Day 2

 You might think that teenagers all sleep in. They didn't today. Breakfast was at 8:00 and the picnic tables were full of kids by 7:00. We had a hearty breakfast of hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, sausage and fruit and then we were off for activities. 

This morning we had a BIG activity: axe throwing, sling shot shooting, tug of wars, capture the flag as well as Alma talking to us at the Waters of Mormon, which were deep in the forest, just like in the Book of Mormon. 

We were concerned about rain in the afternoon. The forecast had a 70% chance of rain. After lunch President Lonsdale talked to us about prayer and God's will and that he wanted us to all use faith that we'd be spared a downpour, if it was His will, and then he offered a prayer. Interestingly, the storm came down north of us and south of us but somehow the clouds parted over the area where we were and we were spared any rain. Another Moroni's Quest miracle.

In the afternoon, we saw some more amazing enactments: Ammon, King and Queen Lamoni, Anti Nephi Lehi, Alma and Alma the Younger, Helaman, Captain Moroni and more. When enemies were approaching Captain Moroni talked with Anti Nephi Lehi about the problem they faced. Their people would not prepare nor go to war....and a voice from the audience said, "We'll fight!" The Title of Liberty was raised and the youth armed themselves and went off to battle. As they marched off one of the youth said, "Let's sing Armies of Helaman." There wasn't a dry eye. 

After dinner, we all went back down to the stage and there was music playing. Those kids sure can dance!! We were entertained by some songs from Grease (Oh those Strathmore kids can perform!), The Chicken Dance and even the YMCA!

We all really had a great time.....until Samuel the Lamanite came along. He called everyone to repentance. Having just had such a fun time dancing, it was easy to think about how they must have felt in the real situation telling them to repent and change their ways. "But we want to dance!" 

We ended the evening with a devotional by President Zemp. He spoke on how the Book of Mormon is for us today and it gives us an enabling power. "When we understand the enabling power of the Atonement, we will be changed; we will have access to strength beyond our natural abilities, our weakness can be turned to strength, and we can know that “in the strength of the Lord” we can “do all things” (Alma 20:4).

We do not doubt, our mother's knew it. (Alma 56:48)