July 3, 2016 - Sunday in Nauvoo

Being the first Sunday of the month, we had our Fast and Testimony meeting this morning.  Mom and I were up getting ready for the Sabbath Day, by 5:00am, with our early morning prayers and devotional.  We got to the Stake Center at around 7:00am and helped with setting up about 500 extra chairs.  The Sacrament Meeting is the most important meeting we have in the Church and we look forward to this meeting every week.  And the month of July will see congregations exceeding 1,000 guests at any one of the three Sacrament meetings here in Nauvoo.

In addition to renewing sacred covenants, we are strengthened by the testimonies that are shared.  There are so many different ways that members share their testimonies.  Some are grateful for their blessings, some are anxious to share a message of encouragement, or course correction counsel, and some bear strong faith and firm testimony of the restored Gospel.  

One of the senior sister missionaries was especially pointed in her declaration and humble testimony.  She was speaking for most of us when she said that in each of us, we would like to build a grand monument to show the gratitude we have for the blessings we receive.  In the process of this building process, she asked just how can you build that grand a monument to express the love we have for our Father in Heaven.  He has given us so much in our lives with the Plan of Salvation, the course to take, and stay on, with the "Iron Rod", and the availability of the Holy Ghost to help us every minute of every day.  

As she pondered this desire to build this magnificent monument to her Heavenly Father, she was quietly reminded of one thing.  The impression she had, and one that expanded in my mind, was that Jesus went about doing good to one person at a time.  Groups of people were less influenced for good by the Savior than the one-on-one service that the Son of God gave to the individual.  And the message she understood the most was; do you think you can do better than Jesus?  Does our monument we are building really about the multitudes we influence?.....

Too often, we tend to over shoot the mark.  We want to do more than what we are capable of doing.  And then we stumble, and lose the critical momentum to make the necessary impact on the individuals that we can influence.  We have been assigned a portion of the vineyard to ".... prune it, and dig about it, and nourish it, that perhaps 'it' (he/she), may shoot forth young and tender branches, ('good works'),and 'it', he/she, perish not". 

In my minds eye, it is hard to affect the individuals that we can influence for good, when we "over" focus on the greatness we are trying to achieve.  It was a sweet "aha" moment for me... D&C 18:15 and 16 come to mind...

 15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

 16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

Translated?  One person at a time within our sphere of influence!

Then we had our site assignment, today, at the Scovil Bakery.  We had around 40 tours and mom was the star of the site.  I lent a very weak supporting role, but the day went by quickly.  We ended our day by attending an open house for Elder and Sister Hyte.  Last month he was diagnosed with cancer in the prostate. He is going in for prostate surgery in August and our cast was invited over for an open house and show of support for him.  Almost everyone came out!

How about these pictures to close out the day.  As our youngest grandchild, Levi is looking forward to having the opportunity to speak to audiences and congregations wherever he is needed.  Any ideas as to what the Lord has in mind for him??

MY Brethren and Sisters, Hearken ........ Oh!  There's my family!

For now.... this position will work just fine!

We also got word that Landon and Zac and Hayley shared their testimonies today.  We are so proud of each  you!  Also, we started listening to Cambry preparing a special arrangement of "The Army of Helaman", for our homecoming.  Thank you, Cambry, for that special effort!

We are so excited to see our precious family!  And thank you for being such a wonderful support for us here in the mission field!  The success of the Church-wide missionary effort is so dependent on the love and support of our families and friends back home!