Week #18, 10 - 16 April 2017

We had a full week of plenty of sunshine and pleasant temperatures.  We even had windows open with breezes blowing through.  We didn't wear jackets as well.  Maybe spring has finally arrived here in Nauvoo.

We worked our shift on Monday and that evening we had a special FHE Easter dinner at the Arrival Center.  The meal was well planned and delicious.  The tables were adorned with Easter centerpieces and candies.  Everyone enjoyed the food.  Following was the lesson that began with the Checketts' Thompson's, and Rawlins', bidding farewell and sharing testimonies.  The lesson then was watching a conference talk by Bruce R. McConkie as he shared his testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ.  It was moving and powerful.  Following his talk, the temple recorder Brother Marshall sang, In a Coming Day.  Our hearts were touched with the spirit and the feeling of the love of our Savior.  It was difficult for any of us to leave afterward as we sat quietly basking in the feeling.

 Elder & Sister Checketts from California.

 Elder & Sister Rawlins from Utah.

Elder & Sister Thompson from Mesa, AZ.

We worked our shift Tuesday evening and then stayed to help clean the temple.  Sister Franklin set us to vacuuming the third floor.  After awhile she said she was taking the young elders up the tower as one of them had not been up there yet.  I asked if we could go and she said yes.

We began our climb on the  98 metal circular steps on the 5th floor between the two sealing rooms and right behind the writing on the outside wall.  We walked out a door on the landing at the base of the tower and on up.  We stepped off at the landing where the first set of windows are but they are shuttered closed.  We went on to the clock landing and were able to see out those windows.  Next was the smaller windows which we could see out of.  It was an amazing sight to see the statues of Joseph & Hyrum to the west and the cover over the stained glass in the ceiling of the celestial room to the east.  At the top of the steps we stood in the dome and under the base of the Angel Moroni.  We were not able to see any distance as it was night but could only imagine what we would be able to see if it were day.  Our climb was a reminder of our walk up 587 steps to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.  Standing behind the clock faces made me think of when we stood behind the clock faces of Big Ben in the Elizabeth Tower.  It was amazing to be here in this tower.

Temple Face:  When the first Nauvoo Temple was constructed and the tower was in place, people would go up it to see the view, many never having seen such a sight in their entire lives.   The building stood 158 1/2 feet from ground to top of Balls and rod.

We were supposed to work for the Sorenson's on Wednesday a.m., but when we got there they had mixed us up with the other Brown's and although we offered to do whatever, they said we were not needed and got a "Go Home" free card!  We had previously canceled our scanning service with Brother Shurts but called to say we were available so off we went for two hours of scanning.  We had a missionary meeting in the afternoon to get schedules for the arrival of the twenty-five 6 month missionary couples on the 27th.  We will all be helping with the four day welcome and training they will have to be ready to start work on May 1.  We worked our shift in the evening.

Thursday was our double day and time in the temple was great.  The baptistry was busy during the evening and enjoyed the families that came in.  One of them showed up with the bride and groom we were guides for on Saturday.  It was fun to see them again.  the bride had served her mission in Nauvoo and chose this as her place to be married.  Between shifts Dad caught sight of a barge.

The Mississippi River is a thoroughfare for moving bulk commodities.  This barge tow is made up of 15 barges,  3 wide and 5 long (1,00 feet) being pushed by one tug.  They hold the equivalent of 800 semi trucks.  It is an efficient way to move supplies.  This barge is headed north approaching the swing bridge at Fort Madison where the bridge will open and traffic and trains will stop until the barge goes through.

We worked our shift Friday morning and then were trained as guides before we went home.  We actually went to Keokuk for supper and shopping.

Saturday was a busy day in the temple.  We were guides and that took the first three hours of our shift and then we were patrons on the last session of the day.  Since it was the last day before shutdown, there was food in the break room and Brother Henri made his famous ice cream in about four different flavors.  He packaged them in small throw away containers that make it easy to choose your flavor.  The strawberry was delicious!

We began Monday with a perfect reminder of the purpose of Easter and our Savior.  Thoughts of this special time entered our minds throughout the week and while in the temple.  As I walked out of the temple at the end of shift Saturday, with the beautiful scene before me across the Mississippi and the sun setting with the profusion of color in the flowers against the luscious green grass, I was warmed by the knowledge that God does live.  He does love us.  He did send His perfect son for us.  In return we can do our best to live the gospel, to repent, to live as Jesus lived, to love all people, and to be generous in our care for others.  That is what He would do.

And on this day, as we gather as family and friends, may we be kind, thoughtful, forgiving, and attentive in being that example.