Teaching is Learning

I had a wonderful experience with a non-member visitor in June. She had come to Nauvoo with a group of seniors on a day tour, and had listened to our hymnfest-- the concert we do at 3:45 in the Women's Garden in which we all play hymns and bear testimony in between. I had born testimony in my announcement of one of the hymns that we can always trust God.  In talking to her afterward, we got on that topic and she shared with me her belief in trusting God, which was exactly what I needed to hear at that time and made both of us teary-eyed. The Spirit was so powerful as both of us were edified and rejoiced together! (D&C 50) I am grateful that the Spirit teaches all of us the same way, and that in being called to teach the gospel I am blessed to be learning it, as well.

Following the Spirit

Here is a quick thought about an experience I had:

I had a wonderful experience last Sunday when we were helping with the Trail of Hope.  I led a group down the trail.  It was full of Youth and I am allowed to bear my testimony at the very end.  Throughout the trail I was praying for what I could bear testimony of and when we got to the end I had this overwhelming feeling to talk about how God answers our prayers and that He is mindful of us every moment of every day.  He keeps us close to Him if we are willing to draw near unto Him.  Some people thanked me and others went on their way.  I don't know if they needed to hear it but I know that the Spirit was with me and I spoke truth. Then I went back to the beginning to take another tour (we had over 600 people waiting). I was talking with this family and they asked me to be the one that led them down. And at the beginning and the end I bore testimony.  It was a very cool experience, one that I will treasure always.  The mom of that family came to me afterwards and thanked me for the spirit that I had.  She said it made their experience that much more special. 

Testimony

I LOVE IT HERE IN NAUVOO!! I have learned so much from the saints then and now. I have come to understand the importance of the Restoration and how it affects us today. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. He was an ordinary man doing extraordinary things through the power of God.  I have also come closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father by bearing testimony everyday.  And I have come closer to Him in prayer. I can do nothing without Him.  Sister Peacock. John 14:31.

Trail of Hope

Although we as a band attended the Trail of Hope vignettes quite a while ago, I still wanted to share some of the sacred feelings I had. It was an incredible experience to walk the same path that the early Saints did at the time of their departure from Nauvoo, and consider their magnanimous faith. Though they left behind everything they had, they still trusted in their God to guide them to a better life. I have a greater desire to face my trials and unknowns with faith because of the experience: as I stared into the water of the river that they crossed, I could not help but feel gratitude for the trust which I can have in God, and renewed desire to go forward believing. I wrote a poem about the experience:

They walked here.

They left

lives and memories, homes and plans

In God's hands. They found strength

in the light which flowed

toward them from

the Temple

Where they had come to know God.

They left it

trusting they would come

to know Him

as He walked with them

down that old, old path

of Parley Street.

They didn't leave

behind all they had;

they embraced it.

All they had was hope

for peace through Christ.

Their hope

pulled their burdened handcarts,

lifted their weary feet,

and made the air with music ring

as they faced

the obsidian river.

Their hope

flowed from the Temple

to light the trail.

Their hope

flows from the temple still

to touch the hearts of present saints

who make the opposite journey:

toward the Temple;

who face obsidian rivers

hand in hand with Him

who walks with us

on Parley Street.

The gospel was and still is worth the sacrifice.

Back Again

This is a long time in coming, but I want to share the miracle of how I came to be here in Nauvoo. My story is a story of simple, but powerful miracles that shows that our Heavenly Father has a plan, and that it encompasses every single thing that happens to every one of us. It is story that begins, with a common cold.

My story of how and why i'm here begins one Sunday, In a Sunday around November 2010. During the cold winter months, many of us get get to suffer through a cold or other illness, and my little brother Sam, was doing just that. Because of this, my mom had to stay home to care for him. Being a great mom, she decided that since they weren't going to have a sharing time at church, she was going to go on the church website and have their own at home. Well, she opened up the page, and to her surprise, she saw this announcement that read something like "families wanted to be in the Nauvoo pageant." My wonderful mother was so thrilled with this, that she decided to apply to be in it, and see what happened. Well a few months later we got a call back, and we were accepted to be in the Nauvoo pageant.

