Meridian Magazine article about Pres. and Sis. Condie

This is a wonderful article written in a local paper about our much beloved temple president and matron. We haven't known them for very long but have come to love them very much. Such caring people. They will be very much missed. Sister Condie told us in meeting we had in the Temple assembly hall, I wonder what fruit my husband partake that is causing us to be driven from this beautiful garden. I love President Condie's answer about weather the Joseph Smith first vision is true, just ask God, He was there. Sister Condie is as German as they come, she reminds me of my mother.

Kathy and I are loving our opportunity to be in this beautiful city of Joseph and working in the Temple. Yesterday was my first day being an ordinance worker. I sure hope it gets easier. I know that those of you working in the Salt Lake Temple have no sympathy for me since you have so much more to memorize. I sure find that working with Temple equipment is much much easier than working with Temple ordinances. I am going to keep working at it. Kathy gets to practice five days a week and I only get one day a week.

Love

Rudi

In the Nauvoo Temple, We All Act Medium

By Rosemary G. Palmer for Meridian Magazine

“In the late 19^th century, someone asked the famous Viennese composer Johann Strauss where he got inspiration for melodies for his well-known songs. He replied: ‘In Vienna the melodies are in the air.’ So it is with Nauvoo,” Spencer J. Condie said. “The spirit of the restoration of the gospel, the spirit of consecration and sacrifice, the spirit of Elijah, an abiding love for the Prophet Joseph, and the love of family history and temple work are in the air.”

For the past three years, Spencer J. and Dorothea S. Condie have listened to Nauvoo’s melodies while serving as temple president and matron and living in this historic community. They have worshipped almost daily in the temple—often as patrons--and participated in community events, such as the Untold Nauvoo Stories Symposium, Historic Nauvoo Christmas Walk, the Women’s Retreat, and the Pumpkin Walk.

2012 Pumpkin Walk

Early Nauvoo Saints

“Each morning when we view the Nauvoo Temple at sunrise and each evening as we view this illuminated citadel overlooking the Mississippi, we stand in awe of the early Saints who sacrificed so much to build this beautiful, sacred edifice,” President Condie said. His love of Joseph Smith deepened as he walked Joseph’s streets and served in “Joseph’s temple.”

“Sacred keys were restored on the banks of the Susquehanna River and in New Harmony, Pennsylvania, and in the Kirtland Temple,” President Condie said. “In Nauvoo in 1841, the Lord revealed that the fullness of the priesthood had not been completely restored: ‘For a baptismal font there is not upon the earth, that they, my saints, may be baptized for those who are dead’” (D&C 124:29).

In spite of great opposition, the early Saints pressed forward and completed His holy house wherein they received higher priesthood ordinances and covenants. Before leaving Nauvoo in 1846, they wrote a message in the temple assembly hall: “The Lord has beheld our sacrifice: come after us.” Thanks to their sacrifice, every ordinance administered in LDS temples today was introduced and practiced in Nauvoo in the 1840s.

Temple Ordinance Workers Today

“The consecrated service of those early Saints is mirrored at least in part by the devotion of the 160 temple missionaries and 190 district ordinance workers who have served so faithfully during the past three years,” President Condie said as he reflected on his experience as Nauvoo Temple President.

“Those who built the first Nauvoo Temple were in their twenties and thirties and forties.” Brigham Young was 45, John Taylor was 38, Wilford Woodruff was 39, and Lorenzo Snow was 32 when they crossed the Mississippi River. Today, “the average age of our current temple missionaries is 72, with some as old as 87 and many having celebrated 50 to 60 years of marriage. Several workers have served multiple missions, including one couple currently serving a sixth mission,” President Condie said. “Their hardships do not consist of being jostled about whilst riding in a covered wagon over rough terrain, nor walking through sagebrush, sand, and snow beside the oxen, or trying to stretch meager food supplies. These temple pioneers climb endless stairs with arthritic hips and knees and stand on legs plagued with varicose veins or with back pain from laminated vertebrae, enduring faithfully to the end of each shift.”

“We All Act Medium”

As temple president, President Condie frequently counseled missionary and district ordinance workers that in the Nauvoo Temple “no one acts big, no one acts small—we all act medium.”

