October 7, 2015 - Wednesday in Nauvoo

We have reached another P-day here in our mission, and we had a marvelous day.  Our weekly mission training meeting was at 7:30am this morning.  We then were able to attend the 9:00am temple session.  That put us back home at just a little past 11:00am and we had the rest of the afternoon off until Rendezvous at 6:30pm. 

The temple experience, today, was exceptional.  Yesterday mom was able to share copies of the Book of Mormon with an older couple who were searching for more truth in their lives.  She felt so good about this effort that we put their names on the prayer rolls.  Then, during our session, in a prayer offered, the temple worker, who knew nothing about mom's efforts, specifically mentioned in his prayer that "those who might be searching for the truth, will be able to find it".  This is not typically a part of those special prayers, but today, it was a major part and we knew that Heavenly Father was well aware of this special couple.  They live within two hours of Nauvoo, and they have our email and we have theirs.  We hope, and will continue to pray, that we will hear from them again soon.

This is our usual shopping day, but we took advantage of that yesterday with our assignment in the Visitors Center that started us at 1:00pm.  That gave us the entire morning to shop yesterday, and that opened up our afternoon today.  A little cleaning was needed in the bathroom and the kitchen, so mom and I jumped in and double teamed the weekly cleaning.  Then, we were able to talk to the kids and relax this afternoon.  I even got a 30 minute nap!  And I was able to rehearse the Editor part as well!

Tonight in the pre play meeting in the Green Room for Rendezvous, I was impressed with a thought that one of our cast members gave.  We always open our meeting 30 minutes before Rendezvous begins at 7:00pm, and the thought an prayer is offered on a rotating basis.  The thought tonight paralleled the talk given by Elder Maynes  in the Saturday morning of General Conference.  He spoke about the skill of the Potter and how he was able to make his pots and various clay creations...

Well, this Elder compared the Potter to a Wood Shaper.  The Wood Shaper uses a lathe to shape his wooden creations.  He said that the Wood Shaper can't always 'center' his piece of wood on the lathe, and he has to shape a much harder object that the Potter's clay.  Therefore, he said that the Wood Shaper had to turn the lathe at a slower speed until the wood was balanced and then he could turn up the speed to begin shaping his creation.  He compared some of us who may not be as "soft" as the Potter's clay in forming our creation, (our lives and/or decisions), and may need the stronger hand because of the "hardness" of the wood piece, (our consequences).  Sounds like a future parable for a Sacrament talk!

The Rendezvous Play went well tonight.  It was my off night for the Editor's part so I had some small parts in the play, but mom and I had fun.  It was a full house and a great audience for sure! 

Thank you for joining us tonight and for all your love and support!  We are very grateful for each one of you!

October 6, 2015 - Tuesday in Nauvoo

It was a cloudy and cool morning as we began our day here in Nauvoo.  Mom was up early around 4:00am, and I was up at a little past 5:00am ready to get going!  As we regularly do, we began our morning with Scripture reading and prayer.  We also read from President Hinckley's book, "Stand a Little Taller".  It always gives us a lift on the day.  In addition we read the set of Scriptures we have elected to "ponderize" this week.  Mom and I both read them together in the morning and the evening and we each try to read them during the course of our day and ponder over their significance in our lives.

Our walk started at 6:00am and lasted for about an hour.  We so enjoy these early morning vigorous walks around the Nauvoo flats.  It takes us about an hour to walk the three miles.  We then got ready for the day and drove to Keokuk for our grocery shopping.  We worked at the Visitors Center here in Nauvoo this afternoon from 1:00pm to 6:00pm so we had a jump on doing our grocery shopping and getting that done to leave a little more time in our P-day tomorrow.

The late afternoon sky on our walk home tonight.

Mom was on fire today at the Visitors center.  She had two ladies, an older daughter and her mother, that she was able to share two Books of Mormon with.  Then a few minutes later she was handing off another set of Books of Mormon to a couple trying to "reconnect with God".  They stayed and watched every movie in the Visitors Center, and plan on seeing the different sites tomorrow.  They may even come and see us in Rendezvous tomorrow night!  I was so proud of mom and her efforts to share the Gospel!

October 5, 2015 - Monday in Nauvoo

Mom and I had a busy morning as we began our day.  We had our morning devotional and prayers after getting up early, and started off on our walk.  Only this morning, we had a special assignment to clean the sign boards on the trail of hope along Parley Street.  Here is the history from the Church records;

The Trail of Hope: Exodus from Nauvoo

Art and early Church members’ words can help us imagine what the pioneers felt when they were forced from Nauvoo.

