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Monday, August 12, 2013

Gratitude From Pageant Cast Members: The Faber Family

We really enjoyed our time in the Nauvoo Pageant and the energy the YPMS brought to everything. We were especially grateful with the way you welcomed our son's two non-member college age friends, Jasmine and Nathaniel.  I will be in contact with both of them and continue the invitation which you helped start. 

A special thanks to Elder Leavitt and Sister Shaffer for being a part of our family on stage.  If you ever pass through Bountiful, UT, stop by and say hello if you have a moment.

Tony and Anne Faber and Family

A Note of Thanks From a Visitor: Jenny Oaks Baker

I was so thrilled by the performances of the young performing missionaries while I was in Nauvoo a couple of weeks ago. I was amazed by their excellent musical talents and very uplifted by their testimonies. I am so grateful that the Church recognizes the power of good music to touch hearts and bring people closer to Christ.  I am also grateful for the generosity  of such talented performers to give of their talents to build the Kingdom.  I was truly inspired!

Fondly,

Jenny Oaks Baker

Sunday, July 28, 2013

The Power of An Apostle

This last week Elder Dallin H. Oaks from the quorum of the twelve was here in Nauvoo visiting with his family. On Thursday morning he came to the Trail of Hope. It was a really wonderful experience to see his whole family. He is such an amazing influence for light. After I was finished with the Editors Vignette he said in his booming voice: "Well Done". Then he shook my hand. Upon grasping his hand I felt such a strong force of light enter into my body. It was so interesting for me to learn about light and how being a righteous vessel of the Lord can make other people's countenances beam. He was also able to come to some of the other shows here in Nauvoo and he just being there made everyones day a little brighter. Not to mention he brought the good weather with him. The whole week he was here the temperature stayed in the mid 70's... which is unheard of for mid -July in Nauvoo, IL. It was miraculous

All My Love

I can't believe time is winding down so fast!!  We have one more week of the Nauvoo Pageant, and then one more week of our other shows after that...and then we are finished.  I cried again yesterday as I said goodbye to another family from the family cast at Pageant.  Every week has a new set of families, and every Saturday we say goodbye.  Little Avey Shulz tugged on my pants as I was walking away and said "I'm really going to miss you, Elder Partridge."

Gosh, love is hard stuff.

Speaking of love, I have received a new insight.  With this group becoming as close as we are, the mission rules can sometimes be looked at as a burden or an annoyance rather than a blessing to keep.  We all just want to hug each other and play games and have parties and stay up late!  It has been hard sometimes to stay focused on the Now and not start planning all the fun things we will do when we get home.  I've been praying to have a greater understanding of the doctrines of why God gives us different lifestyles to live for different lengths of time...rather than just giving all of us the same laws and expectations all the time. Missionaries, Bishops, Young Men's Presidents, Apostles...they all abide by slightly different rules and regulations.  Why?

I am beginning to understand one of the reasons for being obedient to such laws that seem so temporal.  In this mission, a lot of the mission rules just seem to be ways to inhibit us from showing our love and appreciation for each other the ways that we are accustomed to doing.  I have come to understand that in not being able to sit alone with a sister or to pick up little children, the Lord has caused me to find new and creative ways within my capacity, to act on the charity I am filled with for the people around me.  I believe that with every new lifestyle we are asked to live for a period of time, comes an opportunity to learn new ways to love...and that our Heavenly Father will continue to call us to new lifestyles until we have eventually learned all the ways to love...and have perfect charity!  Each time we choose not to be obedient to those laws that He gives us, we forfeit an opportunity to become more diversely charitable.

I am grateful for all the ways that God has expanded my ability to love while I have been here in Nauvoo.  He has helped my spirit to grow and contain more than I ever have been able to before.  I cannot wait to see how the new chapters in my life will help me to express the love that I so often feel is building up inside me, but is too great to be effectively expressed.  I know one day, I will be able to express all the love within my heart, with the help of my God.

