Warners on a Mission

Nauvoo has been very hot and humid over the last week, with plenty of thunder, lightning and rain. The Mississippi is swollen from the rainfall and there has been some flooding. The farmers are elated by the rainfall which causes their corn to continue to reach skyward. Most of the corn in and around Nauvoo and Carthage, is about 3' tall and rapidly growing. The sunsets are beautiful and the river glistens with color as the sun sets in the west. Standing atop the Temple steps, just prior to entering that sacred edifice, one can see the river rolling along with excitement and the scenery is beyond beautiful! At the end of Parley Street, the Mississippi seems to be is as calm and smooth as a sheet of glass. Those Saints of old certainly lived in a majestic and serene part of the Lord's vineyard!

For a time, the Saints were among the happiest people on earth. Little did they know of the trials and tribulations that they would face. June 27th marks 169 years since the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and his brother Hyrum, in Carthage. On that day, Sister Warner and I have been invited to travel along the exact route taken by Joseph and Hyrum as they rode from Nauvoo to Carthage, in June of 1844. People here call it the Martyrdom Trail. I have taken this sad trip before and and found peace along this trial of death. It is a wonderful and beautiful trip filled with memories of old, some good and some of disbelief. The Prophet Joseph seems to be near to show us the way and to urge us on and to redeem those valiant Saints of yesteryear. There is a commemoration fireside, which begins at 5:15PM at Carthage jail, almost the exact time of the martyrdom itself. We will be there in Carthage to listen and to feel of the spirit of the day. We testify that Joseph was and is a Prophet of God. He restored the Lord's church to the earth and from the dust, he brought forth and translated the Book of Mormon. We love the Prophet Joseph! We are grateful for his life of goodness and for his testimony of faith and truth.

Missionary work is alive and well in Nauvoo. We are still teaching many and referrals are plentiful now that the people have begun to flock into this beautiful city. The Nauvoo Pageant begins in in two weeks and Nauvoo is alive with the hustle and bustle of becoming readied for this wonderful event. The "professional" hecklers have also begun to arrive and they are once again armed with all manner of falsehoods and hatred. There eyes are alive with only one goal; the filthy lucre that they will line their pockets of disdain. Most of them are paid for each piece of trash that they hand out and they are experts at distributing this propaganda throughout the city. One day, Nauvoo will be able to rest in peace and become a city on a hill of righteousness, without hatred and guile. Until then, we just politely ignore the taunts of the adversary.

A new Bishop was called in our Ward last Sunday. He is very missionary minded and we are very excited to meet with him and receive his inspiration and guidance. He' s a good man that we have already begun to love and respect him for who he is and for that which he stands. We can feel the Lord's hand in this great cause and Nauvoo missionary work is going to get very exciting!

Read Alma 14! It gives us perfect direction for today's world and the world to come. Remember to see people as the Savior sees them. When we see them through the Savior's eyes, we can see forever.

Stand Strong and Be Bold!! Help those missionaries, they need you more than ever!

Warmly,

Elder and Sister Warner

A few pictures to share...