Mom and I have had a busy and full day today. We were up early and enjoyed our devotional and prayers together. Then, by 6:00am, we were out for a wonderful and very cool morning walk around the Carthage country side. This is really some unbelievable summer weather for this area. We have enjoyed mid 60's temperatures this week and today the high reached into the low 70's. Pretty amazing for Illinois!
I got over to the Visitors Center by 8:30am and opened up the facility. We had some very steady flows of guests this morning. The missionaries working with us are very well prepared for the biggest week of the year next week. We have over 1,500 guests that have booked tours with us so far. And the Pageant begins its first production on Tuesday July 7th. Over the five weeks of the Pageant, there will be over 200,000 visitors to Nauvoo. That is a lot of people! We expect over 5,000 visitors next week alone.
Today we had some pretty special experiences. A member of the Baptist Church came in for the "historical" aspects of the jail. He was very interested in what happens to people who don't hear about the Gospel in this life. He indicated that his pastor teaches that those who do not belong to the Baptist Church are doomed and cannot be "saved". Wow, was he opened to and receptive of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! He left his contact information with one of our senior missionaries and plans to visit more of the Church history sites on his way to Salt Lake City. This was a pretty excited man!
About two weeks ago, a 28 year old man, who fell away from the Church at the age of 14, came in contact with another senior missionary Elder here. They had a wonderful experience in the martyrdom room and he challenged this young man to get back into the Church. Well, his mom came back by the Carthage Visitors Center today and she was about to walk by me when I said hello. Standing with me was Elder Hansen who had spoken with her son on his visit then. When she stopped to return my greeting she recognized Elder Hansen as the missionary who had given her son the tour. As they were speaking and I was listening, she indicated that she talked with her son about that experience in the martyrdom room. It seems that the experience really affected him. He said that as he was pondering the events of that June 27th afternoon and sitting in the martyrdom room, he felt a hand on his shoulder and indicated he thought it was Joseph who was touching him. He also indicated that he saw two men sitting in front of him on the floor that no one else could see. He was overwhelmed with this experience.
Well, the mother thanked Elder Hansen and said she would let her son know she had seen the missionary who her son had met on that day. Then I felt prompted to ask her if we could get in touch with her son and let him know we had seen her, and then ask him about how those life changing challenges were coming.... Of course, she was thrilled that Elder Hansen would do that. It was great to see the workings of the Spirit participate in this mothers life who is so anxious for her son to return to Church! So many times, family members just need a little bit of help in reaching out to their less active family members!
These experiences are not unique. We hear that the Spirit touches so many in that room in such a variety of ways on a regular basic! What a privilege it is to serve here in Carthage.
I got a call from the mission president this morning. He had just spoken to the mother of one of our young sister missionaries serving here in Carthage. The mother reported to President Gibbons that this precious sister's great grandmother had passed away and she want to let her daughter know, but wanted to have a Priesthood brother there when they spoke. It was a very tender few minutes I was able to spend with this precious sweet sister as she courageously accepted the news with the hope of the eternal family. She knew that her great grandmother was safe with the promise of her family reunion that had just taken place. Yes, I did shed a few tears in the presence of this precious missionary.
We also got word today that President Boyd K. Packer had passed away in his home early this afternoon. I recorded this note from the Church Newsroom:
Salt Lake City —
Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at home Friday, July 3, 2015, at about 2 p.m. MDT from causes incident to age. He was 90 years old.
“He was truly an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. From the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he represented the Savior of the world,” said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Packer was serving as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time of his passing, a position he held since February 3, 2008. Prior to that, he served as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve since June 5, 1994. He was ordained an apostle on April 9, 1970, and served for over 50 years as one of the Church's general authorities.
For decades, President Packer declared the gospel of Jesus Christ and played a critical role in the growth and development of the global Church, which now numbers more than 15 million members.
"The lessons that he's taught are long in the hearts of people and in their minds," said Elder Allan Packer, President Packer’s son and a member of the Quorum of the Seventy.
President Packer served on a committee with other Church leaders and scriptural scholars that produced new editions of the LDS scriptures in 1979 and 1981. The new editions featured study aids and formats that would significantly improve Church members’ ability to study the scriptures. Of the project, President Packer said, “With the passing of years, these scriptures will produce successive generations of faithful Christians who know the Lord Jesus Christ and are disposed to obey His will.” He continued, “These references from the four volumes of scripture constitute the most comprehensive compilation of scriptural information on the mission and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that has ever been assembled in the history of the world.”
“President Packer always felt that if we could read the words of the Lord we would be far better off and much safer than speculating with our own ideas," Elder Ballard said. "It was not unusual for him to say, ‘Brethren, let me read to you.’ And then he would turn to a very important scripture in the standard works and let us listen to what the Lord had to say. And we all learned at his feet.”
At the Church's April 2014 general conference, President Packer declared, "After all the years that I have lived and taught and served, after the millions of miles I have traveled around the world, with all that I have experienced, there is one great truth that I would share. That is my witness of the Savior Jesus Christ.”
President Packer was born September 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah. He was a United States bomber pilot during World War II in the Pacific Theater. An educator by profession, President Packer’s career included service as supervisor of seminaries and institutes of religion for the Church and as a member of the administrative council of Brigham Young University.
President Packer studied at Weber Junior College and subsequently received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Utah State University. He received a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University.
He was well respected by Church members as a master teacher of the principles of the gospel. “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior,” he taught.
