Mormon Tabernacle Choir

After spending a few hours learning how to fill out a balance sheet correctly in the accounting lab, I came back to the appartment exhausted! Accounting is hard work and I am so grateful the school has an accounting lab, because it was so helpful. I came back to the appartment to find notes Spencer had left for me around the appartment :) :) He is so sweet! He had stopped by to see if I needed help on my Homework, but because I was in the accounting lab he decided to leave sweet notes for me to find!  

The Mormon Tabernacle choir came to BYUI!!!! They are amazing!! It is one thing to see them singing for General Conference, but seeing them live is WAY better!! They were dancing around, clapping and singing. It was an uplifting way to spend the evening.  Life is good a BYUI :)

Last day!

A day for reflections

Today was the last day of the tour; I still cannot believe how fast it flew by. Last night, with all our homework turned in, we squeezed into the hotel hot tub!! It was good to reflect with the group and enjoy one another’s company.

            This morning we held a testimony meeting, and watched Joseph Smith the prophet of the restoration. This is such a great movie and I strongly encourage all to watch it. The movie was moving, especially because I had been to most of the places talked about. It sang to my spirit that all of the things that I have learned about are true. Its amazing looking back in history and being able to see Gods hand in the founding of this country. Our founding fathers were inspired men who were brought up, to organize the country that we have today.

Joseph Smith saw God the father and Jesus Christ in the sacred Grove when he was 14 years old. Because of his obedience and courage we can be with our families for eternity. I am grateful for the sacrifices and challenges that the early saints went through; they are amazing examples to me. This trip has been amazing, I have learned a lot and made life long friends. Can’t wait to learn more! Especially about my family history, God is so good!

Last Picture with this beautiful Lady. Thanks Brook for the laughs and the fun memories. You have been a wonderful friend and a fantastic roommate. Love ya!!

Day 19

Another full day on the bus! This morning we went to church with all the Elders and Sisters who were serving in the Nauvoo area, It was such a neat experience because eveyone who was there had given up time with their family to be serving a mission. Definitely a special spirit to the meeting. First thing today was Adam-ondi-Ahman!!!!

Adam-ondi-Ahman, this is the place were Adam and Eve went after they were told to leave the Garden of Eden. Heber C. Kimball said that they offered sacrifices on top of the highest bluff in this area. Its so awesome to see were everything started, we didn’t stay very long but Brother Hammon was able to tell us a little bit about it, he is a great teacher and it has been a blessing having the opportunity to learn from him. I also went to Far west today, this is a place where the prophet was commanded to lay the four foundation stones for the temple. They are still there today! Cool to see the original stone! The last stop we made, before the Hotel, was Liberty Jail. We had a fabulous sister missionary present to us the replica of Liberty Jail. All the sisters that we have heard form have been so good at bringing in the spirit, they are truly inspiring. 

The bus has become like our home :) A lot of time spent on it

One of the foundation stones

Liberty jail replica. Bottom floor is where the the Prophet was kept, top floor is where the guards stayed. One thing that the sister missionary pointed out is the the door on the secong floor did not have a door knob. The guards could not get out until someone from out side opened it. This is for extra security

Dayyyyy 18!!

A day in Nauvoo

Yesterday morning Woke up, excited and happy, I have been looking forward to this day for a long time. Somehow brother pulispher, arranged for us to do baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo temple. The Temple is beautiful, and extra special because that temple is just like the temple the early saints made. The only difference in the structure is angle Moroni, and a handy cap entry on the side.

            Next we went to all the cute little historical shops and houses in Nauvoo. John Taylors house and the black smiths shop were my two favorites. This is were I was able to meet up with Jessica, a roommate and friend. It was fun to see her and spend the afternoon with her. Thanks for coming Jess! We visited the jail that Joseph Smith died and walked the Hope trail.

            When we got back to the Hotel a group of us did a night walk to the temple, Its beautiful 24/7!!

Day 17

Hello Nauvoo!
In the morning we got to see and tour the Robie house. The Robie house is a house built in 1907 by a man that is considered the greatest architect in America. The home is beautiful and the keepers are working on restoring it.

The long bus ride to Nauvoo, was fun and productive. I was able to get mostly caught up on homework , only a few more things to finish up :) Also Brother Hammon played a few short videos about the early saints in Kirtland. One of the videos was about John Tanner, who... is my great great great great Grandfather!!! I have definitely have a new appreciation and curiosity for my family history!!!!

Loooong bus ride for day 16

Six hour bus ride to chicago!!

The art Institvte of Chicago 

A cool thing :)

Day 15

Such a spiritual day! Started out with a tour of the Kirtland temple, this temple was made by the early saints in two and a half years. The saints ended up leaving the temple and Kirtland when persecution started to get out of hand. A few saints stayed behind and after Joseph Smith died they decided to pick there own prophet, Joseph Smiths son. The church is still around today, its known as the community of christ. The community of Christ owns the Kirtland temple, they have taken good care of it though out the years, the building is now used for meetings and tours. It was so amazing to walk around in the temple, it is still a house of the lord.. that spirit was felt as we sang the Spirit of God. We also visited the Johnson Farm and the Whitney store. The day was ended at the rock quarry, where the saints chiseled stone for the Kirtland temple.