Project Category: Spiritual Experiences

Remember waking up in Jerusalem to the mystical sound of the call to prayer?  I loved it.  In fact, during the precarious internal debate between studying Hebrew or Arabic, the chance to learn the words to “the Adhan” tipped the scales and I signed up for Arabic. Enter Dr. Nafez Nazzal! Professor Nazzal joked that, despite being...

4-17-10 Dear Journal We added a new verse of  lyrics to the song “I’m trying to be like Jesus” and as we sang the spirit was almost tangible.   I came to learn of Jesus, to walk the same path he walked. To study the words he gave us, in places that they were taught....

I first heard of the opportunity to study abroad at the BYU Jerusalem Center when I was a Junior in High School. My Aunt and Uncle had lived there while my Uncle worked as an Institute Teacher. I sat spellbound as she described the experience to me and I knew after that first conversation that...

I arrived in Israel with a burning desire to know if the Church was true.  I was going to turn 21 shortly and needed a testimony.  I spent a lot of time praying and pondering and waiting for that precious answer.  The funny thing is that I didn’t get the answer at all of the...

I remember going down to the Garden Tomb with just three other students. I must have been the Sabbath because no one else was there. The rain made everything more tangible and heightened all of my senses. I bent over to go through the little door to enter the borrowed tomb of our Savior. I...

Friday 1 January 1999, New Year’s Day Departure 1:00am, 2 January Dear Israel Journal, I have told the students that it is not enough when people ask “How was it?” to answer with such phrases as “it was awesome” or “great” or “no words to describe it.” Now that we are at the end of...