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Carole Mikita ReportingA big celebration in Sacramento, California tonight on the eve of the dedication of a new temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Thousands turned out to welcome President Gordon B. Hinckley this evening in a very special celebration.
Carole Mikita is there and reports on the festivities before President Hinckley dedicates the church's 123rd temple tomorrow.
As happens the day before a temple dedication around the world, President Hinckley speaks to church members at a special meeting, and the young people perform. His welcome Saturday night can best be described as extremely enthusiastic.
As President Hinckley entered the Arco Arena, some 12 thousand Latter-day Saints, many of them young people, leaped to their feet and cheered. He was there for a special evening meeting.
And then they sang a hymn, the words about giving thanks for a prophet.
Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley/The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "My but you look good. You're beautiful. You young people are beautiful. This is a wonderful day for the members of the church in the great state of California. It represents the summation of 150 years of Mormon history in this area."
Then five thousand of them performed in a cultural celebration titled "More Precious Than Gold," that highlighted the history of their faith in Northern California.
There are a number of ties to the faith's pioneer heritage. In 1846, the ship 'Brooklyn' carried hundreds of Mormon pioneers from New York City to what would be San Francisco.
And a year later, discharged members of the Mormon Battalion helped mine the first gold and blazed a trail back to the Salt Lake Valley.
Historians say few in Utah or California truly understand what those groups did.
Michael Landon/ LDS Church Family History Dept., archivist: "The larger contributions of all of these battalion veterans and these saints from the ship Brooklyn that had come in, hadn't really been.. well, they hadn't had their day in the sun."
Saturday night, the young people were thrilled to have President Hinckley here.
"He's amazing. He's so cool. He's great!"
They are celebrating a new temple built on a hill in Rancho Cordova. President Hinckley will dedicate it in services tomorrow. But this was their night to shine, to sing and dance for a man they hold dear.
Kieth Merrill/ Celebration Writer-Director: "Let's make it about the kids and giving them an experience that will do exactly what President Hinckley has asked us to do, and that is connect them to this temple."
Many of the church members in attendance Saturday evening will make their way to the temple site Sunday to be part of four dedicatory services with President Hinckley.
We'll have reports on the dedication tomorrow on Eyewitness News at 5:30 and 10.
