Reflections And Thoughts

[Palerider]

I just returned home from our Stake Youth Conference. Our Stake went to Nauvoo and it was awesome. For those who don't know, it takes about 1 year to plan a Youth Conference, maybe 1 yr and a few mmonths. The theme for our Conference was "Prepare thy Heart". This is taken or can be found in Doctrine and Covenants 132:3. It reads...Therefore prepare thy heart to recieve and obey the instructions which I am about to give unto you; for all those who have this law revealed unto them must obey the same.

We had about 130 youth in attendance. Its about a 4-7 hour drive depending on where you live in our stake. Total cost of the Conference that our stake paid was 7000 dollars. the way it breaks down is...6000 was for the hotel we stayed in and for food and other costs. There was 1000 dollars set aside to help off set the cost of fuel. The first day was check in at hotel and registration. We then had an adult leader meeting and while this was going on the youth were particapating in mixer-or getting to know you games. When this was completed we then had 3 hours for a service project. After the project was completed which was cleaning up some of the areas in old Nauvoo we went back to the hotel. There they had free time to clean up or go swimming or whatever. Dinner was brought in and after dinner we went to the Nauvoo Pageant. I won't tell you about it cause I know some might get to see this and I don't want to take anything away from your expierence. I will say this....it does focus on the Nauvoo Temple. Friday was spent with going on the Handcart trek and touring around Nauvoo and also going to Carthage. In the evening we drove to Montrose and viewed the Temple from across the River. We had a speaker from our Stake tell the youth about the Saints preparing to go west and crossong the river and etc. There were many many youth with tears in their eyes...guys included.

On Saturday morning we held our Testimony meeting on a stage in Nauvoo. It is on Parley Street on the "Trail of Hope" down by the river. The testimonies that the youth shared were awesome. There were a few who had just joined the church during the last few months that came up and shared their testimony. There were also several that shared expierences that brought tears to my eyes. I feel we accomplished what our main goal was. That was to help the youth feel the "spirit" in their hearts and to help them build a testimony if they did not already have one.

Finally, this is my own reflection about Nauvoo, I have been there several times. I am always deeply touched when I am standing there at the river where the saints crossed. I start thinking about my own life and in my heart I feel like the problems and trails I go through don't even come close to what those early pioneers went through. There it was a freezing cold morning and wagons and people lined up for what must have looked like forever. There was sadness and maybe confusion and perhaps some thought about how their country and govt had turned against them and no one could help them. I try to think in my mind if I had been around in that time period if I could have made that trip and have been as strong as though who did go. The church is here to stay and yes some will always gripe and complain and think that their situation is different, the problem is they have let their heart become hardened. Instead of listening with their heart they listen with their head. There will always be those who oppose our Church, it has to be that way. I need to wrap this up because I don't want to ramble. One last thing, you have to set aside your differences and attend Church and partake of the Lord's Sacrament.

[pam]

Sounds like an awesome weekend and well worth the time planning it.

[Palerider]

Sounds like an awesome weekend and well worth the time planning it.

I do agree with you....the youth had a great time

[Annabelli]

Many years ago, I lived in a college dorm that had well been constructed in a different time era. While it housed the many students, it stood out in a quaint splendor. The chandeliers that swaggered from the ceilings, the winding stair cases, and the many mirrors. There was a woodcarving on one of the study room walls of the Lord's Supper and surrounding it were numerous oxen laden with water barrels.

For so many years that old dorm building was apart of many of my dreams.

When I entered Nauvoo, my dreams were fulfilled and a homecoming was clearly met.

As I had once watched a winding river encircling the city around my dorm window, I now saw a masterful river flowing from a Nauvoo window.

[Elphaba]

I hope one day to visit Nauvoo. Its history is so rich, full of wonder and tragedy. As an amateur historian, I have spent many hours reading the journals of its inhabitants and never cease to be amazed at the ingenuity, the sacrifice and the joy of those who built the "City of Joseph."

Even though I am no longer a believer, I know that had been there I would have had tears in my eyes as well, just by being there.

Elphie

[Palerider]

I hope one day to visit Nauvoo. Its history is so rich, full of wonder and tragedy. As an amateur historian, I have spent many hours reading the journals of its inhabitants and never cease to be amazed at the ingenuity, the sacrifice and the joy of those who built the "City of Joseph."

Even though I am no longer a believer, I know that had been there I would have had tears in my eyes as well, just by being there.

Elphie

would it be safe to say that we agreed here or almost for a second time now.....LOL!!!!!

[Elphaba]

<div class='quotemain'>

I hope one day to visit Nauvoo. Its history is so rich, full of wonder and tragedy. As an amateur historian, I have spent many hours reading the journals of its inhabitants and never cease to be amazed at the ingenuity, the sacrifice and the joy of those who built the "City of Joseph."

