Sunday, Aug. 21, 2016 – Heber C. Kimball Home, District Meeting & Dinner

Usually Sis. Johnson & I have Sunday after church off but every second or third Sunday we are assigned to be tour guides at one of the historic sites in Nauvoo for the whole afternoon. Today was one of those Sundays. Our assigned site was the home of the Apostle, Heber C. Kimball and his family. We enjoy these special Sundays because Sis. Johnson and I get to meet and teach visitors as well learn new things about the early members of the church. In this case, an Apostle, his family, his home and the eight missions he was called to serve by the Lord.

One of my favorite stories about Heber C. Kimball was the time he and Brigham Young were leaving on a mission to England from Nauvoo.  Heber left his wife in bed shaking with Ague (Malaria like symptoms) and his children sick.  It was only by the assistance of others that Heber, himself also very ill, could climb into a wagon.  He later remarked:  “It seemed to me as though my very inmost parts would melt within me at leaving my family in such a condition, as it were, almost in the arms of death.  I felt as though I could scarcely endure it.

“Hold up!” said Heber to the teamster. “Brother Brigham, this is pretty tough, but let us rise up and give them a cheer.”  Brigham, who was also ill at the time, rose to his feet and joined Heber in swinging his hat and shouting, “Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, for Israel!”  Heber’s wife Vilate and the wife of Brigham Young, hearing the cheer came to the door – Sister Kimball with great difficulty.  The two women waved farewell.  The two apostles then continued their journey without purse or scrip to England.

It is a testimony to me that the sacrifice for the cause of Christ provides direction for our lives and the strength to endure. The blessings we receive for the sacrifices we make not only bless us in the eternities but throughout this life on earth as well. Heber C. Kimball was a valiant servant of the Lord throughout his whole life. He was not only blessed to be an apostle of the Lord while the Prophet Joseph Smith was alive but he also served as a counselor to the Prophet Brigham Young until his death in 1868.

One of the visitors to the Heber C. Kimball home was a father and his 18 year old son from St. Louis, MO. The young man had received a call to serve a Spanish speaking mission to San Jose California. He commented that he will be reporting to the MTC in Mexico City, not Provo! He said, “My route to the mission field will be a big “V” as he gestured with his finger in the air and made a large “V”. This young missionary will have the blessing of learning Spanish immersed in a country and culture of all Spanish speakers.

Tonight Sis. Johnson and I attended our monthly District Meeting and Dinner at the home of Elder & Sis. Walton who live in The Bushnell House. These District Meetings & Dinners are as much a social event as they are a training meeting. We always look forward to them.  The dinner was great, the company was wonderful and the meeting was good too.