The Prophet

Dear Family and Friends,

This was a week full of surprises.  For mission conference last Wednesday afternoon , we were told there would be a special guest and the sites would be closed for a couple of hours.  Pres. Lusvardi told us that we would recognize her when she entered.  That's all we were told.  The special person was actually more than just one person.  There was Sherri Dew, President M. Russell Ballard and President Russell M. Nelson and his sweet wife.  Yes, that's right the prophet.

The evening before the conference, Elder Long, Elder and Sister Bramwell, and I  were on our way to "Sunset" practice and as we passed the temple, we saw the silhouette of the prophet and his wife arriving at the home across the street where his daughter lives. (She and her husband are the Nauvoo temple President and Matron.)  Acting like teenagers, we went around the block to get a better view.  It was so exciting to see him with bodyguards and all.  We decided to keep it a secret.  It was fun to know something so special.

Anyway back to the mission conference,  There was an illuminating presence when the prophet entered the Visitor Center Theater.  We had the good fortune to be seated on the floor in chairs on the second row. We were only 10 feet from him.  When the pictures of the group were taken, we were inches from him and Elder Ballard. Wow!!

Sherri Dew spoke about how the prophet holds all the keys of the priesthood.  That's why you feel the spirit so strongly.  Elder Ballard spoke about the power of women and how they play such an important part in God's work.  He talked about Lucy Mack Smith and Emma and how valiant they both are.  President Nelson then turned some time to his wife.  She bore powerful witness that she knows her husband receives revelation.  She said she's watched and felt it happening.   President Nelson conveyed the significance of what we do here in Nauvoo to build the Kingdom of God on the earth. He reiterated the importance of the sacrifices made by those early members of the Church. It felt like he was looking straight at us.  I know we have a prophet on the earth today and he leads the church through our Savior.  I felt it!

We have also had great experiences in the sites.  On one carriage tour, Elder Long gave out 5 Books of Mormon to people who asked for them.  He said they were so intent about finding the truth.

We have been serving a couple of times a week on the wagon where he  drove and I narrated. It's such a blessing to serve together again like we did in Carthage.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day and hope all you women did too.  I know the Lord loves women and of course everyone.

Remember all the blessings that fill our lives,

Sister and Elder Long