So, that next summer, we  went to Nauvoo for the two weeks we were in the pageant, and let me tell you, Nauvoo has a special spirit to it. From the first minute I got there, to now, I have felt it, and i know  now that it is because of the saints who sacrificed so much when they left, so we all could have that we do. I have felt that spirit whenever i have been here since. 

Well, we were in the pageant for that year, and we loved it so much, that we decided to apply for it again. By this time we knew that out of around 800 families that applied, only around 250 were accepted, so we figured that it probably wouldn't be our turn again to be in it, but we went for it anyway. I guess that is where we were meant to be, because we were called back again. Because we had already experienced it once, we were able to enjoy a lot more of the sites to see around Nauvoo, and I was able to go to the family living center and talk to one of the band sisters that was giving tours there at that time, and I had seen the band on the streets, and thought it would be something really fun to do, so when we got home from Nauvoo, I decided to audition. I sent in my video, and was called back, but I Live in Missouri, so they just had me send in another video, and I was accepted, and called to be a missionary out here in Nauvoo.

There's more back-story to it though. When I was younger, i actually played the violin in school orchestra, and i never considered learning a brass instrument. Only when my parents moved us to a small school in Missouri that had no orchestra program did i consider playing a brass instrument. I actually decided to play the trombone, and i learned that. Well, our band was missing an extremely important instrument, the Tuba, so I took it upon myself to learn it, and. Without that intricately mastered plan, I wouldn't be serving here today, and again, just goes to show the power, but also the love, god has towards us.

While I've been serving here, I am reminded again and again of our Heavenly Father's eternal plan for us, and I hope my story helps you all as well.

Pass it Along...

On May 24th, the Band Wagon stopped for our daily break at the end of Parley street over looking the Mississippi river. Elder Foster and I spoke with a family that were stopped at the spot with us. Elder Foster and I had a very wonderful experience with them and we spoke about why they were here in Nauvoo, that was the first time they had stopped in that spot in Nauvoo. They passed Nauvoo many a times driving from Ohio, and they admired our temple but that was the first day they stopped to really look at the temple and the beautiful site of the Mississippi river. They were a part of the Lutheran religion but didn't quite feel apart of that church and they loved how we the people of Nauvoo smiled and had a glow about us. In the middle of the conversation there Elder Brague called us to board the Wagon again. I quickly ran to the wagon and grabbed 4 reference cards to give the family; 2 Nauvoo Brass Band cards, 1 Mormon.org card, and 1 with Jesus and the children on front and the Articles of Faith on back. They happily took them and got pictures with us afterwards. I then boarded the Wagon and left with a smile and a wave with Elder Foster and the rest of the Band.

I didn't think much about that day until I was told 2 days later by our teamster, Elder Nun, about what happened after we left. The family decided to look around Nauvoo and see the sites. They viewed some places and later that day ended up in the Lands and Records building where Elder Nun was serving after the Wagon Ride. They were interested in learning more about the church and the gospel "light" that we all had. So, they received the Missionary's numbers and planned a meeting with them that week. That was wonderful news and I smiled deeply. Then I was told that during the meeting and others, they received a Book of Mormon and they were deeply into the discussions now and interested in the conversion process. The man of the family made the joke "Now I can convert my whole congregation to this gospel truth and light".

Elder Nun bore his testimony about this experience today in Sacrament meeting after his talk. How Beautiful a Truth this Gospel is. I have no doubt in my mind that the Family will be immensely blessed from accepting this gospel into their lives. I love this Gospel with all my Heart. 

The Twisted, Strait, and Narrow

Some paths are so twisted and hidden that once in a while you have to reach out and let Him guide you.

My name is Darrell Burton. Very shortly now I will be called Elder Burton for the summer as I will be a YPM (Young Performing Missionary) in Nauvoo. This is my rather long story about how I came to be where I am and where I'm going in particular regards to serving a mission in Nauvoo, Illinois for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. I apologize beforehand for the length. Hopefully it helps someone somewhere somehow or if people just need to know..... I am not offended if you don't read it.

