Week #17, 2 - 9 April, 2017

Sunday evening we attended the "Break the Conference" potluck for the temple missionaries.  Oh my was there ever a spread of food.  It seemed some type of bread/rolls was the number one item brought, including mine.  Ours are in the yellow bowl.  We had a great time visiting, sharing inspiration from conference, and eating good food.

In preparation meeting on the 6th, President Irion asked what were some important events that occurred on this date.  I shot my hand up and when called on I said:  "Our great grandson is one year old today!"  Everyone got a good chuckle and then other events were named:  The organization of the Church in 1830, the laying of the cornerstone of the first Nauvoo Temple in 1841, and other church events.  I still thought Clark was the best event!

We called to wish Clark a happy birthday and asked if he got our card.  He did and it had $10 in it for him to go buy French fries.  So, here he is enjoying fries.

Highlights of the week was being able to attend two lectures by Susan Easten Black Durant.  Sister Black is an emeritus professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University.  She has written several books and is fantastic in her presentations.  She uses no notes and can talk in detail for some time on the subject she introduces.  Dad and I heard her here in Nauvoo when we were here ten years ago and were very impressed with her knowledge.

One lecture was about Ezra Taft Benson.  She referred to President Monson's counsel to read and study the Book of Mormon and likened his counsel to when Ezra Taft Benson was our prophet and his counsel to read and study the book.  She shared many events of his life, one being the most important thing he learned on his mission was exact obedience.  It is important to obey in the beginning and not question or put it off.  He coined the phrase, "no empty chairs in heaven."  As a prophet his message was to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon.  And as President Thomas S. Monson said:  "My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Spring break is still going on around the country and that made for more patrons in the temple.  It was great to be busy and greet many from the west.  We officiated three sessions, were patrons on one, and had a full schedule in the baptistry Thursday night.  We had three families scheduled and four walk-ins came.  

Dad received an email from FamilySearch saying he had pioneer ancestors.  He checked it out and found 21 ancestors who lived during the Nauvoo period here.  The next day he went to the Land and Records Office to find out more about them and get a digital copy of their files.  Two more were added to his list!

We continued with gloomy cloudy weather through the week, but then on Friday, we had glorious sunshine the whole day long.  It was amazing to come out of the temple and feel its warmth and temperatures that were moderate.  Saturday was another full day of sunshine.  Sunday was cloudy here and there but the sun shone through for the most part. The warm temps have brought the blossoms out and they are gorgeous.

 The tulips are so beautiful they almost look fake.

 The profusion of color is astounding with the purple trees and varied colors in the flowers.

 The trees in our backyard are a blanket of white.  The butterflies and birds dart in and out of the branches and the blossoms.

As you can see, it was very windy today.  I think the wind from Nevada blew this way.  The temps were in the 70's so it made for a great day to be out and about.  We have three missionary couples going home at break so we took a walk and stopped by to wish them well in returning home to real life.

Temple Fact:  The laying of the cornerstone of the first Nauvoo Temple took place on 6 April 1841.  The Nauvoo Legion assembled at its parade ground below the temple shortly after 6 a.m.  The arrivals of Generals William Law and Don Carlos Smith were announced with a volley of artillery at 7 a.m.  Citizens began to pour in from all quarters for about three hours numbering between seven and ten thousand by 9 a.m.  Lieutenant General Joseph Smith reviewed the troops, they were organized and proceeded to the foundation of the temple.  The parade arrived at the temple site about noon and formed a hollow square three deep around where the walls of the temple would be.

The program opened with the choir singing and Sidney Rigdon next spoke for more than an hour.  He noted this was the third time he had spoken at the laying of temple cornerstones.  He remarked "that not every people can build a house to [the Lord], but those only whom he himself directs."  After he spoke the southeast cornerstone was laid under the direction of the First Presidency.  Joseph Smith pronounced the benediction:  "This principal corner stone, in representation of the First Presidency, is now duly laid in honor of the great God; and may it there remain until the whole fabric is completed; and may the same be accomplished speedily; that the Saints may have a place to worship God, and the Son of Man have where to lay his head."