Youth Conference 2017

Provo City Center Temple

 I am not sure how or where, but I fell in love with people  and places long gone.  Perhaps, it was the many times my father pulled over to read historical markers on the roadside or my mother reading stories to me of far off places.  Whatever the case this, love and reverence has blessed my life in immeasurable ways. 

Youth conference at Temple Square in Salt Lake City to me was better than chocolate- it was absolute yumminess to my heart and soul.

Mike Greer's Father's home- built in the 1920's

 We were blessed to eat lunch in this 1920's historical home in Provo.  It was absolutely gorgeous and hummed the melody of the history which belongs to it.

 The young women in our ward lift and inspire me.  They are beautiful on the inside and out!

 Hanging with the boys- there were gracious enough to pause and pose for me--- well sort of.

 I wasn't the only one happy to eat at this "historic find!"

 After going to do baptisms at the Provo City Center Temple, we headed to Ensign peak where the park workers dressed in period costume shared the culture of  the early Mormons with us- it was amazing.  The youth learned social mores dating, courtship, dress, and even played a few "old time" games.  They didn't even play on their phones.

My husband is a descendant of Mary Goble Pay

 Pioneer Village at Ensign Peak is very reminiscent of Nauvoo.  Many of the structures here have been moved from their original locations and placed here at this state park.  Other structures are replicas.  Although it was a hot and humid day in the valley,we wandered a bit and "took in" our surroundings!

 A particular blessing to me was having two of my sons come on the trip.  While I am not sure they share my love of all things "old" they humored me and shared a moment with me at this historic replica of their great, great, great, great grandfather Benjamin Franklin Johnson's saddle shop.

A little bit of "eye candy!

 We ended the evening with some dinner and some classic pioneer dancing.  Our youth loved it!

This crew is  an amazing bunch.  

Kind of love these boys!

We enjoyed our time at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. 

Another gem of our journey was visiting the Church History library and viewing church relics on display there including Hyrum Smith's 1840 edition of the Book of Mormon which he read from at Carthage jail before he and the Prophet Joseph were martyred-

Nothing beats standing in the shadows of structure that took 40 years to built by pioneers who had little but their hands and their faith!

 A highlight of the conference was listening to T.C. Christensen speak.  He is a storykeeper and film maker- 17 Miracles, Ephraims' Rescue, The Cokeville Miracle, and of most recent note Love, Kennedy.  He shared insights from his films and related the stories of his films to the lives of these youth!

Loved meeting T.C. Christensen!

 The Church History Museum was another powerful stop- I enjoyed seeing John Taylor's watch on display as well as the exhibit upstairs
Saints at Devil's Gate- It was powerful! (I am so grateful that my life was blessed by my grandfather Weaver who was a professor of art at BYU)

 Each landscape was accompanied by a diary entry of a pioneer who made the trek to the valley.  Their faith continues to inspire me- "I too, can do hard things!"

And of course to me the best part of the journey was hanging out with these ladies- their talents are as diverse as their beauty, but the faith they share is common!

My Stockton!

Part of the 32 member Ashdown Forest Crew

A huge shout out to my dear friends Brother and Sister Dunn for the planning and overseeing of youth Conference.  They were a lot of fun- love them!

                     Lunch outside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

I even managed to sneak lunch in with two of my dearest friends.  Good friends build great futures 

 I loved loved loved the time we spent at the Church History Family Discover museum.  The technology her will absolutely blow yo away- it take family history to a new height-  I found I had ancestors from Italy (never knew that one) and learned a little more about my ancestral roots- closest related to Spencer W. Kimball- my  great grandmother's 1st cousin, President Eyring, Philo T. Farnsworth (inventor of the television and President James Buchanan- interesting mix.

 The cooking demo was a little bit of how to make a roux meets dating and courtship via a little stand up comedy by the resident chef at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building- it was amazing!Not your ordinary "devotional"

A selfie with my roomies!

Our tour of the conference center was amazing.  The exhibit of the apostles past and present was unforgettable.

 The youth conference concluded with a delicious dinner- check out the dessert -and a testimony meeting.  The gospel changes life and the youth of the church will be the ones to lead that change- What a wonderful youth conference!