators, as legal counsel to Senator Bennett and Senator Hatch, and as deputy chief of staff and state director to Senator Lee.
You'll learn more about each constitutional officer's professional background today and in the months to come.
But before today's ceremony, I reached out to each one of their spouses asking for a photo from their childhood and an item or two about them personally that Utahans might be surprised to know.
The best part is they don't know this, and they can't see the photos.
So in that process, I learned that at age 12, Derek competed in a piano competition against 18 year olds where he literally won a grand piano.
Derek has traveled to Zambia, Ghana, Haiti, Morocco, Tunisia, Ukraine, Russia, Latvia, Slovakia, and other countries with his wife Emily and their children for humanitarian service and music performance tours.
Please welcome our new attorney general Derek Brown and his wife Emily.
(audience applauds) Our new state auditor, Tina Cannon, is the first Republican woman running independently on the ballot elected to a statewide office in Utah.
(audience applauds) Now, the first time I met Tina was in 2018, when I was asked to present her with the Utah Mother of the Year award.
Her spouse added that if political rivals attempt to go for her jugular, they'll be disappointed, as Tina's right jugular vein was removed as part of a medical procedure many years ago.
And while you wouldn't know it looking at the new 10 foot tall statue in the halls of Congress, auditor Cannon is the exact same height as Martha Hughes Cannon.
Please welcome our new state auditor, Tina Cannon, and her husband David.
(audience applauds) State Treasurer Marlo Oaks, reelected to a four year term in office, is one of the only state treasurers in the country with an extensive institutional investment background, which makes him uniquely qualified to manage Utah's $36 billion of investments.
As a fun fact, treasurer Oaks is a 12th generation descendant of Thomas Wells, the first state treasurer of Connecticut, whose service began, this is real, in 1639, and who continues to inspire Treasurer Oaks today.
It has been an honor to serve with Treasurer Oaks over these last four years.
Marlo, your dad would be proud.
Please welcome our state treasurer, Marlo Oaks and his wife Elaine.
(audience applauds) Now our final constitutional officer inaugurated here today is one I know very well.
My partner in governance and Utah's lieutenant Governor, Deidre Henderson.
She has led our state to new heights, and when she succeeds, I'm the one who usually gets the credit, even when it rightfully belongs to her.
It is an honor to serve by her side.
Her husband, Gabe, shared a few personal notes about Deidre.
He said that they met at BYU as college students and only dated for two months before they were engaged, which might sound fast, but according to Gabe, it felt like they were really dragging their feet.
Gabe said that Deidre has always been willing to work tough jobs in her life, including jobs as a certified nursing assistant, a cashier and dishwasher at Arby's, and as an associate at an obscure company called Blockbuster Video, which for anyone not born in the 1900s like us, just ask your parents.
Please welcome our state Lieutenant Governor, Deidre Henderson and her husband Gabe.
(audience applauds) Now, four years ago, we set out to write the next chapter of Utah's history, believing that our greatest days still lie ahead.
From the very beginning, we were determined to build on the success of Utah's forefathers.
We were committed to preserving what really makes Utah special.
And I'm proud to say that we have achieved so many of those things that we set out to do.
Together, we approved the largest teacher pay raise in Utah history.
A starting teacher in Utah now makes a salary that is top 10 in the nation, something that many said would be impossible.
And thanks to the leadership of the legislators who have joined us here today, we passed the largest tax cut in Utah history.
We've taken the fight to social media companies to protect our children and empower our parents, and we secured another Winter Olympics in 2034.
The list goes on and on and on.
We have done the hard things, never shying away from the heavy lifts.
Time and again, Utah has punched above its weight over these last four years.
During that time, Utah has been ranked as the best state to start a new business, and the best state for the middle class.
We were named the most independent state and the number one state for innovation, economic outlook, government efficiency, and upward mobility.
For the second year in a row, the US News and World Report ranked all 50 states across 71 metrics and more than 1000 data points, and found definitively, with little fanfare or surprise, that Utah, again, is the number one state overall in the nation.
(audience applauds) The last four years have been a whirlwind, and I am proud of our team and the people who have supported our efforts.
Now, I've been asked many times how Utah, this medium sized, square-ish, mostly rural state, with some weird people, dominates so many rankings.
And I would love to stand here and tell you that it's the incredible work in accomplishment of the Cox Henderson administration and our legislature, that our initiatives and accomplishments over the past four years have made all the difference.
But that wouldn't be true.
You see, none of the things that we accomplish is what makes Utah great.
Let me state it again.
Those number one rankings have absolutely nothing to do with what we have accomplished as your state leaders in these last four years.
So if none of that matters, what does?
Well, before I tell you the real secret to all of our other successes, I need to share a personal story and introduce you to a few people.
