The Strength of Youth

Sunday we attended church in Texas. The team had a choice to attend sacrament meeting or go to the JFK Memorial. So, 40 young men loaded the bus and rode the 20 minutes to a ward house in Arlington while the others went to the memorial. We followed the bus to attend with Ty. 20 minutes before the meeting was to begin, we arrived and took our seats. Members of the bishopric came to greet the visitors and were very gracious, but a bit shocked to see the chapel already almost half full. (Most of the parents had the same idea we did and were also in attendance.) They asked the boys to set up a few chairs and opened the overflow. Two of them were also invited to help pass the sacrament.

The opening song started off the meeting with a tremendous spirit as the low voices of our players combined with the ward members in lovely harmony.

Because it was the first Sunday of the month, testimonies were on the program. The member of the bishopric who was conducting started the testimonies. He commented that it was such a sight to see all these young men in their white shirts and also noted the strong spirit in the meeting.

Once the time was turned over to the congregation, several players went up to the stand. Most of them would dwarf a regular size person, but the testimonies they shared were so pure and sweet with such tenderness in their voices. The spirit was so strong. The ward members who shared their testimonies also commented about the spirit these young men brought to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance and example.

A large portion of the boys there were Polynesian. A sister from the ward came forward and shared with us that her mother, sitting next to her in a wheelchair had been crying. When she asked if she was alright, her mother responded that she wished her husband was still alive to be at this meeting. Her husband had served a mission in Samoa in the early 1900s. She was so touched listening to the sweet testimonies of these beautiful Polynesian young men.

Not a moment of the meeting was wasted as we heard testimony after testimony. It seemed the time went too quickly. There were still young men on the stand when the bishop stood up and had to close the meeting. It was such a blessing to feel the strength of a gathering of priesthood holding young men with high ambitions and standards. It strengthened me to be there and know that our future is in good hands, there is still good in the world, and there is strength in youth. Many parents commented to me that that was the best testimony meeting they had been to. I have to agree.