During the summer of 2010 I was trying to decide when to submit my mission papers, if I should go to a semester of college first or just wait until I turned nineteen and go on a mission. Through much thought, and prayer I decided to go to a semester of college first studying trombone performance at USU, and turned in my papers when I was able to. I had the date set for when I was able to leave just after classes would finish. On October 31st I received a phone call from my bishop who informed me of the mission departments concerns for a couple of things with me serving a mission, amongst those concerns were trouble sleeping, eating disorders, social anxiety, and depression. I was advised to see a counselor and resubmit my papers after about six months of being free from the emotional chains holding me back. For the next two semesters I struggled with many things and saw a counselor. School didn't go so grand and neither was I. I was raised and expected to serve a mission, and not many people understand/understood the setbacks, and the pills I was trying didn't help and some made me really sick. The unfulfilled expectation to serve didn't help anything and neither did everyone not being able to understand why I wasn't gone already.

At the end of the semester I had a good friend, Tori, who went and served a service mission in Nauvoo playing trombone in 2011, which I thought was so extremely cool, but I didn't think much of it except I was jealous that she could play the trombone as a missionary. Anyways, I went off pills and started to rely more on friends and exercise. I got a job doing production work on grave shift, so sleep got a lot worse, but I was doing well emotionally, I had found a girlfriend and we had talked about plans to get married after I got back from a mission. Everything couldn't have been more perfect. About a year after the first attempt I started my papers again. With my interview with the stake president it was decided to wait one month more and if all was well with emotional and another concern my mission papers would be submitted. My girlfriend dumped me very shortly after that and my grandmother whom I loved very much passed away within two weeks of the interview. Along with the grave shift my emotional well being plummeted dramatically and I no longer felt capable at the moment to continue with those plans to serve and I decided I would get back to trying to be completely well emotionally, and without leaning on a friend as I had done. I told the stake president not to send in my papers. I believe many still don't understand why I was unable to serve a full time mission then either.

I had taken the semester off of school planning to be going on a mission, and while waiting for the next semester to start again so I could go back emotions got much worse. When school started things picked up, and it turned out ok. During the summer I returned to my grave shift job and things dipped a again, but I had strong friends who lifted me up. Fall semester of 2012 started and I started seeing a counselor again. My friend Tori thought it'd be cool if I auditioned for the Nauvoo Brass Band as a Young Performing Missionary. I started to think about it and had determined to start auditioning but I hadn't started it yet.

One night, rather late in the evening, after having a particularly bad day emotionally I decided to go for a walk past the temple in hopes of being uplifted somewhat. I didn't make it that far that evening. Less than twenty yards out of my apartment I got a phone call, much later in the evening than I would have ever expected from anyone, nonetheless a stranger, and even more so from an elderly person as far as I could tell from the voice, and the conversation that followed was even more surprising.  Some days or weeks or so earlier Tori had given my phone number to Elder Brague, who was the director of the Nauvoo Brass Band that I was thinking about auditioning for. I spent the next half hour or so talking on the phone with this very happy little elderly gentleman whom I didn't know at all. He talked to me about Nauvoo and had been told by Tori that I was a decent trombone player. He told me that he was excited and looking forward to hearing me audition and we talked a little about emotions and he gave me some advice. He asked if I had ever served a mission before and I told him I had not, to which he responded that I'd be a return missionary at the end of this coming summer. What I most got from the phone call was a divinely timed, and I'm sure inspired by The Lord, phone call from an extremely happy elderly man who lifted my spirits and made me excited to try out and audition for the Nauvoo Brass Band as a missionary.

