From Deseret News archives:
Cultural 'tesoros' shine
Popular event at Conference Center draws thousands
The thousands who gathered Saturday evening at the LDS Conference Center were reminded of other tesoros friendship, culture, history and faith.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints once again hosted an evening of Latino culture, music and dance. Dubbed "Tesoros de las Americas" (treasures of the Americas), the event included a cast of hundreds performing colorful and often foot-stomping musical numbers. As in years past, the evening celebrated the many cultural traditions that are becoming increasingly visible along the Wasatch Front.
This year's edition conducted entirely in Spanish was a bit of a departure from past Latino cultural events held at the Conference Center. Featured performance and musical numbers went beyond those originating from Spanish-speaking countries and included folk dances from the South Pacific, Brazil and Native American cultures.
Live music accompanied festive folk dances from Hawaii, Samoa, Peru, Brazil , El Salvador, Mexico and several other nations and cultures. The performing stage was adorned with recognizable symbols of ancient America.
Each of the dance numbers prompted an animated response from the Conference Center audience. The Mexican dances received the loudest applause perhaps a reflection of the large number of Mexicans who helped fill the hall.
"Tesoros de las Americas" also marked a historic year for the church. It was 125 years ago that the church was officially organized in Mexico. Today there are some 1 million members of the LDS Church in that Latin American nation. The evening also commemorated the 120th anniversary of the publication of the Book of Mormon in Spanish.
Elder M. Russell Ballard of the church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles spoke briefly at the end of the event, calling it an "excellent program."
"What a wonderful way to get together this evening as brothers and sisters and friends and neighbors," Elder Ballard said.
Elder L. Whitney Clayton, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, spoke of the Book of Mormon and its account of Christ's visit to the Americas that reads similar to those legends of a fair-skinned god and his teachings among the ancients.
Many in attendance hope the church-sponsored Latino cultural event will continue.
"This is a special night for Latinos," said Pablo Luque, an LDS Mexican who now calls Salt Lake City home. "Events like this help unite the Latino members of the church. We moved to Utah to find that unity."
Angela Reyes performed folk songs from her native Colombia in the Conference Center foyer prior to the cultural program. Reyes said such events help show a "new face" of her country that is sometimes unseen by outsiders.
E-mail: jswensen@desnews.com
Comments
- Plea in sex abuse streaming case 2:40 p.m.
- NJ man sues FBI over his detention 2:39 p.m.
- More theatrics at Gotti trial 2:39 p.m.
- Clinton to Dems: pass health bill 2:38 p.m.
- El Salvador flooding kills 8 Mormons 2:12 p.m.
- Denzel Washington set for 'Fences' 2:12 p.m.
- People's Choice Awards nominees 2:10 p.m.
- Ex-Bear Stearns managers not guilty 1:54 p.m.
- Jeter, Teixeira win Gold Gloves 1:54 p.m.
- Obama salutes Fort Hood victims 1:53 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Senators want food tax restored
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Utes get extra motivation
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Price injured; Miles has cast removed
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- House passes health care bill
242 - TCU showdown has big implications
185 - Lobo suspended
183 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants nationwide will honor...
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Does this third bailout to Government Motors mean more of our limited tax...
I just want to say i have had the pleasure to coach Kealia. I so happy for...
I say, if we are going to pass a health care bill, let's be smart about it....
Should I be upset at my ancestors for coming to the USA from Britain? I had...
Were there any Muslims attacked? ============= Dude, where have you been?...
To "jackhp | 12:00 p.m. " so what you are saying is that it is better to for...
RE Looking Back | 6:50 a.m. You are only seeing the part of history that...
'Just what we need another law which duplicates law already on the books.' ...
We are cheering because we barely won in NY? Oh how far this franchise has...
They are like little kids licking popcicles and playing playstation vidio...




You can be the first to comment on this story.