We have just one week left of Pageant Season here in Old Nauvoo, and each new day continues to bring with it "Blessings Beyond Measure!" In the Temple, we love the increased flow of patrons who have traveled from near and far. For many of them, it is the first time they have ever entered this sacred, historic Nauvoo Temple. It is thrilling to watch as they marvel at the beauty, wonder, workmanship and Majesty of Spirit within this special House of The Lord. Although we have been serving inside the Temple most days over the past 9 months, we too still marvel over the Spirit and beauty therein. We know that the early Pioneers who built the original Nauvoo Temple under great distress and hardship were truly "Blessed Beyond Measure" to be able to accomplish such a daunting task which would influence countless generations of people forever. This testifies over and over again that when you are doing what the Lord commands you to do to carry out His divine work here upon the earth, nothing is impossible!
We also feel the Lord's Divine Influence blessing and fortifying both of us and all of our fellow Temple Missionaries each day with the needed health and strength and energy of heart to do His work. With His help, we are prepared to assist the Patrons who come each day to draw nearer to the Lord and to bless the Eternal Family of God in ways that can only be accomplished within His Holy Temples.
With that introduction, "Welcome to Nauvoo"! We hope you enjoy sharing some of the great things we have experienced over the last 3 weeks here in this beautiful place.
First of all, we were so excited when amongst the visitors to Nauvoo came the Heiner Family from Nibley, Utah! Shelley, our oldest daughter, and her husband, Paul,along with 4 of our grandchildren: Audrey,18-Amanda,16-Jamie,14-Luke,10 and there special friend, Lauren, all drove across country to spend a couple days with us. We hadn't seen them for 9 months and it was wonderful to have them here and to share our missionary life with them. They arrived Tuesday night, July 11th, just in time to have dinner with us at one of the best restaurants in Nauvoo, our little missionary apartment.
Together at Last on our Nauvoo driveway- (L to R)
Grandpa, Lauren, Jamie, Luke, Audrey, Grandma, Amanda
The Heiner family having dinner with the Missionaries
The very night the Heiners arrived was opening night for the 2017 Nauvoo Pageant, which is "A Tribute to The Prophet Joseph Smith". "Now in its 13th year, the Pageant emphasizes the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith and honors the sacrifice, faith, and courage of early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who gave their all to build a city and a temple. The Pageant is filled with authentic hymns and folk songs, lively dances, and tender moments that share the joy these early Saints found in living Christ's gospel. Through words taken from journals, sermons, and historic records of the period, the Pageant invites all to feel the powerful testimonies of these faithful Saints."
(The Nauvoo Neighbor Newspaper, published Summer, 2017)
Being together with some of our family and watching the Pageant unfold with the Historic Nauvoo Temple, Joseph's Temple, as the backdrop for this production, truly was a "Blessing Beyond Measure!"
Before the Pageant began- Grandpa and the kids!
Spotlight on Audrey! She has a mission call, too!
Brazil Porto Allegre North Mission, leaving Oct. 24th!
Nauvoo Temple View from the Pageant
Pageant scene at dusk. The Temple hardly looks real!
Amanda, Lauren, Audrey, and Grandpa Pete
Jamie
Paul and Luke
Jamie, Amanda, and Luke
During our Wagon ride, this little bug decided to ride on Shelley
It was "muggy and buggy" that morning so it must be Nauvoo!
Next came a visit to the recreated Scovil Bakery and of course, a little Gingerbread Boy or Girl cookie was given out at the end of the story of the original Scovil Bakery. The "early baking equipment from the 1840's, including a bustle oven, an open hearth, and a spider pan" were all very interesting. "Lucius and Lury Scovil operated this small bakery in the 1840's. The reconstructed building sits on the original foundation discovered by archaeologists in the 1960's. Lury died soon after giving birth to twins in 1846. A month later, Lucius took his other 4 children and joined other family members on the Mormon Exodus." (mississippiriver.natgeotourism.com)
Amanda, Shelley, Jamie, and Audrey
The Senior Sister Site Missionary made the Bakery come to life as she showed us one of the original Nauvoo Temple Plates, commemorating the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple in May, 1846. "Lucius Scovil had commissioned the Twigg Potteries in Staffordshire to make these special plates while serving there as a Full-Time British Missionary for the early Church. In the center of the plate is a depiction of the original Nauvoo Temple. On the rim are the names of members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and several other Church leaders serving at that time. Elder Scovil commissioned 50 dozen plates in 1846, and only 14 are known to exist today. One is on display at the Historic Scovil Bakery in Nauvoo. Another is on display in the Heber C. Kimball home in Nauvoo. The other 12 plates are housed in the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was thought that only blue Temple Plates had come from England, but recently a small box of red Temple Plates were discovered in a home in Liverpool, England." (templehousegallery.com)
The Sister Missionaries told us that Elder Scovil could have used these like Pass Along Cards are used by our missionaries today to share the Gospel with people he met on his mission. Whatever he did with them, they are very intriguing! Today they sell replicas of those plates in the gift shops here in Nauvoo.