The Miraculous Simplicity of Prayer

Singing upwards of 5-8 hours a day, six days a week tends to be a little bit strenuous on vocal chords.  So far this year, many of the Young Performing Missionaries have had the misfortune of losing their voices for a period of a few days.  Unfortunately, I didn't end the summer unscathed as i had hoped.  A few days ago, I woke up hardly being able to speak, let alone sing.  So, all day long I had simply planned on having my companion, Elder Collier, take my role and sing my solos during our performance of "High Hopes and River Boats," our main production.  The time came for the show, and I had already informed Elder Collier and our director of my decision to do a lesser role during both of the two performances that day.  However, as i spoke with Elder Collier literally moments before the show began, we decided that having him take on the role for me didn't feel quite right, so we made the last minute change with a prayer that I would at least be able to find the right notes during my solos.

Well, the show passed by, and actually turned out to be a rather good performance from the entire cast overall.  The show had a very good feel to it, and I was happy to have seen my prayer answered in a very real and specific way.  I was even more grateful that we had listened to the spirit when I heard of the miracle that had taken place while we were onstage.

As i was in the lobby of the Visitor's Center after the show, greeting our guests, I was approached by a young man.  He introduced himself to me, and thanked me for the spirit that he had felt during the performance.  I asked him a few questions about himself, and quickly realized that this 14 year old young man had been going through many hard things at that particular stage of his life.

He told me of doubts that he had been experiencing, and the toll that they were taking on his personal testimony of the church.  He had been attending a different church for quite some time, and told me that three weeks from now, he had planned on getting baptized into that particular congregation because of what he felt.  However, watching "High Hopes" had caused him to rethink that decision.

As we conversed further, he informed me that the main reason he had felt the spirit so powerfully during the musical was because of the way that he personally identified with Chance, the character that I portray.  He felt a personal connection to Chance because of his conversion process that the show depicts.  In my new friend's words: "Chance had many of the same questions that I have.  And when he started to feel the spirit, so did I."

As I looked that young man in the eyes, tears filled my own.  I proceeded to tell him of a boy his exact same age, 14 years old, that had a question very similar to his.  That young boy wondered which of all the churches he should join.  Searching the bible for answer to his question, young Joseph found an admonition in the book of James, first chapter, fifth verse which reads: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."  Demonstrating immense faith, Joseph acted on that admonition and entered a grove of trees near his home and prayed to God for a knowledge of which of all the churches was right.  In the form of a visit from Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ, the prayer of Joseph Smith was answered.  

I shared with my young friend my own personal testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I also issued him two very specific challenges.  I shared with him a general conference talk that changed the course of my mission in Brazil titled "Faith - The Choice is Yours" given by Bishop Richard C. Edgely in the October 2010 conference.  I asked him to read it, because it helped me to understand as Bishop Edgely so eloquently stated:  "While I don't know everything, I know what's important".  I also told him of one of my favorite spots in Nauvoo- the grove of trees that lies at the end of Parley Street.  I challenged him to go to the grove later that day, to kneel down, and to offer up his own prayer to Heavenly Father asking for a confirmation as the the things he had felt earlier during the show.  I promised him that if he did, he would receive his answer.  He promised me that he would.

Later that evening, as I was conversing with people before the Nauvoo Pageant began, I was approached by a man with whom I had never spoken before.  He asked me if I was the Elder Thunell that had played in "High Hopes" earlier that day (and he pronounced my name correctly, which means he was definitely familiar with who I was).  When I told him that I was, tears immediately filled his eyes, and he proceeded to thank me for a miracle that had happened that day in his family.  It was then that I found out that he was the father of the young man I had met earlier in the day.

This family had come to Nauvoo with the prayer that their youngest son could have an experience that would reaffirm his forgotten faith and change his life.  And, as this grateful man stated, "Our prayer was answered when a servant of the Lord acted on the spirit and invited a young man to pray."  I was so grateful to find out that my friend had taken my challenge seriously, and acted on almost immediately upon leaving the Visitor's Center after our conversation.  On a warm July afternoon that young man, searching for answers, entered a grove of trees at the end of Parley Street on the banks of the Mississippi River and offered a prayer to God...

...And received his answer.

I know for myself that our loving Father-in-Heaven is very mindful of his children.  He knows us each by name, and He puts people and experiences in our path so that we might come to know Him.  He truly does hear each and every one of our prayers, and he longs to answer them.  He knows me.  He loves me.  And there isn't a more comforting thought in all the world.

