Finding Meaning in Every Semester
At first glance, it might seem unusual. In a leadership and business school in the heart of Europe, where students from across the globe come to develop skills in entrepreneurship, management, and personal growth, why would a trip to a religious temple be part of the official calendar?
And yet, at Cumorah Academy, every semester includes a day-long visit to the Freiberg Temple in Germany.
As a former student and now a content writer for the Academy, I’ve come to realize that this trip holds more meaning than one might expect. It’s not just a cultural outing or a break from classes—it’s an invitation. It’s a space to reflect, to reconnect, and to discover something deeper about ourselves and others.
A Diverse Community Searching for Meaning
Cumorah Academy is home to students from many nations, backgrounds, and belief systems. Walk across campus and you’ll hear conversations in multiple languages, see friendships between people raised on different continents, and feel the vibrant energy of shared ambition.
And yet, even in all this diversity, there’s a unifying thread: the desire for meaning.
The temple trip embodies that search. While the Freiberg Temple is a sacred place for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the visit isn’t limited to those who share the faith. Just as Jesus Christ extended His arms to all people—inviting them to learn, grow, and follow Him—Cumorah Academy opens this experience to every student, regardless of their religious background.
This openness transforms the visit into more than a religious event. It becomes a powerful moment of reflection and self-discovery.
The Temple: A House of Meaning
So, what is the temple, and why does it matter?
For Latter-day Saints, temples are more than just churches. They are referred to as the House of the Lord—places where we make covenants, seek spiritual guidance, and feel closer to God. Inside, there are lessons about love, sacrifice, purpose, and service. These teachings echo what many Christians and people of other faiths hold dear.
For Christians especially, the temple is a place that celebrates the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, particularly His message of love and selfless service. At Cumorah Academy, Christ is at the center of everything we do—in our leadership training, in our community service, in our mentorship. The temple, then, is a fitting extension of that foundation.
But you don’t need to share the same beliefs to feel something when you’re there.
As Yulia from Ukraine shared after her visit, “This beautiful place creates an atmosphere of joy that even those who aren’t members of the Church can feel!”
It’s not about conversion—it’s about connection. Connection with God, with ourselves, and with each other.
A Space to Breathe, Think, and Grow
One of the most impactful aspects of the temple trip is the pause it creates in an otherwise busy semester. For students constantly learning, networking, and growing professionally, this break offers something different—a space to breathe. To reflect. To ask the deeper questions:
- What am I really looking for?
- What kind of person do I want to become?
- What is the purpose of all this?
Pedro Pereira, a student from Brazil, described it beautifully:
“I am eternally grateful to Cumorah Academy for providing the amazing opportunity to visit the Freiberg Temple. There, I felt immeasurable peace and received clarity to make important decisions and better understand what comes next in my life according to Heavenly Father’s will. I also had the chance to practice my German and deepen my understanding and love for the incredible people there.”
Pedro’s experience shows us that the temple doesn’t just offer spiritual clarity—it also enriches our personal goals, relationships, and perspectives. It’s a reminder that growth isn’t only academic or professional. True growth includes the soul.
Sharing a Journey Toward Meaning
The most meaningful part of the temple trip is perhaps the simplest: we go together.
Students from different nations, with different beliefs and worldviews, all travel to the temple as a group. On the surface, it’s a shared day trip. But at a deeper level, it’s symbolic of what Cumorah Academy is trying to create—a united, purpose-driven community where students are inspired to become the best version of themselves.
As Ingrid Moura from Brazil shared:
“My temple experience was amazing. I was able to feel closer to the Savior and see the blessings He has poured out on me. I am grateful for the opportunity to enter His home and learn more about Jesus Christ.”
Each student may experience the trip differently. Some may find peace. Others may feel joy, curiosity, or even awe. But nearly everyone walks away with something: a renewed sense of purpose, a deeper understanding of themselves, or simply a quiet appreciation for the spiritual dimension of life.
Why It Matters
In a world filled with constant motion, pressure, and noise, moments of stillness have become rare. That’s what makes the temple trip so valuable. It offers our students a moment to remember why they’re working so hard, what kind of impact they want to have, and who they are becoming in the process.
In short, the temple trip is about meaning.
Not just religious meaning, but personal meaning. Human meaning. It’s about cultivating a life that isn’t just productive but purposeful. A life guided by values, connection, and a desire to lift others.
At Cumorah Academy, we believe education is about more than skills and knowledge—it’s about transformation. And sometimes, the most transformative moments happen not in the classroom, but in quiet spaces where we can hear what really matters.
And that’s why we go to the Temple every semester.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Photos by Julieta Ramirez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
