Saturday 16th July - Morning - Temple

There were a lot of bleary eyes and late sleep-ins from the youth, recovering from both the Dance and the long walking the previous day. Shame, those who did sleep-in missed out on the usual good food fare that Bro Mckean had served up. They also missed seeing the daily ritual of the lunch sandwiches being prepared.

Pres Horburgh called us in at 8:30 to let us know that the Temple had called him earlier in the morning, to make sure that we were ready for our 8AM session at the Baptistery. No, he said, adding that we had been told in writing that we had the 10AM session. Unfortunately, our time at the Temple appeared to have been double booked with one of the Sydney Wards. We had to rush the youth to get ready, pack and to clean their rooms, before once again heading on to the bus.

We eventually arrived at the Temple about 9:30AM. I went in and helped the Minchinbury Ward who were already there but short some workers to get started with their session. In the meantime, the other leaders helped the youth get ready for the baptistery session. For those who were unable to go into the temple, an activity was put on out in the Temple Annex. I believe that a member of the Temple Presidency came down to speak to those in the Annex about the purpose of the Temple, following which they watched part of the movie "The Other Side of Heaven". They didn't get to finish the movie by the time the rest of the youth finished in the Temple, which I know that Jayde was disappointed about - she wants to see the end of it.

It's always a great experience going to the Temple. Being able to cast off the things of the outside world and feel of the peace inside. It was an interesting contrast that for the Youth Conference, the opening activity was performing a clean-up in the Rookwood Cemetery, whilst the closing activity in Sydney was a Baptistry session in the Temple. Both activities involved providing service to those who have passed one - one in a physical sense in helping to care for their earthly remains, whilst the other was in a spiritual sense, helping to open the door for those who wish to accept the Gospel after this life. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is marvelous in that sense, catering for all of Heavenly Father's Children - past, present and future, through his Church, Temple work and missionary work.

The youth were finished in the Temple about noon, then it was a matter of changing back into street clothes, quickly visiting the Distribution Centre and having lunch.  Then, ready for the final leg of the Conference - a trip up into the Blue Mountains.