"Many of the stones for the original Nauvoo Temple came from this quarry. Although it is now filled with water from the Mississippi River, the great size of the quarry can still be seen from the overlook just a few blocks from the Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center.
Once stones had been quarried, some
shaping was done there. Then, these stones, weighing as much as two tons, were
hauled by wagon up to the temple block where masons would finish them.
For the reconstruction of the modern
Nauvoo Temple, stones were quarried from Alabama. This stone was virtually
indistinguishable from the stone quarried here. Once the stones were quarried
in Alabama, they were shipped to stonemasons in Canada, Idaho, Indiana,
Pennsylvania, and Utah, who cut and carved them. They were then fitted to
frameworks and shipped to Nauvoo, where they were hung on the concrete
superstructure of the temple."
(The Sun Stone is a replica)
These deer actually let Chuck take their picture. For Southern California city dwellers to see deer, squirrels, bunnies and a variety of birds almost everyday has definitely been a treat.
On another occasion on one of our walks we discovered this hornets nest. Although very fascinating to look at, we were glad we did not have it near our apartment building. It is an amazing piece of work from one of God's creations.
Even on a mission, dishes need to be done, apartment cleaned, bed made, clothes laundered and other chores taken care of. This past week was no different and our task list included taking care of yet another cracked windshield. Yes, for some reason or another, we get our fair share of cracked windshields. Rocks just love our windshields. We have had over 5 cracked windshields in our history. You have to look hard for the crack--it is on the passenger side. We do appreciate insurance in matters such as these. Loved how the repairman was able to come to our apartment to fix it.
We had some shopping to do last Saturday and when we went to turn right on the Great River Road we were stopped by a detour because of the Great River Road Run Half Marathon & 5K. We ended up going to Keokuk a different way and on the way home we decided to try the Mexican Restaurant in Carthage one more time. On our way home we were able to see some harvesting going which is always fascinating to city dwellers. These pictures show the result of the farmers hard work. There is still much to be harvested!
Corn
Soybeans
Consider this thought regarding the Law of the Harvest which comes from an unknown author:
“Be
not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap.
“For
he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
“And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint
not” (Galatians 6:7–9).
"The
Atonement of Christ is not about planting thorns and thistles and getting
tomatoes and cucumbers. The gospel of Christ is about rooting out the
weeds in the soil of our lives and teaching us how to plant and cultivate the good
kinds of fruit of gospel living.
"When
it comes to living our religion, we are not to be "Cafeteria Mormons"
where we pick and choose only that which pleases us. Instead as Elder
Maxwell says when it comes to the words of modern prophets, "we are to
take even the spiritual spinach and leave a clean plate."
This link to a speech given by President Henry B. Eyring also gives keen insight into the law of the harvest. At this harvest time we highly recommend this talk.
We have had a pretty good rain today as this post is being composed but it stopped long enough for another two pictures of the fall trees near our apartment.
We love rain and have high hopes that the rain we have been receiving here in Nauvoo today will head west to California where it is so desperately needed. We are grateful for the blessings constantly raining down upon us and our family.
Share Goodness
Today we end with the following that came from an LDS Living email. We share it because we know what the power of the word God can do for each of us in so many different ways. We have often taught the principle that Elder Boyd K. Packer, President of the Twelve Apostles teaches in the following statement:
“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.” (Boyd K. Packer, “Do Not Fear,” Ensign, May 2004, 79)
5 Powerful Scriptures in 5 Words or Less
Excerpted from Sermons in a
Sentence by John Bytheway – posted on ldsliving.com:
It has been said that the very best
sermons have a great beginning, a great ending, and very little in between. The
scriptures are rich with "Sermons in a Sentence," single phrases that
communicate gospel truths with power.
In this little book, John Bytheway
explores forty-six such sermons, brilliant little gems mined from the priceless
pages of the standard works.
1.
Redemption cometh
"Teach
them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very
Eternal Father. Amen." -Mosiah
16:15
Only two words, a prophecy full of
hope. “Redemption cometh” is a promise that has been anticipated and relied on
by God’s children for millennia. Ancient prophets spoke before Jesus came. Many
believed the hopeful words of Abinadi and others who prophesied that
“redemption cometh”—a promise that everything that had been spoken about the
coming Redeemer for four millennia would, one day, come to pass.
Redemption cometh from sin,
redemption cometh from death, redemption cometh for the whole house of Israel.