Luke and his Ginger Guy
Cookies from our Sister Missionary
The Replica Nauvoo Temple Plate, $19.95
An original Nauvoo Temple Plate at Scovil Bakery, 1846
It is kept in a protective glass display case
No tour of Nauvoo would be complete without a stop at the Brickyard! All of our grandchildren received a Nauvoo Brick from us in their Christmas package this past year. Today it was Lauren's turn to get a brick and she was pretty excited about the whole thing!
Grandma with the Kids by an original Pioneer Brick Oven
Our Missionary Brick Maker and Lauren with her very own Nauvoo Brick
Later in the day, the Heiner Family visited the Wainwright's and the Blacksmith Shop where they were awarded sparkling new Prairie Diamond Rings. Luke posed by the covered wagon outside the Wainwright shop which is built to the exact size of the original Pioneer wagons. You can tell just how small their wagons really were.
The Smith Family Cemetery
One of the sweetest experiences we have shared with our family when they come to visit us is taking the grandchildren who are 12 and older to do Baptisms in the Nauvoo Temple. For our afternoon activity, we all prepared for this special time. Grandpa and Luke (10) spent time together while the rest of us attended the Temple. Beforehand, we all posed together for photos together in front of the Temple.
Here is Audrey (18&10/12) re enacting the picture below from when she was 3 years old and their family visited this very spot.
Lauren, Audrey, Jamie, Amanda, and Luke
Mom and Shelley- "That's what we look like!"
Sister Sanchez and her son's girlfriend. They are all from El Salvador
Elder Perry, Grandpa Pete, Lucy and Warren Hansen
Grandpa, Lauren, Jamie, Luke, Audrey, Grandma, Amanda
The very night the Heiners arrived was opening night for the 2017 Nauvoo Pageant, which is "A Tribute to The Prophet Joseph Smith". "Now in its 13th year, the Pageant emphasizes the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith and honors the sacrifice, faith, and courage of early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who gave their all to build a city and a temple. The Pageant is filled with authentic hymns and folk songs, lively dances, and tender moments that share the joy these early Saints found in living Christ's gospel. Through words taken from journals, sermons, and historic records of the period, the Pageant invites all to feel the powerful testimonies of these faithful Saints."
(The Nauvoo Neighbor Newspaper, published Summer, 2017)
Being together with some of our family and watching the Pageant unfold with the Historic Nauvoo Temple, Joseph's Temple, as the backdrop for this production, truly was a "Blessing Beyond Measure!"
Brazil Porto Allegre North Mission, leaving Oct. 24th!
Magically, a replica symbolizing the First Nauvoo Temple unfolded on the stage, depicting the faithful Saints entering in to receive their personal Endowment from on High and
all their Temple Blessings which would fortify them and bind them together throughout their exodus from Nauvoo and forevermore..
The Finale with the actual rebuilt Nauvoo Temple
No evening at Grandma and Grandpa's house would be complete without treats and a few more pictures! Tonight's treats were donuts. Afterward, we bid farewell until tomorrow and the Heiner Family went back to the Nauvoo Inn and Suites, their home away from home, to rest up for a very full day ahead.
(L to R) Lauren, Amanda, Audrey, Jamie
Sitting on our "original" sofa under our beloved picture of 2 horses. Each Temple Missionary apartment has the same exact furnishings, including the horse picture! Want one??
Wednesday is our P-Day during Pageant Season, so we had the entire day to spend with our family. This truly was a "Blessing Beyond Measure!" Since this was the only whole day they would be here in Nauvoo, we didn't waste a moment of our precious time. We had a delightful Breakfast Buffet at Grandma's Kitchen. The prices are right and the food seems to never run out here! Our first stop here in Old Nauvoo was the Wagon Ride, where we took the 9:20 AM Tour, driven and narrated by the Senior Site Missionaries. They did an excellent job, however we were glad we weren't departing down Parley Street for a trek across the plains to the Salt Lake Valley!
Shelley and Grandma Noreen
Audrey, Lauren, Luke and their 2 new friends
It was "muggy and buggy" that morning so it must be Nauvoo!
