I wish you could be here

     For the benefit of anyone who is interested, I thought I would give some information about the people here. About a third of the couples serving as temple missionaries here in Nauvoo are "first generation" converts to the LDS church. Well over half are here from states other than Utah. Much of the work done on the Nauvoo temple was by volunteers- including some of the artisans. Much of the land for and the little houses where missionaries like Russ and me stay was donated. Last year in July alone there were 25,000 baptisms performed in the Nauvoo temple, all for people who have lived before us who have the option on the other side of the veil to accept the ordinance or not. Nearly all of the work done in temples throughout the world is for relatives of current members. Very little, if any, of the names are generated from just public records of some kind. Russ and I are among the younger ones here serving as temple missionaries and everyone has some trial in their life from health issues to financial struggles to problems among their children and grandchildren yet they serve willingly and cheerfully. There have been several missionary couples who have later returned to live in the area simply because they like the lifestyle and people, most of whom are not LDS.
     During training this week as well as the training we received in Salt Lake City last week, the main emphasis has always been on being kind, loving, helpful and in all ways Christlike to all who come to the temple as well as to all we meet wherever we go. There is much less concern about policing any kind of temple or church rules. We have been counseled repeatedly to be simple in our attire, not showy. This doesn't mean austere- we just need to not draw attention to ourselves or appear either sloppy and dirty or too extravagant. We are actually advised to minimize socializing inside the temple, with visitors (patrons) or other workers. The reason is to allow reverence, peaceful reflection, worship of the Lord, and the opportunity to learn from the still, small voice (Holy Spirit).
     As we all went up the stairs in the temple, it occurred to me that we were a beautiful army, all dressed in white. We were all slightly different yet  much alike in our appearance and certainly in our goals or desires. Rather than training to destroy people or places we are trained to build up and keep clean. Rather than showing power, we are striving for serenity and confidence as we encourage the same in others. Rather than competing or beating down an enemy, we are inviting all who want to join us in establishing peace. It may sound altruistic, but it's true. Not every Latter Day Saint is at their best all the time. We don't claim to be an organization of Christlike individuals. There are members at all levels of development in their spiritual education and self-control. We claim to have programs and information to enable all who want to follow the Savior to be able to do that. We don't have all knowledge. We would have to be God for that. In fact, we should and do strive to be humble and meek, as Jesus was. We aren't yet ready to be citizens in the Kingdom of God but we are all striving to be ready, at least in our hearts. Yet there are faults and quirks and individual issues. I am certain that everyone here would freely admit to being humanly imperfect. We are all making a good effort. That's all the Lord expects.