Students from the Brigham Young University “Living Legends“ performing group both thrilled and uplifted enthusiastic audiences across Auckland last week with their culturally rich dance show.
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The Living Legends share a hymn of worship at the Sunday evening fireside. Auckland, New Zealand, May 2023.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Sunday night, however, they switched gears to share messages about love of God, family, culture and the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a musical devotional at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints‘ meetinghouse in Panmure, Auckland.
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Elder Meurs visits with guests at the Living Legends fireside in Panmure, Auckland. Auckland, New Zealand, May 2023.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Peter F. Meurs, a member of the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church, attended and joined local leader President Brian M. Stephens and the group on the stand. Sister Meurs and Sister Stephens enjoyed the evening sitting in the audience with family and friends.
As the concluding speaker, Elder Meurs voiced his appreciation for both the words and hymns shared during the devotional by the young adults and added his own feelings of gratitude for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“I know that God lives. He knows us and loves us,” Elder Meurs said.
“He is our Father and we are His sons and daughters. The greatest manifestation of our Father in Heaven’s love is that He sent his Son to be our Saviour.”
Elder Meurs closed the meeting by urging the audience to focus on Christ and to prepare for His second coming. “I know Him and love Him. This is a glorious time to be on the earth.”
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Elder Meurs testifies of God's love for all His children at the Living Legends Fireside. Auckland, New Zealand, May 2023.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Elder Meurs’ message reinforced that which was presented by members of the Living Legends group through word and song.
The 30 young adults who comprise the diverse dance group represent an astounding 28 different ethnicities across the globe. They are grouped into three sections representing Polynesian, Native American and Latin American.
Teancum Kaitoku, the student president of the Living Legends group, told the audience that “while our cultural identities are important and we love each country that we embody, it is representing the Saviour that is more important to us."
He then asked those in the group who had represented Jesus Christ by serving a mission to stand up. Twenty-two of the young people stood. The remaining eight students stood when asked who in the group had graduated from the Church‘s Seminary program, which includes a four-year course of religious instruction for youth.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
He then asked those in the group who had represented Jesus Christ by serving a mission to stand up. 22 of the young people stood. The remaining eight students stood when asked who in the group had graduated from the Church‘s Seminary program, which includes a four-year course of religious instruction for youth.
The devotional also included other speakers from the Living Legends group.The artistic director of the Living Legends group, Jamie Kalama Wood, reiterated the importance of remembering that we are all children of our Heavenly Father.
Sharing her gratitude for the scriptures, Ivette Galvez said, “God answers my prayers through scripture and I can feel His love as I read them.”
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Artistic Director of the Living Legends, Jamie Kalama Wood, addresses the audience. Auckland, New Zealand, May 2023.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Ryan Tsosie spoke of the importance of families, testifying that “God knows that we desperately need families as a place of safety and love. The family bond is strong and it includes our ancestors and generations of love being passed through millennia.”
Lawrence Brown encouraged those in attendance to turn to Jesus Christ during personal challenges.
“You are the result of the love of thousands of ancestors before you. You also all have a divine heritage and are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father,” Karly Nikora said.
Hymns sung in a variety of languages were interspersed throughout the program, highlighting both the incredible musical talent of the Living Legends performers and the joyful gospel messages shared.
Metia Lasati, a young adult from Auckland who attended the devotional, was excited by the experience.
He said, "When they sang the songs in native languages, I felt the Saviour’s love... It was amazing how the Holy Spirit spoke to me through the music.”
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This young adult was one of many taking pictures of family and friends meeting the Living Legend Performers. Auckland, New Zealand, May 2023.2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.After attending the Living Legends’ Friday night performance, Sofaronia Aiono didn’t want to miss the devotional.
“I learned so much from the cultural performance,” she said. I could feel the love and the sharing.”
Halakiumata Tu’i appreciated getting to attend both, noting “the respect for cultures, ancestors, families and for our future families,” that she felt.