In Moses 7:18 we read: “And the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness.” In the Nauvoo Temple, ordinance workers catch a glimpse of what a Zion society might be like. With no consideration to socioeconomic status or previous church callings (e.g., mission or temple president, Area Seventy, nursery leader), all temple workers dress in white, strive to be “of one heart and one mind,” and feel the Lord’s guiding influence in His house. They greet patrons with warm smiles and often whisper, “Welcome to the temple” or “Thanks for coming to the temple today.” And they try to follow President Condie’s counsel that “no one acts big, no one acts small—we all act medium.”

Tom Rose, a former temple missionary, remembered how President Condie “acted medium” even when he served in the First Quorum of the Seventy: “I used to ride the UTA bus to Salt Lake City from Provo for work. That is where I met Spencer Condie. I was so impressed by his humility. He made me feel comfortable when talking to me. I'm usually intimidated by someone like him, but he put me at ease with his friendliness and willingness to converse with an average person.”

Elder and Sister Ritchie

Sister Elizabeth Ritchie said, “When President Condie talks in our temple preparation meetings, it feels like a General Conference address. His ‘Condie-isms,’ as we lovingly call his one-liners, cement the lessons in our minds.” For example: “If you want to know if Joseph Smith saw God the Father and the Son, ask God. He was there.”

Sister Ritchie noted that President Condie often ends his comments with “It’s all true.” Sometimes in a meeting he will ask a specific person, ‘Have I told you lately that I love you?’” When someone greets or thanks President Condie, he quietly answers, “Bless you.”

President Condie calls Sister Condie “my angel wife,” and he often plants a kiss on her cheek to show his love.

“Sister Condie is a wonderful matron who gives quiet, loving corrections and advice,” Sister Ritchie said. “Her Sunday Sociable address about her childhood in Nazi Germany--when Dresden was bombed during WWII--was an inspiration to all who heard her.” Although the family lost everything, they were protected because they listened to and followed her father who held the priesthood. By listening to promptings from the Holy Ghost, her father saved his family from a fiery death.

Former missionaries Lynn and LuAnn Cole wrote, “You just cannot be around the Condies for very long and not feel their tender and caring spirits. They truly do follow the Savior's admonition to love one another”—and to just act medium.

In the Nauvoo Temple chapel is a picture of the Savior in Gethsemane painted by Ken Corbett from an original by Heinrich Hofmann. In this painting we see a tear in the Savior’s eye as He prays to the Father and performs the atonement. This beautiful painting is a reminder that “no one acts big, no one acts small—we all act medium,” for all are to “come unto Christ and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32).

Hofmann’s “Christ in Gethsemane”

Elder and Sister Holland recalled, “When we first arrived in Nauvoo, President Condie met us at the door and said, ‘Well, here are the Hollands from Texas!’ We had never met, but he knew who we were.” They were excited when the Condies were assigned to their house for a “break-the-fast” dinner. “I told Sister Condie that I had made German pancakes. I showed her a soufflé-looking pancake, and she smiled and with a twinkle in her eye said, ‘I've never seen that in Germany.’ Later, she told us she calls that imitation dish ‘hoot-a-nanny.’” Elder and Sister Holland want to be just like the Condies when they grow up.

Linda Renfro, a district temple worker, recalled Sister Condie’s “steady ways, seemingly always to be on target towards heaven. Her laugh and sense of humor are contagious. I have yet to know how she floats when she walks with the quietest walk. And she doesn’t need to be recognized when she enters a room.” Linda noted President Condie’s “many and fruitful attempts to help others feel good about themselves.” She appreciated his “gift of chatter, his humorous anecdotes, and his humanness--his willingness to admit he is still learning while yet on this earth.”

Nauvoo Events

President and Sister Condie participated in February Mormon Exodus re-enactments, and each year the weather provided insights to the historic event. In 2011, the weather proved cold and snowy; in 2012, umbrellas sheltered participants from rain; and, in 2013, a sharp biting wind blew, and huge shards of ice produced ice waves on the river.

2011 Mormon Exodus Walk

The Condies attended many Nauvoo Pageant performances during their three summers in Nauvoo. “The City of Joseph and ‘Joseph’s Temple,’ as President Hinckley referred to it, stand as a suitable memorial to the Prophet Joseph Smith and to the truth of the restoration of all things,” President Condie said. The Nauvoo Pageant pays tribute to Joseph Smith and the early Saints. “The completion of the temple following the martyrdom and the dogged determination of the Saints to reap the blessings of the temple before leaving it all behind stand as a witness of the truth of this work.”

