Homeward Bound!

On March 14 we bade a bittersweet farewell to New York City and our beloved fellow missionaries and local members after fifteen months of service at the Manhattan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   On the way back to Idaho we  enjoyed visiting some Church historic sites.

Here, at the Priesthood Restoration Site in Harmony, Pennsylvania, we are standing in front of the reconstructed Hale home.  Emma Hale lived in this home at the time she met Joseph Smith, whom she would later marry.

Interior of the Hale home in Harmony.

Here is the kitchen of the Joseph Smith home on the Hale property.  At this table, Joseph sat with his scribe and translated approximately 70 percent of the Book of Mormon.

These lovely sculptures commemorate Joseph Smith's receiving the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods at the hands of heavenly messengers.  Behind them sits the lovely new building housing a chapel and visitors' center. 

It was especially fitting to visit the Smith farm in Palmyra, New York at this "early springtime"of the year.  In the early springtime of 1820, Joseph Smith was living with his family in a cabin like this reconstructed one when he was prompted by a scripture in James to ask God which of all the various churches he should join.  James 1:5  "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  He retired to the grove of trees still seen behind the cabin to ask of God, and received a vision of the Father and the Son.

Interior view of the Smith frame house.

The Smith frame house in Palmyra, New York.

Monument to the Angel Moroni atop the Hill Cumorah, near Palmyra, New York.

The Grandin Building in which the first 5000 copies of the Book of Mormon were printed and bound.

We learned of the miracles involved in getting the Book of Mormon published in 1830.  The Book of Mormon, revered as scripture by Latter-day Saints, is "Another Testament of Jesus Christ."

When the body of the early Latter-day Saints gathered to Kirtland, Ohio, they were commanded by the Lord to build a temple where He could "endow His people with power from on high."  With great sacrifice they raised this magnificent edifice to their God.  It still stands as a monument to their faith. 

We visited the exquisite Indianapolis Temple just dedicated in the fall of 2015.  Now 150 temples dot the earth with several dozen more in the planning and building stages.  In these sacred "Houses of the Lord," Latter-day Saints receive saving ordinances which bind them as families for eternity.

Latter-day Saints

Serving in the Flushing First Branch was a highlight of our missionary service.  On Sundays we met with these dear Primary children and their patient, faithful teachers to provide music and singing time.

Challenging?  YES!  But what a blessing it was to share Gospel principles and faith with these unforgettable children!

Most of these children come from difficult home situations, but know how to SHINE because of what they learn at Primary.  They know they are children of a Heavenly Father who loves them.

We found such joy in sharing our love of the Church hymns with these dear sisters who were eager to learn all they could about music.  They are now ready to conduct congregational singing!

We felt so blessed to associate with many faithful local temple workers:  older, younger; married, single.  Most traveled long distances and at great expense to serve in the House of the Lord.  They counted their sacrifices a joy.

 

A great blessing of our mission was our association with so many other senior missionaries.  All serve here in New York City in various capacities, at their own expense, offering all that they can in terms of experience, skills, energy and faith to the work of building the Lord's kingdom in this special city. 

These are some of the extraordinary senior missionaries on our shift with whom we were privileged to work seven hours a day, five days a week for fifteen months in the Manhattan Temple.  We came to appreciate their absolute faithfulness, goodness, good-humor, patience, energy, and kindness in all that we shared in our temple service.
They have changed our lives for good!