Now, many of you know that when I was 10 years old, my parents divorced.
To say this was a difficult time for me is an understatement.
I felt angry, and scared, and lost, and more than anything, just profoundly sad.
There were many times when I thought the world would be a better place without me.
Now, fortunately, I have amazing parents, and siblings, and extended family members who are here today who loved me and cared for me.
I love them and I'm profoundly grateful for them.
But there are some other people from my small town that you need to know about.
I hope I can get through this part.
These people rallied around me and affected me in ways that even my family members could not do during those troubled teenage years.
For reasons that still remain unclear to me today, they sacrificed and fought for me, even when I didn't deserve it.
And I mostly didn't deserve it.
First Blake and Terry Madson.
The Madsons were my family's next door neighbors in Fairview.
They were also the parents of our best friends.
I spent as much time in their house as I did my own.
Their fridge was always open and so were their hearts.
They treated me as one of their own.
In fact, most of the childhood pictures I have today come from Terry's always present camera.
Corey and Lois Anderson were technically my step aunt and uncle, but they were so much more than that.
When my parents were ready to be done with me, Corey and Lois would take me on the mountain with their family to herd sheep in the summers.
At age 15, they somehow trusted me and my cousin enough to leave us in charge for a week at a time.
No phones, no adults, just horses, dogs, and 2,000 sheep, 40 miles from civilization.
Corey didn't just preach work and responsibility.
He gave it to me.
As a teenager, Lois taught me faith and hope as we knelt by her hospital bed on Christmas Eve, pleading that God would save her from the cancer in her body.
It was the first Christmas that I didn't care about presents.
I only wanted God to answer my desperate prayer, and he did.
And Corey, we offer that same prayer for you today.
Now, Dr. Roy Ellison was the English and music teacher at North Sanpete High School.
Mr. Ellison, as we called him, is a brilliant man who had no business whatsoever teaching at a small rural school, but he did it anyway.
At a time when I worried that being good at school might hurt my social status, Mr. Ellison saw something in me.
He challenged me and he inspired me.
He taught me how to write and to love music, poetry, and classical literature.
I owe my success in high school and college directly to him.
Now, John and Colleen Perry were my first church teachers after the divorce.
John also became my scout leader, and somehow ended up stuck with me in every church assignment after that.
We went on countless camping trips together and shared a love of 60's music.
I thought we were just hanging out and having fun, but all along he was teaching me how to be a good friend and a humble leader.
I didn't realize at the time the tremendous sacrifice he made to serve me and so many others.
He did more than anyone outside my family to save me.
Now finally, George and Peggy Bench.
The Benches were the family that helped us through some of the messiest times of my parents' divorce.
They didn't take sides, they just loved and served us.
This is a photo of me at that same time of life.
George and Peggy were always the emergency phone call when we needed something.
They raised some of the best kids on this planet who were incredible examples for us.
Peggy, we miss George terribly, and his hands, larger than life and always steady.
I'd like to ask all of these people from my past to stand.
Blake, Terry, Corey, Lois, Roy, John, Colleen, and Peggy who are here with us today.
Please join me in thanking them.
(audience applauds) Now, please forgive this gratuitous walk down memory lane, but you see, these are my people, and this is Fairview, my hometown.
Utah is not number one because of our government.
We're number one because of our people.
When I was lost and struggling as a teenager and ready to give up, it wasn't the government that stepped in to save me.
It was John Perry, my scout leader.
When my dad was floundering and not sure if he could make it another day, it wasn't government that answered the call for help, it was George Bench.
I can't begin to describe how lucky I was to have these people and this town in my life.
But the more I visited Utah's other 254 towns and cities, I discovered something remarkable.
While my childhood was special, it wasn't unique.
Everyone in attendance today can name a Cory Anderson, a Roy Ellison, and a Terry Madson.
Not one of these couples has wealth or status.
They all live in what would be considered small or modest homes.
And if we only measure financial capital, Utah may fall short by many measuring sticks.
But you see, where we truly shine, and this is the secret to our success, is something a little more obscure, called social capital.
Experts describe social capital as the connections among individuals and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arises from them.
Several studies have shown that Utah leads the nation in social capital, and there really isn't a close second.
Social capital is measured in categories like family unity and interaction, social support, and institutional effectiveness.
It includes rates of service and volunteering, philanthropy, and something called civic virtue.
Most importantly, social capital is not created by government.
It is created in our families, our congregations, our neighborhoods, in our volunteer organizations.
You see, here's the point, the incredible things that we have been able to accomplish over the past four years happened because of our strong social capital.
And if we want to continue to cut taxes, create jobs, build infrastructure, lift people out of poverty, and make the American dream a reality for the next generation, we need more of it.
