FILER, Idaho — Waving brightly colored flags in celebration of the rich heritage of south-central Idaho, 3,200 LDS youths participated in a cultural event here Saturday evening.The event was produced to celebrate the completion of the Twin Falls Idaho Temple — 128th temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. President Thomas S. Monson is expected to dedicate the temple Sunday."I think you will always remember the part you had here. You can't help but remember it," President Monson told the youths before the celebration began. Titled "Living Water," the production featured dance numbers performed by youths from the 14 stakes in the temple district, which includes Twin Falls, Jerome, Burley, Rupert, Ketchum and Hailey. They celebrated the history of the area, made viable by the water flowing from the Snake River.Just as water met the physical needs of early settlers to the area, the new temple will now meet the spiritual needs of local Latter-day Saints, said Steven Tuft, who with his wife, Susan, produced the event.Performing in the rodeo arena of the Filer fair grounds, the youths danced on a huge stage, 160 by 88 feet. Local church members filled the dirt arena with sod and other decorations, including a huge waterfall to represent Shoshone Falls — a popular local landmark just two miles from the new temple.As part of the event, the youths performed 14 dances that highlighted the history of the area; dances recognized Native Americans, pioneers, Idaho miners and European and Mexican immigrants. The big-band era, county fairs and Idaho potatoes were also part of production.Because there was not an indoor venue in the temple district to house the production, organizers were grateful for good weather.Susan Tuft said more than 800 adults played a major role in making the event happen, working with choreography and costumes, among many other things. She hopes the youths realize the effort was worth it."We hope it will sink in and help them realize the church values its youth," she said.Alexandria Ackerman, 17, of Filer, said she knew it would be a once-in-a-life-time opportunity."We live in a small town," she said, noting that participating in the event with thousands of others helped the youths "see past our little town."
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