"We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" - Arizona Saints Sing Praises at Seeing the Prophet Up Close and Personal


By: Cecily Markland


President Thomas S. Monson and other General Authorities visited Arizona in May, where they conducted three separate dedication services for The Gila Valley Temple and, the night before, attended the Temple Cultural Celebration, where they interacted with some of the 1,600 young people who performed. Photo by Kristen Seale, Holladay's Photo Emporium




Latter-day Saints from the Gila Valley and from around the state had the experience of a lifetime as many got to see President Thomas S. Monson and other General Authorities up close and personal when LDS Church leaders were in Arizona to dedicate The Gila Valley Temple in May.

"It was the greatest experience I've ever had," says Heather Lucero, 17, of the Thatcher 6th Ward, Thatcher Stake. Heather was among the 1,600 youth who participated in the Temple Cultural Celebration on Saturday, May 22. With the other youth she congregated on the Eastern Arizona Football Field after the finale, watching with reverence as the prophet reached to shake hands with many of the youth.

"He shook my hand, and then leaned over and kissed it," Heather says. "It was amazing. The spirit was so strong, and I could tell he was a true prophet of God."

Jake Hansen, 18, also of the Thatcher 6th Ward, admits he was a little nervous when he realized he would be performing right in front of where the prophet would be sitting.

"At first, it felt unreal, like I couldn't believe the prophet was really here, but the spirit really hit me right when I touched his hand," Jake says.

Another participant, Seth McRae, 17, of the Thatcher 7th Ward, says the practices were long and he was particularly uncomfortable wearing the hot, flannel shirt that was his costume.

"But, it was all totally worth it," Brother McRae says. "When you see the prophet you just can't deny he's a prophet; you really can't deny anything-you just know everything about the Church is true."

The other authorities accompanying President Monson were President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency; Jeffrey R. Holland, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Claudio R. M. Costa, of the First Quorum of the Seventy; and William R. Walker, also of the First Quorum of the Seventy and currently executive director of the Church's Temple Department. Also attending was Sister Ann M. Dibb, second counselor in the general Young Women presidency and President Monson's daughter.

Along with having testimonies strengthened, many of the people who were able to interact with the General Authorities say they enjoyed seeing their personalities and their fun, personable side.

At the celebration, the prophet invited President Eyring to join him in singing "Alla en el Rancho Grande," a Spanish song President Monson says he learned as a youth. Then, he interacted with the performers, borrowing a hard hat from one dancer and wearing it for a short time and, later, taking a red flag from another dancer and waving it in time to the music.

Katelyn Allred, 19, of the Thatcher 2nd Ward, who served as an usher, says, "The prophet talked about the Church and his testimony, but he was funny too. I could see people's expressions and their faces just lit up. To see the prophet like that had a special meaning to everyone there."

Others saw that same kindness and lighter side in another setting. Because of limited seating, only the families of youth participating in the celebration were allowed to attend. So, some families with younger children, hoping for a glimpse of the prophet as he drove by, lined the road leading from the Safford airport around the time his plane was to land.

Members of the Pima 4th Ward, Pima Stake, Brant Mattice, his wife Kendra and three of their four children were among 30 or 40 people waiting. They watched as the caravan neared, and, then, to their surprise, the cars pulled over to the roadside and the prophet got out.

"What I thought was really neat was that he took the time and he stopped to visit with an average, ordinary LDS family on the side of the road. It was pretty sweet," Brant says.

Becky Cluff, of the Pima 1st Ward, was there with her three children as well.

"We had no idea that we were in for the treat of a lifetime," Becky says. "You can imagine my excitement seeing the prophet walking toward us."

She adds, "What a testimony-building experience it was to have the spirit testify to me while shaking the prophet's hand that 'This is the Lord's prophet on the earth today! I felt the spirit so strong as I watched him walk towards the children and crowd. I am not normally an emotional person, but I got choked up and had tears of joy. I will forever be grateful for this experience."

Brant Mattice agrees.

"This was a once-in-a lifetime opportunity that I am very grateful to have been a part of," Brant says. "One thing that touched my heart is when everyone started singing 'We thank thee O God for a Prophet,' everyone's eyes teared up. For me, I was standing right in front of him during this, I had a burning sensation in my heart because I knew the man standing before me was a true Prophet."

Preston "PJ" Allred, the Sherriff of Gila Valley and a member of the Thatcher 2nd Ward, says toward the end of the prophet's visit, he took Brother Allred's cowboy hat and put it on to pose for some pictures.

Brother Allred says, "I kind of hung back, tried to give him some space, I guess you'd say, but I was amazed at the feelings I had. He is a big man, bigger than I pictured; and I was impressed with his strength as the Lord's priesthood leader on the earth."

Indeed, the Saints in the Gila Valley found the encounters with the prophet were moving, often emotional-and some were even answers to prayers.

Jon Boynton of the Mountain Ranch Ward, Desert Ridge Stake, and his father, Chip, had been asked to do some camera work for the Cultural Celebration. Family members, including Jon's son, six-year-old, Cade, went along.

"Grandpa asked Cade to say the prayer before we left," Jon says. "In his prayer, Cade said, 'Please bless that we'll be able to meet the prophet.'"

"I knew it would be a large crowd," Jon says, "so, I talked to him and told him, 'Don't get your hopes up.'"

While he was manning the video camera, Jon says, "The Prophet came in and the whole place quieted down. He started talking and shaking hands, and he walked right over to Cade and told him to jump up on a chair. He asked him how old he was, told him he liked his hair and asked him if he was going to serve a mission.

Then he told Cade, 'Look at my ears' and the prophet wiggled his ears."

"It was really pretty cool. It was a great experience," Jon says. "I wish I could have met him too...but I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm glad Cade has that to look back on throughout his life."

Becky Cluff speaks for most who saw the prophet in the Gila Valley when she says: "To say it was a treat, a thrill, a treasure, exciting, amazing ... would be a huge understatement. ...I never dreamed I would have had the chance to shake his hand, especially right here in The Gila Valley."