We left our apartment extra early to get through the Good Friday traffic and be on time for our speaking assignment. We caught the early rays of the sun through the morning mist over the rivers.
We traveled a couple of hours throught the lowlands and then up into the mountains and arrived at the entrance to Neverland right on time. It was a steep driveway to the top of the hill to join the youth, so I put the car in low gear and up we went. We were pressed back into our seats as the car worked hard to take us up the steep incline, all the way to the top.
We joined the youth for their testimony meeting. The Priest/Laurel group met outside the pavillion and the Teacher/MIA Maid group met behind the screens under the pavillion. We felt the same warm spirit that you always feel when sincere testimonies are born and could tell these youth had strong testimonies and were close to the Lord.
After the testimony meetings the groups merged together in the pavillion for the final devotional meeting and our talk with the youth. Mom gave out the name cards to some young men to be Nephi, Shadrack, Meishak and Abednago. She also handed out a dozen slips of paper, to be read to the group, with a brief "Amazing Fact" on it.
The youth were excited to be together and participate with us. Our presentation was built around the conference theme, "Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations.", D&C 115:5.
I started, then mom and I alternated our parts. Mom talked of the amazing miracle of our bodies, and I talked of their more amazing faith and valor in the pre-mortal world. We told them about the power of God, to help them be victorious here on earth too and gave them examples from the scriptures and from people's lives today. Mom interviewed Nephi about his trials to obtain the brass plates. I talked about the power in the priesthood and covenants, and then told the story of the Stripling Warriors and the delivering power of their covenants. Mom interviewed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego about the firey furnace and told them Jesus Christ will be with them in their fiery furnace of trials and afflictions. I closed by telling the youth about the young lad, Enoch, that was hated by all around him and was slow of speech, but that through his faith and the power of the Lord, he became a mighty prophet of God... he commanded mountains to move, rivers to change their course and the earth shook when he spoke. You and the Lord have power over all evil and together you are always victorious!
We posed for a picture with each of the 9 units in the stake.
These young men have so much faith that they went out and walked on the pool water.
The young women were faithful and knew how to do it too.
The lunch was prepared by the relief society sisters and soon everyone was seated at a table eating their delicious meal.
Chicken, rice, vegetables and an orange.
The young women were served first...
...and the young men were quick to follow.
Some of the youth quickly changed their clothes after lunch and got their wish, to fly in the heavens like an angel, and took a fast run down the zip line in "Moroni" postiton before for their long ride home.
The youth were all happy and well fed spiritually and temporally. It was an experience these youth and we will cherish and long remember.
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