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| SUSAN COSS / Scroll |
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| Students gather at the Teton Lodge during a weekend retreat to get to know each other and learn about discipleship. |
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Students ventured out into the great wilderness of Idaho to the BYU-Idaho sponsored Teton Lodge Retreat last weekend.
The Teton Lodge Retreats have been taking place each month in the fall and winter semesters since 1998 when the lodge was donated to the school for personal use during those times by some members of the LDS faith.
This month’s theme was discipleship, inspired by Elder Henry B. Eyring’s devotional “A Steady Upward Course,” which he gave here Sept. 18, 2001.
“The student leaders committee planned, organized and prepared the retreat,” said Joshua Porter, director of Leadership Activities and a senior from Charlotte, N.C.
“President Clark talked about discipleship and we thought it would be an appropriate theme this month,” Porter said.
About 50 students went on the retreat, arriving at the lodge Friday afternoon; some had never been to a retreat.
“I went in not knowing what to expect … I came out wanting to be better,” said Nick Starn, a senior from New Philadelphia, Ohio.
When the students arrived, they participated in get-to-know-you games and then settled down to dinner. A keynote speaker, Van Crawford, leadership coordinator, discussed discipleship.
“I liked when we broke off into groups [after the keynote speaker] to discuss our divine heritage,” said Starn. “It helped me to understand more about my divine heritage and how this school has helped me understand it. I am definitely coming back.”
Saturday was full of workshops. Workshop one was taught by trainer Chris Morales, a senior from Glendale, Calif., about President Gordon B. Hinckley and “the Spirit of Ricks.”
“The Spirit of Ricks [workshop] meant more to me … I learned about a heritage to live up to, that this was not just an institution, but there was a history and sacrifice made so we can enjoy and learn,” said Alene Hatch, a sophomore from Aurora, Colo.
Workshop two was taught by trainer Eric Jones, a senior from Taylorsville, Utah, about Elder Eyring’s devotional, “A Steady Upward Course.”
Workshop three was taught by trainer Oliver Crane, a freshman from Gaithersburg, Md., about Elder Bednar’s devotional, “Disciple Preparation Center,” which he gave Aug. 31, 3004.
“It was a good program. It teaches how to fulfill responsibility as a disciple of Christ and reinforced our fundamental beliefs,” said Whitney Bohl, a freshman from Las Vegas, Nev.
“I would certainly come back. The whole thing was awesome and well planned; it was a great spiritual experience,” said Daniel Sorensen, a freshman from Orem, Utah.
Students pay $5 for three meals, lodging and transportation. Next month’s retreat on Oct. 21 - 22, will have a different theme.
