In the beginning, President Monson felt he would like to see the youth entertain the adults this year. And our area here in Utah was chosen. This production will be the largest one of it's kind held in the United States during this current year.
Thirty Weber County Stakes participated, numbering three thousand five hundred youth that got involved. Those thirty stakes were divided into three groups; the West Council (us), the North Council, and the South Council. Each council had twenty minutes to arrange, prepare and preform their numbers. Each group was given and era to build their performance around. The North Council was assigned the Pre-existence, the West Council was assigned our time here on earth now, and the South Council was assigned the missionary service that now extends throughout the world.
This production was certainly under the direction of the Lord. Trying to direct all those kids, to do all the right things, and get to all the right places, at all the right times, was nothing short of a miracle. You only had to attend seven months worth of practices, and several dress rehearsals to know in the end this show was truly an amazing miracle.
The entire spectacular event has certainly carved it's place in the hearts of all who participated. Deserey and I were lucky enough to have this experience and I'm telling you, wow, what an experience it was. One that I will never forget and I know Deserey feels just the same.
As the first practice was held, I was so excited when I was asked to take pictures and work on the Photography team. From start to finish I never went anywhere without my camera, and I've never enjoyed a calling more.
I must confess in the beginning I couldn't quite catch the vision. The practices were long and arduous and held in one of the worst spring seasons we've had in sometime. I don't think the kids ever practiced in anything but wind, and rain, and always the temperatures were freezing at best. But as the weather finally warmed and the end grew near, I could not talk about Arise with out welling up with tears. I think it was the first time I saw all the kids on Weber State's field, that brought the spirit into me so strong. Then the first night I walked into the Stromberg building on the first full dress and saw all of those youth standing, fully ready for their respective parts, the spirit nearly knocked me over and it just grew stronger in me each night. In the end it really was SPECTACULAR in every way!
I hope you enjoy the pictures. From start to finish I snapped over a thousand images. I will be editing more to add to this group when I get some time. For now I just want to thank the youth of zion for an amazing experience!
The Heavenly Group.
The Man In Blue!
It's Our Time - Ya, Finally!
There Was A Great Deal Of Sneaker ---ing Around In This Group!
Hip Hop With The Cutest!
I Had No Trouble Getting These Cute Girls To Smile!
In This Spectacular Event, There Was Always Line Somewhere You Needed To Get In.
I Could Snap Pics All Night The Crowd Was Never Ending!
Kids, Kids, And More Kids!
The First Initial Line Up Was Crazy!
The Sign Said Shine! And They Did! Every Group Was Shinning!
Our West Council, Waiting For Their Turn!
In Life, It's Always Better To Hold Hands And Go Together!
Take Me Back To The 50's!
Our Pioneers Enter The Field.
Our Pioneer Men Were Awesome!
I don't know how I missed it in all those rehearsals, but it wasn't until the last night I truly observed how the pioneer women changed their colorful skirts to that of being dressed all in white, symbolic of passing to the other side. As I got to really observe this for the first time on the last night, I was so moved!
It was an amazing transition!!!
It was an amazing transition!!!
The West Council Show had everything. Humor was brought into the act by our Napoleon Dynamites.
And they truly were . . .Dynamite!
I barely caught this shot of Des running across the field.
Every night she ran so fast I missed her.
Finally on the last night I was able to snap one picture.
While my photo's here capture a lot of what Des was doing.
I have so many cool pictures of all the kids.
I loved the enthusiasm of our West Council.
Can't you just hear them shouting, "It's Our Time!"
The big finish for the West Council.
Some of my ward kids, patiently waiting for the big finale!
I've never seen so many cute kids!
In the end I got to be in the finale. Not having anywhere to sit my camera down, I carried it with me on the field. Seeing the missionaries always choked me up each night.
While trying to maintain my spot in my line I snapped this shot.
It was pretty bright. I didn't have any time to meter the light.
After looking at it though I thought maybe given the fact they do carry the ultimate light of Christ,
my metering wouldn't have helped, after all, they are naturally a BRIGHT GROUP!
Just A Little Note!
Fun kids, fun costumes!
There was lots of excitement in the air as everyone prepared.
My favorite ladies I worked with. Dixie, JoAnn, and Laura.
Looking cute as always Des!
Take a long look at this line. The kids just kept coming.
When I turned around to shoot in the other direction
the line just kept going, up, up, up the mountain, one kid after another.
The flapper girls gave me a cute pose on their way up the hill.
I got a cute smile from Katie.
And Joey was always good for some antics every time he saw me with my camera.
Up and over the hill they went and clear down to their entrance.
What a line, three thousand five hundred kids make!
There was a lot of waiting.
And a short time to preform.
Saturday night the crowds were all fighting to get a good seat.
Weber State University held an all time record for stadium attendance. It was a sold out crowd.
In some of the pictures you can even see people sitting on the grassy areas
since all of the seats were taken.
The show was amazing. Here you see the kids fanning the world.
Follow The Prophet!
West Council soon to be on.
A few groovy hip hoppers wait their turn.
Funny Faces Could Be Seen Everywhere! The kids always made me laugh!
And all of the costumes were vibrantly detailed.
The enthusiasm was wild.
In Color and in Black and White!
Everyone waves at the end of our performance.
The Haka Dancers got an uproar of loud clapping after their intense chanting.
Yes, HooRAH for Isreal!
Another cool shot of our Pioneers.
I was waiting to come on for our big spectacular ending.
When I looked out and saw the sun nearly gone is was an amazing site.
I snapped a picture. The mountains were beautiful and the night full with the spirit!
On the last night the lines were finally straight as an arrow!
You have no idea how hard all these youth worked.
This was my car pool group!
Cutest girls ever!
After every show and rehearsal we went to McDonalds!
The last night we celebrated big and went to Kirts.
Celebrating the light that truly does shine in one and all!
This was the west council theme.
It truly is our time on earth.
Lets not waste one minute of it!
Great Show Kids!