Monday, July 22, 2013

The Ballroom

Inline image 1On the third floor of the Cultural Hall is the original ballroom floor from the 1840's. It is one of my most favorite places here in Nauvoo. The spirit that I feel in that room alone compares to the Temple. The acoustics in that room is impeccable. Some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard was in that ballroom.  This last week some of my friends from home were able to be here in Nauvoo. One of my dear friends is obsessed with acoustics and the concept of sound. The Young Performing Missionaries went up to the ballroom with our guests and sang together "Invocation". The spirit that swept over that room was indescribable. "there shall he be in the midst of them that love him". As we were in a circle of missionaries and close friends, I felt the spirit bear witness to me of the love that God has for all of his children. As we sang in perfect harmony, I had chills run over my body and a very warm feeling of light entered the room.  As Missionaries we have the unique opportunity to bear testimony of that Love through music. I will never forget that experience of pure testimony and love as music pulsated through my body. 

An Invitation To The Truth

Things just keep going like they always do here in Nauvoo, the Young Performing missionaries perform morning til night and love every minute of it.  I actually had a really neat experience when I was in town on Thursday.  My companion wanted to try shopping at a different store than we normally do so we went there and while we were there started talking to a man working in the produce section and had a great conversation about truth and he said something really profound about how each person in the world deserves the chance to first hear truth and then decide for themselves if they will accept it or not.  That is an amazing thing to hear from someone when you are a missionary because its a great segue into a gospel conversation.  We took the chance and I actually ended up being able to give the man a book of Mormon and we got his contact information to give to the missionaries in Keokuk so they can teach him.  It was an amazing testimony of how the Lord puts us into people's paths to share the gospel with them and extend an invitation to the truth.  I've had so many similar experiences with the Lord either placing me or placing others so we cross paths this summer and it has been such a blessing to be able to talk and I know I have grown and been uplifted so many times just when I need it according to the Lord's perfect timing and His tender mercies.  Yes, I know Heavenly Father loves me!

Well we're sadly winding down on our time here we've only got 3 weeks left before we have finished our calls and have to say good-bye to the city of Joseph, but its been an amazing summer and I'm sure there is still much good left to come.

Yay for Nauvoo!

I want to share something I have written down in my journal. Sadly, I didn't think of it, and unfortunately I can't remember where I heard it... or who said it.... But it goes like this:
     "If it weren't for God, we wouldn't be here. If it weren't for Jesus Christ, it wouldn't matter. If it weren't for Joseph Smith, we wouldn't know."
Cool, right? And so true! With God, we have a purpose, to learn and become more like Him and to one day live with Him. Because Christ atoned for our sins, we can repent and continue to move towards that goal. Because of Joseph Smith, we have the restored gospel and all of the blessings that go with it, including the knowledge of the plan of salvation and that families can be together forever. What a glorious plan our Father has made for us! I'm so grateful that I was raised in the gospel so I could know it, live it, love it, and share it! Hurrah for Israel and yay for Nauvoo! I feel like I learn so much about the gospel and my Savior as I learn about the Saints and Brother Joseph... I tell their stories, I walk where they walked... and they walked with the Savior. It all fits together, hand in hand. There are no such things as coincidences. I love it!

Sometmes We Laugh

I am always so amused by the way the culture of a group changes over time...especially when they spend as much time together as our group does.  Just in case you will be interacting with any of us after this mission, you may want to know the explanation behind some of the things that have just become common among the stage/tech YPMs:

