Peaceable Followers of Christ

We brought the youth from our ward (ages 14 and up) to BYUI, for a 20 Stake Youth Conference. The theme of the conference was Peaceable Followers of Christ. There were over 4000 kids and leaders there, and it was AWESOME! The opening session started on a Friday evening. Sawyer got to be up front because he sang in the choir. Sister Elaine S. Dalton, our General Young Women President, kicked off the event by speaking to the youth. 

Here are some of the key points she made:

*She started off talking about research that was being done to find the perfect wave. It seems like it couldn't exist. A wave like no other, that you could surf on for hours. Well, it was finally found! It's a tidal bore in a dirty, chocolate colored river in the Indonesian jungle, in crocodile infested waters. She went on to say that  youth today are like this wave. It seems impossible, yet a very righteous group of youth are rising up in this polluted world we live in.

*She told them that their choices now matter, because they are a pivotal generation.

*She told them that blessings will come to them if they live the standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet with EXACTNESS. She showed a short hidden camera video of people getting on an elevator. The person who wasn't in on the prank would get on the elevator and stand facing the front. Then, all the people who were in on the trick would get on, and they would all stand facing the back of the elevator. Slowly the unsuspecting person would start to turn just a little bit. Some people eventually turned all the way around. She told them NEVER to turn just a little bit! Not even when everyone else is doing it. Don't ever compromise your values. Keep your eyes straight ahead on your eternal goals.

*When the Holy Ghost speaks to you, you have to have the courage to obey.

*One of the last things she said to them that I loved, was that they are not ordinary! They are remarkable, extraordinary youth that have the potential to change the world.

After that, we had dinner and a dance on the upper field. Sawyer said it was the best dance he's ever been to.

We went back up to BYUI on Saturday morning to start the second day of the conference. Dale Murphy was the key speaker that morning.

Here are are few things he talked to the youth about:

*He compared Satan to a pitcher. The pitcher tries to trick you and deceive you just like Satan does. The batter (or the youth) need to be prepared to make quick and good decisions throughout life.

*He told them to follow their dreams, and then said that they could be successful in any field they chose to go into, and still keep the standards of the church.

*He told them to never compare themselves to others. We all have our own unique, God given gifts.

After his talk, we did a Temple Walk. Over 4000 youth walked up to the Temple and surrounded it. They had a helicopter fly over and take pictures.

Then we had lunch and went to two 'breakout sessions'. Those were hour long classes that the kids got to chose.

We ended the conference with Elder Bednar. He opened up his 2 hours as a question and answer session. It was awesome! 

 There were two things he said that stuck me. First he challenged the youth to read the scriptures and focus on the places where it says, "one by one." He said it would change their lives if they would find those places in the scriptures and consider them.

My favorite question he was asked was by Christie Seedall. She asked him if he could only pick one thing to teach her, what would it be? He thought for a second, then looked her straight in the eye, and said that it was all true. The Gospel, and all the stuff they learn with it. It was totally silent, and I got chills! I can't even explain it, you just had to be there. The spirit in the auditorium was so strong.

It was a great conference, and I'm so glad we had the chance to go!