Even though I am no longer a believer, I know that had been there I would have had tears in my eyes as well, just by being there.

Elphie

would it be safe to say that we agreed here or almost for a second time now.....LOL!!!!!

What does your wall say?

Elphie

[Palerider]

<div class='quotemain'>

<div class='quotemain'>

I hope one day to visit Nauvoo. Its history is so rich, full of wonder and tragedy. As an amateur historian, I have spent many hours reading the journals of its inhabitants and never cease to be amazed at the ingenuity, the sacrifice and the joy of those who built the "City of Joseph."

Even though I am no longer a believer, I know that had been there I would have had tears in my eyes as well, just by being there.

Elphie

would it be safe to say that we agreed here or almost for a second time now.....LOL!!!!!

What does your wall say?

Elphie

it says....i have a hole in it almost all the way through the wall.......

[miztrniceguy]

Nauvoo is and will always be a very special place for me. I came to Missouri 5 years ago this past May. I was on vacation, headed to Nauvoo temple open house. I met a woman here in Liberty, MO who I had been chatting online with for some time. The open house was our first date. I was here a week, and just before i left i asked her to be my wife. She agreed, and i moved here and we were married inthe Nauvoo temple on Fri the 13th of Sept 2002. we went back on our first anniversary and did sealings. then went back again for her cousin's endowment before he left on his mission.

i wish to go back again soon

[Annabelli]

That's wonderful miztrniceguy. I'm sure there is an anniversary blessing coming your way soon.

[StrawberryFields]

Pale,

Thanks for sharing this and especially your feelings as you stood at the river.

Knowing what they went through brings a whole new meaning to the word sacrifice.

[sixpacktr]

Hey Pale,

It soundls like a successful trip. As a past leader of youth, that is always your main goal: get them to feel the spirit, however you can, so that they can recognize when they have it and when they don't, and that they will always strive to have it...

There is something about the church historic sites that are testimony building. I have been able to take my family to all of the sites, from Palmyra to Kirtland to Independence and Liberty Jail, to Nauvoo and Carthage, along the Mormon Trail, and finally SLC. I feel my girls (and my wife and I) have always had a good experience. The only place we haven't gotten to visit is Martin's Cove, which I hope to see someday.

At one time we lived just west of Mt Pisgah, and had a church Pioneer Day celebration there. It was a stopping station along the Mormon trail in Iowa, between Garden Grove and Winter Quarters, and that too was a powerful place. Lots of people lost their lives in Iowa during the initial trek. We also had a special service when they dedicated the spot that the hymn "Come Come Ye Saints" was written, in the Garden Grove area, and that was moving.

We LDS have a rich history of those that have gone before that sacrificed everything so that we could have the gospel we have. The church historical sites have a wonderful spirit about them that touches lives and strengthens testimonies...

[Guest Yediyd]

Must have been the weekend for youth trip...my daughter just got back last night from her trip to the Washington DC Temple. They had a great time. I wish I could go to Nauvoo. I would also like to visit Utah...maybe someday....

[Palerider]

Nauvoo is and will always be a very special place for me. I came to Missouri 5 years ago this past May. I was on vacation, headed to Nauvoo temple open house. I met a woman here in Liberty, MO who I had been chatting online with for some time. The open house was our first date. I was here a week, and just before i left i asked her to be my wife. She agreed, and i moved here and we were married inthe Nauvoo temple on Fri the 13th of Sept 2002. we went back on our first anniversary and did sealings. then went back again for her cousin's endowment before he left on his mission.

i wish to go back again soon

My wife and I lead tours thru the Nauvoo Temple during the open house...we were there on a saturday and took 4 groups thru the Temple. It was great....

[pushka]

I love history and am always very moved by the struggles that people have overcome in different ages and situations. I would enjoy visiting the LDS historical sites too, and think that I would be moved also. It is interesting, from my point of view, that so many converts went across to the USA from England in the early years of the Church.

[Newbert_Zero]

Alot of the families in our ward and a couple from another ward went to Nauvoo and it was the most amazing trip in our life! We did went to all the tours and went to carthage and then we saw the movie Joseph Smith prophet of restoration and we felt the spirit so strongly. We then had a testimony meeting and we felt the spirit even stronger. Let me tell you that trip was better than efy (i cant belive i just said that) but its true.

seriously though if you havent seen the Joseph smith movie go see it. The trip was worth it just for that alone.

[Palerider]

Alot of the families in our ward and a couple from another ward went to Nauvoo and it was the most amazing trip in our life! We did went to all the tours and went to carthage and then we saw the movie Joseph Smith prophet of restoration and we felt the spirit so strongly. We then had a testimony meeting and we felt the spirit even stronger. Let me tell you that trip was better than efy (i cant belive i just said that) but its true.

seriously though if you havent seen the Joseph smith movie go see it. The trip was worth it just for that alone.

All the youth were able to view the same movie you are talking about.