We took Andrew and Gina to the Church History Sights that are here in Missouri. We started with downtown Independence on the square. Then we went up to Liberty to the Jail. Sunday we took them to Richmond, Adam Ondi-Ahman and Far West. We attended a Branch in Excelsior, Missouri. There was a great spirit in that branch. We were so glad we attended.
Monday, we headed to Nauvoo, Illinois. We had never been there, neither had Andrew and Gina. What an amazing time we had. While we were there Aaron text me and asked me how I like it. I told him words could not express how I was feeling. Today I sent him a short message on how I felt about our time in Nauvoo.
"It felt like what Heaven must be. I felt totally disconnected from the world. A total peace and happiness. Kind of how I feel when I'm in the Temple. Our first night there we watched a live performance with (Service Missionaries) Young people ages 18-25. Performers. They had a band and dancers/actors/singers. It was fun. But even during their performance, I still felt a strong feeling of pure happiness.We were surrounded by people who love the Gospel and wanted to be there. To walk where those faithful Saints worked and lived and suffered...to be where the Prophet Joseph and other great Church leaders were....to be in the room Joseph and Hyrum were martyred!!!! Words just cannot describe my feelings.
Something that has caught my attention since being here is how far out of the way the Saints lived from everyone else, yet it didn't stop the mobs from traveling great distances to reach them and to persecute them and harass them. But that didn't stop the Saints. I have asked myself...why. Since being here, I now realize why! The Lord's true Church had once again been restored to the earth with a living Prophet, even Joseph Smith...who was chosen before the world was to be the Prophet of the restoration. He was given all the Priesthood Keys to do what the Lord had sent him here to do. To restore His Gospel. Satan knew that, and he would stop at nothing to destroy the Church, before it could even start, so he put his evil influence into the hearts of these mobs. And hateful they were. And it happened in this land we call America. Where we have the Constitution for the benefit of all those who lived here, and would live here. How can another human being hate another so much, to constantly drive them out of their homes and cities? On the other hand, how could a people who were being constantly persecuted and driven from their homes under the harshest of conditions, continue to be faithful to their God and to the Church, and not just walk away and say to heck with it? This solidifies my testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel, and of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Going to Nauvoo helped me become converted all over again. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the earth today. It is the sure foundation on which, if we live the Gospel, and keep our eye single to our Heavenly Father and follow his chosen Prophet,,,which today is Thomas S. Monson, we will not be deceived by the world, and will someday return to live with our Heavenly Father again. I testify that Joseph Smith DID see the Father and the Son in that grove of trees. That he translated the Book of Mormon which is another testament of Jesus Christ. Considering the short life he lived, the Prophet Joseph Smith completed his mission here on earth, and sealed his testimony with his blood. Of this I also testify! How grateful I am for the Sealing Power of the covenants we make in the Temple. I am grateful to be sealed to Glenn, knowing that our children will be sealed to us, if we endure to the end!!! And for those of our Senior friends.....I encourage all of you to prayerfully consider serving a mission!! The Lord needs us to serve!!!! And we have already seen the blessings poured out to us and our families. Besides, we love it! And you will too!!! Until next time: read your scriptures!!!!
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