They warned us that the crowds were coming

Well, They warned us that the crowds were coming - be ready! Yep they are here! 

 It is humid here so everything grows weeds and flowers!  I am really enjoying all that comes with this mission, even my growth, I can say that NOW.   We have had some really incredible experiences happen here. The saints that gave so much to the early church, are not forgotten and we feel them often, they were good strong humans.    

At this time the L.D.S. Church has 52,000 missionaries out, in the world and we are all paying our own way.
 Here in Nauvoo there are about 500 missionaries, performers, musicians, Temple helpers and helpers that keep everything going, here now.  

One man said “How does this all work?   About 90 % of everyone here are volunteers and pay their own way how does the church get people to do that?! I don't understand. 

The answer was *** How do we explain this to someone ---   The pioneers (saints) didn’t go through all of this persecution because they liked Joseph Smith! If that was the case the church would have died with Joseph and Hiram Smith (the Mobs thought the church would die - the mobs were Satan driven - most mobs are).  

We told him, The man,  This church is CHRIST'S church, our prophets are chosen and guided by Christ just as in Abraham's day. God loves us in the 2000’s as much as Adam's children.   When you read the Bible and read the Book of Mormon you get the whole picture of what Christ wants for this world. Now that you have intellectually read these books - Now Ask GOD if this is all true and asks for his spirit to tell YOU! IF it is TRUE.  We believe in personal revelation, this means you can get an answer for yourself and don't have to believe me.  Once you have felt the Holy Ghost tell you, you are willing to give all you can and that is why our church has so much. Yes we pay tithing but it goes to build temples and churches we meet in - and lots of it goes to humanitarian help all over the world.  Our clergy and even our Tabernacle choir are all volunteers so our $ is used to help the world (the Red Cross will tell you we are there before they are!).  

   There are 5 main shows to see and vignettes too; I have tried to get to all of the vignettes I had time for. I went to one yesterday (Joseph Smith giving the King Follett funeral Discourse) the actors are superb and it was wonderful about 20 min.    This talk was given at a funeral of Joseph's friend and He told of the spirit world and all of wonders and love that are there, how this world is for us to grow and serve God and each other. I have a copy of the whole discourse Joseph gave in 1842.  There is so much more than this earth!   I also went to Joseph's and Emma’s letters to each other vignette --- loved it!  

  Well enough for now, I will tell you some of the experiences when I see you. (9 1/2 mo. here and 9 1/2 mo. left)
   I am soooo glad I'm here,   

 LOVE, Grandma/Sister  Janet Howard