August 1, 2014

The summer weather has been beautiful, with temperatures in the 70's and 80's. Humidity has also been very low for this time of the year. The sunsets have been breathtaking and the Mississippi River is swollen with the summer rains.

The Nauvoo and British Pageants have just ended and folks are quickly filing out of town. Almost 60,000 people saw these wonderfully, talented saints perform and it was a spiritual feast! The total attendance was more than 20,000 higher than any previous pageant in Nauvoo!! Sister Warner and I attended 19 pageant performances and each night was filled with spiritual experiences that will never be forgotten. 

It was wonderful to be with my sister and brother in law who spent a week with us, as well as many of our friends from different areas of the country. 

Bonnie and Gary 
At the Quincy Monument

Although a final decision has not yet been made, there is much talk of bringing the British Pageant back to Nauvoo in 2015.  :)

July was filled with blessings beyond that which we deserve. Three new converts entered the waters of baptism. We know that the Lord's hand is in all things and miracle after miracle was evidenced as these good saints progressed toward baptism. Wendy was the wife of a So. Baptist pastor who, at one time, pastored the church here in Nauvoo. She is a wonderful person, filled with love for all mankind and a love for the scriptures that has given her knowledge and peace. The other two saints, Lon and Nancy, are the parents of a young man baptised in April. It was an unbelievable spiritual experience to be present as Sean baptised his parents! 127 people attended the baptism, many of them not yet members of the church. After they were confirmed on Sunday, they were both invited to speak in Sacrament Meeting. Oh my, it was so touching! There was not a dry eye in the congregation, as 1500 people witnessed the spirit of truth. It was also very touching to be a part of the Priesthood ordinance wherein Sean conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon his Father. Sister Warner and I will NEVER forget this once in a lifetime experience. We have been so blessed and we are very grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord!!

We are currently teaching Wendy's daughter (19 years old) and the daughter of Lon and Nancy (27 years old)). They are committed to the gospel and both are progressing nicely. The Lord is wonderful!! We also have a number of pageant referrals to contact.   

We are grateful for all of the many blessings that we have received and thank the Lord for His goodness and mercy. We have truly learned to listen to the spirit and to react to that which we know comes from the Lord. We will be eternally grateful for all that we received at His hand.

Each of us will be blessed as we hasten this work to go forward. There is much to accomplish and the Lord awaits our efforts. There is no more rewarding work in the kingdom than to bring souls unto Christ! Remember to INVITE and testify...

Stand Strong and Be Bold!!!

We love you,

Elder and Sister Warner