What an exciting time for people of Brigham City, Utah, as well as the rest of the LDS Church members, for this weekend is the temple dedication of the Brigham City LDS Temple. All of Utah will be able to be a part of this special dedication, as it is being broadcast into meeting houses throughout Utah. A special recommend is issued by the Bishops of LDS individuals who wish to attend this Temple dedication. Children ages 8 and up, and worthy individuals, meet with the bishop, and are given a special one time, recommend to attend this special occasion.
Each person in attendance is asked to bring a clean white handkerchief to be used in this occasion. Questions arise of why we need to bring a white handkerchief. What is the significance? I have researched the answer to this question so that I can accurately give answer to this valid question.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “Included in the Feast of Tabernacles was a holy convocation, which in this instance was called also a solemn assembly. In our modern solemn assemblies, we give the Hosanna Shout, which also was associated with the Feast of the tabernacles anciently, except that ancient Israel waved palm branches instead of white handkerchiefs, and they exulted in such declarations, “Hosanna, Hosanna, and Hosanna, to God and the Lamb.” (The Promised Messiah”, p. 426) The Hosanna shout is recorded in the Scriptures (Matthew, Mark and John) that recount the shouts given in advance of when Jesus rode into Jerusalem. The people lined the streets and had cut palms in their hands shouting “Hosanna” waving them as He passed, and some laid them on the ground before him.
“Today, the shout is conducted at temple dedications and at solemn assemblies. When the proper occasion arises for this spiritual congregational shout of praise and rejoicing (and it is now used only on rather special occasions), when the spirit guides the proper ecclesiastical authority, and when the congregation has been properly tutored and instructed in the sacredness and pattern of it. The Hosanna Shout is one of the most dramatic and impressive ceremonies in the Church.
In January of 2001, President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a talk prior to the dedication of the new LDS Conference Center, built in SLC. He also gave the dedicatory prayer, and invited those who wish to stand and join with them in the Hosanna Shout. He instruction on the Hosanna Shout included a request that it be treated with deference and respect because it is very sacred and personal.
In March 1830 the Prophet received a revelation for Martin Harris in which the Lord commanded him to preach the gospel “even with a loud voice, with a sound of rejoicing, crying—Hosanna, hosanna, blessed be the name of the Lord God!” (D&C 19:37.)
So, what does all that mean? Simply this, the waving of white handkerchiefs in the Hosanna Shout, which is a part of the dedication of LDS Temples, has been an ancient ceremony that has been carried on since then. White is a color that symbolizes purity, so white handkerchiefs are waved in remembrance of the followers of Jesus Christ, in honor of Him. The congregations who gather to commemorate this sacred occasion of the dedicating of temples, join together to wholeheartedly rejoice and glorify the name of the Lord.