Tasmanian Youth Watch Potato Planting Lead to a Temple Harvest

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In April 2024, 28 youth from Hobart and Glenorchy, Tasmania, traveled 1,000 kilometers (approximately 621 miles) to attend the Sydney Australia Temple where they performed over 500 proxy baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors.

The preparation to attend the house of the Lord began 12 months earlier when parents and leaders began helping youth to gather ancestry information through FamilySearch.org, and the youth planted, harvested and sold potatoes to raise funds for the trip.

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Bishop Steven Woodford suggested the idea, inspired by his grandfather, father and uncles who, decades before, planted and sold enough potatoes to purchase a block of land with which to build a chapel. Gary Carmichael and other ward members with experience in growing potatoes instructed the youth on planting and harvesting.

After coming up with a potato-planting plan, the youth spent many weekends and school holidays laboring to achieve their goal.

The potatoes were sold to local members of the community and members of local congregations. Many potatoes were also donated to community groups and other churches to support those in need.

Fundraising opened the doors for discussion with members of the community on the purpose of the project and created opportunities to build relationships with local community groups and churches.

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On Monday morning, April 15, youth, parents and leaders met at the Hobart airport and flew to Sydney.

In a gathering that evening, youth expressed the love and support they have for one another through writing notes to their peers. Those with previous temple experience looked after and encouraged their friends attending for the first time.

The next day after completing over 200 proxy baptisms in a two-hour session, the young men and women sat quietly in one of the waiting rooms. Bishop Woodford felt inspired when he looked in on the youth and found them all sitting quietly reading their scriptures.

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Ripley Yost of the Glenorchy Ward said, “I had an awesome time at the temple. It was nice in the baptistry when we were all sitting reverently waiting for the session to begin and could feel the spirit. I was old enough to baptize this time and I enjoyed baptizing my friends. It felt good knowing we were helping [others].”

Other young people from the Devenport congregations in northern Tasmania joined in the experiences, which strengthened relationships among all Tasmanian youth.

Friendship-building activities outside the temple included early morning jogs, amusement park fun, a ferry ride across the harbor, exploring the Sydney Opera House and city center, and swimming at Manly Beach.

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A games-and-hot-dogs gathering with youth from Baulkham Hills in New South Wales provided more friendship experiences.

While shopping, some of the young men got matching ties in Sydney and now wear them every Sunday as a memory of the trip.

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These 11–18-year-olds took the time to take care of each other. They looked out for those feeling unwell so that they felt included. Supportive leaders and parents were available with helping hands.

The Sunday after returning to Tasmania, the youth were invited to speak at a Sunday worship service and uplifted one another through testimony, and by sharing the spiritual experiences and good times they enjoyed.