EFY 2009-Nauvoo

This year was my last year at EFY. I'm old now, so the only way I could go again is if I go as a counselor. I'm not opposed to that idea. Actually, I really like that idea. Anyways...

This year I went to EFY in Nauvoo. It was the best week of my entire life. Not only because I met some amazing people and had a great time, but also because, in the words of my counselor, I had a spiritual overload.

We started out the day reading our scritures out in front of the temple. I just kept thinking, "Wow! The early saints probably did this very same thing" or "Brother Joseph walked these very streets." Every day was packed full with morningsides, classes, and fun.

On Wednesday we got to go to Old Nauvoo. We went to the brick yard, the blacksmith, the Smith family cemetery, etc. After that we got to do baptisms for the dead. I had done them in the Nauvoo temple before but I had forgot how beautiful it was. I was able to see the spiral staircase (beautiful) and the assembly hall (I could only look in from the door because you have to have the express permission of the First Presidency to enter). More important than the physical beauty, was the spiritual peace I felt inside. I love the temple.

After the temple we were able to go watch "Sunset on the Mississippi," a show put on by the missionaries. It was a lot of fun, complete with fiddlers and dancers and singers and such. I loved it. Directly following this show, Vocal Point, BYU's a capella group, put on their show. I fell in love. If you ever have the chance to go, GO!

Thursday was also a great day. We started out by going to the Nauvoo Cemetery. Here, there are literally hundreds of graves, mostly young children. It is a very sacred spot. It was a nice place to sit down and read D&C 137.

On the way from the cemetery to Carthage I read D&C 135, which is John Taylor's account of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum. I loved Carthage. We got to watch a movie on Joseph Smith and then we toured the jail. I felt the Spirit very strongly while I was there.

Thursday was also the musical program and testimony meeting. I always love that night. I love hearing the testimonies of others. The youth of today are very strong.

Friday was a great last day for a great week. We split into young men and young women and had a meeting with the session director and got to see the Joseph Smith video in the Visitor's Center. After that we had the variety show, which is always fun. Our counselor Tony walked us down to the Red Brick Store for a root beer during free time. We had a blast. Friday night had a grand finale of THE DANCE. The best part was when Tony and I two-stepped. I hate how most guys these days don't really know how to dance. Tony did. :) After the dance we had one last fireside and a special testimony meeting with just our "family." I'm so glad I went to EFY in Nauvoo. My testimony was strengthened immensely. You can't put a price on a testimony.

P.S. I did mention my counselor Tony. I guess he wasn't "my" counselor. He was the guy counselor in our family, but Tony and I really hit it off. He is STUPENDOUS! He has great insights into the gospel and tons of stories from church history. I picked his brain all week. I think the rest of my group thought the two of us were crazy because we spent so much time talking, but when I find a friend as good as him, I don't take them for granted. :)