I hardly know what to say or share about Moroni's Quest. It's the type of experience you just can't describe adequately. I was very VERY lucky to get to go this time around and I was even asked to take pictures throughout the weekend! (I'm sure the other photographers had amazing shots, but these are some of mine that bring back great memories for me)
It has been such a privalige to serve in a stake young womens presidency. One of our jobs was to serve the youth and tribe leaders breakfast the morning Quest began. They all met at the civic center for milk, juice, muffins and such. It was fun to feel the excitement and energy that the youth had prior to leaving.
Quest happens on some special land near the base of Chief Mountain. It's an incredible thing to watch a couple of people hike into camp with that as a backdrop!
The entire weekend is designed to help the youth become better acquainted with the scriptures and their Savior. The youth move from one scripture re enactment to another and discus what they have learned and felt (with their tribes) in between.
Quest began on Canada Day. I was so happy to get to sing "O Canada" in this setting with this group of young people!
The Book of Mormon is filled with wars and battles, so naturally those were some of the youths favorite moments to re enact. But really, whether we were watching a scene about Abinadi, listening to Captain Moroni bear testimony, cheering for Helemans 2000 brave young warriors or watching Alma the younger forsake his sinful past or participating in a battle - every moment of Quest offers something meaningful and testimony building.
I particularly loved two special moments. The first, was watching the young men in our stake face our young women. Each group bearing testimony through song. ("As sisters in Zion/We'll bring the World His truth" was the medley that they sang) So very moving.
The highlight of Quest for most people will likely always be the Sunday morning, the day of the re enactment of Christ's visit to the American Continent. I loved a couple of things about this re enactment. (Of course, this was President Low dressed up to portray the Savior, but it was incredibly moving, just the same.) I was constantly humbled as I watched and noticed each persons reaction as they hugged him. They exuded such love - and so did he!
It was neat as I photographed during that 2 1/2 hour experience, to listen to the conversations around me. I heard fathers thanking coaches for the service they'd given, parents thanking youth for being friends with their kids, kids thanking teachers for being so good to them at school ...etc. So much gratitude being expressed. I've spent time since then reflecting on the correlation between the gratitude that automatically ensues anytime we feel close to the Savior.
Another experience I had during this Sunday morning came as I was trying to photograph each persons "moment" with President Low. I hadn't realized that his hands (and feet) had also been made to look like the Saviors. While taking one particular photo - the marks in his hands stood out to me and I could barely control my tears from that point on. I was drawn to the image of ONE person wrapped up in His arms - with those wounds still there. Proof that he suffered for each individual soul on this earth. I am in awe of that! I LOVE that! I want to do better at living worthy of such a gift.
I was so grateful to get to experience Quest with Jewel. Jewel actually had half of her own family with her (and I had no one from my family with me) but it was always nice to run into her, sit by her at times and watch her serve others in her designated way as well.
This final photo is of myself, Karen Cahoon, Jolene Strang, and Jana Jensen.
We currently make up the Stake Young Womens Presidency and it has been SUCH AN HONOR to serve with these women this past year. It's been a year largely focused on Moroni's Quest and so it was a little bit bittersweet on the last day, to feel that our small efforts on this grand project were done. I'm not sure how much longer this presidency will be serving as they have already been together for 3 1/2 years now. I suspect a change will come in the months ahead but in the meantime, I will (like a sponge) soak up every moment and opportunity to get to know them better and learn from them!
I am so very grateful for the opportunities that come my way (and my families way) as a result of my membership in this church!
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