'Living Water'
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FILER, IDAHO
In the opening moments of a grand production, 3,200 youth waved streaming blue and white ribbons. Collectively the ribbons — and the youth that held them — turned the rodeo arena of the Filer Idaho Fair Grounds into a great river of flowing water.
"In Magic Valley our physical lives depend upon mountain streams, irrigation wells and the Snake River," said Steven Tuft, who produced the program with his wife, Susan. "Our spiritual lives depend upon the living water from the Savior. Our celebration combines both kinds of water as we tell the story of Magic Valley."
The production, staged to celebrate the rich heritage of the area and the blessings of the Church to the members who live here, was the final event before the dedication of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple, which was held Aug. 24. The program was staged for four audiences, one on Aug. 22 and three on Aug. 23.
"I think you will always remember the part you had here. You can't help but remember it," President Thomas S. Monson told the youth before the celebration began.
"If you make a few mistakes don't worry about it," he advised the youth. "We won't notice."
View a video produced by Deseret News photographer Scott G. Winterton. This video, on the MormonTimes Web site, features events from the dedication and performance. Click here to watch video.
President Monson also told the youth to do their best. "Then you will be able to say your prayers and thank your Heavenly Father for the wonderful evening and for the opportunity to see the Church a little differently than we do in our wards."
Titled "Living Water," from John 4:10 and 14, the celebration brought together youth from 14 stakes in the new temple district who collectively retold the history of south-central Idaho.
The program featured a large choir. Its songs added to the music and dance tributes paid to early Native American traditions, the pioneers of the American west, and European and Mexican immigrants who built Idaho mines and canals.
The story also highlighted the Big Band Era, U.S. patriotism, the 1950s and the magic of the traditional small-town Idaho county fair.
And there was a humorous nod to the famous Idaho potato, which locals "mash, hash, fry, bake and even microwave." Youth from the Paul Idaho Stake rapped their potato tribute chanting, "Go potatoes! Go, go potatoes!"
"Potatoes are an important part of the area," explained Sister Tuft.
"There is even a line about funeral potatoes," added Brother Tuft.
Sister Tuft said she hopes the production, and the more than 800 adults who played a role in making the event happen, will send a clear message to the youth.
"We hope it will sink in and help them realize the Church values its youth," she said.
In preparation for the event, local Church members constructed a huge stage, 160 by 88 feet, and filled the dirt arena with sod and other decorations, including a large water fall to represent Shoshone Falls — a popular local landmark located just two miles "as the crow flies" from the new temple.
"There is strength in numbers," Sister Tuft added. "(The youth) understand they are part of something big and wonderful."
Director Deborah Jones agreed. "What we hope is that this will touch the lives of the youth for a lifetime," she said. "We hope to send the message that the temple is important and that they are important."
Youth were excited to participate in the event. "I wanted to do this for the prophet and the temple," said Emily Bowers of the Oakley Idaho Stake. "We get to actually take part in the temple dedication, be a part of it. This is something for us."
In the final moments of the production, the youth again filled the arena, hoisting colorful flags to the music "Carry On." The bright flags blanketed the arena just as potato fields, fed by the living water of the Snake River, now blanket south-central Idaho.
"Before living water was just a song we were singing. Living water, we have irrigation," said Alexandria Ackerman of the Filer Idaho Stake. "Now it is like, wow, we have living water. You understand what it really means. It means more to you now that the temple is actually here."
E-mail to: sarah@desnews.com