And it can only happen one family, one neighborhood, and one community at a time.
In a world where too many people celebrate and adore shallow influencers who they will never meet, the influence of these five Fairview couples never extended beyond the borders of our little town.
But oh, did their influence run deep.
They never asked, what can my community do for me?
They only asked, what can I do for my community?
They didn't just pursue happiness, they literally found it.
Faith, family, and community.
Faith, family, and community.
Utah has it, and the rest of the world is desperately yearning to find it again.
We must not give up now when it's needed more than ever.
With marriage rates down worldwide, births at an all time low, deaths of despair at an all time high, and a sense of community vanishing across much of the western world, Utah must stand tall as that shining city on a hill.
We must be different.
There is no government program we can create or law we can pass that will solve these problems.
Now, some may try, and they will inevitably fail in that process.
CS Lewis once described it as running back and forth with fire extinguishers at a time of flood.
There is only one true solution, and it begins within the walls of our own homes, and then extends to our neighbors.
We as Utahans, we as Utahans must rise to the challenge to be the next Lois Anderson or Blake Madson.
Service, faith, freedom, and opportunity, nurtured and built here in Utah.
Now, in conclusion, I'd ask that you grant me one final personal privilege as your governor.
The famous Utahan, J.
Golden Kimball once said, always dangerous.
(audience laughs) "You should always marry a woman from Sanpete County, because no matter what hard times you experience together, she's always seen worse."
(audience laughs) I have to say, when I was first elected as your governor and met with President Dallin Oaks, who is here today, uncle of our state treasurer, Marlo Oaks, he recited that exact same quote to me and Abby, and he was right.
My fellow Utahans, I introduce you to First Lady Abby Cox, my high school prom date, and the love of my life.
(audience applauds) That hair and that dress.
As an aside, if you don't know anything about prom at North Sanpete High School, you need to look it up, because it's a thing and it's amazing.
Life is full of curve balls and rarely goes as planned.
But I can't begin to describe the power of knowing that no matter what happens in life, good or bad, I've got a partner and best friend who is right there beside me, hand in hand.
Abby, I love you, and I consider myself the luckiest man alive to be able to spend the rest of my life and beyond by your side, and together, completely committed to each other every step of the way, we set out on a grand adventure of parenthood.
Having kids has been the greatest blessing of our lives.
We did it when the rest of the world would say we shouldn't.
Incredibly young and hopelessly naive, still in school, not sure what the future held.
Gavin, Caleb, Adam, and Emma Kate, we love you.
There is no greater calling in our lives than that of being your mom and dad.
So if you want to understand Utah's success, it really is this simple.
Moms and dads, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbors, there never has been, nor will there ever be another replacement to my fellow Utahans.
These last four years as your governor have been the honor of a lifetime.
I love this state.
I love her people.
Abby and I pledge to you our hands and our hearts, all that we are, and all that we could ever hope to be.
And I have every assurance that we will succeed, because I know that we are not alone.
Now is the time to build, and now is the time to never forget what truly matters most.
May God bless all of us in this effort, and may God continue to bless the great state of Utah.
Thank you.
(audience applauds) - Thank you Governor Cox, and congratulations.
It's an honor to serve with you.
The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will now favor us with two numbers, "Homeward Bound" and "Battle hymn of the Republic."
