The last two weeks have been a blur and we are not sure where the time has gone. Nauvoo is beautiful and a special spirit resides here. One can literally feel the presence of the Prophet Joseph. We have come to know that this is indeed the City of Joseph. The local non-members are difficult and although they seem very nice, it is easy to feel their animosity towards the LDS people. We have stepped up our community involvement in order to begin to overcome the feelings of our Nauvoo neighbors. It has been fun and a great joy being able to discuss with them the real doctrine of the church. Everyone here supposedly knows what we believe, but in reality they are far from the truth. As we teach investigators, we commit them to ask us about the questions that they may have, rather than to ask a friend or neighbor. Once we explain the correct doctrine, our investigators begin to understand the true principles of the gospel and forsake asking those that twist, turn and speak pure untruths about the church. We have to be bold and set them straight right from the start or they tend to vacillate back and forth. When we tell them what they have heard is just simply not true, we then are able to develop a relationship of love and trust.

We are currently teaching 5 investigators, two from Nauvoo and three from Hamilton. Susan Wilson and her son have committed to be baptized and we will set a date when we meet with them on Wednesday. We are close with a couple in Hamilton, the Schellenburger's. They are getting some resistance from their children, but most of what they have been told is not factual and furthermore, is just plain false. In the long run, we think they will be baptized. The last investigator sits on the Board of Directors of the Methodist churches, in this area. We have taught of the Restoration and although we have some obstacles to overcome, he said he felt a very strong spirit as we taught. We will teach him the Plan of Salvation on Tuesday and we are praying that he feels the spirit once again. We feel that this will be a long term commitment, but he is such a wonderful man and it will be worth every minute of it.  

We have begun to volunteer in a number of different venues. We spend 4 hours per week in the Family Search Center, 2 hours per week in the local library and an hour per week at the local thrift shop. We are able to see lots of people as they visit these Nauvoo entities. We also attend all of the local shows. The last two weeks we have had the BYU Folk Dancers in Nauvoo and they are wonderful. They have drawn huge crowds of members and nonmembers alike. 

Last week we traveled to Des Moines to help with the missionary transfers. 38 new missionaries arrived, with 20 of them being sisters. The following day, we were able to hear the testimonies of 12 departing missionaries, as they prepared to return to their families. Very powerful testimony meeting!!

We are so blessed to be able to serve in Nauvoo and feel a special spirit here. The Temple is beautiful and is rich in history. The summer visitors have begun to arrive and it is wonderful to be able to talk with them and express our feelings of Nauvoo The Beautiful!

Read Chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel, especially the Restoration of the Gospel. It is very powerful!!

 

Stand Strong and Be Bold!!

Love,

Elder and Sister Warner

Temple waiting area

Nauvoo Temple

Parley Pratt's original house. It was sold to the Catholics shortly after the Saints were driven from Nauvoo

Joseph and Hyrum bronze statues depicting them as they leave Nauvoo for the last time, as they head for Carthage.

Family Search Center

fawn on the Temple grounds