Cultural Event

The youth of the Lehi South Stake put on a production honoring the lives of President Thomas S. Monson and his wife, Frances. The event built on the long Lehi-area tradition of producing annual roadshows, dance festivals and other cultural activities. The youth met together on a weekly basis starting September 28, 2011, to rehearse and prepare the program. Performances were held in the stake center on November 4th-5th.
On September 25th we had the privilege of kicking off the event with a fireside by Sister Ann M. Dibb, Second Counselor in the General YW Presidency and daughter of President Thomas S. Monson. We also had Elder Craig B. Terry, of the Seventy, in attendance. What a wonderful evening it was! Sister Dibb was so kind, uplifting and entertaining.

We had a corsage made for Sister Dibb and she wore a beautiful black sweater that we didn't want to ruin. So, instead of pinning the corsage to the sweater, we tried to pin it to a long, pearl and black ribbon necklace. The thought was better than the actual result! During her talk, she kept looking down at the corsage, which had taken a turn South and the pins were sticking up like sharp daggers. I think she was too nervous to move. She was too lovely to ever complain but we were giggling/cringing at the sight.

The planning started back in March of 2011. During the final 6 weeks, I had many sleepless nights as the YW Presidency helped plan the weekly activities, arrange for refreshments, write curriculum, prepare decorations, prepare programs, etc. I can't think of another event during my adult life that took so much time and effort. There was happiness, frustration, tears, joy... you name it! We worked closely with Ross and Michelle Boothe, Anna Standage, Amanda Riggs and Josh Rich from our stake, who wrote the production. There are way too many leaders involved to mention all their names but they are incredible men and women of faith! I must say though, that I was amazed with my dear counselors and especially our secretary, Danielle Spangler. She was deep in the trenches with me putting in hours upon hours of time, sacrificing sleep, family fun, food, etc. I think we felt like we were put through the refiner's fire and came out purified (or perhaps just crazy. It's hard to tell the difference some times).

Heather Haynie, Wendy Weight, Danielle Spanger

During each of the 6 week practices, we focused on an area of President Monson's life. We discussed Faith; The Spirit; Rescuing; Service; Balance; and Being a Doer of the Word. We sent the youth home each week with a challenge which focused on that theme. Each week we heard amazing, faith promoting stories from the youth as they put these lessons into action.

McKell Haynie, Heather's Daughter

The end result was an amazing program that was filled with the Spirit! I was brought to tears multiple times during each of the performances.
On opening night, November 4th, we were thrilled to have David L. Beck, General YM's President and Sister Elaine S. Dalton, General YW's President, join us. The youth were ecstatic to have general authorities watching their performance.
These youth bore testimony through song and dance and I couldn't have been more proud of them! The final song of the performance was "I Believe in Christ," and all of the youth came in to the cultural hall singing it and bearing powerful testimony. Many of the youth had tears pouring down their faces as they were so touched. It was amazing!

Morgan and Kelsey were able to participate in this large event. Morgan was a narrator for the Military portion of the performance.
Kelsey narrated the part of President's Monson's life when he was called to be a Bishop and she also helped narrate the closing.
Finally, Kelsey got to make her singing/soloist debut in a song about the widows that President Monson served. The song was written by Josh Rich and three girls sang through out the song. It was beautiful and I'm still wondering where Kelsey got her talent? She was amazing.
I am blessed to have been a part of such an incredible experience. I am confident that the youth of the Lehi South Stake will never forget the Spirit they felt as they testified of a living prophet of God and of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The final words of the production, sang simultaneously by all the youth were, "We Believe!" And they do.