Today, modern prophets speak thousands of years after Jesus’ atoning work was
completed. Nevertheless, we often find ourselves wading through difficulty,
trials, sin, and other stresses of earth life, all of which are covered by the
Atonement. So, even in the latter days, the words redemption cometh bring
peace, hope, and a promise of divine relief.
2.
Here am I, send me
"And
the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here
am I, send me."" -Abraham
3:27
How can one describe what these five
words have meant to every son and daughter of God? Jesus Christ, the greatest
of all, volunteered to descend below all things and to suffer beyond anything
mortals could suffer, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Interestingly, Abraham and Moses
used a similar phrase when the Lord called, but the prophet Isaiah used
Jehovah’s exact words, “Here am I; send me” (see Genesis 22:1; Exodus 3:4;
Isaiah 6:8). All of us have the opportunity to choose our own words when we are
issued difficult callings. How will we answer? Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught,
“Please consider who it is you are refusing or neglecting to serve when you
decline a calling or when you accept, promise, and fail to fulfill” (“I’ll Go
Where You Want Me to Go,” Ensign, November 2002, 69).
When we plead with our Heavenly
Father to send us help as we attempt to magnify a new calling or respond to a
new challenge, I believe the Savior responds once again, “Here am I, send me.”
3.
Thou art still chosen
"But
remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou hast done which
is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen,
and art again called to the work."
-D&C 3:10
-D&C 3:10
We are human, and we mess things up,
sometimes daily. However, the sacrament table—the formal symbol of the
Atonement—is never more than a week away, and our chosen status is not
necessarily forfeited by sin. Even the Prophet of the Restoration made
mistakes, as this scripture attests.
Sister Julie B. Beck taught,
“Sometimes people give up when they have made mistakes and come to believe that
there is no hope for them. Some people imagine that they will feel better about
themselves if they just leave the restored gospel and go away. It is Satan who
puts hopeless thoughts in the hearts of those who have made mistakes. The Lord
Jesus Christ always gives us hope” (“Remembering, Repenting, and Changing,”
Ensign, May 2007, 111).
Aminadab’s companions were
floundering in the darkness when he encouraged them to exercise faith in Christ,
“who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom” (Helaman 5:41)—three
chosen missionaries, each of whom had an imperfect past.
4.
Are we not all beggars?
"For
behold, are we not all beggars?" -Mosiah
4:19
King Benjamin’s speech is a treasure,
and this phrase is one of its gems. In only five words, King Benjamin confronts
the idea of “works righteousness,” or of salvation by works alone, by asking,
“Are we not all beggars?” Not one of us can approach the Lord and demand
eternal life based on our own merits. We simply don’t have what it takes. When
it comes to our salvation, we cannot earn it or demand it.
5.
Wickedness never was happiness
"Do
not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall
be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never
was happiness." -Alma
41:10
Corianton’s misunderstanding of the
word restoration gave us perhaps the most widely known and oft-quoted
phrase of Alma: a four-word sermon on behavior and consequences with mathematic
precision. You cannot do wrong and feel right!
Samuel the Lamanite warned the
Nephites of the futility of their behavior with similar clarity when he
observed, “Ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity . . .” (Helaman
13:38). Some may object and suggest that the wicked appear to be plenty happy.
Malachi repeated the complaint of some who concluded that it was vain to serve
God: “Now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up;
yea, they that tempt God are even delivered” (Malachi 3:15). But their
“happiness” isn’t lasting— it’s temporary. As Jesus said, “they have joy in
their works for a season” (3 Nephi 27:11, emphasis added).
If it is really true that wickedness
never was happiness, then the reverse is also true—righteousness always was.
© 2014 LDSLiving.com
Oct
9, 2014 Chuck’s Nauvoo MomentBe Strong
During our time here in Nauvoo many things have transpired which, in the eyes of some would be great & marvelous. In addition, it has been witnessed to us often that the Lord knows we are here.
The strength & faith of the Nauvoo saints is a
continuing inspiration to each of us as we meet life’s daily challenges. They
faced uncertainty with a resolute strength that motivates me to measure up (man
up) to my own challenges.
It is my hope & prayer that we may each find the
strength (in His grace) to be strong & keep the faith as we move forward
together.
