Hope Through the Youth of the Church

Last night Kaitlin and I got the opportunity to go with Jen to the Oquirrah Temple celebration at the Conference Center. I have often watched snippets of these when shown between conference sessions and have always wanted to be in a place where they held such a huge production. We got that opportunity, thanks to Jess, who participated as a team captain due to his calling as YM president in his ward. About 7,000 youth ages 12-18 participated in the event and it was quite specatcular. They started by talking about the Nephites and settling this land and then went to the beginnings of the church as it moved to the west and Utah. The "Utes" began it all with a dance and then it moved through the decades celebrating the settling of Utah.
One very touching scene was when they honored those who had served in the military. The colors were posted and then the huge (!) youth choir sang a medley of songs for each branch of the military. Those who had served in the military were invited to stand as their branch was honored. On large side screens photos were shown of men who had served and then their current photos was shown alongside the first one - Many of the general authorities were present last night and many had served in the military. All of the First Presidency had served in three different branches. Pres Monson stood for the navy and the crowd went wild. Pres. Eyring served in the army and Pres. Uchdorf (sp?) served in the Air Force (in Germany, of course). I didn't realize how many general authorities had served. It was great to see the men stand and to honor them in one small gesture of applause.
In the closing scene, several youth in wheelchairs were wheeled up on stage as the song, "Families Can Be Together Forever" was sung and as a backdrop of the temple raised above the mountains. It was amazing! Of course I would get very weepy at this point, but the Spirit was so strong all through the night that it wouldn't have taken very much to get the tears started.
After the closing prayer was said, the audience rose to wait for Pres. Monson to leave. He was sitting on the front row and passed down in front of us. Instead of going out through the side door where all the others exited, he went directly up on stage and straight to the disabled youth and family members, shaking all of their hands. That was a tear-jerker for sure. He tousled some of the youth's hair, played with their flags, talked to them, and I'm sure he endeared himself to them even more. This is a night none of these youth will ever forget.
What I was most impressed with throughout the event was the spirit of hope I felt concerning all these youth. We will be depending on their testimonies and strength to usher in the Savior at His return or will at least be essential in preparing for His return. I felt great hope that the world is full of strong young men and women that will do just that. It's easy to get down on kids when they make wrong choices, but there were 7,000 last night and 7,000 the night before that had made a right choice to work hard, long hours to bring the Spirit to many people. The youth filled the bottom level of seats - the visitors were in the balcony and I would guess there were less guests than youth - so the Spirit was there to set deep within the youths hearts, stamping it's approval as they experienced a life-changing event.
I appreciate Jess thinking of us and allowing us to share in this marvelous experience. I wish all of you had been able to be there. I kept thinking about Caleb, Daniel, Jared, Brenden and Alyssa as they are now either that age or approaching that age, wishing like crazy they could participate in the same thing. It was a great evening!