During the 2012 Historic Nauvoo Christmas Walk, President and Sister Condie dressed in period costume and greeted visitors at the Print Shop. Sister Condie told the story of “Silent Night” (“Stille Nacht”) by Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber and its first performance in Oberndorf, Austria, in 1818. After the retelling, President Condie played his guitar and sang “Stille Nacht” in German. The room radiated with the Christmas spirit, thanks to President and Sister Condie who blessed others with their talents and service and “acted medium.”

“Stille Nacht” in the Print Shop

At the 2013 Nauvoo Women’s Retreat with the theme “We Rejoice in Christ,” President and Sister Condie spoke on “We Prophecy of Christ.” Sister Condie talked about Easter and the Savior’s atonement and said, “Glory be to the Father that Jesus partook and completed the atonement. He stands with arms outstretched to welcome us back into His presence.” President Condie remarked that Book of Mormon prophets spoke of Christ’s atonement in present and past tense even before the Savior was born. President Condie noted that the temple is not just a place of sealing but a place of healing. Just as in Ezekiel 47, where waters issued from the temple in Jerusalem and healed the Dead Sea, living waters of temples today can do the same for families.

Preparing to speak at Women’s Retreat

“From these past three years of living in Nauvoo and worshipping almost daily in the beautiful Nauvoo Temple, we have harvested a garner full of lessons, insights, and blessings,” President Condie said.He and Sister Condie--with her quiet, humble spirit and reverence for the temple--gave ordinance workers a garner full of lessons, insights, and blessings. Thank you, President and Sister Condie, for leading and teaching ordinance workers how to “act medium” as they love and serve each other and those who enter His holy house.

On November 1, 2013, James A. and Denise S. McArthur from St. George, Utah, will begin their service as Nauvoo Temple president and matron. Temple missionaries, district ordinance workers, and patrons welcome the McArthurs and look forward to harvesting new lessons, insights, and blessings.

Rosemary Palmer is Nauvoo correspondent for Meridian Magazine.

