In 2006, our ward participated in a stake encampment. One of the activities of the encampment was working on Scouting merit badges. One requirement of the communications merit badge was for the individual to share an experience that affected their life in some way.

A member of our ward, a 15-year-old named Gage, was participating in the merit badge class. He made some insightful, but innocent, comments. He told the group that he hadn’t had any experiences that he felt had much of an impact upon him in his life. In his words, he said: “I’ve never really had a significant experience in my life. The only thought I can think of is that when I go to seminary it makes me forget about school and about all my problems and troubles.”

Gage and I were able to have an enlightening discussion about his comments. He had simply not recognized that it was the spirit of God in seminary that was having a profound influence in his life. After a brief discussion, he could see that it was the spirit that brought him peace. He had simply not recognized his feelings of peace were coming from a loving Father through the spirit. When Gage looked more carefully, he could actually see God having an impact in his life.