couple of thoughts June 16th

This weather in Nauvoo is something to experience.  For the last two weeks or so, we have had so much rain that I am surprised the ground can keep absorbing the moisture.

Almost every morning and evening it rains - hard, very hard.

And to keep it interesting - we have thunder and lightening too.

Now we have all experienced the lightening bolts that most of you

have, but in addition to that we have what I would call 'day' lightening.

The whole apartment lights up like someone put a flood light in here,

but there is not a sound - just flashes of light.  Lots of it.  The other

night it went on from about 10:00 to around 3:00 AM.

The curtains or nothing could keep the light out.

Next thought - We are finding out why we were called to Nauvoo.  And it is not even Pageant time yet. 

The Temple Baptistery is full, packed from morning to night.

Maximum plus for patrons.  Tomorrow the Baptistery starts at 4:00 am.  We have had two youth conferences here in the last week.  Each with over 100 youth.

Today is the first day that the Endowment Sessions have been

so full.  We can seat 48, then we bring in chairs.  We did bring in

chairs today for two sessions.  The other sessions were almost full too.

We had a YSA Ward from Ogden Utah here that had over 120 YSA.

What a fine group of people.  So wholesome and kind.

I was asked to officiate a special session today at noon.

It was scheduled for the BYU Ballroom Dancers. 
They just arrived in town for two weeks of shows here, and they wanted to attend

the Nauvoo Temple today to start their experience here.

Isn't that so special that they would start with work in the Temple.

When the morning was over, I went down to the basement break room

to pick up the snack that we didn't have time to eat.  It was 2:30 and as

I was the only one left downstairs, I thought I would short cut through the

Baptistery to get to the stairs to get upstairs. 

As I entered the room - I could faintly hear people singing - small choir or ?  I stopped and tried harder to listen, but the singing stopped.  I think I intruded their space.  They were singing

with joy for the restored temple ordinance of the Baptistery. 

Whoever they were.  Bless their hearts.