CHAPTER 19 WEEK of SEP 21 to SEP 29

AUTUMN HAS COME TO NAUVOO

AND HOLLY AND BRUCE TOO!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We so enjoyed our grand time with Holly and Bruce.  We began at church, then some of the Old Nauvoo sites, the temple, Rendevous and Bentonsport.  Thanks Holly and Bruce for a fun time.  For more pictures of our visit with Holly and Bruce and some fun pictures of a wide variety of pumpkins, our trip to Bentonsport, and some fabulous fall leaves and clouds click on the link below for our photo album:

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/115812081811963320986/HollyAndBruceNauvoo?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK7AkeG1lpC6tQE&feat=directlink

 

Many of you received an email this week with the following message in the subject line: 

"Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes​! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues." Pres. Uchtdorf

What a powerful lesson to ponder!

 

Many of you have probably had a 4th Sunday Lesson on President Uchtdorf's landmark talk on "Grateful in Any Circumstance" from this past April 2014 General Conference.  We have had this lesson now in two different settings.  We do not believe it is a coincidence.  We believe that this message is to be read and studied over and over again.  Another classic to be sure.  We encourage you to consider the importance of having an attitude of gratitude and all that it entails and to teach your children this doctrine.  We believe that striving to be grateful will bring blessings that can be had from the Lord in no other way.  Let us not offend God by not recognizing His hand in all things and by showing our gratitude by giving Him our will and obedience to His gospel plan of happiness and redemption.

 

Doctrine and Covenants 59:21

 

"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments."

 

Here is an expansion of the blessing of having a thankful heart as taught by President Uchtdorf:

"Those Who Are Grateful Will Be Made Glorious"

"Brothers and sisters, have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?

"Do we need any greater reason to let our hearts “be full of thanks unto God”?

“Have we not great reason to rejoice?”

How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.

The Lord has given us His promise that those “who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.”

Grateful In Any Circumstance—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, General Conference April 2014

Maybe today you are filled with gratitude, maybe today you are struggling to find anything to be grateful for, whatever your circumstance maybe the following suggestions (from ldsliving.com and images from internet) will be a stepping stone to help you think about some of the things the Lord has done that you can be grateful for and then we suggest you take a moment to write down to remember!  If nothing else skip to #9 and watch the video!  We are so grateful for all of you and the love and support you give to us.  Thank you so much!

1. Nature

 

Even if you live in the middle of a city with concrete pavements and high-rises, all you have to do is look up to see the sunshine, sky, clouds, or rainbows and remember God's powerful, creative hand.

2. Modern Conveniences

 

You know—all the little things you usually take for granted like running water, dishwashers, hot water, cell phones, and technology. All of these things allow you to live in relative comfort and ease and are probably making your rough day or week a little better, whether you're notice them or not.

3. Talents

 

Before you say you don't have any, think again. Whether you write, sing, serve, play a sport, give hugs, show kindness, listen there's something you do that makes you a better person or helps you understand yourself. When you feel lost, disappointed, depressed, or alone, you always have a way to express it!

4. Memories

 

Many of us keep photos, blogs, and journals to record the parts of our lives that mean the most to us. Look back on those pieces of your past and reflect on the good things you have done or been a part of. You’ll be surprised how much you have to be grateful for in your life.

5. Laughter

 

Not only is laughter a gift, but it's a contagious one that is also easy to give. It’s hard to feel discouraged or disappointed when you are laughing. See if you can find something, no matter how small, about your situation to laugh about.

6. Your Testimony

 

You have something of infinite, precious value that can't be taken from you. Part of that testimony is precious knowledge about the Plan of Happiness, eternal families, and the Atonement of our Savior that some do not have. What a blessing that you have this knowledge and can share it!

7. Tender Mercies

 

What little things in your day or week could have gone worse? Are there any mini-miracles you missed seeing when you were caught up in your misery? It could be as simple as something uplifting you saw on a friend’s news feed, one of your favorite songs that came on the radio, or someone opening the door for you.

8. Your Divine Identity

 

Because of your knowledge that you're a child of God, you have the ability to become like Him. You have been blessed with opportunities to repent and to overcome the struggles you are facing, and to learn from them. This is something that we often say, but don't really stop to think about. Be grateful for your divine heritage and ability to continually improve as you listen to the Spirit.

9. A Support System 

 

This usually consists of people like family and close friends who are there to try and cheer you up when life has road bumps. Even if you feel like you don't have anyone supporting you, you can always depend on the Savior. He is the one person you can completely believe knows how you feel. We are eternally grateful that He has atoned for our sins and has promised that He will not leave us comfortless (John 14:18)

(Need a reminder of how much the Savior loves you? Watch this Mormon Message about His sacrifice for each of us-- http://youtu.be/EpFhS0dAduc )

10. New Days

 

If nothing else, you can be grateful for a new day. You don’t have to be permanently stuck in a rut, and the sunshine will always come out—literally and figuratively. A good night's sleep often brings fresh perspective and renewed energy to conquer your trials. Even if you have to tackle them one at a time.

