Good Samaritan

Dear Family and Friends,

The summer season is really starting to ramp up.  What was once this quiet little place is now beginning to bubble over.  It's great to be so busy and meet so many folks from all over the world, even ones from home.  It was so good to see Calvin and Lynnette Stephens and hear some of the happenings of Milton. I am surprised how many people we run into from our area. So good to visit, even though it's for a short few minutes.

When I was serving in the Heber C. Kimball home on Saturday, I was able to lead a tour with one of Heber's great granddaughters in it.  The things I learned and felt were powerful. Such a sweet tender mercy.  All of the prophets and apostles homes bear record of the sacredness of this place. Actually there's something to learn and gain from each site and performance.

Heber C. Kimball Home

The performing missionaries are dedicated missionaries. They work so hard. Friday night we were able to walk the "Trail of Hope" (route the Saints took to exit Nauvoo) while the performing missionaries stood at various points along the trail and told or sang the accounts of  different people as they left Nauvoo.  It was a humbling experience to hear of the sacrifices they made and yet the hope they had to live in a place away from the contentious mobs.  I can say I truly appreciate them and want to show that I do.

We went to Quincy, Illinois on our Prep day.  We visited the monument dedicated to the good people of Quincy that took in almost 6,000 Saints who were driven out of Missouri and left stranded without the necessities of life on  the  bitter  cold shores of the Mississippi River. There were only about 1,500 citizens in Quincy but they took in all of the Saints and housed and fed them through the winter. One of the citizens spoke about people camped all over his home but he was glad to assist them.  This was surely a "Good Samaritan"  act.  You should look up the story and read about it.

Small Map of Illinois & historical sites

 I'm serving at the log school house and need to get back so until next week, please take care and remember we love you but the Lord loves you even more.

Pendleton Home & Log School House

The Church Is True,

Elder and Sister Long