Youths celebrate LDS temple dedication

LANGLEY, British Columbia — In the moments before a huge production — staged by more than 1,200 youths in British Columbia to celebrate a new temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — President Thomas S. Monson told the crowd they were gathered together to enjoy Canada.

"I am here," he said, "because I make the assignments."

The celebration marked completion of the Vancouver British Columbia Temple — the LDS Church's 131st operating temple worldwide and the seventh in Canada.

Gathered from eight stakes in British Columbia and one stake in Washington state, some of the youths drove more than 14 hours to participate in the event.

Jalae Brophy, 17, and Sabrina Blackmore, 17, took a 15-hour bus ride from Prince George to Vancouver. "This is the best experience ever," Blackmore said.

Brophy said participating in the celebration is something she can do to be part of the temple dedication. "We are doing this big celebration because of the temple. It is like we are a part of it."

The Vancouver Temple Youth Celebration, titled "A Beacon to the World," highlighted the land, history and people of British Columbia.

Earlier in the day, Elder Paul D.M. Christensen, an Area Seventy and chairman of the local temple committee, addressed the youths.

Standing in front of the temple, he said, "Behind me is a gift."

He said church leaders had used the finest material to construct the 28,165-square-foot temple. "This is the best we can do ... to show our Heavenly Father how much we love him."

Shelley Murley, temple youth celebration director, said church leaders asked her to write the production "for the youth." They wanted them to make memories, enjoy spending time with other Latter-day Saints and learn about the Vancouver temple.

"These kids feel it is their temple," she said. "They really feel this incredible ownership."

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