CHAPTER 18 WEEK of SEP 12 to SEP 20

 

 

 

We have just had a blast of a week with our dear friends Brenda and Dennis Hislop!  What a wonderful visit with these good, fun, eternal friends.  Brenda and Nancy met in college in Hawaii.  Dennis and Chuck served their missions in Peru.  Fast forward to finishing up at BYU when Chuck and Nancy set up Brenda and Dennis on a blind date that turned out to be a blind date that actually turned into an eternal date!  We have mentioned in previous posts about the wonderful friends we have been able to visit with here in Nauvoo--another awesome perk of our mission!

 

 

 

 

We also had Uncle Ed and Kathy visit us after they attended the Lucas Reunion in Elwood, Indiana which was so nice!!  They were here just briefly but were able to attend the fireside with us that we mention below and a session at the temple before they had to return to Indiana and then back to Texas.

 

 

 

Brenda and Dennis arrived on Sep 13 and we greeted them just as we were going into our temple shift.  Sunday we went to church together and then had lunch and visited some of the sites and then went to a fireside with Craig Dunn at the Visitor's center entitled "Crime Scene Investigation at Carthage Jail".  Very interesting take and very well researched information on the forensic evidence examined after the fact from many different sources.

 

Monday was our morning temple shift and Brenda and Dennis went to the temple.  They were in awe just like most people who have an opportunity to go to the Nauvoo Temple.  Brenda kept saying she didn't want to leave. 

J

We had lunch after our shift with Uncle Ed and Kathy before they had to leave for Indiana and Dennis and Brenda met up with us too at Grandpa John's.  That is always a "moment"!

J

 

Showing the sites to those who appreciate the spirit of Nauvoo is just inspiring and that is probably not the right word.  They felt like we feel when we came here.  The spirit of Nauvoo is contagious, calming, and continually deepens testimonies.  We hit them all including Rendevous and Carthage too. We even added one we had not had a chance to--the Carriage Ride to Inspiration Point.  What a great experience.  This is the description of the Carriage Ride to Inspiration Point from www.historicnauvoo.net--

 

"If you have a touch of the pioneering spirit, take a horse-drawn carriage ride north of the Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center and hear good stories and see great views!"

"This 45-minute scenic tour takes you through a wooded area to Inspiration Point, where you can overlook the “Mighty Mississippi” at one of its widest points. You can also hear the touching story of the death of King Follet, a dear friend of Joseph Smith, at whose funeral Joseph preached."

 

It totally lived up to its description!!!

 

In Carthage we practically had the place to ourselves.  Only 2 other people were on our tour with us and we were able to stay in "the room" for longer than usual.  It is always a spiritual experience to be in Carthage.  It made it even more interesting after hearing the fireside on Sunday night with Brother Dunn.

 

Brenda and Dennis had ancestors that had been part of Nauvoo and we were able to go with them to the Lands and Records Office and they found out where they lived and we were able to see some of those spots too which we so enjoyed.  We also went to the Old Nauvoo Cemetery as well as the current Nauvoo Cemetery.  As Susan Easton Black Durrant counseled us--the Nauvoo experience is not complete without going to the temple, walking the Trail of Hope and going to the cemeteries.

 

For you "foodies" out there we hit the Nauvoo Hotel Buffet and Angelini's Italian Restaurant along with Grandpa John's and for Sunday we had Chicken Taco Casserole that ended up being a two night meal!   J

 

Each site we went too and experienced etches more deeply in our hearts the sacrifice of these faithful saints and the miracles of heaven that were in abundance to help them to have the Nephi spirit of "go and do" and do it WILLINGLY!

 

We will definitely remember this grand time with these dear friends!  Thanks Brenda and Dennis!  Totally fun city!!  J

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a link to the album with all the pictures of our experience as well as a few additional pictures of our Pelican and Geese friends here in Nauvoo and probably the last pictures of the yellow wild flowers that have added such a happy moment for Nancy when she sees them. J

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/115812081811963320986/DennisAndBrendaNauvoo?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKGC6MnYnuWSOA&feat=directlink

CHAPTER 17 WEEK of SEP 2 to SEP 11

As we begin this newest post today, we are reminded of the date, September 11, 2014.  What a day that was in 2001.  It has been 13 years since that day and the question for all us should be "Do I remember" not only what happened on that fateful day, but what that day represents for all past days where freedom has been challenged and blood spilt.  We are reminded once again of one of the greatest challenges we learn of in the Book of Mormon--"lest we forget"!  "Lest we forget" can be applied to so many aspects of our lives.  So today LET US REMEMBER.

