The LDS Church's Stance on Marriage and Why?

To start with, here are some jokes to cheer up your week:

• Did you know you can keep track of your age by checking your underwear size? Little Luke said his shorts read 4-6 years.
• When Grandpa reported that he was 62 years old, his grandson asked, "Wow! Did you start at one?"
• After swatting mosquitoes in Nauvoo without success, one youngster suggested as the sun set that the swatter might as well surrender ... the mosquitoes were now coming out with flashlights.
• One kindergartner reprimanded her teacher after an oral inquisition of reporting what various colors were and then replying, "I think you should figure out some of the colors yourself."

We had a rather different lesson for our missionary training meeting this week. We talked about the concerns the church has on the country's new definition of marriage and how we can field answers to questions. Following are some of my notes which are also mixed with some of my own observations.

But first I have to tell you that knowing my topic for you this week, I looked for opportunities to take pictures of families playing together. 

 I fear that I got a little carried away with families galore in Pioneer Pastimes.

 Not to worry...I only gave you a taste of what I took, but aren't they cute?

 So here is the deal...Laws and commandments given by Father in Heaven are for the purpose of leading His children back into his presence. Of course, being with Father in Heaven is the ultimate joy for us as well. We are taught in D&C 130: 20  "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—"

 The laws of God are not our laws. They are God's and no one despite their office or status in the world is authorized to change them. Marriage between a man and woman is ordained of God and the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children. See Family Proclamation

This is not dangerous doctrine to society. The church is 100% behind all citizens around the world having equal housing, equal opportunity for employment, equal healthcare and equal probate. See Response to Supreme Court ruling

Never-the-less, men and women complete each other. They are different and complimentary. They contribute differently but equally. Men and women complete or perfect each other. By design, they need each other in order to bare children. Scriptures support that neither gender by itself can progress to its highest potential in the eternities after our life on earth. Families are indeed forever.

 Same gender marriage contradicts the gospel plan which includes offspring. Our eternal destiny has marriage and family at the heart. That concept is key in why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opposes same gender marriage.

There are possibly some very devastating ramifications that could follow the passing of the recent Supreme Court decision on marriage.

• Churches with our values may be judged as bigoted and disallowed their tax exempt status.
• The school curriculum throughout the country could change in an attempt to "educate" our children with disregard to individual family morals and values.
• Laws may be established limiting free speech in regards to different opinions about same gender attraction including social media. (As you know, loss of jobs has already resulted from individuals expressing their disapproval. Can we possibly tolerate laws that punish rather than protect freedom of speech in this regard?)

  The family is under attack by a frontal assault with great momentum. One of the first examples was passing no fault divorce which states that no proof of mental or physical abuse was needed in order to obtain a divorce. This doesn't sound too bad on the outside, but think about it. Truly, it was done for individual interests not societal interests.  The ramifications are that divorce and broken homes are now rampant and that's not what is best for innocent children.

 Obtaining a divorce easily was only the beginning, of course. I won't take time to list the other laws passed that are devastating to children and families, but look at the results:

In 1960 5% of children were born to unwed mothers. In 2015 40% of births were to unwed mothers. Remember, children of single parents have a drastically higher potential for poverty. (I missed the statistic.)

 Childhood psychological disorders have increased 1000% in the past 50 years.

We are also taught "Wherefore teach it unto your children, that all men, everywhere, must repent, or they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God, for no unclean thing can dwell there, or dwell in his presence;" . Moses 6:57

If you were learning the rules to a game, wouldn't you want to know how to win? Men and women are not the game makers in this case. So, learn the rules, follow them as best you can, and watch what sweetness and goodness follows. I can think of no greater joy than what I've experienced as a mother and grandmother as well as nurturing my relationship with my husband.

God is a God of love. For those with same gender attraction, please know that you are just as loved. There is a way for you to return to your Father in Heaven and receive all that He has. However, the way I understand it, it doesn't include following after your own lusts. None of us can change the rules. All of us must learn to control our appetites and passions, but I believe you will be judged fairly and lovingly. Certainly, we can treat each other with kindness and civility even though we may disagree.

For more information check out this talk Why Marriage Why Family

What a fun surprise...one of my former seminary students, Sherilyn McGinnis found us after Sunset by the Mississippi last night to introduce her new husband, Devin Cobia who was a Young Performing Missionary last summer. Sunset is now officially over so we celebrated by playing card games with the young Cobia couple.

Invitation:
As I was reading the Book of Mormon this week another principle jumped out at me. See Alma 12:8  

In summary, Zeezrom had become a bitter enemy of the Church of God. He was convincing people that it is impossible to know of things to come. Therefore, no one can know that Christ would come into the world. As Alma and Amulek taught Zeezrom how they had come to know these truths, Zeezrom began to ask questions.  Therein lies the principle. How many times do the scriptures--both the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon tell us to "ask and ye shall receive"? The Lord won't pour down knowledge and understanding unless we ask for it. It's as simple as that.

So the invitation is for you to think about what you don't know about heaven and earth, about your purpose on earth, and the nature of God. What don't you know or understand that has become a stumbling block? Then, will you ask in sincere prayer for the answers?

