TRUJILLO, PERU
Sunday, June 21, was expected to be a day of quiet joy — a sacred, peaceful Sabbath defined by the dedication of the Trujillo Peru Temple.
But the eve of the dedication was all about celebration and fun.
Hundreds of youth from the new Trujillo temple district put their talents on full display Saturday, June 20 — staging a colorful cultural event at the Coliseo Gran Chima sports arena. The night included a variety of folk dances and music that paid tribute to Peru’s Incan history and culture.
The appreciative audience included President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Their wives, Sister Harriet Uchtdorf and Sister Susan Bednar, accompanied President Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar.
President Uchtdorf saluted his young friends with his trademark enthusiasm.
“I bring you the greetings and love of President Thomas S. Monson, our dear prophet,” he said. “He would love to be with you tonight — and when I return I will tell him what a wonderful experience I had with you.”
The Church leader noted that Trujillo is known as the “City of Everlasting Spring” and as Peru’s “cradle of freedom.”
“By accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ, you will establish the cradle of freedom for generations to come.”
He then shared a few words of “grandfatherly” counsel.
“Make sure you get a good spiritual education,” he said. “Get a good secular education. Don’t settle for less. You are a generation of many talents. … Plan for a mission and plan for a temple marriage.”
LDS Peruvians are proud of a rich national history that is traced back to the Incas. Several of the high-tempo folk dances celebrated their people’s close connection to the local wildlife, the earth and the sea.
The festive evening concluded with a soloist performing “I Love to See the Temple” while backed by the entire cast. Many in the audience joined in, clearly excited for Sunday’s temple dedication.
jswensen@deseretnews.com @JNSwensen