To Eternity and Beyond! Outer Space Young Women Camp

This year at Young Women Camp, we went to outer space. And it was SPECTACULAR!

I've got two blog posts in the works- this one that explains our spiritual things, and one that explains all the fun stuff.

Our theme was "To Eternity and Beyond!"  I based my daily themes on President Uchtdorf's talk, Your Wonderful Journey Home.  

Our theme scripture was John 14: 5-6

5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Tuesday-  Welcome Eternal Earthlings!

Doctrine- We existed with God, He knows us, we are literally His daughters and can be like him. We came to earth to gain a body, and are now separate from God, physically and spiritually. The earth and our bodies are amazing creations, and we should treat them with respect and love.

Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image , after our likeness : and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Campwide Devotional- On this day I did a devotional about our bodies, how they were created in the image of God, and everyday implications of understanding and believing our bodies can be godlike. I 

Evening Activity- We did get to know you games (mafia, fruit basket, etc) and an astronomy lesson after sunset for our evening activities

Wednesday- Rocket Fuel

Doctrine- The Laws of God are eternal. As we learn about them, make covenants and follow eternal laws, we gain power and knowledge. The temple is a sacred place where we can feel God's presence and combine our forces with Heavenly Fathers through covenant. Obedience brings fuel to rise to our potential.

D&C 84:20-Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest

D&C 130:20-21-There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated”

Campwide Devotional- Jill did a devotional about the temple, talking about the power of covenants mixed with the power of obedience. She had a few young women share experiences with the temple open house that just happened in our area (Indianapolis). A young woman dropped mentos into a diet coke to talk about the explosion of power when you mix obedience and god's power. 

Evening Activity- The youth leaders set up a faith walk, with stations that correlated to parts of Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life. All the girls held onto a rope to represent the iron rod, and went from station to station- Iron Rod, great and spacious building, midsts of darkness, the tree. They were given little glittered pear cut outs with a scripture on the back. 

Thursday- Flight Plan

Doctrine- Heavenly Father and the scriptures are the eternal perspective that help us see the big picture and guide us in the right direction. Even though we are small among the universe, He is mindful of us.

John 14: 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Campwide Devotional-A member of the stake YW presidency talked about President Uchtdorf's questions from his talk- Where are you going? Are you going the right way? etc. and talked about hard things in our life, and where we look for help. 

Evening Activity-The Bishops were visiting, so we had games for them. First, at dinner they had to act out different scenarios- girls putting on makeup, getting dressed, at dances, etc. Then for the activity we had skits and silly songs, and the bishops had some challenges. They fought with light sabers while singing Primary songs. They had to find 3 eyed martian rocks in the grass. They had to toss Saturn's rings hula hoops onto lanterns. And wear martian head bands. They give a mini devotional with the young women in their wards and have treats. 

Friday- Watch Out! Meteors and Black Holes

Doctrine- During our life we will experience pain and trials- some like meteors that are beyond our control, some things like black holes that we must avoid or steer clear and stay away. But the Atonement can repair damage and make you whole and give you additional power.

D&C 122:5-8 All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good

Alma 13:28- Watch and pray continually, that you may not be tempted above that which you can bear

Isaiah 53:5 With his stripes we are healed

Evening Activity- Testimony meeting

Campwide Devotional- The Stake YW president talked about protecting ourselves in space- suit that protects and monitors our heart, gloves, helmet. And how we have to put on gloves of service not boxing gloves, to interact with others who think differently than we do. She spoke about same-sex attraction and the current counsel from church leaders, these girls may be experiencing it themselves or have close friends who they don't want to be unkind in their friendship. 

Saturday- To Eternity and Beyond!

Doctrine- We will be resurrected and reunited again. We can live with Heavenly Father and gain all that He has. Our bodies can be perfected through the resurrection. We can get feel a little bit of that glory and light in the temple.

D&C 93: 28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.

Alma 11:43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

Campwide devotional-    I reviewed the teachings of the week and talked about how Christ and his power are ETERNAL- and pointed to my poster (above) with the role of Christ in our lives, and spoke about how each of those things are without end. 

Especially for Camp-

Our stake YW presidency hold a workshop that the yw rotate through in levels. This year the leaders dressed up as secret agents with the CIA- Celestial Intelligence Agency, and talked about being intelligent in fighting evil. As always, we went over CAMP -how to bear your Testimony (to the tune of YMCA) - Christ centered, Attitude (Positive), Mind your Minutes, Prayer and Preparation.