October 26, 2008
This past week has been an extremely rewarding time for us. On Tuesday we left the office for Gibson PA. We took the Senior Sisters that are helping us in the office with us, leaving Elder and Sister Swainston to man the office for 3 days. Our purpose was to provide support to President and Sister Pugh for Zone Conferences at the Susquehanna River at Oakland PA which used to be Harmony PA. The Mission is divided into 7 Zones and the Zone Conferences are held for one day. The Altoona and Williamsport Zones had their Conference on Wednesday Oct 22, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York Zones had their Conference on Thursday Oct 23, and Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Zones had their Conference on Friday Oct 24. The Missionaries in each Zone was bused to Harmony arriving at approximately 10:00 AM where they went immediately to the Isaac and Elizabeth Hale Farm. At the farm they were able to see where Emma Smith grew up and learn a little about the history of Pennsylvania, the Hales and their farm, and how Joseph Smith and Emma met and their courtship and marriage. They were shown the location of the Hale home (foundation still exists but is covered with soil), location of out buildings, well, and spring house. From here the Missionaries returned to the bus and were transported across the highway and about 500 yards down the road to the location of the Joseph and Emma Smith home where the Church has erected a monument of the Aaronic Priesthood Restoration. The missionaries were divided into two groups and one group was transported by vans to the banks of the Susquehanna River where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry received the Aaronic Priesthood from the hands of John the Baptist and where they baptized each other. The other group divided into three groups and was told about the home of Joseph and Emma, the Aaronic Priesthood Monument, and the grave site of Isaac and Elizabeth Hale and of Alvin Smith the first born son of Joseph and Emma. The missionaries were then loaded onto the bus and taken about 20 miles to the Montrose Branch building where we had lunch, flu shots, and training meetings where they concluded with a testimony meeting where all of the missionaries bore a one minute testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After 3 days of these wonderful experiences we left the Montrose Branch at 6:00 PM on Friday and returned to Harrisburg arriving home at 10:00 PM very tired travelers.
Words cannot adequately describe the feelings in our heart as we stood on the banks of the Susquehanna with the missionaries. We have tried to express those feelings by sharing with you an excerpt from Elder Smith’s journal:
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Today we stood on the banks of the Susquehanna River where the Aaronic Priesthood was restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry. Go with me to the banks of the Susquehanna. From the Smith’s home it is a short distance to the site where Joseph and Oliver offered prayer and John the Baptist appear to them and gave them the Aaronic Priesthood. From the small flat spot on the hill above the river they then walked a short distance to the river and baptized each other and then ordained each other. As we walked down the fall leafs strewn pathway there seemed to be a quiet reverence and a feeling of sacred ground and sacred air space. A feeling comes into your heart that something very significant happened here. As you move down the trial you begin to hear the gentle breeze blowing in the trees and the stirring of the fallen leaves. You can hear the soft sounds of a flowing river over rock and reels. The sounds are very soothing and comforting. You stop and hear the voice of the President as he recounts the events that took place here on May 15, 1830. As he speaks your heart tells you that it is true, this is the place where it all began, this is the place where the Priesthood of God was brought back to the earth after a lengthy period of time where is was taken away. Elder Sandberg begins to sing the first verse of a poor wayfaring man of grief and the tears begin to flow. The music stops and there is a quiet peace settle over those on the river bank. Nearby you hear the soft voice of the river as it quietly flows to the west. The wind has stopped and the peace is felt to the very heart. But all is not quiet. Listen, listen, you can hear a new sound, the quiet peaceful beating of wings of doves as the Holy Ghost settles over those who are on the banks of this sacred place, testifying to all present that God lives, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and did in fact receive the Priesthood of God and restored HIS Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the earth never again to be taken until Christ returns in his glory. That its precepts are true and we can return to our Father in Heaven by following those precepts. Never has a witness come as strong to my heart as it did today that what we are doing is ordained of our Heavenly Father. That this is HIS work and glory.
At the conclusion of each conference we were privileged to hear the sweet testimonies of every one of the Elders and Sisters and to see and feel of their strength. It was so wonderful to feel their testimonies as they spoke of a testimony of Christ. We were able to share with them a revelatory experience as they Holy Ghost came to them on the river and in the Branch Building and bore witness to them of the truthfulness of this great work. Like the day of Pentecost we received the Holy Ghost and Prophesied. For the spirit of Prophesy is the testimony of Jesus Christ. The spirit of revelation is a testimony of Jesus Christ. Many who attended received answer to their prayers and had questions answered that they had in their heart as they come to the restoration site. There is something special about this place. Maybe it is the fact that this is where our roots began, where the Priesthood was restored that has so blessed our lives. Maybe it is because it is hallowed air space where angles have blessed our lives. Maybe it is the feel of reverence and awe because of the sacred events that took place here. Maybe it is remembering the great sacrifice that these wonderful people made for us that we could have the Book of Mormon to bless our lives. Maybe it is because the Vail that separates the world of spirits from us is very thin. Regardless of what it is, our lives have been touched and we go forward with a greater urgency and dedication for this work.
We love serving our mission here and we are blessed daily with health and strength to help sustain us in HIS work. We are sooo very grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and to serve the people here in PA. These are great people whom we have grown to love. It will be hard to leave here when we are released.
We love and appreciate all of you for your love, support and the many letters and emails. They sure so help encourage us and brighten each day we receive them. You are the BEST!!!
