Elder Holland & the golf cart

It's time for another "Did you know" story.
(yes, the introspection on this blog is getting to be a bit much, even for me. there's been a serious lack of random lately. my apologies.)

In 1997, the Mormon Church celebrated the 150th Anniversary of the Pioneers entering the Salt Lake City Valley. I had the tremendous opportunity of being the Production Assistant for the Sesquicentennial Spectacular Celebration held that summer.

There are several stories I could tell from that summer.
How Martha Stewart almost got me fired.
How my friend and her husband almost got me kicked out of BYU.
How I nearly died running up to the top of the stadium.

But let's just start with one.

The night of the dress rehearsal, I had one oh so simple job.
My assignment was to transport Elder Richard G. Scott and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland via golf cart from the production trailers in the parking lot to the stage on the field inside Cougar Stadium.
Like I said, it was a simple job.

But, there were several problems with this assignment.
1.) I was a tich on the "awe struck side" by the passengers
2.) I had never driven a golf cart
3.) I didn't admit I had never driven a golf cart

As is customary, the senior one of the two sat in the front with me.
That left Elder Holland on the back seat (facing backwards, btw).
I remember Elder Scott starting a conversation with me.
I remember not knowing what to say.
I remember Elder Holland said something funny.
I remember laughing.
And then I remember my foot hit the gas pedal.
A. little. too. hard.

The next thing I knew I was making a sharp turn (to stay on the path) and I saw, out of the corner of my eye, Elder Holland nearly fall off the back.
I hit the brake.
Elder Holland caught his balance...barely.

And there we were.
Stopped.
I was mostly frozen.
Elder Scott said something like "Whoa there."
Elder Holland smiled.
I think I said, "I'm so sorry" a dozen times.

Somehow I got them to the stage.
They both got off the cart.
Even thanked me for the ride.

And that's the story of how I nearly threw Elder Holland off a golf cart I was driving. Pretty classic, eh?

PS It really was quite a spectacular celebration. I caught the production bug from this experience. I credit it for pushing me into events as a career. Here's the finale. 3,000 missionaries entered the stadium as a surprise. It still makes me cry to watch it.