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CLINTON — Some 16,000 youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have put in hundreds of practice hours the past several months, preparing for the upcoming Ogden Temple Cultural Celebration. At one of the group’s final rehearsals Saturday morning, they were still going strong.
Not many things can get teenagers out of bed bright and early on a Saturday morning, but the performers say preparing for the celebration and temple dedication next week is time well spent.
"It's really exciting to be part of something so big. And opening the Ogden temple, it's really spiritual and fun to be with everybody, so I'm super excited,” said Bailey Shae O’Leary, of the LDS Church’s Clinton North Stake. “
Christian Kafton, of the Clinton Stake, agreed.
"You're on stage and you're saying, 'I believe in God, and here is my way of showing it. I'm going to show you through these dance routines and this music, singing as proudly as I can, that I know God lives and I know that he is there,’" Kafton said.
Through song, dance and narration, the young men and women will celebrate the early history of the Ogden area and the growth of the LDS Church in that community. The theme of the production is "Shine a Light."
"It's like you're a part of an actual army, it's really amazing,” said Amelia Davidson, of the Clinton Stake. “You're showing people this is what I believe."
Youth from 74 LDS Stakes are participating, including groups from Clearfield to Wyoming. There are two casts, with 8,000 performers in each.
"Their attitudes have been fantastic. They are excited to do it, and they want to be here,” said Dennis Ferrin, chairman of the Ogden Temple Cultural Celebration. “They've been rehearsing about three days a week, they've put in a lot of hours — and now with school starting that's been more difficult. They've been great. You can see the enthusiasm in 'em today!"
Volunteers helped with costumes, props, lighting and choreography. They, too, are counting down the days to the celebration.
"It is so exciting to see this today," Ferrin said. "They are making friends they didn't know and having an experience they will probably never have again."
The Cultural Celebration will take place at the Weber State Dee Events Center Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. There are two performances: one at 1 p.m., and the other at 7 p.m.
You can watch the celebration via satellite at LDS Stake Centers within the Ogden area.
