{Sanctuary}

I feel so blessed the past couple of days. No joke. I am so grateful for all of the wonderful things that the Lord has placed in my life.

I am going to talk to you today about one.

That one thing, is Institute.

President Thomas S. Monson said on April 21, 2009

"If you are a single college student, I ask you to make participation in institute a priority. Married students and other young adults are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Think of it. Friends will be made, the Spirit will be felt, and faith will be strengthened. I promise you that as you participate in institute and study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased. Divine favor will attend those who humbly seek it. That is the promise which I leave with you."

This was a very powerful statement that was made right before I was at the age when I would go to Institute. . . . Looking at that fact right now makes me smile at how the Lord placed that in my life at that time for a reason.

I can attest to all of you, that this is all true. I have experienced this exact promise to the T. I know what it feels like to go to a building and know that you will make a friend and keep those friends. That you will learn of His Gospel and feel of His sweet Spirit. I know that with the help of our own personal scripture study that these things can be even greater. 

Even with this knowledge, there is still more as to why I would say that this building, The Institute Building, is a sanctuary. It is a home away from home. 

The other day,  a friend and I were sitting one some random chairs by the teachers offices. I tend to like them because if I actually have something to do, the noise level is very limited down there. I had been reading in Hosea and found a great scripture that talked of Heavenly Father being the father of our spirits. I then was telling my friend, who recently came back to the church, that I had heard that we were "intelligence's" before  we were spirits, but I couldn't remember who told me, or where, if at all, in the scriptures it was found. An institute teacher whom I had had for committee before was walking down the hall, so I just asked him. And he not only explained that answer, but gave me many more insights for the gospel that I had never heard before. He talked to me and my friend for at least an hour, if not longer. Then, later, a different teacher came out and was "test questioning" us as an anti-mormon would. 

Where. On earth. would this happen, besides at the Institute? Everyone there, really truly cares and wants to share the gospel with everyone, but especially those who desire to know of it!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for allowing me to participate in something so great. 

Until next time...

Peace & Blessings. :)