The last week before Pageant
Dear grandchildren and your parents as well as all you other friends peeking in
Wonderful week even if very draining. We have not had a week off for over a week and a half because we volunteered to cover for the Hill Cumorah site missionaries on Tuesday while they had a special super secret meeting and then the brother of one of the Temple missionaries died, so we took one of their shifts Thursday morning. It was worth it.
Zion's Camp in Exile
Monday was a good day in the Temple and we then had a special FHE with President Schwendiman at the Hill Cumorah. He was Pageant President for nine years. (Amazingly, he is still somewhat sane.) It was fascinating as he took us behind the scenes of the Pageant. It is a huge deal for all the stakes in the area as well as many who come from outside the Temple district.
President Schwendiman at center
Elder Swenson in Nephi's hair
Completed wigs - all beards and mustaches are made of real hair and sewn hair by hair
Some of the main character clothing
Props
Stage going up
Tuesday we acted as site missionaries at the Hill Cumorah. I had two sets of investigators while I was there. First was a family from Independence MO who are Community of Christ (formerly Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.) They still believe in Joseph being a prophet and the Book of Mormon being true. The father likes to come to LDS sites because we do things "first rate". I found out they wanted to see the Priesthood Restoration video and Church Organization. They went off to picnic on the top of the Hill.
Two men then came in, late fifties, from the Buffalo area. I gave them the short version of the Apostasy, Restoration and why we need prophets. They were headed for the "Sacred Forest" (Sacred Grove). I feel that I sent them on prepared to receive more if they would accept it.
Then President Uchdorf came in and we meet him. He was the super secret meeting the site missionaries were waiting for. The power of God radiates from him tremendously. He is undoubtedly a prophet and apostle of Jesus Christ.
The site missionaries returned and I briefed them on the Community of Christ family wanting to watch those two videos just before they returned so there was a clean hand off. Coincidence, I don't think that is even remotely possible.
We then had a Fourth of July party with the other missionaries. Wednesday we had split shifts so that was tiring. Thursday we covered the extra shift and there was another party that night while Grandma did BYU. Friday morning we needed a few more groceries so we went to a new store and . . . drove right by it, adding 5 minutes to our trip. Shopped quickly and then found a line where there were no other shoppers, all the others being full. The young man checking on it was not working his normal shift. I was getting prompted to invite him to pageant and found out he had never been. When I asked him to come, he gave that polite acceptance you get when they mean no. At that point I was prompted to I ask if he liked Orson Scott Card. He is a huge fan. I shared that Brother Card wrote the program for the Pageant. (President Schwendiman told us about this at FHE Monday.) All this while there was no one in line. Another set of coincidences? Not likely.
Worked Friday mid and all day Saturday. Amusingly, I was officiator on the last session Saturday. It was a big session and I had a follower. He totally fell asleep and I woke him once by putting my arm around him. He claimed that the light from the film was hurting his eyes. Well, when he needed to stand later, he was out again. I tapped his shoe with my foot as I went by and he got right up. Also, the witness couple was very cute, it was the first time they had ever been asked. When I saw him headed to the dressing room I knew I should ask him. The Lord wanted them to do it, no question.
Left this morning at 8:10 for Oneida and got back at 4:15. Lesson was great in Sunday School on covenants with Kalista and one other girl, Rebecca, whose father works up here. Their answers were very insightful. Rebecca and her mother and sisters live in Richmond VA during the school year. Last we finally sat down with Sarah on Family History. Guess what, we linked her up and she has work to do! As soon as she is baptized, she can get things done for her family in the Temple. More coincidence? I have a bridge to sell you if you think so.
Love Grandad
Wonderful week even if very draining. We have not had a week off for over a week and a half because we volunteered to cover for the Hill Cumorah site missionaries on Tuesday while they had a special super secret meeting and then the brother of one of the Temple missionaries died, so we took one of their shifts Thursday morning. It was worth it.
Monday was a good day in the Temple and we then had a special FHE with President Schwendiman at the Hill Cumorah. He was Pageant President for nine years. (Amazingly, he is still somewhat sane.) It was fascinating as he took us behind the scenes of the Pageant. It is a huge deal for all the stakes in the area as well as many who come from outside the Temple district.
President Schwendiman at center
Stage going up
Two men then came in, late fifties, from the Buffalo area. I gave them the short version of the Apostasy, Restoration and why we need prophets. They were headed for the "Sacred Forest" (Sacred Grove). I feel that I sent them on prepared to receive more if they would accept it.
The site missionaries returned and I briefed them on the Community of Christ family wanting to watch those two videos just before they returned so there was a clean hand off. Coincidence, I don't think that is even remotely possible.
We then had a Fourth of July party with the other missionaries. Wednesday we had split shifts so that was tiring. Thursday we covered the extra shift and there was another party that night while Grandma did BYU. Friday morning we needed a few more groceries so we went to a new store and . . . drove right by it, adding 5 minutes to our trip. Shopped quickly and then found a line where there were no other shoppers, all the others being full. The young man checking on it was not working his normal shift. I was getting prompted to invite him to pageant and found out he had never been. When I asked him to come, he gave that polite acceptance you get when they mean no. At that point I was prompted to I ask if he liked Orson Scott Card. He is a huge fan. I shared that Brother Card wrote the program for the Pageant. (President Schwendiman told us about this at FHE Monday.) All this while there was no one in line. Another set of coincidences? Not likely.
Worked Friday mid and all day Saturday. Amusingly, I was officiator on the last session Saturday. It was a big session and I had a follower. He totally fell asleep and I woke him once by putting my arm around him. He claimed that the light from the film was hurting his eyes. Well, when he needed to stand later, he was out again. I tapped his shoe with my foot as I went by and he got right up. Also, the witness couple was very cute, it was the first time they had ever been asked. When I saw him headed to the dressing room I knew I should ask him. The Lord wanted them to do it, no question.
Left this morning at 8:10 for Oneida and got back at 4:15. Lesson was great in Sunday School on covenants with Kalista and one other girl, Rebecca, whose father works up here. Their answers were very insightful. Rebecca and her mother and sisters live in Richmond VA during the school year. Last we finally sat down with Sarah on Family History. Guess what, we linked her up and she has work to do! As soon as she is baptized, she can get things done for her family in the Temple. More coincidence? I have a bridge to sell you if you think so.
Love Grandad
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