Goodbye Breakfast, John Deere Factory, Relatives, Pageant is over!

July's Goodbye Breakfast was so big, we held it in the Women's Garden at the Visitor's Center.

 We said "goodbye" to all the Young Performing missionaries, as well as the pageant core casts.

 We held it a few weeks ago and some of them aren't leaving for another week, so it seemed strange to all of us to hold it so early in the month. However, many of them are leaving tomorrow and the rest will follow in a week.

John Deere Harvester
For Preparation day this week, we went to Moline and took a tour at the John Deere Factory

 Can you believe the size of this animal? It's as big as a house and can harvest 38 acres an hour. I didn't mis-speak...38 per hour!

 We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the factory, but after lunch we stopped by this candy and ice cream shop.

 Don't worry...we just smelled the candy. We might have eaten a little home made ice cream, but just a little...okay a pint.

 My sister, Becky Connell and some of her family came to Nauvoo. They tried to camp, but with two small toddlers, the moms and babies decided to sleep at our house. We were happy to oblige.

 Nauvoo summer:  check out these platter size blossoms. We had to get a picture just so you'd believe us. Did I ever tell you that summer here is beautiful?

We spent a little time at the Country Fair held before the pageant every night, but my camera battery died so I didn't get many pictures. They provided games of all types as well as dancing and family fun. It was actually better equipped than Pioneer Pastimes. My only regret was not getting more ideas on camera.

 The pageant finished up this week. There was close to 3,000 guests every night the past four weeks.

 One evening, the core pageant cast performed what they call, "Our Story Goes On".
What talent...it was incredible.

Our numbers in the sites will drop dramatically when  pageant is finished. However, we had 10,693 guests at Pioneer Pastimes in July alone so it won't be dead--just not as crazy. I'll keep you updated on number of guests for all of Nauvoo after our training meeting this week.

In a nutshell--We did it! What a marvelous experience.

Invitation:
I'm still reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish alongside an English version. Consider these ideas:

There is a story in the book of Alma which tells about the conversion of Amulek. Amulek said, "4 And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry.

 5 Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.

 6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the judges.

Alulek then tells of his conversion. See the rest of the story in Alma 10:6,9, 20-21.

Ultimately, it is the Holy Ghost that confirms truth--right? There is no other way to know the things of God for sure. 

So if the holy Ghost has confirmed to you that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored, will you choose to believe it and change your life because of it?

Amulek said in verse six that he knew much of the ways of the Lord yet he would not know because he hardened his heart against it.

Will you soften your heart and know that God lives? He loves you and He loves me. He sent His Son to pay for our sins if we will have a broken heart and a contrite spirit for unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. 2 Nephi 2:6-8

Amulek taught that destruction awaits those who will not repent. Alma 10:20-21 I plead with you for your own benefit--repent, and be healed of your sins through the one who has all power and who loves you.

Tin Shop, Patterns, Angel Moroni, and Visitors aplenty...in fact wall to wall

We served at the Sylvester Stoddard Tin Shop the other day.

 Sylvester was one of the pattern makers here in Nauvoo in the 1840's. While giving people a tour, we talk about patterns in our lives.

 We also talk about using the correct pattern and following it carefully to get the desired product. Did you know that Yankee peddlers sold tin products for over 150 years?  Me either.

 There are some pretty cool antique tools on display for making tin products.

Mr. Stoddard was a member of the Nauvoo Tinners' Association who made the 1846 angel weather vane that sat on top of the original Nauvoo Temple.

Today many of the LDS temples have Angel Moroni on top of the temple except that he is standing up straight and not a weather vane.

 This is the view from the temple of the Mississippi River. I don't think my camera did it justice.

 I'm trying to show you the current Angel Moroni on the top, but all I can get is how huge and beautiful the temple is.

My invitation to you this week is to examine the patterns that you are currently following in your life. Will they ultimately bring you deep and abiding satisfaction and happiness? If you were to be taken from this life today, can you imagine that Father in Heaven would be pleased with your actions and desires of your heart? What should you change? Will you do it?

Only one more week of pageant. Can you believe how fast the summer is going?

We had the missionaries that we were stationed with in Carthage last summer spend the weekend with us. They went home in the fall of 2014. It was terrific to catch up with their lives and reminisce about old days.

 Originally, we thought we might have as many as 6 guests. We started with six and then Sunday morning awoke to three more. Actually, we love it---crazy like our own home, but lots of fun.

 Some of our Carthage friends will finish their 18 month mission this fall the same time we finish so the picture below includes the visitors as well as those currently serving in Nauvoo. What a fun reunion.

 As I said, "wall to wall beds"

 How do you like our tomato plant below? You can think of it in two ways.  Either Nauvoo climate is so good that the Johnson's vegetable garden is still alive after two months (the optimistic approach). Or, the Johnson's are so bad at gardens that they can't even get a crop in the rich soil of Nauvoo (the not so optimistic approach).

Do you see even one tomato? Some animal swiped the one single fruit we had ripening for our BLT.

 Just because it gets ignored most days...shouldn't be cause for concern. After all, we watered it a couple of times. What more do you want? (You should see our neighbor's plant. Looks like a bush with big juicy red and green things.)