April 23, 2016 - Saturday in Nauvoo

What a wonderful Saturday, we got to share together, today.  We both had the assignment to work in the Family Living Center, and we were pretty busy for most of our early shift.  We got to the assignment early and I started the fire for the bread-making demonstration.  

I always look forward to building the morning fire as we prepare for the day at the Family Living Center!  As I was growing up in the mountains, above Fresno, that was my responsibility each morning and throughout the day, to build the fires and to keep the wood box full, and to help split and stack the many cords of wood we would burn each year.  

I caught a picture of a Pioneer bread-maker in action!  There is focus and determination in the art of bread-making!  In less than three hours, we will have eight loaves of fresh bread!

I can't wait to taste this bread!

My idea of a good size fireplace and Bustle oven.  Nice fire!

Mom and I had a great morning workout after our devotional and prayers before we headed off to our assignment.  Since we got another early start, we went an extra  half mile, or so, to make our walk around 4 miles.  We left the house at about 9:15am and got back home at around 2:45pm.  

After a restful nap, we got ready for Rendezvous.  The Cultural Hall had about 80 folks in the audience and they turned out to be a good crowd.  Mom and I had an enjoyable time in sharing our performing talents with this audience!  We were back home by 8:30pm and ready to wrap up our day.

With so many changes going on in our mission, there is a special need to all of the missionaries to work together.  It seems that there are some senior missionaries who have a difficult time with change.  One mission president's personality can be so different than that of a new mission president.  (Or one new Bishop or Stake President or Relief Society President and on and on....)

I have learned that it is at these times that we need to be especially attentive to helping each other.  Elder Mervyn B. Arnold spoke about going to the rescue of our less active and nonmember friends.  Here is a summary of that talk from the church website that I think pertains even to the fully active member;

Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
Of the Seventy

The Savior clearly understood His mission to rescue our Heavenly Father’s children, for He declared:

“The Son of man is come to save that which was lost. …

“[For] it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish” [Matthew 18:11, 14; emphasis added]. …

As we go to the rescue, God gives us power, encouragement, and blessings. …

Let me share four principles that will help in our rescue efforts.

Principle 1: We Must Not Delay Going to the Rescue …

Principle 2: We Must Never Give Up …

Principle 3: How Great Shall Be Your Joy If You Bring Save It Be One Soul unto Christ …

Principle 4: No Matter Our Age, We Are All Called to Go to the Rescue …

The Lord has provided all of the tools necessary for us to go to the rescue of our less-active and nonmember friends. We can all do it!

I invite each of you to heed the Savior’s call to go to the rescue. We can do it!

For me personally, I am of the persuasion that we also need to be very aware of the good people we serve with everyday that may need, (no make that "NEED"), a helping hand and a kind word.  So often we think that everyone in our stakes, or wards, or branches, or missions, are able to weather any storm or challenge, (or even some unkind comments). But, all of us need to hear the words "thank you", and/or "you are appreciated", and other encouraging words to keep us focused and feeling needed!

Perhaps we can all take this challenge over the next week;  let's find someone we can send a written note of appreciation to.  And perhaps we can send the note anonymously!  How much farther would the sentiment go if the recipient doesn't know who sent it to them!  This effort may be done more than once and maybe it might become addictive!  Positive addiction, filled with love and appreciation, to an unexpectant receiver!

Now that would be what could be called a "Zion Society"!  And, as Elder Arnold said, "we can do it".