And so it ends



The corn has been picked, the stocks are left to be cut down.  The harvest is over.

The leaves have turned.  The autumn of our service has been capped.  We are ready to move on. 

Just as the leaves begin to fall from the trees, so we must fall from our service here in Nauvoo.  Such great memories.  Such great feelings.  I do not think they could have been duplicated anywhere else on earth. 

Forty stars on each gate entrance to the temple.  Forty signifying to me the forty years of Israel wandering in the wilderness.  Now on the gate they represent leaving the wilderness and entering into the promised land.  Just like Israel, we too enter into the promised land in the temple. 

Good bye to Joseph and Hyrum and all we have learned to appreciate about your sacrifices here in Nauvoo.  We have felt your spirit, we have learned of your trials and greatness to a degree we had not realized before.  Truly men called of God. 

I finished up my typing at the Lands and Records Dept.  A small service to assist them there in identifying all the people who left Nauvoo on the trek west. 

Patty with Susan Easton Black.  Susan was in Nauvoo for a three month service mission.  While there she presented a Tuesday and Thursday night class on Joseph Smith.  Very enlightening. 

Good bye again as we drive out.  It's been good to be here. 

This is what we found on the drive home.  This is Bozeman Montana.  Patty said she felt we were in a protective bubble all the way home.  The snow and freezing rain didn't affect us.  Thank you Pres MacArthur our Temple Pres. for a blessing of safety on us in his closing interview with our release from Nauvoo. 

One last look at Brigham Young's home.  This is where the Twelve met after the death of Joseph Smith.  It just felt very reverent to both Patty and I. 

Thanks for the journey.  Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Thank you Joseph Smith for not abandoning your testimony of the truth.