This Year's Come Follow Me

 

Before “Come Follow Me” was introduced the Doctrine & Covenants was part of a Church history study – taught in order of time frame when the revelation was given. 

Today we are taught chronologically – but it still helps to know one’s church history to know why the revelation was given.  Our goal is to find Jesus within the scriptures – not to dwell on church history.  We are also taught to teach by the Spirit – which I don’t think was the case today.

I have a hard time resonating with the current gospel doctrine instructor – though I’m not alone.  I wanted to share a discovery on my part but did not get the opportunity as my comments seemed to be brushed aside.  The instructor – who normally thrives on class participation – wanted to back up to the lost manuscripts and introduce Oliver Cowdrey.  Okay, I admit that my comment was a wee bit ahead of where he wanted to start – but I didn’t like the direction of conversation as comments seemed to focus more on the trivial matters than the message.  Also an entire class could be dedicated to any one section (6 – 11) but trying to cram all six into just one class is a bit much.

My comment was on (or would have been) on section 7 given between those dedicated to Oliver who had been serving as scribe but thought it would be great if he could also translate as Joseph.  A scribe is a gift.  It took Joseph and Oliver less time (about three months) to translate the entire Book of Mormon than did the first (lost) 116 pages.  Translating is a gifts.  One is not necessarily better than the other.  Same with John and Peter’s gifts mentioned in section 7.  Peter’s desire was to be guaranteed a place with the Savior on the other side – whereas John’s was to continue service until the time when the Savior made (or will make) his return.  BOTH are great gifts, talents, what have you.  One is not greater than the other.

My youngest son takes like a duck to water in almost everything he tries.  We don’t all have that in us.  Some are great at playing piano (or any instrument) , some are great at delegating or recognizing the talents of others (see this post), some are great at listening or cooking or crafts or computers . . . . we don’t all have to have the same talents.  We can benefit by enjoying or utilizing the talents of others.  We need to embrace one another and share our gifts with others and enjoy having that ability to appreciate the gifts of others.

There are many members of the “Come Follow Me” facebook page who will share their talents just by commenting or posting.  One such member is exceptional at pulling gems from different “Come Follow Me” podcasts and videos and making up power points bringing many views together.  I think it is awesome.

I still learn so much from videos I watch.  I am constantly taking screenshots and sorting “slides” for my own personal comprehension and I always study as though I am going to teach.  Well, I try to anyway. 

Last year I followed John Hilton religiously with this “Book of Mormon Master Class” videos.  And I have followed Scott Woodward with his “Doctrine and Covenant” backstory and message videos.  

He made up 15 of them three years ago. Unfortunately there aren’t any after section 19.  He currently does a podcast with Casey Griffiths.  I really wish he had continued with the “nutshell” videos.  I think they’re quite informative and am grateful that they’re still available for view.   

Technology: Interference and Unlimited

          I don’t know what platform is currently being used by stake.  There have been several complaints coming from our ward but I don’t know if it’s like that for all wards.  Recently three of the wards have been upgraded.  We are among the four that receive not-so-great viewing options.  Last week seemed fine, but we did have lots of interference yesterday.  We also had lots of rain.  So I suppose the weather interfered with – I’m guessing Frontier though I had suspected it had gone out of business as it is awful.

          We heard the opening hymn four times intermingled with Mormon Tabernacle Choir who were vibrant and definitely easier to hear.  I had the volume up as loud as it would go.  We heard the opening prayer three times.  Announcements twice.  And the first part of Elder Miller’s talk.  And then it reverted back and I finally turned it off.  But Jenna and I wanted to hear the rest of Elder Miller’s talk and so I signed in again.  We heard the end.  Nothing in the middle.

          The high counselor made a joke about the “dry council” as it was called when we were growing up. He wasn’t dry, but his deliverance somehow didn’t appeal to me and I lost track of the message.  We turned it off as Roland blessed and passed the sacrament.  And then I tried signing into Relief Society.  

