October 2nd 2022

First Week of Second Closure

We just finished up with the first week of the second temple closure during our mission. This one is only 4 weeks instead of 2 months so that is nice. Dave has been serving in the temple all week doing various maintenance jobs that can't be done while patrons are there. Running wire, sheet rock patching, realigning doors, painting the baptismal font etc. The windows are getting replaced slowly and the crew manager has promised it will be done in the allotted time. 

I have been mostly recharging from being quite worn down from constant temple activity. It's been nice not to wake up to an alarm and have the time to put things in order in the apartment since I never had energy to do it before. I have helped organize a bit of the mission DI because Sister Coffman, who has the assignment is also the mail sorter as well as a grounds worker. There has been a lot to organize since we've had several missionaries clean out there apartments as they leave the mission. It's a fun thing to do and it's instant gratification as you can see the results immediately.   

We got to see parts of Nauvoo that are off the beaten path, possible site of Joseph Smith's tomb, ancient Indian burial ground and city and the movie set of a new Nauvoo movie the Church is filming. 

The highlight of the week was General conference. I just want to soak up every word and hope it penetrates my heart so it stays forever. This has been an amazing conference with one more session to listen to. I always love to hear our Prophet the very most though and I was buoyed up by his message. I have on occasion just wanted to stay in my PJ's, curl up in bed and not get up with all that goes on out in the world with it seeping close to home with ones I love. I am so grateful for his direction so we know where we can get the power we need to continue to move forward and know we can find peace and rest as we do our best. It all comes from the covenants we make and keep with our Savior and Heavenly Father. I believe this with all of my heart! 

It's beginning Fall here in Nauvoo and it's beautiful. We are very grateful to be able to serve here, whatever that looks like from week to week. 

This property has been surveyed by ground-penetrating radar so they can see what's underneath the ground. Large pillars have shown up so they replicated them above ground which indicated posts which indicate walls and look out towers and gates in the city. 

Pretty fascinating. 

Sign put up by the state of Illinois for this area

diagram of location of mounds. They of course are all covered by trees by you can definitely see where the mounds are. 

Indian burial mound where many bones of bodies were found 

and DNA tested.

The Werretts, Cunninghams and me...

Dave is of course taking the picture.

me holding on to one of the posts that indicate where a pillar was originally, you can see them all down the line. 

The fence put up by the Church surrounding the 

"possible" site of Joseph's tomb

 Whether this is actually a tomb of Joseph is not important other than it's an interested historical finding. 

 This area is hidden and is not widely known. Other sites have been suggested by other people but this is the only one the Church has chosen to protect with a fence. Again, not important as to critical truth etc. just an interesting find. 

This is taken from the Mormon trail on the way to Winter Quarters. The last time the temple can be viewed heading west. 

Replacing windows one at a time... 

Location of the new Nauvoo film. This is all made of Styrofoam.

Another view

Looking forward to seeing this film some day.

Our temple recorder, Brother Macotel and his wife have been "extras" in the movie. He was there on the set when we visited. 

I hardly recognized him! He looks pretty scruffy!