- When we are about to do something epic and need good motivation, we shout "For Alex!!!"  (...None of us actually met Alex, but he is one of Sister Klingler's friends.)
- When we have done something really stupid or crazy, we may turn to you with wild eyes and ask "Am I NUTS?"  (Sister Allen got us all started on that one...she's pretty nuts.)
- Phragming is one of the most insulting things you can do to a person (but we do it all the time to each other).  'Phragm' is short for diaphragm.  It means to hit someone with your diaphragm.  Believe me, after all the singing we've done, my phragm packs a pretty powerful punch.  (Really no back-story to that except that Elder Striplin and I are dorks.)
- There is a general slew of phrases that any of us will say on a moment's notice that is a line from a show...when we hear the cue line, we just feel empty if we don't say what's next!
- When you go for a high five, you may suddenly find yourself in a handshake.  (Because high-fives are WAY too familiar.)
- You will always find a counterargument if you say that something is the worst.  It is not the worst, because animal crackers are the worst.  End of discussion.  (The sisters just won't let Elder Striplin live his accent down.)
- If you try to get us to do something we don't want to do, we will give a high-pitched squealing "Make me!!"  (Modeled after the rebellious Sister Jorgensen.)
- Whenever it's time to go, we will yell "Time to go, time to go, woo-woo-woo-woo, time to go, time to go!" (I started doing that so everyone would hear me, and it just caught on.)
- If you tell a cheesy joke, we will bring our hand up like a sock puppet, and have it give you a roaring pity laugh.  (Every day we do a puppet show where the puppets tell ridiculously corny jokes.)
- If you make a reference to any kind of bag, satchel, purse, etc., we'll probably give you a really deep-voiced "they're bags!"  (A line from the show, modeled after Elder Black.)
- Whenever we or someone near us is confused, we will probably ask, "Am I here?"  (Once upon a time, Elder Collier forgot his words during a solo love song...and replaced about ten words with a long "Am I here?"  Probably the single-most funny thing that has happened on stage to date.)
- When we are very proud of ourselves, we put our hands in our armpits and smile.  (A Sister Elbert mannerism.)
- When we are appalled, we will shout out "Well I neverrrrr!"  (A line from a show, modeled after Sister Elbert.)
- When we want to sound refined, we talk like the pharaoh from Night at the Museum 2.

....Now I need to say something inspiring before I end.... I know that when we all work together in harmony we will all start become the same ridiculous person?  ...Eh, maybe not.  But I do know that where the Spirit is, there will laughter be also.  I believe that God is a God of laughter; beautiful, wondrous, joyous, wholesome laughter.  I am grateful for that.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The Work Rolls On!

The spirit of Nauvoo is always the same and always wonderful. I absolutely love how I am constantly inspired to do better and to be better than I am.  I have experience after experience where I am humbled and taught that I can do better, be more patient with myself and others, seek the Lord more through prayers, and as Elder Camp says "step into the darkness" through faith trusting that the Lord will bless and guide.

One experience that I had with this was before pageant Friday night where I ran into a great friend from home, Elder Aiden Curtis.  I had known that he was assigned to the pageant, but didn't know when I would find him.  I was keeping an eye out for him, but felt guilty looking for him specifically because I am supposed to be focusing on missionary work because the time before pageant is intended for us to try and find referrals from the guests.  So as I was walking around I was suddenly nearly tackled to the ground by Elder Curtis who had seen me first and we had a joyful reunion.  It was so good to see him.  After that though it was back to work!  I had a goal to at least get one referral that day, so I went up to Sister Hall, one of the Nauvoo Young Sister Missionaries and told her I trusted her inspiration and asked who I should go talk to for a referral.  She pointed to a group of girls and my immediate reaction was one of hesitancy, but I pushed those thoughts aside, got Elder Leavitt and walked up to say hello and talk to them.  We got into a conversation with them about a mission activity their stake had done where they basically turned their youth into a mini mission for a weekend, assigning everyone companions and they set up appointments with their non-member friends to teach them lessons from preach my gospel.  This provided a perfect opportunity for some of them to fill out referral cards for those friends they had worked with in that activity.  So moral of the story, guided by the spirit, through simple means and then opening my mouth in a friendly conversation about sharing the gospel I was able to invite two from that group of girls to have the gospel shared with their friends and bore testimony to them that our work is a work of Love,  Christ's love. (Side note:  Another thing I learned while bearing my testimony a few weeks back was that Charity, the pure love of Christ has 3 parts- Love from Christ, Love for Christ, and Love like Christ.  Just thought I would share that because it fit right in with the conversation I was able to have with a few of the other guests from pageant.) 

The work rolls on in beautiful Nauvoo!  I'm so blessed to be here and be a part of it.