Grandmas Sunday sermon #2

Tonight we had a dinner and FHE with 6 missionary couples (including temple president and matron - the Irion’s). We all took a few minutes to share why we think we were called to the Nauvoo Temple mission and what we had learned. Everyone’s thoughts were tender and uplifting. I want to record my feelings, not because they were profound or more inspiring than others but because they are personal to me and I don’t want to forget them.
Why was I sent here?   Because Heavenly Father loves His children (me) and wants to bless them. I think He delights to give us our hearts desires as often as He can. And this was certainly my hearts desire. I love the temple and I love pioneer history so what mission could be more meaningful to me?   And oh how grateful I am to be here doing what I’m doing and learning what I’m learning.
And of all the many things I’ve learned my thoughts lately have been on humility. I’ve learned some precious lessons in humility in at least four different ways. 1) it is humbling to serve with so many wonderful celestial people - to see their examples, their talents, their faithfulness, their consecrated service over long lifetimes.  2) it’s humbling to see my own weaknesses. I’ve put Ether 12:27 to the test and the Lord has helped me more clearly see what I need to work on. I’ve got my own reminder code - P J V M and I’m seriously trying to humble myself and turn weaknesses into strengths as Ether promises. 3) I am humbled to know what the pioneers did - how readily they accepted the gospel, how willing they were to sacrifice, how courageously they bore their burdens, how unselfishly they helped one another, how faithfully they held on to their testimony. I have loved reading so many books about the Nauvoo times and people and have truly grown to love them.  I used to think (in my pride or ignorance) that I could have been a pioneer. I now humbly question that. 4). I am humbled as I’ve done much more family history research to realize how hard life was for many of our ancestors and how easy it is for me. Just this week I found a family in Denmark who had 13 children, 9 of whom died in infancy. What pain and heartache they must have felt burying baby after baby. I am humbled to think of the blessings I enjoy in my abundant life.   And it brings joy to me to do their temple work and offer them the most precious of all blessings- to be a family sealed forever.  So those are some of the things I’ve learned. It is the most wonderful mission for me. 

Amish country

This PDay we went to Kalona Iowa- the largest Amish area west of the Mississippi. We took a little bus tour with a man who grew up Amish in that area. He drove us through the country roads telling us about the families who lived there and the life they live - no electricity, cars, modern clothes, etc- their belief is that “modernization leads to worldliness”. There’s a bit of truth in that. Some have become Mennonites - like many of our Kreider ancestry. They are now a little more modern than the Amish. It was a very interesting day and you have to admire their adherence to their beliefs. It is a lovely area with many beautiful farms.  I’ve become quite fond of the miles and miles of corn fields, rolling hills, and of course the mighty Mississippi.  I can see why many people love the Midwest.

An Amish telephone booth

Amish school

Quincy continued

We also went to the large city center park which had been covered with tents and makeshift shelters during the saints time. But it was also the site of one of the Lincoln / Douglas presidential debates. There were many interesting plaques with quotes from both which definitely showed Lincoln’s early and strong views against slavery.  As we finished reading them the sky opened up and dumped torrents of rain on us. In the 5-6 minutes it took to get to the car we were TOTALLY drenched head to squishy shoes clear through every bit of clothing. The umbrella was useless. Utah doesn’t know true rainstorms, let alone California!  I was actually glad for it - it made me understand the saints experience a little more - except they had freezing cold as well as rain, snow, mud, and no quick escape. It’s really incredible what they went through- and survived with faith in tact. 

Quincy

We had another great PDay activity going to Quincy Illinois. I have to admit I didn’t know a lot about Quincy’s connection to the early saints but it is quite an inspiring story. When the saints were driven out of Missouri by mob violence in the winter of 1839 they reached the banks of the Mississippi River destitute and exhausted. They crossed the ice clogged river in canoes, small skiffs, ferries, and on foot when it froze all the way across. Emma walked across carrying two children with two others clinging to her skirts which were lined with pockets holding manuscripts of Joseph’s. He was still in prison in Liberty Jail. The good people of Quincy (population of about 1600) rescued and took in about 5000 saints. It was truly a “city of refuge”.  We went through the museum and the big beautiful home of the mayor John Wood who encouraged his city to treat the persecuted Mormons with compassion and generosity. The home was built in 1835,  same year as the log cabin which shows the range of homes people lived in at that time.

