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Elder Holland Surprises Mormon Youth Preparing for Cultural Event in Fort Lauderdale

During a trip to Florida last week, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was in Plantation to make a surprise visit to more than 1,200 Latter-day Saint youth. The young men and young women, ages 12 to 18, were at the Fort Lauderdale Stake Center on Saturday, 26 April 2014, to rehearse for the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple cultural celebration that will be held prior to the dedication of the temple.

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The youth cultural event, “United by Faith,” will be held on Saturday, 3 May, at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, Florida. The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, 4 May.

“This temple is a chance of a lifetime, and in a sense, in a very real way, this event is the chance of a lifetime,” Elder Holland told the youth who were wearing their colorful T-shirts for the event and who represent the six stakes in the area.

Elder Holland explained to the youth that this is something they would tell their children and grandchildren about in years to come. He told them they would remember the cultural event and dedication of the temple and will remember the songs that they sang, the dances they performed and the feelings they had. Elder Holland told the youth he loved them as he departed.

The youth celebration will focus on the rich cultural heritage and history of the Latter-day Saints in south Florida through narration, song and dance. There will be two performances, including a live stream of the evening event, beginning at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

More information on the Fort Lauderdale Florida Temple can be found at fortlauderdalemormontemple.org.

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