French LDS Youth Honor Light of Faith during Cultural Celebration
Contributed By Sarah Jane Weaver, Church News editor
Lausanne Switzerland Stake youth hold up lights, signifying the good that is in the world, during the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” or “Let Your Light So Shine Before Men” (Matthew 5:16), which featured 950 youth from 13 French-speaking stakes.
MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX, FRANCE
“Que la fête commence.”
Those are the words—“Let the party begin”—that President Henry B. Eyring spoke to 950 youth gathered at the Velodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines for the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration on May 20.
Each scene in the performance—a celebration of the Reformation, the Restoration, and the dedication of France’s first temple—combine to create a beautiful mosaic that honors the tradition of faith in France.
Christian Euvrard, cultural celebration director, said light—“the light that happened centuries ago when Christianity arrived in France”—is the common theme that runs through the celebration. “Light grew and found roots in the Reformation and then in the Restoration,” he said.
President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency greets the congregation after the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
Youth from the Paris France South Stake participate in the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
Youth from the Lyon France Stake participate in the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
Paris France Stake youth portray a scene titled “Tell Me about Versailles” during a youth temple cultural celebration on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
A young woman from the Lausanne Switzerland Stake waits to go on stage for the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
The Paris France Temple “is the result of the faith—all the light—throughout the centuries,” he said. “Once light starts, little by little it becomes greater and greater.”
The program, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” or “Let Your Light So Shine Before Men” (Matthew 5:16), featured 950 youth from 13 stakes in France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
President Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, promised the youth that they “will treasure [their] memories of this day.”
“I hope you will have a wonderful time,” he added. “I know that all who watch the performance will share in your happiness and be blessed by your talents. The Lord will bless all who have performed tonight and all who have trained and encouraged them. May we enjoy and long remember this celebration.”
Held in the Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvellines, the performance opened with a reenactment of the famous Tour de France bike competition.
During the program, organizers displayed images, projected on a huge screen, of stained glass windows, statues, parchments, scriptures, paintings, architectural details, and other monuments and documents that illustrate the faith of the French throughout the ages.
The story is one that has deep roots in Christianity in France, said Brother Euvrard.
“When you study history, you see this movement. You see that things did not happen by chance, but that the hand of the Lord was viable.”
Anais Elumba, 14, of the Lyon France Stake said she participated in the event to celebrate the new temple. “I want to say thanks to my God because He has built a temple in France,” she said. It is beautiful. The temple is the house of God. I want to celebrate.”
Konrad Harris, 16, said he also wants to celebrate the new temple in France.
The temple in France is proof that the gospel will continue to grow in the country, said Clementine Elumba, 14.
Serge Pettitt, 14, said he participated in the cultural event to show the joy he has for the temple.
Youth participate in the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
Bishop Gérald Caussé addresses the audience of the cultural celebration held in the Vélodrome National in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France, on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Photo by Valerie Johnson.
Members of the Bordeaux France Stake participate in the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, addresses the audience gathered for a cultural celebration the day before the Paris France Temple dedication, in the Vélodrome National in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France, on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Photo by Valerie Johnson.
Youth from the Lyon France Stake perform during the cultural celebration held in the Vélodrome National in Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France, on May 20, 2017. The image projected on the screen behind them shows youth holding temple cards with family names on them. Photo by Valerie Johnson.
Tesceline Lethuaire, 13, Sara Fraguas, 13, and Aimie Lethuaire, 14, participate in the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” on May 20, 2017.
Youth from the Lyon France Stake participate in the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
Paris France Stake youth portray a scene titled “Tell Me about Versailles” during a youth temple cultural celebration on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
Paris France Stake youth portray a scene titled “Tell Me about Versailles” during a youth temple cultural celebration on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
Actors portray the Restoration during a youth temple cultural celebration on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
Youth from the Lyon France Stake participate in the Paris France Temple youth cultural celebration, titled “Que Votre Lumiere Luise Ainsi Devant Les Hommes,” on May 20, 2017. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.
