So much to learn.

Picture by Sister Schmidt

The days in Nauvoo are quiet but it’s a bonus time to learn, study and serve in ways we typically don’t have the opportunity to. I love to learn more about the history of the church here in Nauvoo and the lives of the people.  I continue to stand in awe of their total dedication to God, His plan, His church and His prophet.  There were leaders like Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, and Wilford Woodruff.  But there were others who also had tremendous stories of love for the Lord; saints like Lucius Scovil, William Warner Player,  Jacob Huffman, and Sarah Granger Kimball.  I have tried to learn about each of them and their families.  They really had one focus; to dedicate themselves to creating a Zion society, which included building the temple.  No amount of hardship or hard work could keep them from giving their all.  I feel like there is so much I can learn from their single-mindedness, their spiritual strength and  their sacrifice. Am I willing to give as they gave?  It's a question I ask myself every day.  I know I signed up for this missionary service. But am I holding anything back? 

This week was our Stake Conference and Elder Sexton of the Seventy was our visiting General Authority.  He taught a lot of concepts in the Saturday night meeting and Sunday general meeting, but what stood out most for me was his testimony of who Russell M. Nelson is, the prophet of God on the earth today.  He taught that as a "prophet, seer and revelator" President Nelson sees things that we cannot see and it is crucial that we follow his counsel.  With each invitation to act President Nelson has promised a blessing, even miracles.  He promises that, as we are in the temple on a regular basis and making a study of the Book of Mormon a daily occurrence, we will receive personal revelation and "the Lord will bring miracles He knows you need...".  Do we want miracles in our lives? Study the Book of Mormon and make regular temple attendance a priority.  That sounds simple enough.  It's certainly worth putting it to the test!

This week on Valentine's Day we got to ride around Nauvoo in the surrey.  After a number of below zero temperature days the weather was beautiful!

Taking a ride on the Valentine Surrey.