DRAPER, UTAH
Many Latter-day Saint teens in a 189-voice youth choir that performed at the cornerstone ceremony of the Draper Utah Temple expressed a similar sentiment:
They were excited to be in the presence of a prophet, sing for him, and help him dedicate a new temple to the Lord.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Elisabeth Kaseda, 18, of the Draper Eastridge 5th Ward, Draper Utah Eastridge Stake.
President Thomas S. Monson dedicated the Draper Utah Temple — the Church's 129th and Utah's 12th — on March 20-22, with members attending four dedicatory sessions in the temple each day.
As part of dedication ceremonies, President Monson and other Church leaders sealed in the southeast corner of the temple a time capsule containing local histories and other items significant to the temple district. With their families and other Church members watching, the choir — comprised of 189 youth from 25 stakes in the temple district — provided music for the ceremony.
President Monson praised their efforts.
Choir director Becky Alexander said the entire experience of leading the choir was intense, but glorious.
"Anytime you put your whole heart and soul into something — especially in the service of the Lord — He consecrates your efforts into gain.... We have been so blessed this day."
Bruce A. Sullivan, chairman of the Draper temple music subcommittee, said finding a location on the temple grounds to place the choir was a struggle. They needed a footprint 24 feet wide by 22 feet deep.
"We looked and looked for a place to put the youth," he said. "We finally found one spot that would work," he said.
But they soon noticed a large solid granite bench in the middle of the place where the scaffolding structure for the risers was going to have to stand. They found that the bench could not be removed.
Brother Sullivan said they began searching for a different option, but found none.
Then, two days later, he received an e-mail notifying him that the bench had failed the final building inspection because of a defective leg and would be removed.
"A small miracle had occurred," said Brother Sullivan. "We finally had a footprint that could actually fit those kids out there."
Brother Sullivan said it was wrenching to conclude they could use, on average, only eight youth from each stake.
To make the decision easier, they made a simple request to priesthood leaders. "We want you to give us the best talent and the best kids that are worthy to be there," he said.
The first practice they knew they had succeeded. "The first sound was like, 'Wow.' It was like the angels of Heaven... It was just this great sound."
Kaelie Jensen, 17, of the Draper Eastridge 5th Ward, Draper Utah Eastridge Stake, said she planned to write about the dedication in her journal. "I want to keep track and remember the feelings," she said.
Krista Spainhower, 15, said she was thrilled to "sing in front of a prophet" and "be part of the dedication of a house of the Lord."
"I am getting married here," she said.
Nate Jackson, 14, participated in the choir. "Even though it was a lot of work, it was really worth it," he said. "Any time you get to see the prophet you have a different feeling about things."
When the youth were done singing, Nate said he heard their voices echo "and I knew this was the work of the Lord."
