SPrinG in the SAcReD GRoVE

Spring

Warmth has FINALLY decided to come to Western New York. 

The Sacred Grove is beginning to show signs of Spring.

Early spring flowers blooming,

buds are popping, geese are
honking, birds are singing,
ducks are swimming.

"Bees were humming, sweet birds singing
Music ringing through the Grove."

"When within the shady wood land
Joseph sought the God of love."

"Joseph's humble prayer was answered
For he saw the living God."

INTERNATIONAL DAY

A few days ago we were at the Peter Whitmer Farm in Fayette, NY and we had quite a day. I think we had about 36 visitors, but the remarkable thing about it was that in those visitors we had people from 9 nations!! There was a family from Sweden, a young couple from France, some from Australia, England, Ireland, Wales, So. Africa, Zambia and of course, the United States. And one of those from the U.S. was a native of Tonga. We could hardly believe what a host of different nationalities were represented in just that one day. Elder Hamblin (Dad, Grandpa -- whoever that guy is - HA!) said it was surely fulfillment of prophecy:

"And ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God. . . . .
And I give unto you a commandment that then ye shall teach them unto all men; for they shall be taught unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people."

Doctrine & Covenants 42:6 and 58

It's fulfillment of prophecy, except we didn't need to go anywhere else because the Lord was bringing them to us.

HOORAY FOR THE GOSPEL!!

6 April 1830 -- 6 April 2009

The Peter Whitmer Farm -- Fayette, NY





Today was the 179th Anniversary of the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Fayette, NY. We were there today holding a Zone Conf. and reviewed all the things pertaining to the organization of the Church, it was pretty neat!


(Sisters: Harris and Porter; Baez and Catalludi)

This is a picture of four of our young Sister missionaries -- this was taken last summer and some of them have already finished their missions and gone home. This is the sign at the Whitmer Farm which is the visitor's first introduction to this Historical Site.

Today -- 6 April 2009

It still looks like winter time at the Peter Whitmer log home -- rainy and cold. But we were there!

Cozy and warm inside the log home. We stood where the Prophet Joseph Smith stood as he organized the Church 179 years ago. What a wonderful blessing in our lives to be able to serve here at these Sacred Places! It is great to see how the Church has grown, from the foundation of 6 members and is now at 13 and a half million. This is the TRUE Church, Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration, and the Book of Mormon is true and going forth to the whole world by the work of the missionaries and members.

"For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language" Doctrine & Covenants 90:11

It all started HERE in Palmyra and Fayette, NY. What a great blessing to the World!!