A recent costuming workshop drew 250 participants, not to mention all those involved in choreography, lighting and sound, choruses, musical directors and live music. Three hundred youths showed up to audition for 10 lead parts at the Logan venue, he said. "We'll have some original scores performed in our big festivals composed by Sam Cardon," a well-known LDS musician.

Elder Garff said the young people in Ogden have been asked to submit their personal testimonies of Joseph Smith in writing, and about 10,000 have already been collected. Some of them will be highlighted during video portions of the Dee Events Center production.

"In Logan, their program is more focusing on Joseph Smith, and the families of both Joseph and Hyrum Smith have been invited to attend."

Elder Jeffrey Swinton, who is overseeing the production by Salt Lake Valley teens at Rice-Eccles Stadium on July 16, said most have already participated in service projects and fireside programs focused on Smith and his life. Regular practices are now under way for the stadium event, which will involve all 45,000 young people expected to pack the outdoor venue at the University of Utah on July 16.

Twelve thousand choir members, 5,000 dancers and 2,400 flag bearers will participate, orchestrated by a 25 member-committee now working full time on the project. Even those who don't participate in highly orchestrated numbers will become participants through computer-choreographed flag exercises reminiscent of what occurred in the stands during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Planning for the event has become so detailed that committee members have come up with their own Web site at dayofcelebration.com to pass along new details and build excitement. A promotional DVD is also being sent to each stake for promotion and advertising.

A "Choose Light" wristband has also been developed for use during the event. Thousands of the wristbands and light sticks will be distributed to stadium participants for a culminating ceremony during which LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley will speak, Elder Swinton said.

Because the event will be held at night, President Hinckley's presentation will include a focus on the light of truth, followed by the glow of 45,000 light sticks in the stands."We believe it will be something they'll never forget."

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