June 6th was an eventful day. We appreciated Dave and Kayleen's invitation for us to attend the open house at their home near Sundance welcoming Matt home from his mission and to enjoy their new zip line. Todd and Beth's Joshua came with us, and Doug and Shannon and children also were there.
That evening we watched Todd and Beth's children along with about 13,000 youth perform in BYU's Lavell Edwards stadium for the Payson Temple Cultural Celebration.
Dave and Kayleen's Zip Line
The launching platform for the newly completed
zip line in Provo Canyon near Sundance
where Dave and Kayleen's family live. It was professionally
built, but my brother came from Saint George
several times to help with the project.
It is reputed to be the "steepest, fastest, longest
home zip line in the world" and leaves the platform
with a 33-degree slope.
Joshua walked the trail with Sam and me to the
launching platform and accepted the invitation to
give it a try. I went back down to fill out the
required waiver and so was in position to
see Joshua as he zipped down the line.
Joshua at the end of the line with a big smile.
Skylar and Dave were there to help him get unhooked.
Joshua had not seen anyone
finish the line before he tried it and
so was not expecting the big bounce at the end
due to his lighter weight.
You have to be at least 5 years old and
weigh at least 40 pounds to go on the zip line,
so Mason wasn't able to go.
He and Grampa Sam were good buddies.
Jacob coming down the line.
Brynlee liked it, too.
Here comes Isaac.
Isaac at the end of the ride.
Doug and Shannon are ready.
Now Shannon gets a turn.
Getting out of the harness.
(Shannon and Dave)
Of course Doug loved it.
My brother, K. LeRoi, had first begun thinking
about having a zip line at Nirvana 40 years ago.
Now his dream has come to fruition,
and he enjoyed trying it out.
I had a good time, too, although I passed up the
opportunity to take the 33-degree drop
and zip along at an estimated 50 mph.
(K. LeRoi and Narene)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Payson Temple Cultural Celebration
Rebecca and Mason
playing quietly while rain and lightning delayed the
Payson Temple Cultural Celebration
held on June 6th.
We went to the celebration early
so we could have good seats,
but so did very many other people.
Then the rain and lightening
delayed the celebration, and everyone
had to leave and take shelter below
until the weather cleared
about an hour later.
When we returned to our wet stadium seats,
Todd went to the van and brought back
coats and blankets to keep us warm.
(Joshua, Todd, and Rebecca)
President Eyring
waved to the crowd when
he entered the stadium before the program began.
He gave a few remarks and thanked the
performers for their hard work and efforts.
It was a memorable moment to be with a
stadium full of people standing in respect
for a member of the First Presidency.
The theme of the event was
Fill the World with Love.
The opening act included almost 2,000 youth
singing and dancing on the field.
The event highlighted some of the
people, events, and contributions
from the history of the Payson Temple District.
Most of the dances included more than
500 youth on the field at a time.
It was inspiring and impressive.
Beth's four oldest were among those
performing in the celebration
(Jared, Amanda, Megan, and Ethan).
The final performance included a large
replica of the Payson Temple on the center of the field
with all of the youth in the east side
of the stadium making a rainbow
with the colors of their t-shirts.
The following day (Sunday, June 7),
the Payson Temple was dedicated.
Sam and I went to the 10:00 a.m. session
in our regular stake/ward chapel
where the dedication was televised.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Sam and I are pleased to be serving Tuesdays in the
Payson Temple.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
I enjoyed going with Beth, Megan, and Amanda
to a bell ringer concert held in the
tabernacle in Salt Lake City
on June 12th.