View of the Sarah Kimball house and corn fields along the way
Luke and Grandpa, a match made in heaven!
Next stop on our whirlwind tour of Old Nauvoo, the Family Living Center. The whole family worked together to make the Heiner Family Rope. Our Senior Site Missionary compared a family to this rope. He said that the rope is made up of small fibers which are weak on their own. However, when they are tightly wound together, they are strong enough to resist breaking and to be firm and immovable and enduring. That applies to our family units, too. Luke quickly claimed their family's rope for his souvenir!
Next stop on our whirlwind tour of Old Nauvoo, the Family Living Center. The whole family worked together to make the Heiner Family Rope. Our Senior Site Missionary compared a family to this rope. He said that the rope is made up of small fibers which are weak on their own. However, when they are tightly wound together, they are strong enough to resist breaking and to be firm and immovable and enduring. That applies to our family units, too. Luke quickly claimed their family's rope for his souvenir!
Next came a visit to the recreated Scovil Bakery and of course, a little Gingerbread Boy or Girl cookie was given out at the end of the story of the original Scovil Bakery. The "early baking equipment from the 1840's, including a bustle oven, an open hearth, and a spider pan" were all very interesting. "Lucius and Lury Scovil operated this small bakery in the 1840's. The reconstructed building sits on the original foundation discovered by archaeologists in the 1960's. Lury died soon after giving birth to twins in 1846. A month later, Lucius took his other 4 children and joined other family members on the Mormon Exodus." (mississippiriver.natgeotourism.com)
The Senior Sister Site Missionary made the Bakery come to life as she showed us one of the original Nauvoo Temple Plates, commemorating the dedication of the Nauvoo Temple in May, 1846. "Lucius Scovil had commissioned the Twigg Potteries in Staffordshire to make these special plates while serving there as a Full-Time British Missionary for the early Church. In the center of the plate is a depiction of the original Nauvoo Temple. On the rim are the names of members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and several other Church leaders serving at that time. Elder Scovil commissioned 50 dozen plates in 1846, and only 14 are known to exist today. One is on display at the Historic Scovil Bakery in Nauvoo. Another is on display in the Heber C. Kimball home in Nauvoo. The other 12 plates are housed in the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was thought that only blue Temple Plates had come from England, but recently a small box of red Temple Plates were discovered in a home in Liverpool, England." (templehousegallery.com)
The Sister Missionaries told us that Elder Scovil could have used these like Pass Along Cards are used by our missionaries today to share the Gospel with people he met on his mission. Whatever he did with them, they are very intriguing! Today they sell replicas of those plates in the gift shops here in Nauvoo.
It is kept in a protective glass display case
No tour of Nauvoo would be complete without a stop at the Brickyard! All of our grandchildren received a Nauvoo Brick from us in their Christmas package this past year. Today it was Lauren's turn to get a brick and she was pretty excited about the whole thing!
Later in the day, the Heiner Family visited the Wainwright's and the Blacksmith Shop where they were awarded sparkling new Prairie Diamond Rings. Luke posed by the covered wagon outside the Wainwright shop which is built to the exact size of the original Pioneer wagons. You can tell just how small their wagons really were.
We all enjoyed the sacred feeling found within the Smith Family Cemetery when we visited there this day. It is the final resting place of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife, Emma. Also, his brother, Hyrum, and his parents, Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith are buried here. All together, about 24 members and friends of the Smith family are buried here. The cemetery is in a peaceful setting on the banks of the Mississippi River. Because of the sacrifices of many of those who are buried here, our family continues to receive "Blessings Beyond Measure" eternally.
One of the sweetest experiences we have shared with our family when they come to visit us is taking the grandchildren who are 12 and older to do Baptisms in the Nauvoo Temple. For our afternoon activity, we all prepared for this special time. Grandpa and Luke (10) spent time together while the rest of us attended the Temple. Beforehand, we all posed together for photos together in front of the Temple.
It was a very hot day today with bright, radiate sunshine! We chose to escape the heat and attended an entertaining presentation performed by the Young Performing Missionaries(YPMS) in the Visitors Center entitled, "The Promise". We had seen it twice before and were grateful to share this reflective experience with our family.
After "The Promise", we paused to visit the Women's Garden located next to the Visitors Center. The YPM Brass Band was playing out there which added to the spirit of the day. Over the years, the children have delighted in pretending that they were part of the statutes and today wasn't any different!
