By Ken Jarvis, San Antonio Area Media Specialist
For many teens who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the first part of summer means Youth Conference. It’s a time to get together for fun and spiritual growth through workshops and service. This was the case for the youth of the San Antonio, Texas North Stake.
According to Stake Young Women’s President, JoAnn Lowry, this year’s youth conference had workshops on, “…spiritual self-reliance, coping skills, preparing for the Temple and missionary work, as well as writing letters to missionaries that are serving from our Stake.”
In addition to the workshops they spent a half-day building bunk beds for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace organization. SHP is a group of volunteers, nationwide, dedicated to building, assembling and delivering quality bunk beds to children and families in need.
“It was a lot of fun to watch,” said Shane Arnold, Vice President of the San Antonio Chapter of SHP. “To have this many kids work for two and a half hours straight without a break and to have them really step up and take ownership was very inspiring. I’m surprised and impressed.”
Stake President Greg Neuberger said, “The purpose of having youth work on this project teaches them to love our Heavenly Father and love others. This service project was to teach them to serve others as Christ would serve them.” He went on to say that the 160 youth that attended Youth Conference, “…love the Lord and they love to put the principles they’ve learned in Seminary and Church into action.”
For Robert Wallis this was his 2nd Youth Conference. “I think service projects are really important. I actually assembled a bed for some kids a while back and they were so happy to have a bed. It was really a cool experience.”