Things are quieting down in Nauvoo.  Some of the local eateries have changed their hours because business has definitely lessened now that summer is over and fall is here.  What hasn't lessened is the spirit of this beautiful city and what this city represents.  We have not had one day that we have not had a moment to remember what has happened in this city in the past and what is happening in this city now.


We eluded to this in our last weeks post but it is official now and we have been given a temporary schedule change thru the 27th of September.  Our AM shift remains the same but we leave one hour earlier.  Our PM shift has changed to reporting at 5 and ending when the last session is completed around 10 PM or so.  The presidency is trying to see if the added evening sessions will be used by the patrons in the temple district.  We are happy to be part of the experiment and get tickled by the comments and analysis of our fellow missionaries--all who support the presidency 100% also.  So that is where we are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 5-10 PM Central Time Zone.

J

Last Friday we went to Burlington, Iowa for a little shopping and then went Mt. Pleasant, Iowa the place Chuck has been wanting to go to since he found out about it on his eternal quest for the best breaded tenderloin in the world.  The pictures tell it all.  My personal opinion was that it was not and so far Grandpa John's wins out for me and Chuck says it was good but not the best yet so I guess the quest will continue!  The piece of chocolate cream pie was excellent (Josh, wish you were with us) and that made up for any lack of flavor in the tenderloin.  Please note the sign on the fence for the reason we went there.

 J

 

 

Brother Hepworth planted tomato plants by our apartment and we have been reaping the rewards.

 



 

Last Saturday we had a fun time with President Jergensen.  He was in town to go to the temple with some members he had worked with when he was the mission President of the Iowa Des Moines Mission.  Sister Jergensen had hip replacement surgery in July so she was not able to come with him but she is doing really well.  We had dinner at the Nauvoo Hotel Buffet with him and Elder and Sister Warner our friends from the Ramona Ward in our Poway Stake.

 

Monday night we went to a fireside at the Visitor's Center with R. Lane Wright speaking about his book that we love, Testament In Stone, about the symbols of the Nauvoo Temple.

www.testamentinstone.com

Chuck's Nauvoo Moment about this book has been posted previously, but we were reminded that in one part of the book Brother Wright discusses the gates of the Nauvoo Temple that we walk through each day to serve.  Brother Wright's interpretation from his book tells us that "the Nauvoo Temple features forty stars on each gate structure entering the temple."  He discusses the number 40 and what it represents from the scriptures--40 days and 40 nights of the flood, 40 years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, Christ fasting 40 days and 40 nights etc.--and that "the number 40 represents purification (through a period of trial and testing)."  He says, "that these stars on the gate posts remind us that we pass through trials, but as we enter the Lord's House, just as the ancient Israelites, we now enter into our covenant land."   Something to think about.

What we also received from this fireside was yet another deeper conviction of the prophet Joseph Smith and his role in having the Nauvoo Temple be constructed exactly as the Lord had shown him vision what the Lord wanted it to be.  Such lessons to learn and ponder as we contemplate the importance of the temple in our lives.  Needless to say, as we go through those gates, we will always think of those 40 stars.

Note the new picture we added at the top of our blog and the pictures below to show the gates and stars we have discussed.

 

 

Quincy, Illinois

 

We have yet been able to get a picture for ourselves of this fantastic picture of the flags on the Knapheide property in Quincy.  We found this one on the internet but it doesn't do it real justice.  The wall beneath the flags says, ONE NATION UNDER GOD.  Each time we leave Quincy to go back to Nauvoo we go by this beautiful presentation.  It is very inspirational.  We went to Quincy yesterday when we accepted an invitation to go with some of our fellow missionaries for a tour by Brother Gentry, our PM shift coordinator, a penny whistle performance by Sister Gentry, our Sat PM shift coordinator, and a meal at O'Griff's restaurant where Sister Gentry would be playing her penny whistle as part of a Celtic Music Group performing there.  What a fun time that was.  Brother Gentry's tour, the Celtic music, the food and the company was all just grand.

 

What is a penny whistle?

 

 

The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, is a simple, six-holed woodwind instrument. The tin whistle is closely associated with Celtic music.

 

 

We were also given a tour of the chapel in the Quincy building by Brother Gentry.  The reason being is shown in the pictures below. 

 

 

The town of Quincy is a very special piece of Church History.  After the Saints were expelled from Nauvoo the people of Quincy acted just like the good Samaritan and helped these ravaged Saints with a Christ-like hand.

We also went to a very unique Veteran's Home.  They had some unique memorabilia on their grounds.

