April 10, 2016 - Sunday in Nauvoo

Today we were able to enjoy the full Sabbath day without any other meetings or assignments after our block.  We enjoyed our fast, and really enjoyed our meetings today.  We started with the fast and testimony meeting at 7:50am.  Most of the folks who took to the podium gave anywhere from a 2 minute to 10 minute talk rather that a brief testimony, but they shared some interesting experiences.  

However, the last two folks who shared pure testimony came at the end of the meeting.  Both testified of the blessing of being in contact with full time senior missionaries here in Nauvoo.  It made both mom and me grateful to be full time senior missionaries!  One was a convert from the Navajo Nation and was visiting Nauvoo with family, and the other is the manager of the Facilities Management group here in Nauvoo.

After we had our morning devotional and prayers, we prepared for the meeting block.  We left the house at a few minutes past 7:00am for the 7:50am starting time.  I love getting to the Church early and just enjoying the peace and quiet of the morning.  (Just remember precious mothers and fathers in our family, this time will come for you, too, so don't rush through parenthood!)  

At about 7:40am, the senior missionaries began arriving in groups and soon the chapel was full.  After the meeting began, and the Sacrament had been passed, they had to open the folding curtains for additional seating space.  I was privileged to help bless the Sacrament this morning.

We had a most enjoyable Sunday School lesson on Jacob 5.  The instructor showed a Seminary film on the meaning of the terms used in the allegory and it was so well done!  The ideas that Jacob expressed were made to come alive from the discourse.  Here is a picture of a slide that he put up on PowerPoint;

Great breakdown of the symbol and the meaning!

In our last General Conference, President Monson  spoke about the sacred trust given to the young men and the men, of the Church, in holding the Priesthood.  I can't help but think about our family of adult Priesthood holders, and for Zak and Isaac preparing for the sacred trust of being ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood.  I have included the summery of President Monson's talk as outlined on the Church website;

A common thread binds us together. We have been entrusted to bear the priesthood of God and to act in His name. We are the recipients of a sacred trust. Much is expected of us.… What a wonderful gift we have been given. Ours is the responsibility to guard and protect that priesthood and to be worthy of all the glorious blessings our Father in Heaven has in store for us—and for others through us.

Wherever you go, your priesthood goes with you. Are you standing in holy places? Before you put yourself and your priesthood in jeopardy by venturing into places or participating in activities which are not worthy of you or of that priesthood, pause to consider the consequences. Remember who you are and what God expects you to become. You are a child of promise. You are a man of might. You are a son of God.

This precious gift of priesthood power brings with it not only solemn responsibilities but also special blessings for ourselves and for others. May we, in whatever place we may find ourselves, always be worthy to call upon its power, for we never know when our need and our opportunity to do so may come. …

May we determine, here and now, ever to be prepared for our time of need, our time of service, our time of blessing.

What a blessing the Priesthood has been in our lives!  We are now preparing to enter the 3rd generation of Grandpa and Granny's families for having the Priesthood!  Our journey for having the Priesthood began with Grandpa's ordination back in 1975.  I am grateful for the sacred responsibility the Priesthood is for me and I have such a strong testimony of the power of that Priesthood!  

I want my precious children and grandchildren to know that what President Monson spoke about in this talk is the power and the authority from our Father in Heaven, delegated to us as Priesthood men and young men.  I want both of these grandson's to know about this promise of us being bound together as we honor and protect this sacred responsibility of holding and magnifying our Priesthood responsibilities!  

Zak and Isaac, I will always encourage you to stand in holy places.  And especially to lead out in your families in being a peacemaker, and an example, for your parents, and, your sisters and your brothers!  Our Heavenly Father is expressing His complete trust in you to prepare yourself to receive this great blessing of being Priesthood holders!