If there’s one thing LDS conventions are famous for, it’s their service projects, and the young people of Scotland and Ireland did not disappoint.
A group of one hundred and twenty LDS young single adults from Scotland, Ireland, England and Europe, as well as their leaders participated in renovating the abandoned Leith Theatre in Edinburgh as part of the ‘Hidden Doors Project 2017’. This project aimed to renovate this historic venue before a ten-day culture, arts and music festival, and to then reopen the Leith Theatre as a revamped venue for future events.
The Leith Theatre was a well-known venue, famed for its concerts, that unfortunately fell into disrepair after it was abandoned in 1988. There were a number of LDS stake conferences held there before Edinburgh Stake Centre was opened.
This project was brought to the attention of Michael Patterson (the Priesthood Advisor for the Convention) and Carole Sneddon (a Stake Interfaith Specialist) by Jan Barker, a woman well-known for her participation in numerous community service projects. Brother Patterson was able to contact the project managers, who were only too happy for them to help. Whilst there, the YSA swept floors, moved furniture, scraped away old paint, cleaned surfaces, amongst other things. Overall, they contributed a total of over 100 hours of service, which made a significant contribution to the project, and for which the project leaders were incredibly grateful.
Brother Patterson commented: “It was probably one of the most fulfilling and gratifying weekends I have experienced in my church life! We all had a united desire and willingness to make it a success, and that combined momentum saw us through. I firmly believe that with the Lord's help we can achieve great things.”
The Hidden Doors festival ran from 26th May to 4th June, and drew crowds of over 15000