This past summer I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life. A few months ago I got a phone call telling me someone (an angel in my life) applied for a scholarship on mine and my best friend’s behalf to go on church history tour “senior trip” with 50 other Latter Day Saints youth. As soon as I got the phone call I was super excited and humbled that someone would do that for me. Fast forward to July 15th and I was on a plane to New York City feeling so excited but also nervous at the same time. Once we got to New York and met everyone all my nervous butterflies went away and I knew it was going to be the best 10 days ever. The first couple of days we explored New York City and did all the touristy things. Then Sunday came around, which was in my opinion the best day of the whole trip. We started our day off with a sacrament meeting in the Palmyra chapel and after, we headed to the Sacred Grove. The feeling I got walking into the grove was so powerful. I couldn’t help but feel so much peace and assurance that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on the earth today and that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. Later that day after we all had our personal time in the grove, we had a testimony meeting to share about our experience in the grove. It was so amazing to me that we all did the same thing, but we all got something different out of it. It was also a testament to me that the Spirit speaks to us personally in our own ways. Recently I have been troubled with decisions like where to go to school and whether or not I should serve a mission and going into the grove with this in mind I got just what I needed. As I was walking along the rocky and muddy path I felt prompted to “look up”. Although the trees were absolutely beautiful, I knew it was my Heavenly Father telling me to look to Him and trust Him in all my endeavors. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go on this trip and although I don’t know who submitted the scholarship, I am so thankful to whoever it was. Being in the places where our church was brought about made it so much more real to me and solidified my testimony of the Restoration and the prophet Joseph Smith. I’m grateful for the gospel and the places and the people it has brought me to. I not only got to see some of the most amazing things but I also got to meet some of the most amazing people. I’m grateful for the knowledge that I have and the opportunity I have to share it with others and I leave all of this with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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