Bell tower

Today President Irion took a group of temple missionaries up to the bell tower of the temple. Lots of winding narrow stairs, 3 levels with landings on each and windows looking out on beautiful views of Nauvoo area and the great Mississippi River. We could hear the electronic bird recording that keeps birds away from roosting on Moroni’s trumpet.   The temple has a lot of stairs. I often walk up from the basement break room to the 4th floor dressing room - 109 stairs. Now I’ve added another 90 or so to the very top!

We also had a wonderful missionary family home evening presentation by the Irion’s and Webster’s (both daughters of President Nelson) sharing their insights into their father and growing up as his children. What an amazing and inspiring man he is. I can hardly wait for general conference!

Highlights continued

Dad and I also walked to the end of Parley Street so I could put my feet in the Mississippi River😊. It’s about as pristine as Utah Lake. But not as cold as it was when the pioneers crossed it.

Statue at the end of Parley - three good men. 

Weekly highlights

This week we did the last Nauvoo site that we hadn’t yet done - the oxen ride. It’s the most authentic pioneer experience- in a wagon the same  size as the pioneers used pulled by the same kind of animals. The ride is nothing spectacular but it was interesting to learn about the oxen. I guess they’re pretty easy to drive - you just walk along side them  calling out “gee”, “haw”, “get up” and “whoa”, tap them occasionally with a goad,

and the oxen do the rest. (Probably not quite that simple but kids often drove them).

Monday evening the young sister missionaries did a concert. It was beautiful music and inspiring to think of young people like them serving all over the world. We love to see them in the temple each week also.

On Friday night we watched President Nelson’s birthday celebration in the visitor center theater. It was so amazing- if you didn’t get to see it please do!!  Such a variety of fabulous music and musicians and video clips from his life. President Nelson even played a classical piano solo. It was such a wonderful program and fun to watch on the big screen.
I’ve been to the Land and Records office a couple times this week. That’s where you can find out more about your Nauvoo ancestors - and we have more than I thought - some direct line ancestors and some “cousins”.   Dad and I also walked the Trail of Hope again and loved reading all the experiences of the saints who left their homes and a bit of their hearts in Nauvoo.  Another good week in the City of Joseph!

Sabbath delights

Each fast Sunday we have dinner with a different set of 4 missionary couples. Today after dinner the host couple shared a video they had received from a friend about the Nauvoo Temple murals. I LOVE learning about how things came about here. It made me once again appreciate all the more what has gone into making this temple a truly beautiful and sacred building. The artist who was talking told how the 6 artists that did the paintings first traveled to places where the scenery could represent the creation, the garden of eden, and the world room. In the world room they depicted Vermont (Joseph Smith’s birthplace, the sacred grove, the Susquehanna River, Kirtland, etc. At first they put in things like a country road, a wagon, etc.  When President Hinckley saw the model of what they were planning he quietly reminded them that when Adam and Eve left the garden for the lone and dreary world there was nothing manmade. So that got changed. The creation room had a rainbow until President Hinckley said it shouldn’t be there - no rainbow til after the flood. Little stories like that tell you how careful and how involved the prophet was to make everything right in rebuilding this temple. They once asked President Hinckley if he’d like to paint a leaf on a tree. He did. One of the sisters in the group was talking about all the little creatures that she had found in the murals - lots more than I have noticed. You can bet I’ll be taking a much closer and more appreciative look tomorrow morning!  I’ve been thinking lately when I’ve been in the creation room how Heavenly Father made all things “the please the eye and gladden the heart...to strengthen the body and enliven the soul” (D&C 59).  Truly we live in a beautiful world!  It shows Heavenly Fathers love for us and desire that we could find joy on earth.
Meanwhile we also watched another wonderful movie about Joseph Smith at the visitor center theater. And in between I’ve loved my latest book SUPPORTING SAINTS- about lesser known saints who also played significant roles in the Restoration. I LOVE  Sundays! And I love learning about this most special place that we have the privilege of serving in. I still can hardly believe we got this amazing blessing.
(Sorry no inside pictures)