After sharing dinner back at Grandma's Cafe, to finish off our busy Wednesday whirlwind Nauvoo day, (yes, this is all on the same day!), we visited two of our son-in-law, Paul's favorite places here in Nauvoo. First we drove up to the top of Parley Street to the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds. It was just at dusk and Luke had a heyday catching Fireflies and letting them go. The Fireflies looked like fairy dust sparkling off and on in the dim light. Watching Luke and the Fireflies was very entertaining as we wound our way up the hill to the cemetery. This is yet another place in Nauvoo that is filled with the spirit of those who sacrificed so much, both living and dying in challenging times. Many of the graves are children who succumbed to early death, but now are experiencing "Blessings Beyond Measure" as they dwell with Jesus Christ. The first Bishop of the Church, Edward Partridge. is among those buried in this historic cemetery. "What kind of a person was Edward Partridge? Early revelations refer to him as a man without guile "like Nathanael of old.", and commend him for the integrity of his heart. (D&C 41:11) Joseph Smith described him as a "pattern of piety, and one of the Lord's great men known by his steadfastness and patient endurance to the end".(History of Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, Sept. 1843, vol. 4, p. 320) " ("Steadfast and Patient Endurance", The Legacy of Edward Partridge, Ensign, June, 1979, By Dean Jessee)
Audrey, Luke, Jamie, and Amanda
Audrey, Jamie, and Luke at The Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds
Our final historical site we visited tonight was The Stone Arched Bridge located only a short walk from our home. We have seen this setting through each season during our service in Nauvoo, and each one holds its own beauty. Tonight's view of the bridge was especially charming because we shared it with our family. The Stone Arch Bridge spans one of the nine original ditches built in 1839 to catch run-off water from upper Nauvoo that was settling in the flats creating swamp like conditions. Today, water still runs through the ditch and out to The Mississippi River. The bridge is one of the few remaining stone structures still existing from when the Pioneers built these in the 1840's.
As we left the Stone Arch Bridge, a gaggle of geese were gathered under the trees. Luke quickly disturbed their peace, but they were just as fascinated with him as he was with them! Everyone needs a 10 year old boy to spice things up at the end of a very hot and busy day! Luke has said his whole life on any given day that "This is the BEST day ever!" This day, I had to agree with him! The whole day was a "Blessing Beyond Measure!"
We ended our night with root beer floats back at our little missionary apartment. Afterward, we said our "Good Byes" and parted ways with lots of wonderful memories to sustain us until we meet again. In the early morning hours however, Paul and Shelley and Lauren met us at the Nauvoo Temple for one more sweet experience before they began their drive back home to Utah. We were working our regular AM Temple shift that morning and had arranged with our shift coordinators for Brother Peterson to be the Sealer the first hour and Sister Peterson to be assigned to the Sealing Office. We had some Family Sealings to perform and shared about 45 minutes participating in Sealings together. It was a highlight of our time together to share our Nauvoo Temple that we have served so many days in this past year with our daughter and her husband. Our Temple covenants are what makes saying "Good Bye" bearable, for we know that our family will be Together Forever!
That sure knowledge is priceless, a true "Blessing Beyond Measure" every single day!
Over and over in our blog entries this past year we have described the wonder and beauty of the many seasonal facets of The Mississippi River. During this Summer season, each day brings a greater abundance of blossoming lily pads and their lovely white Lotus flowers. It is difficult to photograph the magnitude of plants growing on the river, but these photos will give you an inkling of how they look. These pictures were taken early one morning near the spot where Parley Street meets the Mississippi. We love the view there!
On Sunday, July 16th, the Sanchez Family, from our Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Branch where we attend Church each week, once again hosted a luncheon for all the Full-Time Missionaries who serve in this Branch. When they do this, they also invite all the other Hispanic families in our Branch to join in. We appreciate their hospitality and their humble, sincere spirits, too. We have learned so much from them during our season of service there. Here is a picture of Brother Sanchez and his "Salsa Garden", Tomatoes, Onions, and Peppers of several varieties.
Sister Sanchez told us ahead that the menu would be a popular El Salvadorian dish called, "Pupusa". The Missionaries were all assigned to bring any dessert to share.
We all sat outside in the Sanchez's yard and watched as the women prepared the homemade tortillas, filling the dough with shredded, marinated pulled pork, a special white cheese, and pureed black beans. They rolled all this into a ball, then flattened them like a pancake. Next, they were fried on a large camp grill until lightly browned on both sides.
This is the young Brother Sanchez demonstrating how to build a Pupusa. He is the only member of their family that speaks English. Elder Hatch is observing!