(orchestral music swells and fades) (audience applauds) (audience applauds) (gentle music begins) ♪ In the quiet misty morning ♪ ♪ When the moon has gone to bed ♪ ♪ When the sparrows stop their singing ♪ ♪ And the sky is clear and red ♪ ♪ When the summer ceased its gleaming ♪ ♪ When the corn is past its prime ♪ ♪ When adventure's lost its meaning ♪ ♪ I'll be homeward, bound in time ♪ ♪ Bind me not, to the pasture ♪ ♪ Chain me not, to the plow ♪ ♪ Set me free, to find my calling ♪ ♪ And I'll return to you, somehow ♪ (gentle music continues) ♪ If you find it's me you're missing ♪ ♪ If you're hoping I'll return ♪ ♪ To your thoughts, I'll soon be listening ♪ ♪ And in the road, I'll stop and turn ♪ ♪ Then the wind will set me racing ♪ ♪ As my journey nears it's end ♪ ♪ And the path I'll be retracing ♪ ♪ When I'm homeward-bound again ♪ ♪ Bind me not, to the pasture ♪ ♪ Chain me not, to the plow ♪ ♪ Set me free, to find my calling ♪ ♪ And I'll return to you, somehow ♪ ♪ Bind me not, to the pasture ♪ ♪ Chain me not, to the plow ♪ ♪ Set me free, to find my calling ♪ ♪ And I'll return to you, somehow ♪ (ethereal music swells) ♪ Bind me not to the pasture ♪ ♪ Chain me not to the plow ♪ ♪ Set me free to find my calling ♪ ♪ And I'll return to you, somehow ♪ (ethereal orchestral music continues) ♪ Bind me not to the pasture ♪ ♪ Chain me not to the plow ♪ ♪ Set me free to find my calling ♪ ♪ And I'll return and I'll return ♪ ♪ And I'll return to you, somehow ♪ (gentle music continues) (audience applauds) (upbeat percussion begins) (patriotic music begins) ♪ Mine eyes hath seen the glory ♪ ♪ Of the coming of the Lord ♪ ♪ He is trampling out the vintage ♪ ♪ Where the grapes of wrath are stored ♪ ♪ He hath loosed the fateful lightning ♪ ♪ Of His terrible swift sword ♪ ♪ His truth is marching on ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ His truth is marching on ♪ (patriotic music continues) ♪ I have seen Him in the watch fires ♪ ♪ Of a hundred circling camps ♪ ♪ They have builded Him an altar ♪ ♪ In the evening dews and damps ♪ ♪ I can read His righteous sentence ♪ ♪ In the dim and flaring lamps ♪ ♪ His day is marching on ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ His truth is marching on ♪ (patriotic music continues) ♪ In the beauty of the lilies ♪ ♪ Christ was born across the sea ♪ ♪ With a glory in His bosom ♪ ♪ That transfigures you and me ♪ ♪ As He died to make men holy ♪ ♪ Let us die to make men free ♪ ♪ While God is marching on.
♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ His truth is marching on ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ Glory, glory, hallelujah ♪ ♪ His truth is marching on ♪ (patriotic music swells and fades) (audience applauds) Wow.
All right, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your attendance of this beautiful event.
A benediction will be offered by a Reverend Jaime White, pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City.
Following the benediction, we ask that you stand and remain standing as the constitutional officers and other dignitaries exit the theater.
You are then invited to proceed to Main Street to watch the Army National Guard helicopter fly over.
- Please join me in prayer.
Good, gracious, and holy God, we come before you in profound gratitude for this, our beloved and breathtaking state, and for these, our elected leaders, whom we have had the privilege and honor of bearing witness as they have stood and taken the oaths of office.
God, it is no small thing to place one's hand upon your holy word, swearing to uphold our constitution with fidelity.
This is work that demands prioritizing the people of Utah over and above a political party.
This is public service that requires standing for truth and justice when there are surely many that would prefer these leaders to not only bend their convictions, but to break their character.
And so, God, we ask that these sacred vows, sworn in good faith and humility here today, provide each of our leaders with the strength they will need to do what you have called them to do.
As both Governor Cox and Lieutenant Governor Henderson continue to seek out creative solutions to steward our resources, to preserve and protect our majestic landscape, and to make life better for the people of Utah, I pray that they would keep their eyes fixed on you, oh God, and your unrelenting call to prioritize caring for the least of these, for the unhoused, the immigrant, the orphan, the poor, and all of those still marginalized in our society.
This is a difficult call you've placed before them, God.
Before us all.
So give them the courage and strength to heed it.
Lord, the burden of leadership, especially public service, is heavy.
And so we ask that you protect them.
When the days get difficult, lift their spirits and encourage their souls.
Help them know, like down to their toes, that they are never without you.
May they hear from you in precisely the ways they most need.
Give them the wisdom to slow down, and the discipline to be still, to listen for your voice.
When the expectations of others begin to crowd their minds and hearts, surround them with wise advisors and faithful friends, and the kinds of people that are not afraid to tell them the unvarnished truth.
Strengthen their marriages and bless their families.
Protect their time, and their moments of rest, and their health.
Hold them up, God, and hem them in.
And Lord, most of all, give them a deep knowing of what it is you require of them.
To do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you, oh God.
We pray all of this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
- [Audience] Amen.
(upbeat music begins) - And that concludes the 2025 Utah State inauguration ceremony.
But it's not the end of inaugural celebrations.
From here in the auditorium, guests and the newly inaugurated constitutional office holders will exit to Salt Lake City's Main Street, where the Utah National Guard will do a ceremonial flyover.
The day's festivities will end with a private event at the Utah State Capitol later tonight.
And of course, governor Cox's second term in office is just getting started.
The 2025 Utah legislative session kicks off on January 21st, less than two weeks away.
Be sure to stick with PBS Utah for that coverage, as well as other top political and public affairs issues.
That does conclude our live broadcast today.
I'm Cailley Chella, and for everyone at PBS Utah, thanks for watching.
(upbeat music continues) (upbeat music fades)
Utah Issues is a local public television program presented by PBS Utah