        RS and SS use zoom.  Sunday School works great but RS and the Priesthood have different Zoom ID's seem to compete. At first I could only hear bits and pieces of the priesthood and then I couldn’t hear at all – though I wasn’t the only one with issues.  I could also hear another who had signed on and couldn’t hear.  We both ended up signing out and back in again.  It was about fifteen minutes before I got sound.  I could see seven aside the instructor but guessed there were at least three more as I could hear sisters I recognized by voice but did not have a view of them.

          My next stop was St. George – which worked the best of the three.  Elder Cooper showed me around Brigham Young’s winter home starting at the rear of the house.

though I was shown this hallway to begin with, we
did not use the stairs until the end of the tour - they
had been put in as part of the tour and not part of the original house

he referred to this as a "Mormon Couch" which can be used as a bed

He said that this was called a flat grand piano

The floors and much of the furniture is made out of white
 pine -though all have an appearance of something else

he said the two framed drawings are original to the house; the dishes are original
to the Young Collection but not a part of the winter house in St. George

 

this is the kitchen.  A hired helper roomed above the kitchen

another view of the kitchen and pantry through the door

though the stove is not the original the chair is

these are the stairs between the kitchen and the hired
hands' room; short skinny steps.  Not roomy at all

Amelia Young's bedroom; she never bore children

bedroom of Brigham Young.  Some original pieces - mostly copies.  I was most
interested in the dresser which my tour guide referred to as a trunk.  He said that
each of the drawers are numbered as the dimensions were of different sizes.

the cane on the bed is one that Brigham Young used

we spent a few minutes outside as he walked around 
and back; pay attention to the white bench

He referred to this as an office which I understood was not
built until after the dedication of the St. George Temple

As we walked inside Elder Cooper said the dedicatory prayer of the
temple had not been recorded and so the officials would use this office
to write down the prayer so that they would have it

The benches are originals but NOT to the house or office.  They were a part
of the 4th floor in the St. George Temple but were removed as the forth floor 
in temples (I think he said there were five of them) is no longer used

This shows behind the office. The colors
on house match original coloring

         When the tour was near its end and after I had thanked him, a group of four entered the gate and Elder Cooper let him know that the inside is for virtual touring right now but he would be happy to show them around outside and answer any questions.  Perhaps I should have stayed and listened but chose to sign off so that he could devote his attention to them.

If you would like to take a virtual tour in one of St. George historic sites click here to set up a time.

Enjoying the Virtual Touring

          Some people have told me

“Oh, you’ve got to see this site!” 

“You’ll have to visit that place!”

I don’t like crowds of people.  I can view things through books and/or video and probably be happier with it than going there in person – not to rule out visiting said destination if I happen to be in the area – but I don’t necessarily have to visit said sites in person and I’m okay with it.

 On February 4 I took a virtual tour of Palmyra in New York (here).  Today I took a virtual tour of the Mormon Battalion Historical site in San Diego, California.  It was GREAT!!!!  I didn’t have to stand.  I didn’t have to get up and move.  There was no crowd of people – not even online. The tour was my personal tour.  I feel so blessed for having had the opportunity as I had the missionaries to myself.

Who knew that acting might be a requirement of missionary service?  Not all missionaries are called to perform as in a skit.  The sisters called to serve at the Mormon Battalion Historical site become a part of the great story as they introduce us to real life characters that left the pioneer company in Iowa to join the soldiers that President Polk had ordered to serve in the war against Mexico.

I took more screen shots.  Some turned out nice.  Some not so great – they either blurred or changed more quickly than my fingers were able to press.  I enjoyed the creativity of the tour and learning more about the historical events.  

outside building

Sister Curtis and Sister Collins starting the tour

it was interesting to watch the portraits move

you'll notice that most of the portraits have left

Sister Collins demonstrates the equipment used

couple behind the window

Sister Curtis holds a washboard. Behind the
window is a viewing screen (see above)

mapping out the trek

more reenactment displayed on this screen

bringing the tour to a close/answering questions

moving to the display cases

a closer look and discussion about the shoes

 

For more information visit this facebook page (here)  and book a tour of your own.