September 25, 2013

All is well in Nauvoo and we remain very busy. We currently have two investigators that we are teaching and they are progressing nicely. Gail has committed to being baptized and we will set a date in the near future. She turns 70 years young on September 26Th and has a heart of gold. She is so committed to the gospel, but still needs the confirmation from the Holy Ghost. Cindy is a single mom with three kids and really needs the gospel in her life. She has had many trials of late and is just beginning to feel comfortable with the church. Her in-laws are members and are in our Ward and so we are getting lots of great help from these good people. We are proceeding very slowly to ensure that she fully understands that which we are teaching her. She and Sister Warner are slowly becoming good friends. We are doing a church tour with her tomorrow and pray that she will continue to progress. Our four recent converts are active, doing well and serving the Lord.

Last week, we participated in our annual Sr. Couple Temple Day, here in Nauvoo! We attended the 11:00AM session and then capped the day off with a testimony meeting, after which Susan Easton Black spoke to us. She and her husband are now serving in Nauvoo, as Temple Missionaries. She is a wonderful speaker and is a very humble saint. Four of the Sr. Couples are about to go home after serving 18 month missions. We will miss them! There are no replacements as there is such a shortage of Sr. Couples available. The church needs Sr. Couples very badly!! (hint-hint)

Sr Couples

Elder Oaks was here Sunday night and spoke at a fireside re: Joseph Smith and the many of the legal ramifications he encountered over the years, especially in Nauvoo. It was very informative and set the record straight on many of the myths circulating about Joseph and the brethren. Elder Oaks is a wonderful man, very engaging, very humble. One can literally feel of his spirit and know that he is a latter-day Apostle.

By the end of October, there will be 85,000 missionaries in the field and by the end of the year 100,000 strong will be out spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. The brethren are still very concerned that the members are still not doing there part to keep these young people busy teaching. They need your referrals! Are you doing your part? Please help them, they will need you!!

The Iowa Des Moines Mission continues to grow and now nears a total of 300  missionaries. Many new areas were opened last transfer, with many more areas being opened in the October transfer. New Zones will need to be created by year end to accommodate the growth. It is wonderful to see the new, young missionaries arrive and to observe how valiant that they have become.

Are you reading the Book of Mormon with your family? I testify that by doing so, your family will become closer to God and will experience less trials and tribulations. Don't forget to study from Preach My Gospel... what a wonderful resource to enable us to teach pure, scriptural doctrine.

As you have time, please drop us a letter and let us know how you and your families are doing...we miss you!

Stand Strong and Be Bold!!

We love you,

Elder Craig and Sister Laura Warner

P.O. Box 215

Nauvoo, IL. 62354