The Pupusas were then served by placing marinated cabbage mixture on top of the filled tortillas, then drizzled with a thin red sauce that resembled enchilada sauce. We asked for the recipe, but their son told us it was a family secret. These pictures will help you better understand what a Pupusa really is.
Complete El Salvadorian Pupusa, ready to eat!
July 24th this week commemorated the day that the Pioneers first entered into the Salt Lake Valley. Living on the very street, Parley Street, which the Pioneers walked down when they left Nauvoo, then crossing the frozen Mississippi River and heading West, on February 4, 1846, has brought new meaning to this experience. The Pioneers first arrived to the Salt Lake Valley on July 24th, 1847. They are truly another testimony of "Blessings Beyond Measure" and of the sure knowledge that with God, anything is possible!
Since we live in the Salt Lake Valley back home, we are use to having this day be a State holiday, complete with parades and rodeos and family. This year was quite different in that respect. Our 24th of July was spent serving in the Nauvoo Temple and feeling the spirits of those early Pioneers. They "walked by faith" when all odds were against them to complete the Temple and to make and keep sacred covenants with the Lord. Serving in the Nauvoo Temple was the perfect place for us to honor our Pioneer forefathers.
For old times sake, here are a few pictures from one of our family's memorable Pioneer Day Celebration, July 24, 2013, on Main Street in Salt Lake City, Utah. We were sitting on the bleacher seats when Elder L.Tom Perry and his lovely wife came and sat right near us. He was so kind and attentive to our grandchildren! We honor Elder Perry's memory this Pioneer Day, also, for his wonderful, Christlike life he exemplified and shared wherever he was. That 24th of July day we shared as a family was truly a "Blessing Beyond Measure!"
(L to R) Jane, Warren, Savannah, Grandma Noreen,
Jenny & Scott P, Lucy, Grandpa Pete, Jenny H, Seth 
President and Sister Uchtdorf riding in the Parade
(We hold a special place for President Uchtdorf in our hearts because he is the one who conferred the Sealing authority on Elder Peterson 2&1/2 years ago)
I am sure by now that you think this blog is really "The Never ending Story"! Before closing, we share with you a few fun pictures from our date night tonight here in Nauvoo. After serving our 7 hour long AM shift today, our next door neighbors, the Cordovas, invited us to go to dinner with them at the Hotel Nauvoo Buffet. We enjoyed their company and also a delicious meal, too! They were giving free carriage rides tonight for those who dined at their buffet. It was very fun to ride around the block and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. The temperatures were picture perfect, too! It was a great change of pace after a busy week of Temple service and Pageant activities.
Bev and Tom Cordova and our driver
(We hold a special place for President Uchtdorf in our hearts because he is the one who conferred the Sealing authority on Elder Peterson 2&1/2 years ago)
I am sure by now that you think this blog is really "The Never ending Story"! Before closing, we share with you a few fun pictures from our date night tonight here in Nauvoo. After serving our 7 hour long AM shift today, our next door neighbors, the Cordovas, invited us to go to dinner with them at the Hotel Nauvoo Buffet. We enjoyed their company and also a delicious meal, too! They were giving free carriage rides tonight for those who dined at their buffet. It was very fun to ride around the block and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. The temperatures were picture perfect, too! It was a great change of pace after a busy week of Temple service and Pageant activities.
We never dreamt that we would be Nauvoo Temple Missionaries!
This truly is the place that we call home!
We love to see the Temple and go inside each day!
Being Temple Missionaries brings us "Blessings Beyond Measure" daily!
On our way home, we stopped by the Mississippi River and took updated pictures of the Lily Pads and their gorgeous white blooming flowers for you to enjoy. Notice how much they have grown in just a weeks time compared to the pictures I posted earlier in this blog post.
Being Temple Missionaries brings us "Blessings Beyond Measure" daily!
On our way home, we stopped by the Mississippi River and took updated pictures of the Lily Pads and their gorgeous white blooming flowers for you to enjoy. Notice how much they have grown in just a weeks time compared to the pictures I posted earlier in this blog post.
We testify to you that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want to give "Blessings Beyond Measure" to everyone! Take time to listen and watch for the ways blessings are manifest in the small details of your life each day.
"Count Your Many Blessings" (Hymn #241):
"Count your many blessings name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
Sending lots of love to each of you each day. We are so grateful for the love and support we feel from our family and loved ones while we are serving our mission. Each one of you is a "Blessing Beyond Measure" to us. You are in are prayers always, both day and night.
Elder and Sister Peterson in Nauvoo
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