Eldon's birthday and other amazing things

We went to a concert last night put on jointly by all the churches in the community. It was held in the Catholic church which was ornate to the fullest extent. Quite a contrast between the Father's opening prayer and the stake president's closing. The theme was "Journeying through Music" and started with the Catholic choir singing some Catholic songs such as "The Bells of St. Mary's." Then the Icarian period was represented by some French pieces, and the Nauvoo LDS heritage was represented by the LDS choir singing "Redeemer of Israel" and "Come, Come Ye Saints." Then finally the Nauvoo German heritage with a Bach organ solo and the whole congregation singing Luther's "A Mighty Fortress if our God." That was cool to sing with such good acoustics.

Today Eldon turned 72. I announced it in prayer meeting in the course of giving my testimony, which we were asked to do just a few minutes before the meeting started! It was a cool experience and I thought we had similar thoughts, just expressed differently. Eldon said he felt he had gradually changed here in Nauvoo and come closer to the Lord. He quoted Doc. & Cov. 121:45 - Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost will be thy constant companion...  to describe it.

My thoughts were based on Ether 12:27 where the Lord says to Moroni that if we come to him (which we do in the temple), He will show unto us our weaknesses. (I've had many shown to me here.) He says if we humble ourselves and have faith in Him he will make our weaknesses become strong. I also told them when irritations or challenges happen, I say to myself, "This is a test," and remember the skit the young performing artists did about "This is a test." Life is supposed to be a test. But His grace is sufficient to help us pass the test if we but ask.

Our neighbors upstairs brought down a beautiful fruit pizza with a candle in it for Eldon's birthday.