Church History is AMAZING!!!

June 8th – 17th, 2017

Our stake puts on a “Gospel for Sisters” class. Men are invited as well though. 🙂 This class is taught by Cyndie Dobson (Gerald Lund’s daughter) and she is a powerful teacher! Every year she does a different scripture study. During the study of the Doctrine and Covenants we got the grand idea of going on a church history trip to go see all these places we were learning about. The class was powerful and the trip was life changing! I went with Rikki Riggs (the trip planner and tour guide), Kristy Mortezazadeh and Rikki’s friend, Buffy Snell…. However, by the end of the trip we were known as Tire Tamer (me), Nature Child (Rikki), E (Kristy), and Buffalove. Nature Child is pretty self explanatory. She loves and appreciates the beauty around her. It was fun to learn from her. Kristy’s was born from the tour guide of the Grandin Press building. He repeated all our names part way through the tour and could only remember the “e” sound of her name and it stuck for the rest of the trip. Buffalove was a town we were in so it obviously fit. I got my name because of the flat tire we had that I fixed while everyone else was at a loss of what to do. I’m sure I made my daddy proud by getting the tire fixed so we could get  back to our travels. 🙂 There are a BUNCH of pictures, but most wouldn’t mean a thing to you…. so I just grabbed a few to share. We really did have a blast! But the best part was how my testimony was strengthened and my desire to be a better disciple increased. The best way to explain is to share part of an email I sent to Parker (he was on his mission)…..

“Our trip has been so awesome and I have learned sooooo much. Not necessarily about church history (I had learned most things during my scripture class…. this is just helping to put places to stories). What I have really learned is about me and my plan forward in life. Some sacred, life-changing experiences that I will forever cherish. However, it doesn’t end there! I have to get home and ACT on the things I need to do! But I can’t wait!!!!
 
We have gone to the Smith’s farm, the Palmyra Temple (just walked around the grounds), where the Book of Mormon was printed, Sacred Grove, Peter and David Whitmer farm, Hill Cumorah, Alvin’s grave, Priesthood Restoration site (Hales graves and the grave of Joseph & Emma’s first baby). So many awesome feelings about the people and places that make up the history of the church….. but also so many wonderful confirmations through the spirit that this work is of God. Joseph Smith did restore the gospel. The FULLNESS of the gospel with all the ordinances and information we need to get back to Heavenly Father. AHHHH MAN! IT’S SO AWESOME!!!!!
 
I just have to testify to you Parker that the gospel you are sharing IS true. Joseph Smith is a true prophet! Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph in the most beautiful grove! Christ is our Savior and atoned for each one of us! The Plan of Happiness is just that! You are on the errand of your Heavenly Father and he needs every big and small effort you can do to help spread this great, beautiful message to everyone in your path. This is a sacred and consecrated time for you. Sprint to the end!”

Niagara Falls. Wow!

Best tour guide ever at the Grandin where the Book of Mormon was printed.

Our farewell picture from our little cottage on the edge of one of the Finger Lakes.

Kirtland Temple grounds.

Had a great time touring all these buildings and walking these “streets”.

Happened to get in on a “tour” by Karl Ricks Anderson (author of “The Savior in Kirtland”).

Something uniquely special about the Nauvoo Temple.

So Nature Child wanted to take us on a long walk to look at Fireflies. She couldn’t stop laughing at us. It really was way too warm for jackets….but we really didn’t want to get eaten by mosquitoes!

Missionary moment waiting in the airport to go home. Met and chatted with an awesome couple headed to Hawaii. We shared about our trip and the history of the church. We invited them to go to Nauvoo (they had just retired and planned to do a lot of traveling). With heart POUNDING I wrote them a note on the flight and as we deplaned, I gave it to them with a pass along card/map of Nauvoo..

My nervousness made my handwriting even worse than normal!

Kristy Mortezazadeh and Buffy Snell.

Rikki Riggs and me (with the humidity effects on my straightening efforts!)

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