Ok, straight up, the church is true, that's all :)

So at the beginning of Spring semester there was a Book of Mormon challenge. At first I was like, "Sweet!" because I was already half way through. But then they said, even if you have already started it, we would like you to get the blessings of having the faith to start over. My roommate Brittany and I decided to start reading it together so we could discuss it while we read. Immediately I learned more in the first few chapters than I ever had before! It was amazing. The challenge was definitely inspired. Britt and I even joked about being adequate to teach Gospel Doctrine, definitely a joke but we really did feel like we were learning a lot though. It was hard to move as quickly through it while still getting as much out of it as we had been. It was the last day of the challenge and I wasn't even close to finishing. Good thing it was a Saturday though so I had all day to finish. I started at 9 AM and ended at 11:30 PM. Let's just say it was a long day. BUT I got it done and it was AMAZING. I hope everyone takes the challenge at least a few times in your lifetime. It'll change your life.
Speaking of a Book of Mormon challenge, I was reminded of an experience I had on the air plain going to Georgia just over a year ago as I again began my journey to Georgia on Tuesday. There was a guy I sat by and he was probably in his late 40's, early 50's. He asked where I was from, when I said Utah he immediately asked if I was Mormon (typical). I was so Happy because I had pleaded to Heavenly Father to give me a missionary experience while I was on the plane. I thought to myself, ok here it comes I took a deep breath, said a little prayer and started to speak. He had so many questions and I was trying so hard not to mess up and to say the right thing. He was fascinated that I actually WANTED and had the DESIRE to obey all of these "rules" He eventually ran out of questions but I still wanted to talk about it, I felt like shoving it all down his throat just so he could take it all in, but I decided to contain myself and let him read his magazine. I remembered the paperback Book of Mormon I slipped in my bag after I prayed to have a missionary experience on the plane. I carefully took it out of my bag and wrote my testimony and LDS.org on the inside cover while trying hide it a little bit so he wouldn't see it. Just as we were about to get off the plane I said to him, "Hey, I was given a challenge to give out this Book of Mormon, will you please take it?" He kind of chuckled and said, "Ha, ok." I know I'll never see him again, but it was definitely the coolest missionary experience I've ever had in my life. That's why I envy Sam so much for sticking it out and going on a mission. I know he'll have so many amazing experiences. Sometimes I just want to shake people or something just to get it through to them of what they are missing out on! ah.. words can't even describe the bursting feeling I sometimes get. I WILL serve a mission. Whether it's when I'm 21 or retired. It WILL happen.
Last experience I've had with the Book of Mormon. I went to the Provo Temple a few weeks ago looking for answers. I was so frustrated because I had already gone at least 3 times that month and it was only the middle of April. I entered the confirmation room. It was then that I realized why my answers hadn't come. The cute little old man said "even though you guys have been waiting for a long time to do confirmations, these people have been waiting for hundreds of years to receive the Holy Ghost." I was in the temple to serve others not for me. Right as I made the conscious decision to forget myself, I received all my answers through the Book of Mormon, the Spirit and the Ensign. I've had to learn that lesson before but I have come to realize that that's probably a lesson I'll have to learn the rest of my life. My home teacher was kind enough to give me a blessing a few days later. Even though he didn't know the situation, he told me that Heavenly Father KNEW that my desires were to know what He wanted me to do with my life and that I would be blessed for it and He loves me so much for my intentions. That's exactly what I needed to hear. The thing that brought me the most comfort and joy was that I know that He knows I'm trying. And I'll keep trying! Anyway, I've had some cool spiritual experiences lately and I wanted to share since testimony meeting isn't supposed to be story time ha.