THE PEOPLE TO PEOPLE ISSUES…

Yesterday we had the privilege of working at the Carthage Visitors Center.  It is an incredible and sobering place to be.  I almost have to pinch myself sometimes. Am I really standing in the room where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed? Am I really taking people through the Prophet Brigham Young’s house? Who gets to do things like that? I do and it is an overwhelming responsibility.  I pray so hard each day for the Spirit to guide me in the things that I say and do. I so very much want people to feel the Spirit here and to understand the sacrifices that these people made. I bear testimony when I can of the magnitude of what these people did for me, a convert.  To have the Gospel in my life because they didn’t give up when things were SOOOOOOO HARD. They suffered over and over Their faith carried them through adversity that I don’t comprehend, but I am so grateful.

So when people come, and fewer of them are coming right now, I pray for good tours to those that brave the cold to be here.  Yesterday in Carthage Jail, I got to meet two incredible young men.  They are here in Nauvoo putting in the new carpeting in the Visitors’ Center.  I asked them where they were from and they said, “Chihuahua, Mexico.” I told them that I knew where that was and that my sonshine had served a mission in Tijuana.  This particular young man had done the very same thing in the very same place!!! He went home in l999!!! So I had an instant connection with him. 

We play a song in the Martyrdom Room, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,” and then I bore my testimony.  This young man was sobbing.  It really is a place where the Spirit is felt.  So grateful to be there. So grateful to be able to give these two wonderful sons of our Heavenly Father a hug……

Then today as I was at Brigham’s house.  We had two tours. All men. The last group was a member and two friends, or business associates, with him. I am always nervous when I know that people are non-members and I have to get better about not being shy or hesitant to tell them how I feel.  Today was a great experience.  The Spirit was so strong and I was able to say things without hesitation.  I got three good hugs when all was said and done and so hopefully, I planted a little seed.

The world is full of good people, I am blessed to meet a few…….