EFY

I've officially been home from EFY for 24 hours :)

It was a great experience, and I learned so much, both about myself and about the Gospel in general. I'd like to share some of that with you. I'm telling my story out of order, so if you can figure out the chronology, more power to you. Also, as a sidenote. The things I'm about to say are sacred to me, and I would appreciate your respect, even if you won't believe them.

My favorite part of the entire week was the testimony meeting on Thursday night. I did the math, and since I turned 8 and was baptized a member of the Church, I have been to 108 Fast and Testimony meetings, 6 Girls' Camp testimony meetings, 3 EFY testimony meetings, and 3 Youth Conference testimony meetings In total, I've been to around 120 of these meetings. Of all 120 meetings, the testimony meeting I attended last Thursday was the single most amazing one of my life. It was the most powerful, the most testimony-building, and the most faith-strengthening meeting I have ever had the opportunity to attend. The Spirit of God was present in that room, and I believe that all in attendance could feel it. I can't describe the feeling. If you've ever felt it yourself, you know what I'm talking about. If you've never felt it, you can't even begin to fathom what that room felt like on Thursday night. There were no doubts, no fears, only convictions. It was amazing, it was inspiring, and I'm so grateful for the experience. Usually, I direct these posts at members of my Church, those with testimonies, those whose examples I seek to follow. Right now though, if you're not LDS, or if you are but have forgotten what it feels like to know, I'm directing this at you. The Spirit I have failed to describe is real. I don't think you can understand just how true it is until you've felt it. It isn't reserved just for me though- it's something that you can feel too. You can feel the power I'm trying to convey, and you can know like I know where that power comes from- God Himself. But you have to open your heart to it, and you have to seek it. I know it's real. I know His power is real, and is greater than any other. And I know this because of the Spirit of God.

One thing that I really feel like I learned from Thursday's testimony meeting was how powerful the Priesthood is. Priesthood holders, when you bear testimony, you speak with power. Do you realize it? Do you know how powerful your voice is, because of the Priesthood you hold? That power can't be duplicated. In the meeting I attended, I heard more than one valiant, worthy, amazing Priesthood holder bear a most powerful witness of the Son of God. The power with which they spoke can't be denied, can't be duplicated, and can't be ignored. I gained a reverence and respect for the Priesthood that night because I felt the power. In hearing their testimonies, it built upon mine. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that they knew what they were talking about, because of hte power with which they spoke. I can't describe it sufficiently. I can't explain it. But it was amazing.

There were literally people running to the front of the room (which I'd never seen before) to share what they knew and the Spirit they were feeling. People lined the walls waiting for their turn. In the end, we ran out of time, and I didn't get to share my own testimony. But I feel like there was nothing I could have said to add on what had already been said, what the people in the room were already feeling. It was an amazing experience. As I stood waiting on the wall there was a girl I'd never met standing behind me crying. (This isn't unusual. Although feeling the Spirit doesn't necessarily lead to tears, and tears don't necessarily indicate the Spirit, it isn't an uncommon reaction, especially for girls, to get emotional. What can I say? It's a powerful thing. I was crying too.) I had never seen her before that night, and I still don't know her name. But in that moment, I felt something tell me to put my arm around her- she was my sister. It was a cool experience. I wanted to tell her "I don't know you, or I can't remember knowing you before this life, but you're my spirit sister. We are Daughters of God."

I had never felt the Spirit so powerfully that I felt like a Hymn was not sacred enough to convey the feeling, but on Thursday night, leaving the meeting, I did. I wanted to sing a hymn in my head, but nothing seemed quite powerful, quite sacred enough. As the boys escorted the girls back to their apartments, someone started to sing a Primary song. I don't remember what song it was, but it was quiet, simple, and sacred. It captured the lingering feeling perfectly. As we made our way through a few Primary songs and onto Hymns, we did eventually sing The Spirit of God. But right after, right that second, there was nothing sacred enough to convey the Spirit in the room.

It was an amazing experience, one that I hope to remember for the rest of my life. I want you try to imagine. Maybe you've had a similar experience. Maybe you haven't. I want you to know that I know the power of God is real. I know that His Church is undeniably true. Like Joseph Smith said, "No unhallowed hand will stop the work from progressing". No worldly power can overcome the power of God- the power with which His Gospel radiates. If you don't know this for yourself, please find out. If you've never felt what I've described here, seek it. If you can't remember what it feels like to know, come back. If you've ever wanted something more, this is it. If you don't understand what I'm asking you to do, I would love nothing more than to help you find what I have been so blessed to have.

Christina Crum