Though I was still struggling with emotions everything started to fall into place and work out. I feel very strongly that The Lord has let me go through my harder times so that He may build me up for His purposes, one of which is this service mission in Nauvoo. I know that He Lives and loves me personally and there were lessons which were hard for me but that I needed to learn so that I can be of greater use to Him. I don't know what those purposes are yet but I feel that Nauvoo is the start of my journey and everything has fallen into place for me to be going there now. I sent in my DVD audition and told Elder Brague that it was in. A couple weeks later I was informed of the call back live audition to be held in Salt Lake City in the beginning of January. I had started seeing a counselor for my emotional struggle again and we were making great progress and relatively fast compared to prior experiences. The beginning of the week following my audition in Salt Lake Elder Brague called me to officially extend the offer for me to be in the Nauvoo Brass Band and to start my paperwork to be called and set apart.

Within that next month I have been able to stop seeing a counselor because I have been able to step out and progress enough that it was no longer needed. It has been now two to three months since then. It doesn't end there however. Satan doesn't want anyone to go on missions and I am no exception. Depression was still struggling at times and I wasn't as strong as I needed to be. Following about a month or so of being really low again I decided to actually go and do the small things that I wasn't very strong with, but that everyone knows you need to do. I was going to church and I occasionally read my scriptures and said my prayers, but they weren't as strong habits as they should be. I started to read my scriptures in depth for an hour or so every day and the difference was immediate. The promise of reading the scriptures being a protection from the adversary and a great cure from emotional struggles is a very tried and true promise. It works. The Book of Mormon is a true and living testament of Christ, and it got me up the next step.

The next week I put a rock on my pillow to remind me to say my prayers and further closer my relationship with Heavenly Father and with scripture study has exponentially changed my attitudes. I have been able to talk to people and say hello when I used to not be able to. I have been more optimistic about anything then I generally ever have been before. I have been able to step out of my comfort zone, and my thoughts and actions have been much more uplifting to myself and others. I have found another really close friend whom I may never have found, but I am not leaning on her emotionally and I feel that I can now have strong relationships built in good things that may or may not end up going somewhere, but most importantly it won't shred my life if it doesn't work in the end. I have learned to be an extremely open and caring person that I can tell my story to anyone who really asks or wants to know. I know that it's ok to cry once in a while and that things will work out in the end, and I know that it won't kill me to be vulnerable and that in irony there is actually strength in being vulnerable. I have a testimony of Christ and His atoning Sacrifice. I know that we can feel peace in this life and the life to come. I know God knows and loves each and every one of His children and that our trials are preparing us for things to come. Without having struggles I would be a very different person than I am today, and I wouldn't be going to Nauvoo. I wouldn't have the opportunities to learn and prepare for whatever it is that Nauvoo is preparing me for. Nauvoo is where I am supposed to be and I have a testimony about this great and marvelous work.

Sincerely,

Darrell Legrand Burton

(Elder Burton by the end of this week)

A Marvelous Work Is About To Come Forth

Hello, I am Sister Brittany Brunner, and I am a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I, along with many others, will be serving in the Nauvoo Brass Band Service Mission. When Thomas S. Monson made the announcement back in October for the women's age changes for missionary service my heart swelled with joy! I, a girl who had loved this gospel her whole life, now could give others this gospel to love too!

I had planned on serving a mission after 2 semesters here at Utah State University because I have scholarships and a promise to educate myself to fulfill. Around January-time I started thinking about when I would submit my papers and how to prepare myself. I did not know about the Nauvoo mission opportunity at this time. On a Monday in January, I was talking with a good friend who had gone on this mission in the past and she told me all about it. Everything seemed so wonderful and I was so proud to know her and to have learned about that amazing experience in her life. On Wednesday, 2 days after learning about Nauvoo, I was sitting in English and the thought came to me to pray about Nauvoo. So there in English class I had a mini conversation with God, and...well, immediately after I turned to my friend and with a surprised expression on my face I said “I’m going to serve in Nauvoo this summer”. God has a marvelous work in store for us, I have the desires to serve god, blessed, I am called to the work (D&C 4). I cannot wait until I get to start my many moments in pure joy and utter disappointment serving my God. I know this Church is true and I am a sure witness that God exists and loves us far beyond what we can imagine. Blessed be the people of Nauvoo, for God is sending me there for a reason and the hearts I touch, I am sure, will change my life more than I can possibly imagine. God be with us till we meet again.

