A variety of activities

Eldon has been collecting things from nature. Osage fruit and chestnut pods.

Chestnuts out of the pod.

The perfect geode.

Wicked thorns!

We drove over to Montrose to a rest stop the missionaries maintain called "Linger Longer". Great view of the temple from there.

We arranged an FHE at the Tukuafu's. They live in a round house on the river. She makes wooden instruments and they sing.

Brother Tukuafu is Tongan. They raised 13 children in Hawaii.

There was a farewell openhouse for the Ekins, a delightful couple from Delta.

It was held at the Arrival Center.

Our P-day group went to Kalona, Iowa to visit a Mennonite community. Sylvia was our host for a delicious lunch. She's a widow and lives way out in the country.

We went to the church and their pastor met with us and answered questions. The Mennonite congregations are independent. One teaches baptism by immersion, another by pouring, another by sprinkling. Its up to the pastor. He said their biggest problem is not agreeing. They lack a prophet! He was very articulate even though he only had an eighth grade education.  They don't vote.

Meaningful embroidery on Sylvia's wall. I LOVE MY FAMILY!

Book of Mormon battles

This week I finished reading the Book of Mormon straight through. Some days in the temple I have quite a bit of time to read--a half hour while posted in the Celestial Room (a very quiet place to read), or interrupted reading time when posted on the first floor to greet people and point them in the right way.

I am really tired of the war chapters and have decided never to read them again except when we study them in SS. I'm going to choose the chapters that are inspiring and uplifting, full of doctrine and good counsel and just read them over and over again! Like 2 Nephi 9 and King Benjamin's speech and Alma 32 and 3 Nephi 11-14 and Ether 12 and the whole Book of Moroni.

I know the war chapters are included to provide us advice on how to meet the challenges of the last days before the second coming. Fortify and arm yourselves and all that good stuff. But enough is enough. Ether is awful bloody too.

But someone in SS last week made an interesting comment that it's not just nation against nation, but one on one personal relationships that are stressed in the Book of Mormon. I've been thinking about that all week.

First there's the overriding advice not to contend, that contention is of the devil and not the Savior's gospel. Then there's Moroni's beautiful words on charity and that we should pray for it. The golden rule is there. Judge not and be forgiving are in there too. There is advice to parents to teach your children to love and serve one another.

Then there are examples to learn from. Nephi who did frankly forgive his brothers. Lehi who agreed with his complaining wife that he was a visionary man rather than fighting back. Ammon who was wise and yet harmless. The Anti-Nephi-Lehis who buried their weapons of war rather than fight again. Pahoran's patience with Moroni when he complained about the government's neglect. You can probably think of others.

One of my favorite passages is in Moroni 7 in Mormon's letter where he tells the people he knows they are followers of Christ because of their peaceable walk with the children of men. President Hunter said, "May we walk the quiet way of the Lord." I would like to do just that, but it would mean going through life not getting irritated, not taking offense, not criticizing or pouting. What a challenge!

Stop it!

You'd think by age 74 I would have it all learned. Not so! We discussed President Uchtdorf's last conference talk on being forgiving in Relief Society. I realized it was something I really needed.

Even inside the temple there are irritations. The other day I was serving in clothing and had just handed out clothes to a mother of a person going through for the first time. Their "guide" (another worker) didn't like the dress I gave the mother and barged in behind the counter and began going through the dresses to find something better. It embarrassed the mother and made me feel demeaned. So I built up a grudge for several days which didn't hurt her, just me! Then this conference talk made me realize I needed to "put down my stones."

I think we all have negative feelings towards a person or two and we need to remember that being unforgiving is a grievous sin. Holding a grudge is very destructive. And since we are all imperfect, as President Uchtdorf says, "My beloved brothers and sisters, should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven?"

I'm trying harder. When something irritating happens I've been saying to myself, "This is a test!"

To my teenaged grandchildren: Rachel, Robin, Esther, Zachary, Erik, Jason, Trevor, Curtis, Berkeley and Sam

This morning in prayer meeting President Jensen said that in the introduction to the new "For the Strength of Youth" booklet it says to "focus on the temple in all you do." Evidently the standards in the booklet will help you get to the temple.

Nowadays the youth at age 12 can receive a recommend that is the key to the door of any temple in the world! The youth are encouraged from age 12 on for the rest of their lives to have a current recommend. They will need to renew it each year until they actually receive their endowment and then it will be renewed every other year.

I can see how always remaining worthy to enter the temple will be a protection to you in your teenage years. When temptations come (and they will) to do something that would forfeit your right to that recommend/key, you will think of the blessings of the temple and resolve to remain worthy.

When you receive your endowment, you will learn more about Satan and what a pest he can be. He, of course, would like to see you steer clear of the temple and its good influence. I know he's real and quite powerful. Fortify yourselves against his influence by keeping a current recommend and using it often!

It will be a wonderful day when you enter the temple to receive your endowment, and a glorious day when you go back with your chosen mate to be sealed for eternity. I will be there rejoicing with you.

Love, Grandma

Sacrifice versus consecration

Neil and Esther were going to "hike Timp" when they got to Utah. Turns out they did the whole thing in 5 hours so it was more running than hiking. They did this while the rest of the family went to Timpanogos Cave, a pretty hefty hike itself. Zachary went with them to carry Gideon. ("He's not heavy; he's my brother.") Neil gave Esther a father's blessing for the new school year, which must have been a spiritual experience.

