Start of the Day
At 4:45 in the morning, students took the snacks that the staff at Cumorah Academy generously prepared for them and then headed to the bus that was going to take all of them to Vienna, Austria. At 5, the bus left, and it arrived in Vienna at 9:30.
The students had about 30 minutes to prepare for the meeting with Elder Bednar, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, a governing body of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When Elder Bedner arrived, we reverently stood up while he made his way into his seat. Sitting in the choir, we had a view of his steps. Elder Wondra member of the Area Seventy conducted the meeting.
The Meeting
The meeting started with a prelude of hymns played on piano by our own student Nata from Ukraine. At precisely 10:30, Elder Bednar, accompanied by his wife, Susan Bednar, and by a few other general authorities of the Church, entered the chapel. The choir of Cumorah Academy students sang the opening hymn under the direction of a staff member, who conducted us as we sang Where Can I Turn for Peace. With that hymn, the choir opened the meeting and our student Nefi offered the opening prayer. This helped to invite the Holy Ghost. The Spirit could be felt during the meeting.
Then, Elder Bednar explained to us how the meeting was going to proceed and invited everybody to ask questions. The meeting was emotional, as our students asked Elder Bednar for guidance in these troubled times.
Many inspired questions came out of the students and those present. Personal questions, so humbly asked, touched the hearts of those present. Elder Bednar patiently answered all questions and even asked for the support of others to answer.
After the Meeting
After the meeting, we enjoyed some snacks prepared by the good people from the Vienna Stake and took a group picture.
Then, the students had the opportunity to visit the city center of Vienna for a few hours before going back to Cumorah Academy. Everybody enjoyed the beautiful streets and buildings of Vienna, taking pictures, and enjoying some shopping. What was most important was the overall feeling of unity among students after the devotional. Our countenances were bright and happy. We were creating memories that will be remembered forever, which fulfilled the purpose of the trip. At the meeting point, the bus arrived and we headed back home.
Everyone had a great time and was happy that they were able to visit the beautiful city of Vienna in addition to meeting Elder Bednar.
What was most important was the overall feeling of unity among students after the devotional. Our countenances were bright and happy. We were creating memories that will be remembered forever, which fulfilled the purpose of the trip. At the meeting point, the bus arrived and we headed back home.
-Fernando Luis Ferreira Junior and Tibi Vancsa
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