At the final dedicatory service for the Nauvoo Illinois Temple on June 30, 2002, President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) asked those in attendance to walk down Parley Street to the waterfront on the Mississippi River. Though it was a hot, humid day, President Hinckley asked everyone to imagine that it was a bitter cold day in February 1846. That summer evening, more than one thousand Latter-day Saints walked down Parley Street, now referred to as the Trail of Hope.

Today those who visit Nauvoo can also walk the Trail of Hope and imagine that it is a bitter cold day in February and how the pioneer Saints felt when they looked back at the temple for the last time. Plaques line the Trail of Hope with quotations from pioneers who left Nauvoo on that February day or during the following months.¹ They help us imagine what it was like.

Mary Field Garner, 10 years old when the mob drove her family to leave Nauvoo in September 1846, tells how her family hurried to pack food, cooking utensils, clothing, and bedding. With the bread dough risen and ready to bake, Mary’s mother simply took it with them to bake after they crossed the river.

During one of the earlier crossings of the river, a boat sank, and Hosea Stout recounts how several Saints were tossed in the cold and unrelenting waves.

Describing some of the pioneers’ first camps, Gilbert Belnap states that some had only a sheet drawn over a few poles to make a tent. He remembers hearing the crying of children and the groaning of those sick with fever.

Zina H. Jacobs Young gave birth to a baby boy after traveling about 80 miles west. She says she did not mind the hardship because her life had been preserved and her baby was so beautiful.

Some Saints were unable to go west. Martha Ann Smith was five when she said good-bye to her dear but feeble grandmother Lucy Mack Smith, who shed bitter tears knowing it was the last time she would see her son Hyrum’s family.

“Those of us who can remember when we were compelled to abandon Nauvoo, when the winter was so inclement, know how dark and gloomy the circumstances of the Saints were, with the mob surrounding our outer settlements and threatening to destroy us. … The word was to cross the Mississippi and to launch out into an unknown wilderness—to go where, no one knew. Who knew anything of the terrors of the journey thither, or of the dangers that might have to be met and contended with? … [We moved] out with faith that was undisturbed by [these] unknown terrors. It was by faith that this was accomplished.”

George Q. Cannon

Down Parley Street, by Glen Hopkinson, may not be copied; portrait of George Q. Cannon 

                                courtesy of Church History Museum

“My last act in that precious spot was to tidy the rooms, sweep up the floor, 
        and set the broom in its accustomed place behind the door. 
        Then with emotions in my heart … I gently closed the door and faced 
                    an unknown future, faced it with faith in God.”

                                     Bathsheba W. Smith

I Swept the Floor and Gently Closed the Door, by Glen Hopkinson, may not be copied; 

               portrait of Bathsheba W. Smith by Lee Greene Richards

“Here we all halted and took a farewell view of our delightful city. … 
We also beheld the magnificent Temple rearing its lofty tower toward the heavens. … 
                            My heart did swell within me.”

Newel Knight

“How well I remember what a hard time [father] had breaking in the animals to draw the wagon. 
          There were six cows and two oxen. The oxen were well broken and quite sedate. 
                                  But the cows were wild and unruly. …

Many nights when we were in bed asleep [my mother] would go out into the orchard … and there pour out her soul in prayer, asking the Lord to open the way for us to go with the Saints.”

Margaret Judd Clawson

Farewell, Nauvoo, by Glen Hopkinson, may not be copied

“With this advanced camp of the great exodus there had come a brass band, led by Captain Pitt. After encampment was made and the toils of the day were over, the snow would be scraped away, a huge fire or several of them kindled within the wagoned enclosure, and there to the inspiring music of Pitt’s band, song and dance often beguiled the exiles into forgetfulness of their trials and discomforts.”

B. H. Roberts

Illustration by J. Ken Spencer

This was a wonderful opportunity for mom and I to read all the plaques as we cleaned them off.  We got home just about 7:30am and got ready for our assignments for the day.  Mom went to the Post Office and I went to the Browning Gun shop.  Take a look at the Nauvoo postmaster today: 

Who can resist mailing their letters here?

Blowing kisses to an "unsuspecting" photographer!

The mail-room receiving area

Some goods sold in the Post Office in the 1840's

I worked at the Browning Gun shop and I had a very special family come in.  I just wish I could have taken their picture.  The oldest son came in first at about lunch time.  I found out he was heading out to Columbia in South America in two weeks to begin his mission.  We had a wonderful time and at one part of the tour I have a chance to testify of the temple blessings because one of Jonathan Browning's daughters died after living for six weeks.  He, Jonathan Browning, worked hard to help finish the temple and receive his endowment, along with his wife, and had the faith that he and his family would be together again.  This young man seemed touched by the faith of Jonathan Browning.  