Happy Halloween from BOOtiful Nauvoo

O.K. I got carried away with the number of pictures I sent this week! We go so many fun places on our p-days that I can't resist.
This past week we went with Bro. and Sister Prince on another day trip. We left Nauvoo about 8:00 a.m. and went to Cantril Iowa. Along the way we saw so many beautiful fall leaves and fun farmyard Halloween decorations. They really go all out for Halloween here.
Our first stop was at a Menedite leather factory. What a neat place to visit. They make all their own leather goods without any power. They use lanterns to light their homes and factory. We bought a piece of leather with 8 bells hooked on it and Rudi wanted to pay with a credit card, but guess what, they don't take credit cards because they require power to run the card machine. We take everything for granted in our electronic world.
From there we went to a cheese factory that the Ommish run. I've never tasted so many different cheeses. Of course we had to buy our favorites. What nice friendly people they are who run these factories. It's fun to talk to them about their faith and way of life. They know all about the Mormons, as they call us. Most of the missionaries frequent their places.
Then we went to the neatest store all day. It's the Iron and Lace store in Bentonsport, Iowa. They sell really beautiful pottery that has the Queen Anne's lace pattern on all of the pieces. I bought a butter dish there and hope to someday get the nativity pieces. Rudi promised to take me back someday and check out the price. I didn't have the nerve to tell him how much it cost!
Next we stopped at a huge country store called the Dutchman in Cantril.
I think it had everything plus in there. We sampled a lot of things and of course Kathy had to purchase a few items, like ice cream cones, fudge, and chocolate covered pecans.
The day was so fun and relaxing after a full week in the temple. We needed to unwind and I needed to think about something other than the temple parts.
Don't get me wrong, I love the temple but I've been stressing a lot about getting everything memorized and checked off before the temple closes down the first two weeks of November.
This week has been a lot better than last week. My face is finally without scabs all over it except for my nose. It looks a lot better and the doctor says the hole is healing faster than expected.
The temple has been pretty busy this past week because the patrons know it will be closed for 2 weeks starting Nov. 2nd.
Friday night we went to a Chinese restaurant in Fort Madison with our neighbors the Heils. It was really good and we got to know the Heils better. He's an artist that went to BYU with Jim Christensen. He knows him quit well. Bro. Heil painted all the missionaries a landscape picture that was present at the going away party for the missionaries Monday night. I forgot to mention how wonderful the whole evening was. The dinner was catered and decorated so beautiful. The tables had place cards and big bouquets of fall leaves with acorns, walnuts, and other plants from around Nauvoo. The program was outstanding! They sang songs and put on a little skit that was so fun and entertaining. These missionaries are so professional. Some of the songs were written just for this night and their voices are super.
Rudi and I are so impressed with everything that we go to. We can't believe how talented they are. What are we doing among the cream of the crop? We need to sharpen up or find a talent.
By the sound of this letter you must think that all we do is party! Well it is a fun mission but we also work hard at the temple. We will really miss the 20 couples leaving tomorrow to go home. The ones staying will need to be extra sharp and cover a lot more positions. I guess I'm ready!
Rudi will start Tuesday working in the temple doing ordinance work instead of engineering things. He's getting excited but nervous about all the memorizing.
He'll do fine but needs to be patient. Listen to me giving out the advice!
Today was another wonderful Sabbath Day in Nauvoo. Once again we were so impressed with the talks and the site missionary choir. There are 4 speakers that take 8 minutes each and no longer. What a novel idea! Its so different to see all old men passing the sacrament.
After Sacrament we went to a special testimony meeting in the temple Assemble Hall. It was really spiritual and sad to think so many will be leaving us tomorrow. A missionary sang In This Very Room, it was so powerful and touching. The meeting only lasted 3 hours. It didn't seem that long until I got home and saw that my ankles and feet were really swollen. Oh well, it was worth it! Right after that we had the three couples who live across the street from us over for dinner. They are the Heils, Jordons and the Jensen's. It was so fun and they kept complimenting me on the food. I made Market Street clam chowder, spinach salad, hot rolls with honey butter, and blueberry and cherry pie with ice cream for dessert. It really did turn out great.
Yesterday when I started to make the pies I realized I didn't have a rolling pin, or pastry blender. So I used a glass jar as my rolling pin, and the potato masher as a pastry blender. They turned out just fine but much harder to do that way. Today when I served the pie I realized I didn't have a pie server either. I know what I'm getting at Wal-mart this week.
Tonight is a farewell open house for Pres. and Sis. Condie. Guess what our day isn't over yet, we're on the committee to help with the get together. I'll tell you we're busy all the time but absolutely loving our time in Nauvoo.
Well I best close and get over to the open house.
We send our love and prayers to all of you. I never miss a day without putting my dear family's name on the prayer roll. I know we're being blessed and I hope you all are well and happy.

Until next week enjoy each other and keep the faith.

Rudi and Kathy
Elder and Sister Diederich

 

 

 Rudi and I at the Omish leather factory.
Loved the bells! Bought a set of 8 bells to bring home for Christmas. The grandkids will love them.

Kathy already to pull a team of horses!

At the Mendenite cheese factory in Milton, Iowa.

Bro. and Sister Prince at the cheese factory. He's an engineer also and they took us on our P-day activity.

I don't know who's the most scary! Rudi in front of the most fun store called Iron and Lace. I know what I want for Christmas.

Kathy picking out a butter dish. That's all I could afford! Love this pottery.

 

Here's my Christmas present someday.
 

A store all decked out for Halloween.

My kind of store! Candy and then some!

Kathy crossing the Des Moines River.

All decked out for church. Check out the pretty nose.

This hotel was built by the Mormons on their way to Salt Lake in 1846.

Sign in front of the hotel. No, I'm not part of the 1846 Saints.

Loved the paint job on this restored business.

Two Omish girls at Dutchmans Store. They were so nice to let me take their picture, most of the time they refuse!

Got to have ice cream whenever you can. So yummy!

 A store along the freeway with thousands of pumpkins and a cute craft store to tempt me.

 

 Pumpkins of every size, shape, and color.

You can even get a truck load of pumpkins!

 Great picture of Rudi and all the pumpkins.

