The Book of Mormon is the Keystone to our religion

   Booooootiful Nauvoo has come and gone. It was fun to be a part of it all.  We carved pumpkins and handed out pamphlets for the Christmas walk, on Dec. 4, and then we became part of the Dragon.   By the time the parade  was over we had to leave, Elder Horlacher's legs were hurting so much that he wasn't sure he could get home, we had walked.

President and Sister Gibbons

He had been standing all day at the Brick Yard making bricks and then most of the evening.   We tried to get pictures of the pumpkins all lite but the wind was too strong and they wouldn't stay lite.  I am trying to find someone who got a picture later when they were lite.   It was a fun night and well attended.   The missionaries handed out bags of candy to everyone, not just the children.  As we handed out the fliers for the Christmas Walk most people accepted them and said they had been to it before and would definitely be back.   Folks came from as far as 60 miles away not counting guests who had come from all over to see the Historical Sites of Nauvoo.    It is amazing the different things the mission does to try to bring the communities from all around Nauvoo and the different churches together, after all we all believe in Christ.

   We took a tour around the area to see the different mounds, by the Mound Builders.   There are several areas that are protected by the different States where these mounds are located.   Some believe that this is part of the area where the Book of Mormon took place.   We also went to see where they think Zarahemla   may have been.  They are doing digs and ground ultrasound.   They said they will take their data and study it.  It was very interesting.   The Mississippi River may be the Sidon River.   A lot to think about and research.

The land of Zarahemla
across the river

Mound

The Book of Mormon--Keystone of Our Religion" in the Ezra Taft Benson, Teaching of the Presidents of the Church.   In his first general conference address as President of the Church, President Benson shared one reason for the urgency of this message.

The site of the temple of Zarahemla

a bridge to the mound

 "Unless we read the Book of Mormon and give heed to its teachings," he warned, "the Lord has stated in section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants that the whole Church is under condemnation: 'And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all'.  'And they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book of Mormon and the former commandments which I have given them, not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written.'
Our dearest Family and Friends we invite each of you to read and study more fully each and every day, the Book of Mormon.   Many of the trials that the early Saints suffered was because the Book of Mormon was not valued and read and studied as it should have been.   Our homes and families will be stronger if we will make the Book of Mormon a daily part of our lives.  We are learning that there is so much more that we as Missionaries need to do.   We devote much of our day and time to serving our Father in Heaven and we fall short.  Our world and country is falling apart  and we need our Father in Heavens hand to be in our lives.  Each and every one of us has to step up and do those things that we know to be true and right.  Remember, we are all our Father in Heaven has to do his work.  This is the promised land and he needs each of us to try harder.   We love you all so very much, and remember it is our greatest prayer that "we will cherish one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in Heaven together."  Lucy Mack Smith.

   Today at Guest Services I meet our daughter, Cheri's,Visiting Teacher Companion, Trish Albreckson. What a fun thing to meet those who know our loved ones and friends.