Nov 24, 2010

November 24, 2010

Volume 94: Issue 10

Ke Alaka i THE LEADER

Laie Hawaii Temple Rededicated “It shines as a beacon of righteousness to all who will follow its light.�

2-3 -President Monson

Commemorative Photo A cut-out keepsake from the temple rededication.

4

President Thomas S. Monson addresses youth at the Cultural Celebration culminating the rededication of the Laie temple.

Photo by Monique Saenz

Performers from every stake on Oahu and some from Kauai gathered with friends and family in the Cannon Activities Center Saturday, Nov. 20, for the Cultural Celebration honoring the rededication of the Laie temple.

Two performances were done that day: One at 2 p.m. and a second show at 6 p.m. that was attended by LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson, one of his counselors President Henry B. Eyring and his wife, member of the Quorum of the Twelve Elder Quentin L. Cook and his wife, as well as other church leaders.

President Monson shook the hands of youth who participated in the celebration as well as people who lined the way into the CAC. He told the youth to write in their journals about their experience at the celebration and the rededication of the temple so that they can share it with their children and grandchildren in the years to come.

“Today will be a night you will never forget,” said Pres. Monson.

The hour-and-a-half show told the history of Laie as a sanctuary, or “city of refuge,” through dance and the spoken word.

“The technical rehearsal made me a little nervous, but that’s how it always goes,” said sophomore Alex Denney, a business major from Chesapeake, Va.

Cultural Celebration: A night youth ‘wil never forget,’ says Pres. Monson

Te m p l e

Date of original Laie Hawaii temple dedication by President Heber J. Grant

50,000 Number of months spent preparing for the Cultural Celebration.

Approximate number of visitors to Laie temple open house.

In response to the Dedicatory sessions

Approximate number of youth who performed during the Cultural Celebration.

Number of stakes in the Laie Hawaii Temple district. Plus 1 district and another stake in the Marshall Islands.

12 2,000 5

6,800

Box lunches prepared by Food Services for Cultural Celebration participants.

11.27.1919

President Thomas S. Monson rededicates the Laie Hawaii Temple after nearly two-years of closure for renovation.

REDEDICATING

O u rse l ve s

REDEDICATING THE

N ovemb er 19 a f ter noon P resi d ent Mo nson v isi t s t he Po lynes ia n C ult ur al Cen ter N ovemb er 20 5: 30 p.m .

P res id ent M o ns on i s wel come d t o t he C a nnon A ct iv it ies C ente r

The Pro p h et co me s to L a i e

T IME LI N E

November 21 4: 45 p. m.

Presid ent M onson lea v es t he t emp le.

Photos by Monique Saenz, Aaron Knudsen, Aissa Mitton, and Bart Jolley

N ove mbe r 2 0 8 p. m.

Pr e si de n t M o n son t h an k s t h e y ou t h a s h e l e av e s t h e CA C

November 21 9 a. m.

Presid ent M onson d ed ica t es t he L a ie Ha w a ii Temp le.

President Monson exits the temple after its rededication on Sunday.

Photo by Aissa Mitton

- C OM P ILE D B Y NIC OLE C LAR K

“I was crying too much. It reminded me of the dedication of Sao Paulo Temple in Brazil in 1978. I had great feelings of being here.

It’s a wonderful, wonderful experience,”said Religion Professor Marcus Martins.

For more stories on the rededication, visit kealakai.byuh.edu

“The words that were spoken were just perfect and the music was just exquisite. It was just wonderful,” said Sister Wheelwright.

“It’s wonderful. I mean it’s such a special place and such a special occasion and great to have the prophet here, President Eyring, Elder Cook and Elder Walker…The spirit was there. I can’t wait to go for a session,” said President Steven Wheelwright

“It was a beautiful experience. It’s so wonderful to see the prophet. He was so kind.

In the room we were sitting in he poked his head in and said, ‘Hi. How’s everyone doing? We’re all from the same church isn’t that great?’ Something of that effect,” said Peggy Hannemann, wife of BYUH 1st Stake president

“The experience was amazing and every spiritual. I was touched by what the general authorities said about the temple. It makes me want to and prepare myself so I can go back to the temple,” Ben Tay, junior in business from Malaysia.

N ove mbe r 2 0 6 p. m.

C u l t u r al c e l e br at i o n be g i n s. Pr e s. M o n so n addr e sse s t h e y o u t h . “ T h e L ai e H aw ai i T e mpl e i s t h e r e aso n f o r t h i s c e l e br at i o n . ”

Thousands of youth from Hawaii take the stage during the finale of the celebration.

Photo by Monique Saenz

- T AYLO R RIPPY

Denney worked behind the scenes on the tech crew, ensuring the Cultural Celebration ran smoothly from the “catwalk” of the CAC, high above the crowd of thousands.

“I got to watch the beginning of the show from above. It was cool seeing it from that perspective,” Denney said.

Aside from the spectacular performances, the true show stealer was the model of the Laie temple, which was raised from the floor by cables at the end of the celebration. With a frame constructed of wood and the outer design made from silk, the model temple was raised and illuminated during the finale, striking awe in audience members.

Orlin Clements, Steve Johnston, and Terry Breit were responsible for the structure’s design, which took about two months to build.

Breit, who has experience from a career in mechanical engineering, has been serving in Laie with his wife, Charlenne, for 13 months.

“It brought tears to our eyes when it was lifted up. There’s a spirit with any temple, even when it’s a prop,” said Breit.

Laie Hawaii

Rededicated November 21, 2010

LAIE HAWAII TEMPLE Photo by Bart Jolley