This week has been AMAZING.
I had the amazing opportunity to go on a trip to San Diego, California with the other youth in my stake. This was a very special and spiritual experience for me, and helped to build my testimony. I'll take a moment to briefly outline the events that occurred during this weeklong trip.
First, the bus ride...
Probably the most boring 9 hours I have ever experienced in all of life so far. I sat in the back of a large tour bus on the way to San Diego, and 6 of those hours were literally spent staring out a window. So that was a party.
Next, the camp...
We arrived at a Church-owned camp where we unloaded the buses and had a little free time. This camp was in a beautiful forest, and set up with a soccer field, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, a pool, a zipline, and many beautiful trails and nature to explore. Most of my free time while there was spent playing soccer or socializing with friends.
Then, the Naval Base...
We had the tremendous opportunity to board an aircraft carrier called the U.S.S Boxer, and learn about the many functions of the ship from the soldiers on board. I learned a lot about the United States Navy and was pleased with the whole experience.
Next, the Temple...
We went to the San Diego Temple and let me say, it is one of the (if not the most) beautiful temples I have ever seen. If you have not seen it or visited it, look up pictures on google or take a few days to visit, you will not regret it. I had an amazingly spiritual experience while there. Unfortunately, I was not able to enter the temple, but I had a great experience nonetheless, and I felt a great feeling of hope for the future while there.
Then, the other camp...
We went to another camp, and on the way there, we stopped in a meadow where our stake president shared with us his conversion experience, which was very similar to Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove. It was a very pleasant and spiritual experience.
Next, Testimony Meeting...
The meeting was set at an outdoor amphitheater surrounded by an absolutely gorgeous view of the mountains. Many testimonies were shared, including mine, and many tears were shed, including mine. Definitely the most touching experience of the entire trip for me.
Lastly, the bus ride home...
Luckily, this trip was not nearly as boring as the first. I, and my friends, had a long time to reflect on the week and share with each other the experiences we had and how we grew spiritually.
In short, this week has been a very spiritual experience for me. I gained a testimony of the atonement, and that the purpose of it is never to make us feel guilty or bad about ourselves or what we've done, as that is the role of the adversary. The purpose of the atonement is to make it possible for us to repent and forsake our sins, and to be lifted up and find greater joy and peace in our lives. Jesus Christ bled many drops for each of us, and no one is perfect, but we must strive to always be repentant and keep our lives focused on Christ. I know this will bring us joy and peace in our lives if we are committed and persistent day by day.
I love all of my peers so much. There is so much strength in my brethren and my sisters in the church, and being around them is a blessing on its own, but when coupled with the Holy Ghost, it can become a celestial and holy experience. I love this church, I love Jesus Christ, and I love His Gospel.
The Youthful Scholar.
I had the amazing opportunity to go on a trip to San Diego, California with the other youth in my stake. This was a very special and spiritual experience for me, and helped to build my testimony. I'll take a moment to briefly outline the events that occurred during this weeklong trip.
First, the bus ride...
Probably the most boring 9 hours I have ever experienced in all of life so far. I sat in the back of a large tour bus on the way to San Diego, and 6 of those hours were literally spent staring out a window. So that was a party.
Next, the camp...
We arrived at a Church-owned camp where we unloaded the buses and had a little free time. This camp was in a beautiful forest, and set up with a soccer field, a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, a pool, a zipline, and many beautiful trails and nature to explore. Most of my free time while there was spent playing soccer or socializing with friends.
Then, the Naval Base...
We had the tremendous opportunity to board an aircraft carrier called the U.S.S Boxer, and learn about the many functions of the ship from the soldiers on board. I learned a lot about the United States Navy and was pleased with the whole experience.
Next, the Temple...
We went to the San Diego Temple and let me say, it is one of the (if not the most) beautiful temples I have ever seen. If you have not seen it or visited it, look up pictures on google or take a few days to visit, you will not regret it. I had an amazingly spiritual experience while there. Unfortunately, I was not able to enter the temple, but I had a great experience nonetheless, and I felt a great feeling of hope for the future while there.
Then, the other camp...
We went to another camp, and on the way there, we stopped in a meadow where our stake president shared with us his conversion experience, which was very similar to Joseph Smith's experience in the Sacred Grove. It was a very pleasant and spiritual experience.
Next, Testimony Meeting...
The meeting was set at an outdoor amphitheater surrounded by an absolutely gorgeous view of the mountains. Many testimonies were shared, including mine, and many tears were shed, including mine. Definitely the most touching experience of the entire trip for me.
Lastly, the bus ride home...
Luckily, this trip was not nearly as boring as the first. I, and my friends, had a long time to reflect on the week and share with each other the experiences we had and how we grew spiritually.
In short, this week has been a very spiritual experience for me. I gained a testimony of the atonement, and that the purpose of it is never to make us feel guilty or bad about ourselves or what we've done, as that is the role of the adversary. The purpose of the atonement is to make it possible for us to repent and forsake our sins, and to be lifted up and find greater joy and peace in our lives. Jesus Christ bled many drops for each of us, and no one is perfect, but we must strive to always be repentant and keep our lives focused on Christ. I know this will bring us joy and peace in our lives if we are committed and persistent day by day.
I love all of my peers so much. There is so much strength in my brethren and my sisters in the church, and being around them is a blessing on its own, but when coupled with the Holy Ghost, it can become a celestial and holy experience. I love this church, I love Jesus Christ, and I love His Gospel.
The Youthful Scholar.