I have been fortunate to have attended a third Youth Conference trip. This time, the stake youth went to Kirtland, Ohio. After congregating at the Potomac chapel beginning at 6:00am on May 29 with a short prayer meeting and breakfast, we rode on three buses all the way to Kirtland. Our branch youth rode on the yellow bus. At a layover in Hiram, Ohio, at a stake center, for about 3 hours, the kids engaged in games of water balloons, Frisbee, and giant soccer. At 4pm, we checked into the Fairfield Inn. After dinner, we proceeded to the Kirtland Temple. Group by group, we toured the awesome Kirtland Temple. While we were waiting to stand in a group photo of the stake youth on the steps of the temple, Da and I saw Jack Shirts, who was coincidentally also visiting the Kirtland Temple but was about to return home. Before the tours, Sister Julie Savage spoke to the youth about keeping journals. We participated in a testimony in the temple. Mark Hendricks introduced the main speaker, Brother Karl Anderson who spoke at length about the temple. In conclusion, we sang “The Spirit of God.” That climax was truly touching.
On Monday, we rode on the bus all day back home, only to stop at Breezewood for lunch. We made it back safely to the Potomac Chapel by 4pm. What a wonderful experience this trip was for all who attended it.
Back at the hotel in a conference room, pizza was served, and black journals were distributed. Sister Marla Foulger spoke. 11pm was curfew. Da and I took some pizza across the street at midnight to await the arrival of Sister He and Simon. They did arrive, we embraced, and we presented them with our small gifts.
On Sunday morning, the great buffet began at 7:30am for the young men and at 8:30am for the young women. Sister He and Simon joined us. At 9:30am, all of the youth, the chaperones (Da Zhao and Meili Shen), and Sister He congregated in our room, Room 229. After a prayer, I invited each of the youth from oldest to youngest to say a few words on either why they came to Youth Conference or what they have learned so far. In general, they came to Youth Conference to learn about the important revelations and people and to see Kirtland. They learned about the preservation of the temple, peace in the temple, podiums for the priesthood offices, Jesus stood at the podium, angels, strong spirit, God is watching over us and protecting us with power, Church history, no cell phones to distract us, and Joseph Smith was in the Kirtland Temple. Sister He spoke of miracles and the Lord’s purpose for us to be here. We should appreciate Youth Conference. Sister Meili Shen said that being with youth is happiness. Reminisce on memories. Learn church history as background of Gospel and church. There is a connection to church history. Da Zhao said that photos cannot capture the feelings of the spirit. He talked about journals. Kirtland is just a small town, but it is specially ordained.
Our bus first went to the Isaac Morley Farm, where Joseph Smith prophesied that this Gospel shall go into all the world, Joseph and Emma lived here in 1831-1832, Emma had twins here who died, and where Emma adopted the Murdock twins. We learned that all things center on the Savior. (D&C 45:3-5) and to be not weary in well doing. (D&C 64:33) We rode to the Chapin Pond Quarry ten minutes away. Then we went to the Kirtland Visitor Center. Kirtland is not about Joseph Smith. Kirtland is about the Savior and his atonement. At the John Johnson Farm, we took a group photo on the rock. Give all to the Lord. We had an Italian dinner. During the Sacrament Meeting at the chapel, President and Sister Harrison gave a Sacrament talk together, going back and forth. They discussed marriage and the purpose of this life, tribulations and blessings, light and revelation, angels and temples, stripping jealousy, and women’s role in church to support husband and priesthood.
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