 Rudi playing with the kids games. Love the yellow rubber duckies.

 Rudi at his best!

 Some carved pumpkins for sale.

 Love the bright red fall colors. Check out the temple in the background.

 Yellow isn't bad looking either!

 Our dream house on the Mississippi River. Well a person can dream! We pass this every time we go to Keokuk.

 

Children playing in the corn. Not sand but all corn!

Kathy's Stories...

I have 3 stories to tell you. Pick the one you like best.

1
The mob came to our house Monday night to tar and feather me but I told them to take Kathy instead. This is what she looked like after I got all of the tar off of her face.

2
Monday night Kathy talked back to me and this is the result. No, this story is too unbelievable because I would be the one with the scared face.

3
Tuesday morning at 6 am on our way to the Temple, Kathy tripped over a blade of grass and fell flat on her face onto the gravel driveway.

Pick the story you like best and that will be the truth.

This morning we had Sacrament meeting at the Stake center along with the site missionaries. After Sacrament meeting the site missionaries go to work being site missionaries at all of the different sites here in Nauvoo and at Carthage jail. The Temple missionaries go on to Sunday school and Priesthood and Relief Society. Today we had Sunday school in the old cultural hall with Susan Easton Black Durant and her husband George Durant giving the lesson. They gave a very good lesson and were very funny. As you might expect they are very interesting and entertaining.

After Sunday school the women stayed in the cultural hall for Relief Society meeting and the men went to the seventies hall for priesthood meeting. Kathy taught the sisters and I taught the brothers. Just try teaching when you follow the Durant's. Of course Kathy did very good and I did ok. Several men said I did very good, just goes to show that Temple missionaries can tell lies just like ordinary people. Kathy and I were both assigned to talk on President Eyring's talk "To my grandchildren" which he gave last conference. It was fun to think what advise I would give to my grand kids when they are about to follow into the wonderful world of family creation. To any grandkids who might be reading this just remember that there is joy guaranteed for the faithful. There is one overarching commandment that will help us to meet the challenges and lead to the heart of a happy family life. Jesus said Thou shalt love The Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Enough preaching. The seventies hall is a very beautiful and unique building The hall holds about 70 people. What a coincidence seventies hall -- 70 people. The pulpit kind of wraps around you as you stand there. Those who have seen the building know what I mean. If you haven't seen it you must come and see it for yourself. The last time I was in that building was when Joseph McConkie taught us from that pulpit. His funeral was yesterday.

The spirit is so strong where ever we go in this beautiful city. Yesterday we went to the old Nauvoo cemetery. Sacrament meeting could not have been more spiritual. The people could not be more pleasant to be around. Just a great place to be and working in the Temple is a real delight.

We love you all very much.

Remember that "life is great, the Church is true. I'm a child of God, AND SO ARE YOU!" If we could all remember that our search for happiness would be much easier. (Thanks to Nick for that saying)

Rudi (with Kathy's approval)

A Week of Trials!

 

