Pres. Monson: Cebu temple 'shines as a beacon of righteousness'
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
Related stories:
Cebu City Philippines Temple: 'We are in a nation … whose people love truth'
Celebrating Filipino culture through the ages
Cebu City Philippines Temple: Information nuggets
Cebu City Philippines Temple dedicated — 'a beacon on the hill'
Cebu temple open house concludes, area readies for upcoming dedication activities
Former missionaries return to Cebu
Thousands tour Cebu City Philippines Temple during open house
Cebu City Philippines Temple: 'It was a long wait'
Video: Cebu City Philippines Temple
Video: Cebu City Philippines Temple Voices
Cebu City Philippines Temple: Photo gallery
CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES
Anticipation ran almost as high as the temperature in a very hot and humid Cebu Coliseum as nearly 10,000 people awaited the arrival of President Thomas S. Monson. The occasion was a cultural program held Saturday evening, June 11, in conjunction with the dedication of the Cebu City Philippines Temple on Sunday.
On Saturday morning, President Monson walked through the newly completed temple, the 133rd in the Church worldwide and the second in the Philippines. (The Manila Philippines Temple was dedicated in 1984.)
At the temple, President Monson told the Church News that he has been to the Philippines several times. "It’s like returning home," he said of his return visit to Cebu City.
"I think they (Mormons in the Visayas and Mindanao islands) have long awaited a day of having a temple," he said. "The Lord has honored their faith and their prayers and now they have a temple of their own, and it’s a beautiful temple."
President Monson was accompanied by his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring; Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve; Presiding Bishop H. David Burton; and Elder William R. Walker of the Seventy and executive director of the Church’s temple department. Traveling with their husbands were Sisters Kathleen Eyring, Kristen Oaks, Barbara Burton and Vickie Walker.
President Monson received an enthusiastic welcome as he arrived for the cultural program. Costumed dancers stood outside to wave greetings as he arrived. As he entered the coliseum – the largest arena in Cebu City yet much too small to accommodate all who would have wished to attend – the crowd of some 10,000 stood and sang “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.”
In addressing the audience, he said, “The magnificent Cebu City temple, which will be dedicated in the morning, is the reason for this great celebration. It shines as a beacon of righteousness to all who will follow its light. We thank our Heavenly Father for the blessings this temple – and all temples – bring into our lives.”
He said that the cultural celebration gave the young people the opportunity to mingle with the youth from other wards, stakes and mission districts.
“You have forged new friendships. As you participate together tonight, you will be eliminating the weakness of one standing alone and will be substituting the strength of many working together,” he said.
The program, “A Celebration of Filipino Heritage,” was a fusion of the many cultures that have had an impact upon the Philippines. Dances showcased the pre-Spanish period, Spanish occupation and rural life, World War II and the American influence and the present day.
Young people traveled from throughout the temple district. However, because the arena was too small to accommodate all who wished to participate, leaders hit upon a novel idea. They brought 2,000 youth to the arena and had videos made of another 2,000 performing the same dance numbers. The mixture of live performers in the arena and those shown on large screens was impressive.
The finale’s processional began with young women carrying banners with the organization’s colors, and the entire cast of performers gathering on the arena floor.
Many of the young performers wept as they sang the closing hymn, “Come, Come, Ye Saints.”
It seemed apparent that President Monson’s words had struck a tender note in their hearts. He had told them at the beginning of the celebration: "Tonight will be a night you will never forget. When you go home tonight, write in your journal what you saw here this evening and how you felt. Years from now you will be telling your children and your grandchildren about the opportunity you had to participate in such a tremendous cultural celebration."