He left the site but said he would probably be back with his dad.  They did come back and during the tour with the father and son, I notice that the father had such a bright countenance.  His light literally shined as we were going through the shop.  Then, I found out that this young man had a sister who had just passed away from a brain tumor. The father related the story to me, and I was touched by their faith and their hope and their desire to be reunited with their sister/daughter in the coming times.  They would continue to live their lives in such a way as to qualify to see her again.  I was grateful for this experience today.

October 4, 2015 - Sunday in Nauvoo

We have just completed a most rewarding and inspiring General Conference!  This weekend was the 185th Semi Annual General Conference, with such historical significance.  The talks were all filled with the Spirit and certainly made me want to be better and do better!  And we witnessed the calling of the three new Apostles.  After their talks today, we know they were chosen of the Lord!

One talk that mom and I acted upon immediately after conference was given by Devin G. Durrant.  He spoke about "ponderizing".  My closest definition is this; to ponder a Scripture over a specified period of time, and then select another one to ponder.  He challenged us to keep it up for however long we wanted but stated that the longer we could do it, the better we would understand these wonderful selected Scriptures.  

Here are the Scriptures mom and I will "ponderize" over the next week.  Then, every Sunday, we will pick out a new set for each of us.  These that we chose today are posted in three highly visible spots in our apartment!

Moroni 10:32-33 (Ma)

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

 33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

D&C 88:67-68 (Pa)

67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.

 68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see him; for he will unveil his face unto you, and it shall be in his own time, and in his own way, and according to his own will. 

I took a brisk walk this morning under cloudy skies and a brisk wind.  Mom elected to stay in where it was warm and cozy!  As I was walking along the Mississippi this morning, I saw the Pelican sitting on the log out in the middle if the Lilly Pads.  He is hard to see but I tried to magnify the photo here.  It was a beautiful morning before our conference sessions.

The Lilly pads on the Mississippi

Fall is in the air!

We are enjoying the changes in the weather here in Nauvoo.  This was as mom and I arrived at the Visitors Center to watch the Tabernacle Choir before the morning session of conference.  We came home and watched the afternoon session here in our home.  What a wonderful day and weekend of inspiration!  Now we have six months to put into affect the things we were taught and reminded of over the last two days!

The conference was wonderful and we will look forward to re listening to the sessions before the Ensign arrives early in November!  Thank you for joining us tonight!  We hope and trust that you had a wonderful weekend as well!

October 3, 2015 - Saturday in Nauvoo

We were so grateful to have today off, and we will have tomorrow off, to watch General Conference!  Here is the news release on the new apostles;

October 2015 General Conference News and Announcements

• 3 October 2015

President Monson spoke in the Priesthood Session tonight

President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency, announced during the Saturday afternoon session of general conference that Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Dale G. Renlund were named to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband was serving as the senior president in the Presidency of the Seventy at the time of his call to the Twelve. He became a general authority of the Church in April of 2000.
Elder Gary E. Stevenson was serving as the Presiding Bishop of the Church since March 2012 and previously served in the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he was called in 2008. Elder Stevenson will continue in his position as Presiding Bishop for what is expected to be a short period until his replacement is named.
Elder Dale G. Renlund had served in the First Quorum of the Seventy since April 2009 prior to being named to the Quorum of the Twelve.
The new apostles will be introduced to the news media at 4:30 p.m. MDT today, Saturday, October 3. The event will be streamed live on this page (#newapostles). Each will address the worldwide Church audience on Sunday morning during a session of the Church’s general conference. They will be ordained this week and begin their service in the Quorum of the Twelve immediately.

We were so excited to be able to participate in this historic conference here in Nauvoo.  We watched the first two sessions at the Visitors Center this morning and this afternoon.  It was interesting that in August, we attended a temple session with Elder and Sister Renlund.  They also spoke in a fireside that evening for all the missionaries.  He served with our mission president in Russia as well.  How is that for a small world?

Then, after Rendezvous, I watched the Priesthood session here at our little home.  We walked to the morning session and I took this picture for Mia;

In the Nauvoo Women's Garden

This precious daughter is being encouraged by her mom to keep practicing the violin!  Mia, we are so proud of you wanting to take these lessons!  I saw Sister Veenker at our Rendezvous Play tonight and told her you were starting these lessons.  Sister Veenker is the one who played the violin at the Sunset play this summer.  She is so excited for you to work hard and learn all about this wonderful instrument!  Maybe you could play for Granny and Grandpa when we report our mission in the ward?  I would really like that!

