Suprise visitor.

We received an email, sent to all the temple missionaries, that there was to be an unannounced fireside Tuesday night at 7:00 in the Nauvoo Stake Center Chapel.  We must be in our seats and seated by 6:45.
Well that certainly got us thinking.  I knew that the Willard Richard Inn was off limits to visitors and that the entire Inn was to be occupied by someone, that had a body guard.
Welcome Elder Holland.  He was on a family vacation, with his entire family.  They had saved and rented a couple of large vans and were touring some church history sites.  He consented to give the missionaries, senior missionaries here a short talk.  By the time the fireside was to start, word had gotten out it was Elder Holland.  We went at 5:20 to get a front row seat.  The leader of the Nauvoo Brass Band is one we have met and his wife has become one we talk to now and then.  She came up and asked us to help the Young Performing Missionaries and the Brass Band to have some seats.  So we hurriedly saved three rows up towards the front.  These wonderful kids are always performing for others and seldom get to attend anything so we tried to make it special for them.  It worked.

When Elder Holland came in, everyone stood up.  He came into the chapel through the side door, went up to the stand and as he was sitting down, he blew everyone a kiss and waved his hand.  Reminded me of Pres Hinckley.   He began by telling us how important Nauvoo is to church history.  Nauvoo should be a profound missionary experience for us, a spiritual experience every time you visit Nauvoo.

He said he was just visiting Nauvoo as a grandpa right now.  Thank you for allowing him to do that, just be a grandpa.  He doesn't get much time to do that in his life.  He again said Nauvoo is sacred, your home is sacred, your family is sacred.  He said years ago, Pres Spencer W. Kimball told him there are two places you must visit as soon as you can, One is the Holy Land, the other is Nauvoo.  That was back in the late 60's or early 70's.  Nauvoo is the symbol of the restoration experience.  For a moment it was Zion.  Consecrated people making covenants, there was a temple, a university, Nauvoo was a dream - a perfect dream for a short while.

This Church has an obligation that no other dispensation has had.  Every Prophet, Priest, King has looked forward to our day.  They all knew that the gospel would be here - working in our day - 2015.  When Moroni said "I have seen your day" - this is it, hang on, it's going to work.  This is the last days and we are to be ready.

He is so weary of the world, weary of people's problems.  Not weary or worried about the Church, but weary of the problems the people of the world have.  He wants the world to be one big beautiful Nauvoo.  We need to keep telling our story, revelation directs this church, God lives, keep the dream of Zion alive, a symbol of New Jerusalem, here in Nauvoo.

He asked all of us to go through the scriptures and look at all the references we can find on the Holy Ghost, what evidences are there of the Holy Ghost in our lives, what are the products of the Spirit, what does it do in our lives.  Be aware.  We are not alone and are not being guided, we are and need to be thankful.

Never - Never under estimate the power of your testimony.  Bear you testimony often to people, family and children, not formally all the time, but bear record of the truth and the guidance we have.  Pray for the gift of Charity, pray for it all the time, we need it in this world. 
He said the Church is almost ready to announce a new training book for Temple Prep Class in the Wards of the Church.  Updated and showing more importance for the temple, not just a check list item to go on a mission.  One should be much better prepared to enter the temple than we are or have been.

He bore testimony that one of his concerns now in his later life is what is the 'quality' of what he does.  He has so many things to do all the time.  They are all good, and important.  But what about the quality of his time to whatever he is doing, is it the best he can do?  We should do the same. 
The biggest single problem in the church is growth.  What a great problem to have, but be aware we can loose people if we do not approach this growth carefully, have a plan. 
He then raised his voice - loud if you will - and said  "THIS IS THE TRUTH OF ALMIGHTY GOD - IT WILL NOT FAIL!  WHEN EVERY OTHER INSTITUTION IN THIS WORLD FAILS - THIS CHURCH WILL NOT FAIL - EVER!"