Kuala Lumpur District Young Women Camp 16-18 September 2022

This year the KL District Young Women Camp was organized from 16 – 18 September 2022 at Janda Baik Radiant Site B. The theme of this year is “Hear Him”.

“A fountain of pure water” and “ thicket of small trees” (Mosiah 18:5) – the prophet Mormon used these words to describe the place where Alma hid after fleeing from King Noah.

Those trees and what water became “beautiful… to the eyes” of the people who joined Alma there. Why? Because in that place, Alma and his people “came to the knowledge of their Redeemer” (Mosiah 18:30).

The location of Young Women Camp – whether it is in a forest, in a park, on a beach, or in a meetinghouse – can become beautiful to the eyes of all who gather there. Like Alma and his people, young women need a place where they can gather together, separate from worldly influences, feel the Spirit of the Lord, grow in unity and love, and strengthen their faith and testimonies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Before departing to the camp, all the young women were assigned a sister in their secret sister mission. All they need to do is do kind deeds for them, write them notes or letters, and prepare RM3.00 maximum, or not more than RM3.00 gift or handmade gift for the sister assigning to them.

On the first day, all the young women from Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and Puchong branches are to be gathered at Kuala Lumpur District Centre at 9.30 am, as there will be a bus to fetch them to their destination. They had their lunch once they reached the campsite.

Then, their huge project was to set up their sleeping tents in designated groups. They were able to unwind and spend time together, which made it extra enjoyable.

The young women played made bracelets, and braided each other's hair. They enjoyed playing enjoyable games at night and engaging in a variety of enjoyable activities during the day, all while experiencing the Spirit's presence. Annabelle said it was undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable experiences of her life.

They prepared their BBQ dinner which all the young women split into a few goups to share the preparation of their BBQ dinner: skewer group, rice cooker group, potato group, carrot group, and dishwasher group.

Rice Cooker Group

Skewer Group

Dishwasher Group

Carrot Group

Potatoes Group

BBQ Team

They were having a campfire during the night and having “Mallowtime” which is their young women campfire night’s tradition.

The leaders had something quite profound planned for the 3 days 2 nights program which made it quite simple to sense the atmosphere.

The second day was the highlight of the camp, where the young women had the river trekking.

They went into the nearby river and were guided by the professional camp master at the campsite.

They were having fun fishing with clothes, bug catching, relate some gospel principles while trekking.

The trainer gives the survival skill lesson and how to build a shelter using the basic materials that they can find in nature. In the afternoon they were having Zumba before devotional.

President Brown and his family traveled so far and shared with the young women an inspiring message during a devotional on “Hear Him”.

There was a skit competition between the groups, an arts and crafts session, and the “Sister of the Camp” during the night.

On the final day, all the young women need to take down their tents, dry, and pack the tents, and leave the campsite.

Annabelle had much too much fun at her first young women's camp after the COVID-19 pandemic, which was above and beyond what she had anticipated. She had a great time hanging out with these young women during her first-ever young women's camp.

She shared that she initially did not want to join as she had too many things on her mind that distracted her from school, friendships, and exams, but she was grateful she came to the camp where she could feel the Spirit and friendship with other young women.

I am grateful that she gained her testimony through attending the Young Women Camp.

Finding Joy in Christ

Finding Joy in Christ

by President Steven J. Lund

This is a talk by President Steven J. Lund whom is the Church Young Men General President. He shared about his youngest son Tanner Christian Lund, taught him and his wife Sister Kalleen Lund a timeless lesson in finding joy in Christ shortly before cancer claimed his young life.

One Sunday, 12 years old Tanner climbed out of bed and dressed himself and prepared himself to go to the Church to fulfil the assignment to pass the sacrament. His mother assured him it was not necessary as someone else in the Church could do that for Tanner, while he should stay home and rest.

“Yes,” he said, “but … I see how people look at me when I pass the sacrament. I think it helps them.”

“It seemed that every eye in the chapel was on him, moved by his struggle as he did his simple part. Somehow Tanner expressed a silent sermon as he solemnly, haltingly moved from row to row—his bald head moist with perspiration—representing the Savior in the way that deacons do. His once indomitable deacon’s body was itself a little bruised, broken, and torn, willingly suffering to serve by bearing the emblems of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives.”

Tanner’s commitment to serve the Lord and others signalled an “unspoken miracle.” He answered the call to “enlist in God’s battalions and join in the work of salvation and exaltation.”

The sacramental symbols point to the gift of the Redeemer.

“We contemplate the bread that He once broke — and the bread the priests before us are, in turn, now breaking. We think of the meaning of  the liquid, consecrated then and now, as the sacrament prayers solemnly pass from the mouths of young priests into our hearts and into the heavens, renewing covenants that connect us, in that moment, to the very powers of Christ’s salvation.”

“The Savior’s mission has always and forever been to serve His Father by saving His children.

And the surest way to find joy in this life is to join Christ in helping others.”

And this lead to the Children and Youth program which inspired by this.

“All Children and Youth activities and all Children and Youth teachings are about helping  young people become more like Jesus by joining with Him in His work of salvation and exaltation.”

Basically, the Children and Youth program was based on the scripture Luke 2:52,

“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

It focus on 4 aspects or areas which is:

Spiritual “Favour with God” – You can grow spiritually by showing your love for God and your willingness to live the gospel.

Social “Favour with…man”. You can grow socially by showing love to all people.

Physically “Grew in stature”. You can learn to work and take care of your body, your mental health, and God’s creation.

Intellectually “Grew in Wisdom”. You can study in school, learn new skills, and improve your talents.

President Lund mentioned that,

“Our youth cannot wait for the world to right itself before they come to know the Savior. Some are making decisions even now that they would not make if they understood their true identities—and His.”

“Moms and dads, your sons need you to support them now as passionately as ever you have in the past when they have been about lesser things like badges and pins.”

My heart was sunken when I listened and read these sentences, as I am not so upkeep with the goals that both children need to set for 4 of the areas above. It is so difficult to ask and check on them to set goals. They seems like not motivated at all for doing it. Sigh…

President Lund ended his talk by talk to the youth,

“And to you of the rising generation, I testify, as one who knows, that you are beloved sons and daughters of God and He has a work for you to do.”

“As you rise to the majesty of your stations, with all of your hearts, might, mind, and strength, you will come to love God and keep your covenants and trust in His priesthood as you work to bless others, beginning in your own homes.”

“I pray that you will strive, with redoubled energy worthy of this time, to serve, exercise faith, repent, and improve each day, to qualify to receive temple blessings and the enduring joy that comes only through the gospel of Jesus Christ…”

I have been inspired to do it myself as I started my physical goal to get fitness and I hope by doing so, able to motivate them doing the same for their own.

I know that if I continue to do and work by example to them, it will craft into their mind and remind themselves that their mother was doing it and they will do it one day in the near future.

I am grateful for the gospel in my life, and keep doing it and applying it, by small and simple things, are great things brought to pass.

A Surprise Welcome Gift for Seminary

Today, Issac and I went to Church for our tithing settlement interviews after our church online sacrament meeting. We met President Augustine at the new chapel in his office.

After our interview, President Augustine took out a paper bag and told us that these presents are from her daughter Sister Anita. Anita was called a seminary teacher who teaches the youths in the Church in seminary.

Next year Annabelle would turn age 14, and it will be her first year to attend seminary class every Saturday morning. After came back home, Issac and Annabelle opened out their presents happily.

It was a box of chocolate for each of them and with slight notes from Sister Anita. Both are happy about the little surprise welcome gift from their seminary teacher for next year.

Here are all the photos of them and the small notes from their caring teacher ^^