Frosting is the word Sister Irion (Nauvoo Temple Matron)
used to described the events of this past weekend.
She first wanted a hug from her father--President Russell M. Nelson, the rest was frosting.
We were the ones that benefited from the 'frosting'.
We spent Sunday evening listening to President Nelson,
an Apostle and President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
On Monday morning we were able to greet him while we had a group picture
taken with him on the temple steps.
He and Elder and Sister Ulisses Soares, Presidency of the Seventy, were here in Nauvoo.
Sunday evening's fireside was a spiritual feast.
Sister Irion said she was excited to show off her dad to us,
but she also was excited to show us off to him!
She spoke for a few minutes about how her father had taught her how to ski and ride a bike
and share love with others. We thought to ourselves how very well she has learned that lesson,
she is always expressing her love for the temple workers and the service they provide.
Elder and Sister Soares spoke along with President Nelson.
Pres. Nelson shared with us his insights to
the scriptures that are the lyrics to Handel's "Messiah".
He had a power point presentation that included clips from BYUtv's Handel Messiah .
He read the scriptures in chronological order and taught of the
Savior's birth, life, atonement and resurrection.
This is a list of scriptures he shared with us:
Savior's birth, life, atonement and resurrection.
This is a list of scriptures he shared with us:
Job 19:25-26
Psalms 2:1-4
Psalms 2:9
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9
Isaiah 50:6
Isaiah 53:3-6
Isaiah 60:1
Haggai 2:6-7
Zechariah 9:9-10
Malachi 3:1-3
Matthew 1:23
Matthew 11:30
Luke 2:8-14
John 1:29
1 Corinthians 15:20-22, 51-53
Revelation 5:12-13
Revelation 11:15
Revelation 19:6, 16
It is humbling to sit at the feet of an Apostle as he testifies of Jesus Christ.
The spirit was strong and our hearts were touched by hearing his testimony.
We so enjoyed being taught by him.
It was also sweet to hear him speak tenderly as a daddy about how proud he is of his his daughter
and son-in-law who now preside over the Nauvoo Temple.
President Nelson also showed us a sneak peak of the Church's Easter Video Initiative
for this year, #princeofpeace.
It is beautiful and presents a powerful message about Easter, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
It will be available at mormon.org and includes an initiative that runs from Palm Sunday to
Easter Sunday much like the Christmas Initiative #lighttheworld.
President Nelson concluded with an Apostolic Blessing on all of us.
He blessed us that we would be good missionaries and that we would
be able share God's love with those we serve in a powerful way.
He said he sensed there were many of us concerned with family members who were
struggling with sickness. He promised that they would be healed according to God's will.
It was a joy to feel the spirit and to witness in person a Prophet, Seer, and
Revelator teach and testify.
Monday morning we gathered on the steps of the temple to have a group photo taken;
the temple missionaries with President Nelson and Elder and Sister Soares.
This is the Lawson's and us with Elder and Sister Soares.
We took this silly selfie that has Brother Vinton, Brother Marshall (temple recorder),
Sister Bartschi, Elder Soares, President Nelson, Sister Irion (love her smiling for our selfie!),
Brother Borrowman, Sister Boehm, and Sister Peterson .
Brother Borrowman, Sister Boehm, and Sister Peterson .
It was so cold, about 20*, windy and rainy snow.
This is Brother Marshall making sure we were lined up right and
President Irion taking a cell phone photo of us.
President Irion taking a cell phone photo of us.
The amazing view from the temple steps of the statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith
early in the morning on this cold snowy day..
Elder McBride and Elder Thompson.
The temple missionaries greeting President Nelson after our photo shoot.
When Sister Irion introduced her father to Sister Thompson
she told him we were the most senior, senior couple.
He said, "Enjoy every minute of it."
We are doing just that...enjoying every minute.
It was a blessing to feel the spirit so strongly while President Nelson was here.