PROVO, UTAH
Cheers filled the Lavell Edwards stadium as nearly 13,000 youth watched President Henry B. Eyring and other Church leaders enter the stadium prior to the Payson Temple Cultural Celebration held on June 6.
Just minutes before the Church leaders arrived, rain and lightning had delayed the cultural celebration and all within the stadium had been asked to wait in cars and take cover. An hour past the original start time, the youth and their supporters heard an announcement over the intercom stating the show would begin in a few minutes.
After returning to a wet stadium and field, Elder Kent F. Richards, director of the Temple Department welcomed guests. President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency shared a few brief remarks, thanking performers for their hard work and efforts.
“You have spent countless hours mastering the parts you’ll play tonight,” he said. “You have found talents as you have prepared. … You will never forget the satisfaction as you discovered that through effort and determination you can do more than you thought possible. You have stretched higher and farther than you thought you could. One of the reasons you felt that growth is that the Lord has magnified your performance because of your faith in Him.”
President Eyring told performers their purpose “is to help the Lord fill the earth with light.”
“He is the light of the world,” he said. “His light shines though you to all who are with us tonight. Those of us in the audience tonight will feel inspired because of what is in your hearts. We will feel from the music, dance and the words your faith in the Savior.”
Other Church leaders in attendance included: Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Quorum of the Twelve; as well as Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, Elder Ulisses Soares, of the Presidency of the Seventy, as well as Elder Kent F. Richards of the Seventy and Bishop Gerald Caussee of the Presiding Bishopric. Sister Carol F. McConkie of the Young Women general presidency and Sister Cheryl Esplin of the Primary general presidency.
The songs and dances for the event, held in conjunction with the temple dedication, reflected the event’s theme, “Fill the World with Love,” with the opening act including almost 2,000 youth singing and dancing on the field — along with youth doing tricks on two large trampolines — along to the popular song, “Happy.”
The event highlighted some of the history of the Payson Temple District, showcasing some of the people, events and contributions of the people and land in the area. Most of the dances included more than 500 youth on the field at a time.
“It has been amazing, and such a great testimony builder,” said Andrew McCann, 15, from the Aspen Meadows 1st Ward in the Spanish Fork East Stake. “It was neat to see all of the youth together, not just the ones in my ward or stake. … At first I was wondering if I wanted to do it, but looking back I am so glad I did. I am grateful for this experience.”
Other dances included themes found in the area of the temple district such as orchards and farming, a patriotic theme, dances celebrating a love of baseball and rodeo, as well as a field full of young men representing “Stripling warriors” found in the Book of Mormon. Youth dressed up as Nephi, Captain Moroni, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, recognized important leaders.
“We want our youth to really feel the spirit and to have their testimony grow through this production,” said Lana Hiskey, Public Affairs chairwoman for the Payson Utah Temple. “It is a way for them to show their testimony, and they have been amazing. They have come to practices [where] it has been hot or its been rainy and they have been soaked and they have shown their faith by coming and being there no matter what.”
For most of the participants, practices started in March, and youth leaders used their weekly activities to learn and practice their parts. Most agreed that it was when they had the larger practice with the entire cast a week before the event that they were able to see how it all came together.
“When they saw everybody on the field they got really excited about it – they could see the vision,” said Melanie von Bose, a mother from the Maple Highlands Ward in the Maple Mountain Stake.
Her daughter, Heidyn, 16, said it has been amazing experience that “took a lot of sacrifice and work, and now we get to celebrate a temple of the Lord.”
The performance ended with a large replica of the Payson Temple on the center of the field with all of the youth in the east side of the stadium, making a rainbow with the colors of their t-shirts.
Sister Hiskey says she hopes the youth take home an appreciation for the new temple, recognizing that it is a place they can visit often.
“We want these youth to know this temple is for them,” she said. “We want them to come. We really want them to come unto Christ. … We want this to be a youth temple. We want the youth to come, and to feel excited.”
mholman@desnews.com @marianne_holman