The Rendezvous Play was squeezed between the second session of conference and the Priesthood session of Conference.  Mom and I both did great in our parts even though Grandpa had his brain filled with conference messages!

We love you and so appreciate you joining us on the blog!  Have a great evening!

October 2, 2015 - Friday in Nauvoo

Hallelujah!  Mom and I completed our work week and now we have both Saturday and Sunday off to watch conference!  It is so important for us to see these sessions and to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost as we see the Church leaders directing the affairs of the Kingdom in these wildly crazy days!  We plan on going to the Nauvoo Visitors center and watching the proceedings on the big theater screen tomorrow and Sunday.  I am not confident that our internet service will fully function through all the sessions!

We were up early this morning for the monthly mission breakfast.  Each month we have these breakfast meetings and watch as various missionaries wind up there service and prepare to head back to their homes.  I have included some pictures of this mornings activities here;

19 missionaries heading home this week!

Each group prepares a skit as their last stage performance.

This can be a very emotional time for those leaving and for those saying good bye!  I was thinking how fun it would be to be heading home with them, and seeing those precious family members again!  But we are so very grateful that we have the privilege of serving here together.  And we will enjoy our time here with so many wonderful missionaries to meet and serve with!

Today, mom had to work the full day in the Riser Boot Shop and I had a split shift of opening, going home for three hours and then coming back to close the Browning Gun Shop.  Here are some pictures of mom at the Riser Boot Shop;

Let the day begin!

Here are some of the many tools of the shoe trade in the 1840's!

From Church history, we read;

"With the rapid influx of immigrants eager to build homes, cultivate the soil, set up businesses, or practice their trades, Nauvoo quickly became a bustling and productive community. This was in stark contrast to the rest of Illinois, which was suffering under an economic depression. In Nauvoo there were many small shops and factories: sawmills, several brickyards, a lime kiln, a tool factory, printing offices, flour mills, bakeries, tailor shops, blacksmith shops, shoe shops, a carpenter’s and joiner’s shop, and cabinetmakers’ shops. These shops sprang up everywhere and anywhere in the city, since there were no zoning laws. Nauvoo craftsmen produced matches, leather goods, rope and cord, gloves, bonnets, pottery, jewelry, and watches".

What was interesting about the Riser Boot shop, they did not make left or right shoes!  This site is not seen by many of the guests here in Nauvoo, which is rather surprising.... but what a necessary product in this frontier town!


Then tonight, mom and I joined our friends, Elder and Sister Skinner, and did some family sealing's in the temple.  We always have a wonderful time working in the temple and this was a  great way to prepare for tomorrow's General Conference!

October 1, 2015 - Thursday in Nauvoo

We woke up to a beautiful crisp Fall morning here in Nauvoo.  The temperature was in the very low 40's and the sky was clear and filled with stars, and a bright moon.  We have been looking forward to Fall and the changing of the colors of the trees here.  It also brings the elimination of most of the bugs and spiders we have experienced here.  

I have been trying to photograph the changing colors and I decided to start taking pictures of this back road lined with the different trees here in the flats of Nauvoo.  I will try to take pictures from this same angle several times each week and see if we can't see the magical changes over the next few weeks!

The subtle changes from Summer to Fall

Our pets passing through right across the street from our little home here in Nauvoo!

The days are getting shorter and the daylight has been reduced.  We are grateful to be here enjoying this part of the country for a while.  However, we are looking forward to the time we can be back with our precious family!  The experiences here in Nauvoo have been priceless.  We are amazed at the experiences we have had both here in Nauvoo as well as those we have reported on in Carthage.  It has given us some great stories to share with our precious family members in the coming future years....

Mom had her assignment in the Printing shop today, and I went over to the Blacksmith shop for my shift.  We both worked the early shift.

There is the printing lady!

The printing press similar to the one used for the "Nauvoo Neighbor" paper.

A fun caption to "mind your 'P's and Q's"....

The letters in the printing office are always set upside down and backwards.  The 'p's and the q's were always so easily mistaken for each other.  That is the origin of "mind your p's and q's""!!   

I had a few tours in the Blacksmith shop and I had some fun sharing the stories of the early pioneers and how well the worked together for the common good of the community.  It is a wonder how they did make sure each family was productive and participating in the welfare of the community.  Wouldn't that we something we could sure use an extra dose of today?

We are happy and staying very busy here in the mission field.  It is inspiring to meet so many different people and share the experiences of the early Saints with them.  It is so much fun to learn about the missionaries serving here and the visitors who come to experience the feelings of this wonderful place.  We are so happy to see family and friends come and visit with us and we look forward to those opportunities to reconnect with each one of you!