Sending our love,
Elder and Sister Smith =) =) =)
This past week has been an extremely rewarding time for us. On Tuesday we left the office for Gibson PA. We took the Senior Sisters that are helping us in the office with us, leaving Elder and Sister Swainston to man the office for 3 days. Our purpose was to provide support to President and Sister Pugh for Zone Conferences at the Susquehanna River at Oakland PA which used to be Harmony PA. The Mission is divided into 7 Zones and the Zone Conferences are held for one day. The Altoona and Williamsport Zones had their Conference on Wednesday Oct 22, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York Zones had their Conference on Thursday Oct 23, and Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Zones had their Conference on Friday Oct 24. The Missionaries in each Zone was bused to Harmony arriving at approximately 10:00 AM where they went immediately to the Isaac and Elizabeth Hale Farm. At the farm they were able to see where Emma Smith grew up and learn a little about the history of Pennsylvania, the Hales and their farm, and how Joseph Smith and Emma met and their courtship and marriage. They were shown the location of the Hale home (foundation still exists but is covered with soil), location of out buildings, well, and spring house. From here the Missionaries returned to the bus and were transported across the highway and about 500 yards down the road to the location of the Joseph and Emma Smith home where the Church has erected a monument of the Aaronic Priesthood Restoration. The missionaries were divided into two groups and one group was transported by vans to the banks of the Susquehanna River where Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry received the Aaronic Priesthood from the hands of John the Baptist and where they baptized each other. The other group divided into three groups and was told about the home of Joseph and Emma, the Aaronic Priesthood Monument, and the grave site of Isaac and Elizabeth Hale and of Alvin Smith the first born son of Joseph and Emma. The missionaries were then loaded onto the bus and taken about 20 miles to the Montrose Branch building where we had lunch, flu shots, and training meetings where they concluded with a testimony meeting where all of the missionaries bore a one minute testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After 3 days of these wonderful experiences we left the Montrose Branch at 6:00 PM on Friday and returned to Harrisburg arriving home at 10:00 PM very tired travelers.
Words cannot adequately describe the feelings in our heart as we stood on the banks of the Susquehanna with the missionaries. We have tried to express those feelings by sharing with you an excerpt from Elder Smith’s journal:
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Today we stood on the banks of the Susquehanna River where the Aaronic Priesthood was restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry. Go with me to the banks of the Susquehanna. From the Smith’s home it is a short distance to the site where Joseph and Oliver offered prayer and John the Baptist appear to them and gave them the Aaronic Priesthood. From the small flat spot on the hill above the river they then walked a short distance to the river and baptized each other and then ordained each other. As we walked down the fall leafs strewn pathway there seemed to be a quiet reverence and a feeling of sacred ground and sacred air space. A feeling comes into your heart that something very significant happened here. As you move down the trial you begin to hear the gentle breeze blowing in the trees and the stirring of the fallen leaves. You can hear the soft sounds of a flowing river over rock and reels. The sounds are very soothing and comforting. You stop and hear the voice of the President as he recounts the events that took place here on May 15, 1830. As he speaks your heart tells you that it is true, this is the place where it all began, this is the place where the Priesthood of God was brought back to the earth after a lengthy period of time where is was taken away. Elder Sandberg begins to sing the first verse of a poor wayfaring man of grief and the tears begin to flow. The music stops and there is a quiet peace settle over those on the river bank. Nearby you hear the soft voice of the river as it quietly flows to the west. The wind has stopped and the peace is felt to the very heart. But all is not quiet. Listen, listen, you can hear a new sound, the quiet peaceful beating of wings of doves as the Holy Ghost settles over those who are on the banks of this sacred place, testifying to all present that God lives, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and did in fact receive the Priesthood of God and restored HIS Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the earth never again to be taken until Christ returns in his glory. That its precepts are true and we can return to our Father in Heaven by following those precepts. Never has a witness come as strong to my heart as it did today that what we are doing is ordained of our Heavenly Father. That this is HIS work and glory.
At the conclusion of each conference we were privileged to hear the sweet testimonies of every one of the Elders and Sisters and to see and feel of their strength. It was so wonderful to feel their testimonies as they spoke of a testimony of Christ. We were able to share with them a revelatory experience as they Holy Ghost came to them on the river and in the Branch Building and bore witness to them of the truthfulness of this great work. Like the day of Pentecost we received the Holy Ghost and Prophesied. For the spirit of Prophesy is the testimony of Jesus Christ. The spirit of revelation is a testimony of Jesus Christ. Many who attended received answer to their prayers and had questions answered that they had in their heart as they come to the restoration site. There is something special about this place. Maybe it is the fact that this is where our roots began, where the Priesthood was restored that has so blessed our lives. Maybe it is because it is hallowed air space where angles have blessed our lives. Maybe it is the feel of reverence and awe because of the sacred events that took place here. Maybe it is remembering the great sacrifice that these wonderful people made for us that we could have the Book of Mormon to bless our lives. Maybe it is because the Vail that separates the world of spirits from us is very thin. Regardless of what it is, our lives have been touched and we go forward with a greater urgency and dedication for this work.
We love serving our mission here and we are blessed daily with health and strength to help sustain us in HIS work. We are sooo very grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and to serve the people here in PA. These are great people whom we have grown to love. It will be hard to leave here when we are released.
We love and appreciate all of you for your love, support and the many letters and emails. They sure so help encourage us and brighten each day we receive them. You are the BEST!!!
Sending our love,
Elder and Sister Smith =) =) =)
4 comments:
Mom & Dad,
I was wonderful to read about your neat experience. What a beautiful place! We love you!
Love,
Jeff, Ang, Katelyn, Caleb & Ally
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences and testimony! We shared parts of your account with our boys for FHE tonight. We all send our love!
What an amazing experience! Thank you for sharing! We love you and we're praying for you!
Love,
Rich, Kate and Adelle
Wow, it looks and sound like you are doin GREAT! You guys are such an example and we want you to know that we sure love you ever here at our house!!!
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