Well an other week has come and gone and I'm hoping this week will be better than last week! Everything was going great until Thursday morning when Rudi and I were leaving to go to the temple. I accidentally missed the end of the sidewalk and landed flat on my face in our gravel driveway. Both my hands were full carrying our lunches and so I took the full force of my weight on my face. It was so dark that Rudi and I didn't know how bad it was until we got in the cottage. On the way into the cottage I kept spitting out gravel from my mouth. When we got in the light and looked in the mirror I was sick. We were both covered in blood. You know how bad the face bleeds, well we were a mess. Rudi's white shirt was really messed up and my outfit looked awful. I was so grateful that all my teeth were still in the right place. The bridge of my nose took the hardest blow. I have a pretty good sized gash across that area. I think the biggest damage was my pride! Rudi just kept saying how did you do it. You know Rudi, until it happens to him it doesn't make sense!
He tried not to laugh but it got the better of him and he about exploded. Rudi took me to the doctor who handles all the senior missionaries her in Nauvoo. He's not sure if I need plastic surgery yet. I see him again on Tuesday. Rudi thought you'd enjoy and maybe get a good laugh out of the progression of pictures of my face.
I feel much better today, wish I looked better! I think I'll have a permanent souvenir on my nose to always remember Nauvoo.
Since I wasn't able to go to the temple to work for the past 3 days I've spent my extra time doing what I like to do best, cook. Friday I made homemade caramels, they turned out perfect [thanks Laura for teaching me how to be a little like you]. Saturday I made pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting. I was going to make Lasagna but I forgot to buy hamburger and my freezer is back in Utah. Spaghetti was second choice with just meatless sauce. Now what to do with 3 dozen pumpkin cookies! Thank goodness I have tons of wonderful neighbors who love goodies like we do. What about all those caramels....Well the SWEET sisters in Relief Society got those. Where are my grandkids and children when I need them.
Last week wasn't all bad. I was just starting to fill good about my progress in the temple when I fell. I only hope when I get back on Tues. I won't have forgotten everything.
I've been reading a book that Pres. Condie loaned me called, The Savior in Kirkland. I've enjoyed it so much and recommend it highly. It tells about all the visions and blessings that occurred during the Kirkland period.
Today is Sunday and our first regular meeting schedule. The sacrament talks were outstanding and so spiritual. Four site missionaries spoke and the temple choir sang. It was so quiet I really soaked in the spirit of the meeting. I'm not use to that quiet of a meeting. It's surprising how much better I can concentrate without any noise or distractions. I miss the children in our home ward but the quiet here is amazing!
Our Sunday School lesson was just a continuance of that special spirit. We left the regular meeting house and went down to the Old Cultural Hall in Old Nauvoo for our other two meetings. What a treat we had today, Sister Durrant {formerly Susan Easton Black] was our Sunday School teacher. What a powerful woman and such a delightful and humorous person. I really started to get nervous thinking I was going to teach the Relief Society lesson right after her. She's a hard act to follow!!!!
I guess my lesson went over o.k. Once again the sisters here are so sweet that I don't know if they know how to tell the truth. The message was on Happiness and how we can get it and keep it in our lives forever, especially when we start our own families. Pres. Eyring is so knowledgeable and has such a special spirit about him that it was easy to talk about his October conference talk about "To My Grandchildren". Reread it for a family home evening lesson, it's very powerful.
Rudi and I were put on the Activities Committee today. It was the strangest thing. They released all the missionaries that are going home next week and replaced them with missionaries that will be staying, the only strange part was that they don't call you before and ask if you'll accept, they just assume we will and guess what we will.
Tomorrow we're going with Elder and Sister Prince on a road trip to Cantrell, I think it's a Dutch community with fun, cute little shops. Should be fun! I'll send pictures next week.
Well I think I've taken up enough of your time reading about the excitement we're having in Nauvoo. I'll keep you posted on whether I need plastic surgery or not. Everyone tells me to make sure I go to the very best, especially for any work on the face.

Hope everything is going great for all our family and friends. We love you tons and appreciate all your phone calls letters, pictures and most importantly your prayers.
Remember two of my favorite thoughts for the week:
"Life is a mission, not a career." As Church members, our mission should be the greatest, noblest mission in the universe--the salvation of souls.
And:
A pioneer member leaving Nauvoo stated: I had to give away all I had, to gain everything I want."

Keep the faith and have a great week.

With love always,

Elder Rudi and Sister Kathy Diederich
[I'm kind of getting use to our new titles]

The Temple Presidency. From left to right, Bro. and sister Marshall temple recorder; Pres. and Sister Rutowski 1st counselor in temple presidency; the Parsons, we moved into their cottage; Pres. and Sister Condie Temple President and matron; Pres. and Sister Jenson 2nd counselor in temple presidency, and our next door neighbors. All wonderful people!




The geese are really flying south for the winter.

We see deer like this all the time in our backyard.



Now this is fall in all its splendor.



Farmyard in rural Nauvoo. Let me see all of Nauvoo is rural!!!!

Sequence of pictures of my famous fall. I wish I was as pretty as the fall foliage!
The doctor took this picture at his office, with Rudi laughing in the background.

Rudi thought we needed more pictures so here I am again in living color and full sun.



Day 2 and still pretty beat up looking!



Day 3 and trying to smile but it hurts!

Day 4 all ready for church and facing public for the first time. I guess I'm going to teach my Relief Society lesson. Poor sisters that have to look at me for 35 minutes.



I don't think this is the Anson Call that is our relative since this man died during his travels from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City.