President Packer was also known as a fearless defender of the gospel of Jesus Christ and spoke boldly about the teachings and doctrine of the Church. “He had a deep testimony of the gospel, an inherent love of the Savior, of the people themselves, and wanted to share with them that which was important,” Elder Allan Packer said. “So I think he, when he knew those things, felt a responsibility to communicate and to share and to teach.”
He authored many books during his lifetime and was also an accomplished artist.
Despite the heavy load of his Church positions, family was the priority for President Packer. His son Allan recently said his father made himself available in the home to take advantage of every opportunity to teach. “He’s still a father, and that’s his number-one priority.” He is survived by his wife, Donna, and their 10 children.
The Church will announce details regarding funeral arrangements as they become available. It is undetermined when the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be filled.
We have now had two members of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder L. Tom Perry, and now President Boyd K. Packer, pass away with a few weeks of each other. Their service to the Church has been such a blessing to each of us. Our prayers are with the families and our highest levels of Church leadership as they prepare to understand the will of the Lord for their replacements.
On our way to the Sunset Play tonight, mom and I stopped by the mail-room and we had a letter from our grandson, Zac. He has made a wonderful commitment to send us a letter regularly letting us know how things are going in his world while we are on our mission. We were so happy to receive his letter and catch up on his life experiences. When we opened the letter, we found out that he had put in a $5 bill, "to help Granny and Grandpa on their mission". What a cherished thought that Zac had for us and for his sacrifice to help us! What a precious blessing it is to have such wonderful support from our family members! Thank you, Zac!
Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died at home Friday, July 3, 2015, at about 2 p.m. MDT from causes incident to age. He was 90 years old.
“He was truly an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. From the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, he represented the Savior of the world,” said Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
President Packer was serving as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time of his passing, a position he held since February 3, 2008. Prior to that, he served as acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve since June 5, 1994. He was ordained an apostle on April 9, 1970, and served for over 50 years as one of the Church's general authorities.
For decades, President Packer declared the gospel of Jesus Christ and played a critical role in the growth and development of the global Church, which now numbers more than 15 million members.
"The lessons that he's taught are long in the hearts of people and in their minds," said Elder Allan Packer, President Packer’s son and a member of the Quorum of the Seventy.
President Packer served on a committee with other Church leaders and scriptural scholars that produced new editions of the LDS scriptures in 1979 and 1981. The new editions featured study aids and formats that would significantly improve Church members’ ability to study the scriptures. Of the project, President Packer said, “With the passing of years, these scriptures will produce successive generations of faithful Christians who know the Lord Jesus Christ and are disposed to obey His will.” He continued, “These references from the four volumes of scripture constitute the most comprehensive compilation of scriptural information on the mission and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ that has ever been assembled in the history of the world.”
“President Packer always felt that if we could read the words of the Lord we would be far better off and much safer than speculating with our own ideas," Elder Ballard said. "It was not unusual for him to say, ‘Brethren, let me read to you.’ And then he would turn to a very important scripture in the standard works and let us listen to what the Lord had to say. And we all learned at his feet.”
At the Church's April 2014 general conference, President Packer declared, "After all the years that I have lived and taught and served, after the millions of miles I have traveled around the world, with all that I have experienced, there is one great truth that I would share. That is my witness of the Savior Jesus Christ.”
President Packer was born September 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah. He was a United States bomber pilot during World War II in the Pacific Theater. An educator by profession, President Packer’s career included service as supervisor of seminaries and institutes of religion for the Church and as a member of the administrative council of Brigham Young University.
President Packer studied at Weber Junior College and subsequently received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Utah State University. He received a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University.
He was well respected by Church members as a master teacher of the principles of the gospel. “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior,” he taught.
President Packer was also known as a fearless defender of the gospel of Jesus Christ and spoke boldly about the teachings and doctrine of the Church. “He had a deep testimony of the gospel, an inherent love of the Savior, of the people themselves, and wanted to share with them that which was important,” Elder Allan Packer said. “So I think he, when he knew those things, felt a responsibility to communicate and to share and to teach.”
He authored many books during his lifetime and was also an accomplished artist.
Despite the heavy load of his Church positions, family was the priority for President Packer. His son Allan recently said his father made himself available in the home to take advantage of every opportunity to teach. “He’s still a father, and that’s his number-one priority.” He is survived by his wife, Donna, and their 10 children.
The Church will announce details regarding funeral arrangements as they become available. It is undetermined when the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will be filled.
We have now had two members of the Quorum of the Twelve, Elder L. Tom Perry, and now President Boyd K. Packer, pass away with a few weeks of each other. Their service to the Church has been such a blessing to each of us. Our prayers are with the families and our highest levels of Church leadership as they prepare to understand the will of the Lord for their replacements.
On our way to the Sunset Play tonight, mom and I stopped by the mail-room and we had a letter from our grandson, Zac. He has made a wonderful commitment to send us a letter regularly letting us know how things are going in his world while we are on our mission. We were so happy to receive his letter and catch up on his life experiences. When we opened the letter, we found out that he had put in a $5 bill, "to help Granny and Grandpa on their mission". What a cherished thought that Zac had for us and for his sacrifice to help us! What a precious blessing it is to have such wonderful support from our family members! Thank you, Zac!
So sweet of Zac! You've witness a few tender moments today! And 200,000?!? Wow! I love you!!
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