Sunday, June 13, 2010
Cebu Temple Dedication
There was a special feeling, an excitement in the air. The prophet had come to the Philippines. We couln't go there so he came to Carigara via satelite. The chapel was an extension of the temple and it was as though we were there.
The occasion was the dedication of the Cebu Temple, the second one in the Philippines. It started off with the Cultural Event that was held the Saturday night before. Many hours had been spent in practicing and making costumes and getting ready for their performance. Those who couldn't perform in person were filmed in their costumes in their own districts and their dance was shown on a large screen for all to see.
As the prophet entered the room dressed in his suit with a leigh of shells and beads, the saints in Carigara said a low, admiring "wow".
Sunday morning we brought the Calubian saints with us in our van. We each had been interviewed by the Branch President and had a green card that would allow us to enter. We had to be in our seats 30 minutes before it started. A presentation of pictures of each room in the temple showing details of the rooms and chandeliers was both breathtaking and peaceful. When mixed with selections sung by the Tabernacle Choir the spirit could be felt in rich abundance.
We felt as though we were right there and were able to see all of the ceremonies and participate as though we were there.
There were three sessions. We were able to go to the first and the last session. Each session was a little different in that there were different speakers. I think my favorite speakers were Elder Teh and Elder Ko. President Monson told a lot of stories in the last session that he didn't do earlier. That made it very special. One thing he told was how he had never been home on Christmas Eve because he was always visiting his 85 widows in his ward and delivering to them a chicken for their Christmas dinner that he had raised himself.
The occasion was the dedication of the Cebu Temple, the second one in the Philippines. It started off with the Cultural Event that was held the Saturday night before. Many hours had been spent in practicing and making costumes and getting ready for their performance. Those who couldn't perform in person were filmed in their costumes in their own districts and their dance was shown on a large screen for all to see.
As the prophet entered the room dressed in his suit with a leigh of shells and beads, the saints in Carigara said a low, admiring "wow".
Sunday morning we brought the Calubian saints with us in our van. We each had been interviewed by the Branch President and had a green card that would allow us to enter. We had to be in our seats 30 minutes before it started. A presentation of pictures of each room in the temple showing details of the rooms and chandeliers was both breathtaking and peaceful. When mixed with selections sung by the Tabernacle Choir the spirit could be felt in rich abundance.
We felt as though we were right there and were able to see all of the ceremonies and participate as though we were there.
There were three sessions. We were able to go to the first and the last session. Each session was a little different in that there were different speakers. I think my favorite speakers were Elder Teh and Elder Ko. President Monson told a lot of stories in the last session that he didn't do earlier. That made it very special. One thing he told was how he had never been home on Christmas Eve because he was always visiting his 85 widows in his ward and delivering to them a chicken for their Christmas dinner that he had raised himself.
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