Cultural celebration precedes temple dedication in Rexburg

Carole Mikita reporting Thousands of Latter-day Saints gathered on the BYU Idaho campus tonight for a cultural celebration. It's the day before the dedication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' new temple in Rexburg.

There were some last-minute changes in tonight's program. Everyone at the cultural celebration expected to see and hear from President Thomas S. Monson tonight. But he was unable to be there.

President Henry B. Eyring also was not there. He fell at his Salt Lake home and broke his ankle. He canceled his weekend plans but sent word to church members that he will be there in spirit.

The show did go on. The crowd celebrated the temple and the pioneer spirit that they say still exists in the Upper Snake River Valley.

The audience and performers at the Hart auditorium numbered more than 6,500. They had expected President Monson, but welcomed two apostles. Elder Russell M. Nelson said they were a welcome, warm contrast to the cold weather. Elder David A. Bednar told the children they will remember seeing their new prophet dedicate the temple on Sunday.

"Tonight, in your prayers, will you specifically pray that you will have a memory of the sacred event that will take place tomorrow, and that you will feel the spirit of the Holy Ghost, and that prayer will be something that will assist you throughout all of your life," he said.

The festivities began with an old-fashioned hoe-down. Then the performers told the story of the strength and courage of the early settlers, and the prophetic words of church leader Wilford Woodruff in 1884.

"I can see temples. I can see beautiful temples erected in the name of the living God," the actor portraying President Woodruff said.

And today they celebrated Idaho's third temple. The faith of their ancestors was cause for celebration.

Gretchen Schaat, a resident of Rexburg, said, "It was so much fun. I'll remember it forever. It was an amazing experience."

A boy who lives in Plano, Idaho, Connor Pinnock, said it went "Very well. I was kind of disappointed that the prophet didn't show up."

Another Rexburg resident, Pam Baird, said, "We are overwhelmed by the blessing of having a temple. Absolutely overwhelmed. And this was really a fun evening to celebrate that event."

Tomorrow President Monson will seal the cornerstone on the temple and lead four dedicatory sessions. We'll have reports on that Sunday on Eyewitness News at 5:30 and 10.

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