General Conference March 31, 2018 Solemn Assembly and Priesthood modifications

President Nelson sustained as the new President and prophet of the LDS Church

      Historic changes to priesthood structure announced at priesthood Session of LDS Conference

Community Pancake breakfast at the Nauvoo Fire Department 3-31-18

A Community Pancake Breakfast at the Nauvoo Fire Station

 Elder Al and Sister Kathy at the community pancake breakfast at the Nauvoo Fire Station

 A brisk Saturday morning walk with view of the Nauvoo Temple

 Elder Hale

We went to a community pancake breakfast that was a fundraiser for the Nauvoo Fire Department. Many of the LDS missionaries came. This young man is named Elder Hale and is a 24 year old service missionary who has Asperger syndrome. We heard him speak in Sacrament meeting first Sunday we were here. He spoke about what it is like to be of service here in Nauvoo. He spoke very well and with good eye contact and without notes. I saw him this morning and I asked if I could take his picture. He said yes but then asked “Why do you want to take my picture Sister?”. I just told him I had become attached to him. What I didn’t say was he reminded me so much of our grandson Reed who also has Asperger syndrom. Makes me cry.

 Nauvoo residents gathering at the breakfast

The Annual Prairie Fire March 29, 2018

Here in Nauvoo there is a plot of land that is designated for historical purposes that depicts what prairie grass is and its effects on the land once burned.  You wouldn't think that a prairie had any impact on the soil once burned. 

Brother Durrel Nelson, a horticulturist 

This good brother who is a native of Nauvoo who also was once in the Temple Presidency and also a member of the Nauvoo Advancement Group, spoke to us regarding the effects of a prairie fire and the impact it has on soil.  It can be enriched from the burned grass and other vegetation as in wild flowers and even some small animals. Over time and the elements of the seasons can help build up a compost that enriches the soil for yet other growth. This process gives the soil 33 feet deep of top soil.  I want to pack some up and take it back with us to St. George, Utah.

Today there was a celebration of a Prairie Fire.  We didn't know what to expect so we went thinking, "Oh well" they are going to burn a tall grass field.  Little did we know that we would learn something of value regarding soil especially during the 1800's.  It was told to us that Prairie Fires are dangerous and that you can't outrun them.  Fatalities are known to take place if precaution is not used.  Precautions such as "Stay away from them'"!!

Following are pictures taken by Al Burningham of the event today

Just before the fire. You have to put yourself in the picture so that our readers know we were actually there.

 Fire is administered and controlled by the Nauvoo Fire Department.  People shown here are in a safe distance from the fire. 

Note the Temple in the background

Fire getting started

Took all of five minutes to bring the tall grass and any other vegetation burned to the ground

 Missionary friends, Elder and Sister Barth with Elder Duncan

 Elder and Sister Droste

Elder and Sister Holm

Some pictures worth seeing

Nauvoo the Beautiful

 Temple view from the flats 

Brigham Young's reconstructed home

 Brigham Young's back of home with the well

Browning Gunsmith in Nauvoo

Temple view from the flats

Sunday afternoon walk around the flats

Our first time visiting a site----The Lyon Drug store.  Sylvia Lyon, great great aunt of Elder B'

Staged to show what possible commodities  were sold in the store.

grocery shopping made easy

Blankets

Houseware

cotton, flax and other supplies

 Barrels of Fish

Barrels  of other commodities

Temple Missionaries on the steps of the Nauvoo Temple 3-12-18

A weekend of training in the temple - ten new couples. President and Sister Irion at the top of the picture on the right.

March 19, 2018 re-enactment of the Organization of the Relief Society in the Red Brick Store

Today the Sister Missionaries did a re-enactment of the organization of the Relief Society that happened here 176 years ago here in Nauvoo.

The women of the church here in Nauvoo at that time wanted a purposeful organization to aid and assist one another with various needs whatever they may be.  The first President of the Relief Society was Emma Smith, wife of the prophet Joseph Smith.  She was elected by her fellow sisters at that time.

