Melissa's talk today about the YCC

My talk today is on the experiences I had at the recent Youth Cultural Celebration. It was held about a week ago on August 23 and 24 at the Filer Fairgrounds, in honor of the Twin Falls Temple that was dedicated the following day.

On Friday at 4:00 in the afternoon the 7th ward girls all met at the church for some last minute "touch-ups" that took about 30 minutes. When we finally got out the door, with every single ringlet in place, makeup on, and costumes ready, the excitement radiating from each girl was amazing. Everyone was bouncing off the walls with anticipation of what we were about to participate in. we were actually the last ward to arrive, so we had to hustle to get our costumes on. All of the 14 stakes were out on the stage that was amazingly put together, and we then practiced some of our beginning songs. With amazement we saw that a fairly large number of people had show up just to watch us rehearse.

The run through of the program that night went very smoothly, and our stake preformed our 50's dance close to perfection. We were all very tired by the time it was through, but the upcoming performances that we had to do the following day still filled us with excitement.

On Saturday morning we left without any problems and promptly arrived to the fairgrounds right on time.

With our costumes on, we once again ran through the performance at 11:00 for an audience. It went really well, and it was amazing the good attitudes that everyone had. We all played games, like Uno, or Apples to Apples in between performances, it was a really fun time.

The 3:00 show was probably the most challenging one. The sun was high in the sky, right in everyone's eyes, and it was HOT. Especially with a poodle skirt on that had enough fabric to fully clothe three other people. When the show was over, everyone drank extreme amounts of water to prevent dehydration, and tried to get the "prime" spot right in front of the huge fan that was by our stake.

As the 7:00 performance rolled around, there was a very excited atmosphere created among the entire fairground. Costumes were absolutely perfected, as was makeup and hair. Smiles were plastered onto everyone who was in it, even the leaders had grins on.

As we sat on the stage, all the stakes were unusually quiet, and everyone was straining to see where the "special speaker" would come. There were huge projector type screens by the raised platform, and when they suddenly flashed on to a golf cart being filmed coming around the stage, excited whispers broke out. It seemed like a really slow golf cart, and when it finally got to the stage there was a buzz going on throughout the participants and the audience that was almost immediately silenced as the cart rolled to a stop as Henry B. Irying stepped out. As other "important" church officials stepped out and walked onto the stage, my heart caught in my thought, as I thought "he's not coming". It's not that President Irying was a disappointment, I had just heard and had anticipated the prophet. As they were all up on the stage, I noticed that they were not sitting down, and the huge projection screen once again flicked to a golf cart driving around to the stage. It was President Thomas S. Monson, here after all to watch our performance finally put together. Everyone stood up as he stepped out of his golf cart, and a hush fell over the crowd. Our stake had the privilege of being extremely close to the place where he got up onto the raised platform, and our own Amber Bingham and Jessica Wayment were but a foot from him as he "wiggled' his ears at them. He then made some remarks about the production, some of them very funny to our stake. Now we can say that we all have a kind of say we have an "inside" joke with the prophet.

He got up on stage, sat down, was introduced, then got up to speak to us. He was looking straight into the sun the whole time, and the people behind him were too. He told us that as printer, yellow was his absolute favorite color, that it gave life to all of the other colors. He said a few remarks on the Twin Falls area, how much he loved it and the people.

He then told us a story of when he made several life-altering decisions when he was a young man. He first chose to serve in the navy, instead of the army. He said that two officers were really talking up the regular navy, saying how great and wonderful it was, and how many opportunities that were given to those who served in it. Everyone else in his group had chosen the regular instead of the reserve, save for one who was physically unable to do so. Unsure of his choice, he turned to the Lord for help and guidance, and was then prompted the next day to ask the officers what they had chosen. The grudgingly told him that they had both chosen the reserve, and, influenced President Monson to do likewise. He said that that decision has made all the difference in his life. He then gave us a little something to remember, and they are called the three D's: Decisions Determine Destiny.

He then gave us an absolutely wonderful blessing, telling us to live our lives to the fullest, and be obedient children of God. He wanted us to honor our parents, and basically live out the prophesy of the chosen generation. To be the best we can be, and to do well in school, to get married in the temple, and to, above all obey the Lord, our God, which he told us, was the best help we could ever receive. With a final wish for us to do well in our performance, he and all of the other people of his company drove back to the stadium in his little golf cart, and sat down to watch the show.

The production that night was the best of the best. Every single person went out there and danced, or sang their heart out, for the Prophet, and for our Heavenly Father. When our stake's turn came up the realization came that this would be that last time we would do Rockin' Robin, and with that mindset we marched out there and gave it the best that we had.

The rest of the show went great, and before we knew it the production was over, and we were on our way home.

My experience with this Youth cultural celebration will be one that I will never forget. I felt the spirit so strong during all the performances, and still do recollecting back. I am so glad that I was able to participate in this amazing event. Every single Wednesday practice for four months was worth it when we were able to hear the prophet speak. I testify that he is a man of God, that he speaks the truth, and that if we follow him, we will be following our Heavenly Father.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.