November 3, 2015 - Tuesday in Nauvoo

This morning we had an early morning meeting with Elder James Hamula of the 1st Quorum of the Seventy.  He spoke to us last night, as well, for a mission Family Home Evening.  He is here on assignment from the First Presidency to tour the mission, and is also under the assignment of the Church Historical Department.  This was his 2nd visit to Nauvoo and his wife's 1st visit.  

His purpose for teaching us this morning was to help us better understand the importance of serving in a Church Historical Site.  Apparently he has been to all of them and with his assignment, he is tapped to help all the missionaries understand the important role that the histories have in our lives.  

One initial point he made that caught my attention was that much of the Church history is being written today.  I had to think about that as he gave some examples.  The Church certainly has its "history", with the beginning of that history being the 1st Vision.  But then, when we consider that the Gospel is built upon the primitive Church in Paul's time, we realize just how far back this history goes.  Then, when we think about the Gospel being preached in new countries to people who have never heard of Jesus Christ, and the Bible, and the Book of Mormon, you realize that this "history" is unfolding right before our eyes in these the last days!

He spoke about first generation members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And then this thought... I am a first generation member of the Church in my family, and mom is a first generation member in her family.  Ahh... histories, you have got to love them!

But why are Church histories so important, and even more important, why are Church History sites so important?  Well, the message he gave centered around the word "remember".  President Kimball once remarked that he felt one of the most important words in the world today is the word "remember".  And rightfully so...

Church history sites are here for us as members of the Church to remember our roots and foundations.  To teach our children and grandchildren about who they are.  The Scriptures teach us many things about the important role remembering plays in our lives.  They also teach us so many times how we are "slow to remember", and how we need to be "stirred up in remembrance".  The ordinances bring that message home when we think of the Sacrament and how this one sacred ordinance gives us a weekly opportunity to "remember", with the promise of "always having His Spirit to be with us", if we are faithful.

Well, serving in a Church History site is all about teaching correct and accurate principles about the historical site, and  helping, primarily, members of the Church to come to these sites and feel of that special witness that can only be verified by personal visits.  He spoke about the building blocks of Faith from these opportunities to "remember".  It starts with a "witness".  Someone who testifies of the truth of that principle or teaching.  That leads to "Hope".  A feeling that if followed-up on, regularly, will lead to assurance, confidence and ultimately, certainty.  This "Hope" will lead us to "Action".  It helps us to put things into action in our lives.  And this "Action" will lead to a "2nd Witness", or the activation of the Holy Ghost in that principle.  Now, every time we complete this cycle, we become stronger and more grounded in our testimonies.  

It was quite a presentation and we can apply this to serving in Church Historic sites and being that first "Witness".  It can also be applied to every aspect of our lives as we can see in this Scripture;

2 Nephi 28:30 - For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Isn't this an amazing principle?  I have seen how we spend a lot of money and time and resources to developing and operating Church History sites.  However, this morning, that message of why we do this became very clear to me.  Now I am anxious to have all of you come to Nauvoo and Carthage and have this marvelous experience with us again and again!

Mom and I came home after the meeting and had a 3 hour break.  We went back to the Visitors Center and had the closing shift.  I could not believe how dark it was as we walked home tonight!  But is was a beautiful star filled sky and a very enjoyable walk home. 

Thank you for checking in with us tonight!  We hope to see you here in Nauvoo before we leave here in January 2017!