Well, if you must know, I took a trip to the Midwest last July mainly in Missouri, Iowa and Chicago. These places have many important historical spots for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In Missouri, selected members of the church where told to settle. It was there that they set forth the cornerstones for the Far West Temple (which will not be constructed until the Second Coming) and where Governor Boggs of Missouri ordered the extermination of all Latter-day saints in the area.
The saints then fled to the township of Commerce in which they would later get the charter for and call it Nauvoo. This city flourish and its population grew to even beat Chicago. The saints turned a muddy swamp into a wondrous area where all the saints can gather. The saints also started working on the Nauvoo Temple atop the cliff over-looking the Mississippi River. What a wondrous place it was.
In the following years, the saints would once again fall into persecution. Enemies would once again find ways the rip the church apart. Many of the antagonists thought the by removing the prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr., that the church would fall away. What they didn’t know is that God was the head of the church and that the priesthood resides on the prophets and the apostles that were leading the church.
The prophet, Joseph Smith, was put in jail in Carthage, Illinois and on June 26, was killed by a mob along with his brother, Hyrum. A few years after the prophet’s death, Brigham Young, through revelation, became the next prophet of the church here on earth. Persecutions once again followed and the saints left Nauvoo in 1846.
The crossed the frozen Mississippi on to Iowa where the miracle of the quail happen. That is an awesome story. The saints left all they have behind and journeyed West to the promised land.
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.” 2 Nephi 12:2
That is the most wonderful that has happened to me thus far. The realization of how much God loves his children that he provides way for us to overcome our trials and appoints people, with his power and priesthood, to lead us according to his will.
In August, the Newport Beach California Temple was dedicated and I was worthy enough to see it’s dedicated and humble enough to go inside and take a tour and help others.
blessingsThis weekend I spent it out of town. I went to Westminster and hung out with my friends Jeremy's family. It was great just to get away from Cypress and all the things that just make me all crazy about things.
I met with Elder Sessions, one of the missionaries that taught me the discussions. All the elders that taught me are on the way home or are already home. He is the last one here left, but what I am really sad about is the fact that I still havent gotten a call from the stake presidency about my mission. I do admit that I could use a bit more help, but with how things are, I am sure I am ready to serve the Lord.
On Sunday, Brother McCarthy who is one of the contractors for the Newport Beach Temple came to the Priesthood meeting and told us about the rooms in the temple and gave us a piece of the terrestrial room! How awesome is that to have an actual part of the temple, the house of the Lord. I cannot wait to go through the temple and take out my endowments and be committed to the gospel forever. I have already seen the fruit of it.
I think that my family is ready to receive the gospel. It is funny how one little thing can change a person's mood about something. Ever since I called my mother on Mother's Day, she has changed and I felt it, too. They went to the Philippines for the summer and my mother actually talked to missionaries! And, she invited them over to eat. I am sure that the missionaries are full, but the great part is that they welcome the gospel. I love it! To think that I can do work for my family at a temple that is nearby and I helped build is just an awesome feeling.
So, I am patching things up with my family and could not be any happier! It is such a great blessing. I know that I am not the person who most diligently follows the commandments, but I do try. And I now have more reason to do so.
