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LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA
More than 1,200 youth gathered on the temple grounds of the newly completed Vancouver British Columbia Temple on a drizzly, wet morning.
Standing in front temple, Elder Paul D.M. Christensen, an Area Seventy and chairman of the local temple committee, said, “Behind me is a gift.”
He said Church leaders had used the finest material to construct the 28,165 square foot temple. “This is the best we can do ... to show our Heavenly Father how much we love Him.”
Elder Christensen addressed the youth as part of a three-day conference, held in conjunction with the temple dedication.
Gathered from eight stakes in British Columbia and one stake in Washington state, many of the youth drove up to 14 hours to participate in the event.
For the past two days the youth have been practicing for the temple youth celebration, and attending classes, touring the temple grounds and playing games. Friday night, teens 14 years and older participated in a dance.
Looking down on the huge crowd, Shelley Murley, temple youth celebration director, said some these youth might never have the opportunity to be around so many other Latter-day Saints again.
Kelsey Branchflower, 17, of the Kamloops 1st Ward, Vernon British Columbia Stake, said it is “nice to know there are so many members in British Columbia.”
Keera Young, 12 of the Nanaimo Ward, Nanaimo British Columbia Stake, said it is “amazing a bunch of people of the same standards can be together at the same time.... You know everyone here cares about you and everyone here is your friend.”
Sister Murley said in addition to being around other Latter-day Saint teens, the youth are using the conference as an opportunity to feel connected to the temple.
“These kids feel it is their temple,” she said. “They really feel this incredible ownership.”
That is obvious on this drizzly morning as they stood together and posed for a group photo with the temple in the background.
Elder William R. Walker of the Seventy and director of the Temple Department, spoke to the youth about the sacredness of the temple and the Church's desire to bring a temple to British Columbia. “I hope and pray for each of you that this is going to be your temple,” he said.
Elder Christensen echoed his remarks.
“We have put a lot of time and energy into this weekend and it is all worth it as we come to understand who we are,” he told the crowd.
The temple youth celebration, he continued, “is for you. The work we have put in is for you.”
Rebecca Taylor, 16, of the Kamloops 1st Ward, Vernon British Columbia Stake, seemed to get the message. The temple, the weekend activities, “are for us,”she said. They “will strengthen our testimonies.”
Rebecca added that she is certain of that. So are other youth.
“I will never forget this – ever,” said Juliet Lyon, 12, of the Duncan Ward, Nanaimo British Columbia Stake.