My descendants on top of Timp!

I've been thinking about the difference between sacrifice and consecration lately. Sacrifice is giving up something of value for something of greater worth. For example, we're sacrificing our comfortable home and frequent family visits for serving this mission. Although, this apartment is quite comfortable and our kids keep in touch, so maybe the sacrifice is small, but when I'm feeling homesick it doesn't seem small. Joseph Smith said if we weren't required to sacrifice, we would never develop the faith necessary for eternal salvation. We're commanded to sacrifice a broken heart and a contrite spirit, meaning practicing humility, obedience and repentance. Giving up the things of the world is really no sacrifice because of the blessings that come.

Consecration I think is like sacrifice but more so! The dictionary says consecration is to set apart or dedicate to service or a purpose. Like serving a mission. President Condie introduced the congregation to a visiting general authority last Sunday night as "700 consecrated people." I liked that.

"Praise to the Man" says sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven. And it reminds us of Joseph Smith who sacrificed every single thing he had for the gospel. And the greatest example of all would be the Savior whose atoning sacrifice is the very center of all we believe.

'How much does it cost?"

I was afraid we would have a big let down after the uplifting visit of Neil's family, but it's been a great week after all.

The weather has moderated some, which is a big relief. Eldon has been out hunting for geodes a couple of times and has found some beauties. He's really into it.

Do you see the geode?

Watch out for long thorns!

Yesterday I answered the phone in the office and it was a lady wondering what she needed to do to get married in the Nauvoo Temple and how much it cost. She thinks it's beautiful. I told her there was no charge and the first thing she needed to do would be to see her bishop. She said she didn't have one. I said, "Are you a member of our church?" and she said no. So then I told her only members could be married there, so the first step would be to talk with the missionaries, let them teach her about the church and then decide if she would like to join. She said ok. I asked her if she knew how to contact the missionaries and she said no. So I took down her name and phone number. She asked if they could come right away. I said it would be in a few days. I asked her if she was engaged and she said yes, for about 10 years! So this will be interesting for the missionaries. I phoned the referral in to the visitors center and told them  to mark it urgent.

Another potential let down is the young performing artists leaving. I got excused from the office a little early (Eldon had to stay longer) and went to the last Sunset by the Mississippi show. They were really hamming it up and the audience had a great time. My favorite songs are the frog kissing one and "All God's Creatures Have a Place in the Choir" (clap your hands or paws or anything you've got).

The Temple Missionary Choir. I play for it and Judi Watkins, to my left, leads it. My two neighbors are behind me--Judy Peal and Sandi Winegar.

I also stopped in to see Rondevoux again. Most of the young people were there including the Nauvoo Brass Band and they were practically raucous supporting the site missionaries they've come to love over the summer. It was an energetic enthusiastic audience. We'll be sorry to see the young people go.

In church today one of the speakers said if your life gets mundane, go to the top of the hill. I hope you all do that, even if your temple isn't on top of a hill!

Nauvoo Temple

Portland Temple

Medford Temple

Boston Temple

There is something there you need to learn. Each individual needs to learn it for themselves. Though there is no charge, but there are promises to make and blessings to be received.

Visit of Neil and Pam's family

It was a joy to have Neil and Pam's family come. We planned out their stay and they took it in stride.

First we walked down the Trail of Hope on Parley Street to the river. There were vignettes by the actors telling stories of the pioneers.

The actor who portrayed Brigham Young. (He got married in the Nauvoo Temple while he was here!)

The actress who protrayed Jane Manning.

The kids waded out in the river to pick some lotuses.

Esther in front of the Brigham Young house

At the end of Parley Street by the river.

We went to the visitors center and the Women's Garden. There was a baby bird fallen out of its nest and Erik climbed the tree to restore it to the nest.

In the Womens Garden.

We saw High Hopes and Riverboats in the afternoon. The teens thought it was a little corny, but I enjoyed seeing it again.

We went to the Pageant on it's last night. There was a brief shower that cooled us off but it didn't dampen our spirits nor the actors'.

On Sunday they wanted to attend the full block. The meetings were all good. I noticed Neil was sketchnoting! Gideon was good throughout the three meetings.

After Sunday dinner we drove to Carthage. It was super crowded which was not good. Esther and Zachary led us in a song while we waited.

Waiting at Carthage

Singing "Praise to the Man"

Brothers

At sunset we went up by the temple.

On Monday we went on a trek with a handcart. They found geodes in the river beds.

Then we had a baptismal session. Neil baptized Erik, Zachary and Esther. After that Pam and Neil were the witness couple on a small session that we officiated. That was so cool! We showed them around the temple afterwards, even up to the bell tower! President Jensen, who lent us the key for it, told us what the original temple consisted of. The baptistry was finished in the basement. The assembly room was finished on the first floor. From there on up was unfinished without even floors. The two live sealing rooms on the top floor were then a food preparation room and a reception room. Behind that in the attic which you couldn't stand upright in, were where the endowment was given. It was partitioned off in "rooms" like the creation, garden, world, terrestrial and celestial with canvas which was later used for the wagons.

They stayed in the Hotel Nauvoo the first two nights and the log cabins the last night. The cabins are sweet!

At the hotel, the kids' room

The Danielson cabin, 2 bedrooms and a bath

 Monday night we went to Sunset by the Mississippi and Rondevoux. In between they saw lots of the sites.

They left on Tuesday morning after doing laundry and going on a wagon ride.