Quincy is known for some beautiful brick homes.  The story goes that one of the first planned communities was on a street in Quincy.  No drive ways in front, all homes had to be a certain number of feet back from the street etc.  A beautiful tree and grass median was in the middle of the street.

Riverview Park is where a monument President Hinckley commissioned be given to thank the people of Quincy and was there for the presentation with the Mormon Tabernacle choir.  This excerpt from an lds.org news Story—5 July 2002 beautifully states the gracious goodness of the people of Quincy and is lesson for us all to continue to try an emulate their charity and goodness to those in need: (pictures follow--one of the statue and two of the bridge that takes you to Missouri)

 

"Mormon Tabernacle Choir choir announcer Lloyd Newell read a moving tribute to the generosity of early Quincy citizens. In part, it said, "Quincy bears a legacy of mercy that ripples down the centuries, reminding us that the milk of human kindness is always more powerful than force or fury."

In 1839, persecution in Missouri forced the departure of nearly 10,000 Latter-day Saints into neighboring states and communities. Large groups began leaving in February of that year, headed for various locations in Illinois and Iowa.

Many came to western Illinois. With a population of about 1,500, Quincy was the region’s principal town at the time. In an extraordinary act of humanitarian service, Quincy’s 1,500 residents sheltered and assisted more than 5,000 Latter-day Saint refugees.

Notable among those helped was Emma Smith. Her husband, Church founder Joseph Smith, was imprisoned at the time in Liberty, Missouri. After walking across the frozen Mississippi River with her four children, Emma settled on the outskirts of Quincy.

Arriving refugees needed accommodations and jobs. Quincy citizenry provided both. Despite snowstorms, Quincy citizens repeatedly rescued Latter-day Saints stranded without adequate food or clothing on the Missouri side of the river. One observer at the time noted that the citizens "donated liberally, the merchants vying with each other as to which could be the most liberal."

Local groups in Quincy interacted with Church leaders and representatives to carry out successful philanthropic activities. They provided jobs and donations of cash, clothing and provisions to needy Latter-day Saint refugees. They raised money locally and signed endorsements authorizing fundraisers in St. Louis and New York City.

A Latter-day Saint historian has described Quincy’s aid to the beleaguered Latter-day Saints as "a lasting example of benevolent people extending help to those in need.."

This next picture is from another park we went to.  The statue is of George Rogers Clark, one of the explores of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

 

Today we went by the Prairie Grass acre in Old Nauvoo.

 

 

 

 

 

When Nauvoo was being settled it was divided into 4 acre blocks. Each was divided into 4 one acre lots. The prairie grass is planted on one acre. Here on each acre the Saints could build a home, have a small orchard, a garden and a small pasture as well as a yard with shrubs and flowers, root cellars, wells and barns.

 

A burning demonstration is done on this prairie grass early spring of each year.

 

We would like to add a link here of Tom Simpson's photography page.  He is the photographer that took our pictures we added at the end of the album of John and Jen's pictures.  His website has some fantastic pictures of the burning demonstration and also of the pageants this year and other pictures of Nauvoo.  He is a wedding photographer also but we are sure those interested in the site and the pictures can figure out how to maneuver the website.  http://www.tomsimpsonphotography.com/

 

J

 

What a very fun time for us this morning as we finally took a bike ride.  The missionaries were given a coupon to take a free bike ride anytime they wanted with these cool bikes.  It was very fun.  One of you reading the blog will totally understand why Nancy's fun was extra special.

 

We now end this post trying share goodness--the first scripture is one of our very favorites!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of our favorite photos of the Nauvoo Temple found on lds.org.

 

 



Sep 11, 2014 Chuck’s Nauvoo Moment

Nauvoo Moment 7 Truths—(Includes my favorite quote)

We went to dinner last night in Quincy IL with several of our missionary friends in Nauvoo. During the conversation it came up that I am a collector (as you well know) of quotes. I was asked, “What is your favorite quote”? My favorite quote came to mind but I could not recite it so I provided a quote that I had read in the Bible that day. Attached are 7 Truths and the 1st one is my favorite of all time. It is from Theodore Roosevelt whose biography I read as a young man and has always been a source of inspiration to me. The other 6 quotes are from Ezra Taft Benson a singular world leader of the 20th century.

I believe that sharing truth can help us carry the "heaviness" (1 Peter Chapter 1) of the world that at times presses down on each of us.

We are taught in 1 Peter that the trials of our faith are more precious than gold.

They are necessary so that we may qualify for the inheritance that is reserved for us in heaven.

 

"The boy who is going to make a great man must not make up his mind merely to overcome a thousand obstacles, but to win in spite of a thousand repulses and defeats."—Theodore Roosevelt (My favorite quote. I discovered this truth when I was 18 years old & it is the foundation of my personal life philosophy.)