Notice all the Thomas's. These people were also among the saints that perished while crossing the plains. This plaque is found at the waters edge in Nauvoo in remembrance of those soles who had great hope and faith of reaching Salt Lake.

Fall Is In The Air!!!

Hello again from colorful Nauvoo! It's starting to feel like fall and smell like the mountains with a fire going. Maybe that's because in Nauvoo they have a big area where you can bring your leaves and green waste and they burn it for you.
Well we've been here for two weeks and it just gets better every week. I'm finally learning all the parts in the temple and that takes off a little stress. Rudi just keeps having fun working on the mechanical parts of the temple. Hopefully he will start doing temple ordinances in November. He really wants to learn that part of the temple too.
If we don't mention a lot about our experiences in the temple there's a reason for that. They've asked us not to share sacred experiences outside the temple. Come see us and we'll take you through the temple and explain some of our special moments.
We want you all to know that the Nauvoo Temple has a very special spirit about it and we are so lucky to be able to serve here.
Sunday night we attended a devotional in the Assemble Room in the temple. It seats 350 people and every seat was taken. Pres. Condie has to get special permission from the First Presidency to use the room. It was a wonderful meeting with all the temple presidency and their wives speaking. The musical numbers were absolutely fantastic.
Last week we worked our first 40 hour week. Rudi is use to that many hours but I was beat in a good way. The parts are finally coming slowly but surely. All the sisters are so helpful and kind to me that I feel like I'm living in a Zion Society where everyone helps each other and no one is better than anyone else.
When Sunday came around we thought it would be a day of rest but forget that! We started with sacrament meeting at 8:00 a.m. and then onto Stake Conference at 10:00 until 12:00. Dinner with some of the engineers and then off to the devotional. Not through yet, a missionary couple came over and asked us to teach Relief Society and Priesthood next Sunday. They stayed and visited until almost 10:00. Oh, the couple is from Orem and he taught seminary at Mountain View when my kids were there, his name is Bro. Buchanan. Do any of you remember him? He thinks he had some of you in his class. He was also a stake president in the stake just north of our stake home stake. Ron Hawkins you might remember him.
Rudi is panicking about teaching but he'll be great. I'll be teaching in the old Nauvoo Cultural Hall, and Rudi will be in the 70's Hall. I guess we're being challenged already! Luckily we'll be teaching the same lesson, so we can help each other. What am I going to do without a U-Haul to take all my props and handouts and table decorations!
I realize I'm sending a lot of pictures but our younger and not so young grandkids relate more to pictures than the written word. Rudi and I are looking all the time for things that they might love to see like COWS!!!
Today for our road trip we went to Quincy which is about 50 minutes south of Nauvoo. Then we went further south to Hannibal. It was so much fun seeing life on the Mississippi River through Mark Twain eyes. What a fun city! We took lots of pictures and sent them on hopefully with this email. On our way back to Nauvoo we stopped and had lunch at Applebees in Quincy. Yea! I felt a little homesick there.
We also stopped in Keokuk so I could finally get my nails done. Badly needed!
Rudi and I went on a big walk around Old Nauvoo on Saturday before our shift at the temple. We then went on a wagon ride through Nauvoo and just about was late for the temple. We had to hustle back and change clothes and pack our dinner. Rudi even ran ahead of me to get the car. What a sight to see him running! Oh well we made it thanks to him.
Well I've told you about everything I can think of. We keep reminding ourselves that The Lord is blessing us and hopefully all of you.

We love and miss you a lot but know we'll make it with your love and prayers.

With love from Nauvoo,

Elder and Sister Diederich
or better known as Rudi and Kathy or Grandpa and Grandma

 

Parking lot at the visitors center

 

 

Tree next to our cottage

 

More beautiful trees

Cows for Jensen!  Or are they oxen?

Horses that pull wagons around Old Nauvoo.

Rudi at Brigham Young's home.

 

Rudi helping Tom Sawyer paint the fence.

Mark Twain and I next to the steam boat on the Mississippi River.

Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn with the infamous Kathy.

Plaque given to Mark Twain for his statue.

Steam boat on the Mississippi River.

Rare picture of Rudi and I together at Lovers Leap.

Statue of Mark Twain as a captain on the Mississippi.

More cows!