Friday 15th July - Scavenger Hunt Part 1

After lunch at the Wesley Mission, the afternoon session featured the "Scavenger Hunt" activity. The idea behind this activity was to give the youth the opportunity to see a number of tourist spots and experiences around Sydney, whilst also relating them to Gospel topics and scriptures. In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Lehi uses the technique when he and his family leave Jerusalem and travel through the wilderness. To try and keep his sons focussed on the gospel, he named many of the landmarks and features around him after his sons, pointing out the characteristics of the landmarks that he would like his sons to have.

This activity involved walking around Sydney, visiting a number of different tourist locations, and relating a Gospel topic or scripture at that location. There were 5 groups of 8-9 youth per group, with 2 leaders. The ledaers were provided with a set of instructions that had maps, directions and a script for the various locations. There were a lot of things visited - it involved over 7kms of walking, as well as Ferry and Monorail rides, but it appears that most people enjoyed it. Because of the number of places visited, I'll break this activity up into a number of different blog entries, each including the script (in blue) that was read at each location.

Activity 1 - Queen Victoria Building
Scripture and discussion: Alma 12:24
24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.
Read: This scripture talks about how we spend our time, on Earth. The activity here is to go to the top floor and find the giant clocks representing how we choose to spend our time.

Activity 2 - ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park
Scripture and discussion: Alma 46:10 – 13
10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent upon the face of the land for the righteous’ sake.
11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah.
12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it—In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children—and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land—
Read:  Satan is constantly trying to destroy our agency, our freedom, and God’s church. This memorial remembers some of those Australians who have died protecting your freedom. Take a minute to reflect on what this means to you.

Activity 3 - Hyde Park Chapel

No scheduled gospel discussion here, but the opportunity to see one of the more unusual LDS chapels, occupying the 2nd story of the high rise Connaught Building opposite Hyde Park. Many groups were fortunate to meet up with some of the missionaries who had previously been in Canberra when travelling to the chapel.

Activity 4 - Hyde Park

No scheduled gospel discussion here, but several photo opportunities along tree lined avenues, picturesque gardens and the Archibald Fountain.