Our son Cooper was recently called to serve a mission to Brazil. A pilot program for certain languages scheduled himfirst with three weeks in the Provo MTC as an English speaking missionary, thensix weeks in Sao Paulo for Portuguese language training.   He was thrilled to know he’d be in the Provo MTC for General Conference, and even more thrilled to be selected to sing in the MTC choir for the afternoon session. Of the many who wanted to participate, the approximately 364 singers were selected not by audition, but by written applications based on previous vocal experience…

As a mother watching the session on TV, I was so thrilled and emotional watching him sing in the Conference Center that I missed what happened during the last song: the camera had quietly panned Elder David Archuleta, the American Idol finalist who has become such a phenomenally successful young pop singer. His choice to leave the fans and fame to serve a full-time mission has been media news for some time. TheFacebook messages and texts started immediately and it was very clear that others had seen what I had missed: Cooper had been standing in a very fun place.

Two days later, on his way to Brazil, we were able to visit with him on the phone at the airport. He reported that Elder Archuleta had arrived at the MTC on the Wednesday before Conference, March 28. He has been called to Chile. Unlike the other singers who were required to attend all the rehearsals, they popped him in at the end for the last rehearsal or two. As for the seating arrangements in the choir loft, they were not placed individually, but rather by section and height, as in: “Elders singing tenor 5’8” to 6’2” go NOW!” And they filled in the appointed seats.

Cooper said, “When they called my height, I just made a beeline for front and center – that’s where I wanted to be for the whole experience! Elder Archuleta had taken a seat to the side, but they moved him to the front, and when all was said and done, I was right behind him. He’s a very nice guy! He sat next to me and we chatted when we had our hair cut at the MTC. It’s crazy, though, because all the sisters want to sit next to him in the cafeteria!”

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