The re-enactment  took place in the top floor of this store where it was originally organized..  A lot more history took place in the Red Brick store at the time Nauvoo was bustling with activity.

Myself and other sister missionaries were able to get a loaner dress from the sewing room here in Nauvoo for the event.  I chose the brightest color I could.  Blue.

The store is awesome and has many fun things you can buy. I am going back there another time to see what there is I might like.

 Sister Hardy and myself in period dresses in the Red Brick Store a few blocks from my apartment

 A few of us Sister Missionaries in front of the Red Brick Store

More pictures will be forth coming.  

Sunday afternoon walk after church in Mt Pleasant.

Our assignment as missionaries to a branch of the church in MT Pleasant, Iowa was very heartwarming and interesting. The drive is about an hour away and we rode with another missionary couple named Elder and Sister Barth.  The average number of attendees on Sunday is about 50.  A branch of the church is small and cannot be called a ward yet because of the size of the congregation.  It was a very spiritual experience as we heard talks from individuals in the branch tell of their experiences as converts and how the gospel has changed their lives.  The topic for all was about repentance and forgiveness.  A well worth topic as all of us have to deal with that while we are here on earth.

It was foggy this morning when we left about 7:45 am but when we returned it was clear and the scenery was interesting.  They haven't planted their crops of corn yet but the fields....and there are a lot of them, are all tilled under.

When we returned to our apartment we had the wonderful smell of a roast in our slow cooker to greet us.  And we were pretty hungry so the taste and smell was most enjoyable.  Of course a Sunday nap was in order but once we awoke we bundled up and went for a walk around "the flats" where the historical buildings are and where our apartment is.  We are right in the middle of it all.  In fact, a great great grandfathers restored home is around the corner from us.

We walked down Parley Street or as it is otherwise called "Trail of Hope" where the great exodus from Nauvoo started in February 1846 to go west to the valley which is the Great Salt Lake.  At the time of year the Great Mississippi River was frozen and the wagons made their way across the river.  Even though it was very cold, the early saints left with hearts toward a new Zion where they would not be bothered by mobs and could live peacefully without worry.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/07/the-trail-of-hope-exodus-from-nauvoo?lang=eng

Elder Al standing on Parley Street - Trail of Hope

Looking back from the river to Nauvoo and the restored Temple.

End of Parley Street towards the river at Sunset.

Statue of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young looking West

Grave sites of Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith and Emma Smith

It was a lovely day and a great way to start a new week.

Arrival at Nauvoo, Illinois for our 6 month Temple Mission March 8, 2018

This is the most amazing place.

Never did we think in our wildest dreams that we would one day serve as Temple Missionaries in this rebuilt historic Nauvoo Temple.  Both of us have ancestors who lived here and helped build the original temple in 1846 just before the Mormon Saints were driven out a few years later.  Alvin's great grandfather was Perrigrine Sessions and Kathy's great great grandfather was Briant Stringham. 

This is our third mission proceeded by our Philippine Mission as Security managers for the church 2010-2011 and our Guatemala Mission as Public Affairs Specialist 2014-2015.  Our mission here in Nauvoo will be for six months beginning in March 2018 to September 2018.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints revere the temple as a very sacred and holy place where very sacred ordinances are administered.  Namely baptisms for our kindred dead and promises to the Lord and for the sealing of families together forever.  Marriages performed outside this holy edifice is for time only whereas marriages performed within the walls of this edifice is dedicated to sealing our kindred dead to spouses and families for as far back as genealogy allows us to.  Marriages for the living is performed legally and lawfully and spiritually sealed for time and all eternity performed by those having the proper priesthood authority.

Our family is sealed to one another for eternity.  We strive to be worthy of this blessing daily...which at times requires some repenting.  

This past week has been very busy with settling into our apartment, 760 Kimball Street #4, Nauvoo, Illinois and training in the temple.  We love it and are looking forward to this great adventure for six months.

Picture of new Temple Missionaries 

March 12, 2018

More to come...