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know that
Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet today. I know they are strong men. I know
Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer. I know there is no human problem beyond his
capacity to solve. I know He was strong
when he took the sins of the world upon himself because he loves us and wants
us to be happy. The Lord’s work is to bring to pass our immortality and eternal
life. He has left nothing undone to insure our success. Nevertheless, we must
be strong and work our way back home. I know that this is our Heavenly Fathers
world. It is a beautiful place filled with opportunity. The afflictions,
trials, & troubles of life actually in the end will redound to our benefit
as we use them to move closer to the Savior of all mankind. Your strength,
faith, & testimony fortify my faith & make me strong. Thank You!!!
BE
STRONG
Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus--2 Timothy
2:1
Be strong like unto Moses--1 Nephi 4:2
Be strong in the Spirit--D&C 84: 106
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be
strong--1 Corinthians 16:13
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might--Ephesians 6:10
Be
strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the
LORD thy God, he [it is] that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor
forsake thee--Deut. 31:6
Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for
the LORD your God is with you wherever you go--Joshua 1:9
Be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be
dismayed. 1 Chr. 22:13
Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee. . . . be strong, and do [it]--1 Chr. 28:10
Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be
dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not
fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the
service of the house of the LORD--1 Chr. 28:20
Go, act, be strong for the battle. . . . For God has power
to help or to cast down--2 Chr. 25:8
Be strong to labour. . . . no complaining--Psalms 144:14
Be strong; don't be afraid. Your God will come with
vengeance, with divine revenge. He will come and rescue you--Isaiah 35:4Be strong as iron; for iron crushes and shatters all things--Daniel 2:40
Be strong, and do--Daniel 11:32
Be strong. . . . for I [am] with you, saith the LORD of
hosts--Hag. 2:4Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong. . . . that the temple might be built--Zech. 8:9
"And if any man among you be strong in the
Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all
meekness, that he may become strong also." (D&C 84:106.)
To be clean is to be strong. . . . To say no at the right
time, and then stand by it, is the first element of success.--Elder Richard L.
Evans, Conference Report, October 1969 "Character is higher than intellect . . . . A great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think."--Ralph Waldo Emerson
The best assurance of peace and life (in America) is to be
strong morally and militarily--Elder Ezra Taft Benson, Conference Report, April
1964
We do not strive for the things which satisfy but for the
moment and then leave a bad taste. We strive for the things which build us up
and enable us and our children to be strong, to flourish, and to conquer. --Elder Delbert L. Stapley, Conference
Report, April 1964
May the Lord bless us that we may be strong and that we may move forward with
the Church. The Church is growing fast, and if we want to keep up we will have
to do likewise--Elder Thorpe B. Isaacson, Conference Report, October 1961
God grant that we may be strong, that we may stay close to
the Lord, and when he says, "If you will draw near unto me, I will draw
near unto you," (see D. & C. 88:63); may that be our happy lot, I
humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen--Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson,
Conference Report, October 1952
"Be
strong." This is a summary of all virtues. Strong men and women are
needed everywhere, in the Nation, the Church, the neighborhood. To them we look
for guidance, for leadership. Sturdy, powerful witnesses of the Savior, of his
word and work, are required to lead men in his path of truth and righteousness.
Therefore, be strong in the faith and valiant for the truth--Elder William H.
Reeder, Jr., Conference Report, October 1944
One of the saddest hours of a young man's life is when he
sits down and seeks to devise ways and means for earning a living without work.
It is the wise nation that keeps its people at work. The men who want that bold
independence that only labor can buy are the strength of the nation. Work helps
a people to be strong in the worship of that God, who, from the days of Adam,
has condemned slothfulness. He has always urged men and women to work--Elder
Charles A. Callis, Conference Report, April 1944
Be
Strong! It matters not how deep entrenched the wrong, How hard the
battle goes, the day, how long. Faint not, fight on!--President David O. Mckay,
Conference Report, April 1936
I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would
be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong, for there is much to
suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare.--Elder Arthur Welling,
Conference Report, April 1934
"If you could know that half of all I yearn to be to
you, dear heart!/Each day that dawns I struggle to be strong and do my part,/Yet when at last
the night comes softly down I humbly pray,/'Lord, grant me still to prove my
tender love just one more day!'--John L. Herrick, Conference Report, April 1916
"Be strong. We are not here to play, to dream, to
drift; we have hard work to do, and loads to lift: shun not the struggle; face
it; 'tis God's gift.'--Elder Reed Smoot., Conference Report, April 1907
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