EFY has been referred to as "Spiritual Boot Camp". Thursday's are the best days in my eyes. It is the Sunday Dress day; Men wear white shirts and ties, women wear a dress or skirt and blouse. The day begins like the others, with a Participant Devotional and a Scripture Study lesson. Then we split the men and women to go to separate activities. The women were given a lesson on being a true princess; In reality, all daughters are heirs to the Heavenly King. As a counselor group, we read and discussed "The Living Christ." The rest of the day is focused on feeling the Spirit with a fireside by the Session Director, a YW/YM activity. In the middle of the day we had our Variety Show which is a bit rowdier, but it's mostly to keep up the participants energy. We end the day with a testimony meeting.The kids bear sincere, pure and wonderful testimonies. Even my quiet ones who don't say a whole lot were brave enough to stand in front of 40 other people and say what was in their heart. This is when you can see some of the results as a counselor. To know if they've learned anything, or at least were comforted by the Spirit. These kids come from all walks of life. My girls were diverse in skin color and personality. Some of them revealed truths from their past or their present situation, that floored me. One of my girls, who answered many of the questions and knew much about the gospel, was in fact not a member. She lives with her dad and step-mom, or at least goes to church with them, but her biological mother doesn't support her, therefore prevents her from being baptised. All had testimonies of the gospel. As I learned this week at EFY - a testimony of the basic principles of the gospel is the most crucial. Digging deep into spiritual truths is wonderful and we must always be increasing in knowledge, but if we neglect the basics: constant prayer, scripture study, charity, paying tithing, attending church and partaking of the sacrament, we will loose our foundation which will cause our testimonies to fall. It is of UPMOST importance to not forget who you are, why you are here, and where you are going. If you remember each of these truths; that you are a child of God, sent here to obtain a body and proove your devotion to God, and that you have a chance for everlasting life, joyful and at peace for eternity, then life just seems to fall into place.
There is something called the "EFY Fire." Kids will leave feeling the Spirit with new resolution to work hard and do the best they can. Lives are changed that week. Many go home, and within a few days are back to their old ways of living within the world and falling with every gust of wind of untrue doctrine. Something I told my girls is that EFY is not true. Counselors are imperfect. BC's and coordinators are imperfect. Even the session director and all those who make the EFY program possible are imperfect. What is true is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. HE is who will lead and guide you through your life and get you through sore trials and harsh temptations. Remember that even the establishment of the church is imperfect. But the gospel that it supports is true and living.
I encourage all those who are of age to participate in EFY, or if you can, volunteer your time to be a leader and counselor to these precious youth who so badly need a teacher. Someone to readjust their position on the path of life, and push them towards the iron rod.
Oh yeah. Don't forget to have fun. Life's amusing, no?
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