That They May Accomplish

My first semester at BYU-Idaho, Elder Brague came around to one of my band rehearsals. He explained his calling and how the Nauvoo brass band was made up of elder and sister missionaries who serve there from May to August.  He then directed us to look at a website with audition information. At the time I thought that spending a summer in Nauvoo as a missionary would be a fantastic experience, so I followed the link he gave us.  As I looked more and more into it, I found that I really wanted to serve there that summer, but quickly realized that a summer in Nauvoo would always conflict with my fall/spring track at BYUI. So much to my disappointment I closed my browser and went back to my practice room.

Flash forward to this last fall semester. As my religion elective I chose to take FDREL303, Teachings of the Living Prophets. (Excellent class by the way. What better homework assignment is there than reading conference talks? :)

As General Conference approached we had more and more discussions as to how to effectively listen to and take notes. Something my professor, Brother Hammond, encouraged us to do was to take notes which were more than just what the speaker said.

"We learn through the spirit," he said, "So why not write down the promptings and feelings that have when first listening?" "We can always go back and re-read what was spoken, but will we always remember the things we felt when we first listened?"

I was very lucky and my mom was able to get me three tickets to the Saturday morning session and so me and two of my best friends took a road trip down to Utah. Growing up in New York, I'd never been to conference, so I was really excited to finally get to go.

As we sat there that morning and President Monson came out, everyone stood. I have never heard 20,000 people be so quite in my life. :) And as we stood I knew in my heart that this man was The Prophet of God.

After the opening song and prayer he then stood and gave his historic address. I looked to either side of me, to my two friends and noticed that we each had started crying. The spirit was so strong. Looking back all I can really make out from my notes is,"I'm going on a mission!," "When is the soonest I can be prepared to go?"

I met with my Bishop in Rexburg, but due to complications with my papers I decided to put off finishing them till I got home at Christmas. Around Halloween Elder Brague made his rounds again at BYUI. This time I knew that I shouldn't be afraid to take off time to go to Nauvoo.

With the help of a very dear friend, a Nauvoo alumni, I submitted my initial audition tape. I was overjoyed to get the email with my callback, but knew that I would be home off-track in New York for the live auditions. I scrambled to pack my apartment, finish projects, take tests, and make a final audition tape at school. We finished recording minutes before the piccolo and recorder were due for the semester and my friend said he'd send the DVD in for me. (Honestly getting everything done that day was a miracle.)

Flash forward to Christmas Day where I got a text from my friend saying, "Merry Christmas! btw I can't find your recordings...where did you save them?" After scouring through his hard-drive we realized that I hadn't properly saved them on his computer and they were now lost. So now I'm two weeks closer to my audition deadline and don't have access to the facilities and equipment I did for my previous recording.

With a prayer in my heart, I borrowed my friend's piccolo and shot my second tape with my dad and his iPad. I knew that if it really were God's will for me to go to Nauvoo, He would make my best effort good enough.

A few days later, shopping in Target with my mom, Elder Brague called to invite me to Nauvoo. The people there must have been a little confused as I eagerly paced through the isles smiling and bouncing around like a kid at Christmas.

Since I'm home working most people are already confused as to what I'm doing with my life, and I've found that my mission call itself is an opportunity to strike up a conversation about the church.

I'm so grateful for all that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. I'm so excited to be able to share my testimony every day this summer and help to bring joy to others as they learn more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and in turn, come to better know their Savior.

‘Til then!

Plans Changed

My name is Richard Lyman. I have played trombone for ten years and served a full time ministerial mission to Australia. I had no intention of participating in the Nauvoo Brass band, even when a friend of mine called me and suggested I give it some thought. Things changed, however, when she invited me to pray about it and see if the Lord wanted me to go. This worried me, as I had plans to work full-time over the summer and save up for another semester of college and possibly purchase a new trombone. I told the Lord my plans and He made it clear to me that my plans needed to change. I did some more pondering and praying, and began to see this was what the Lord wanted for me. I then gave Elder Brague a call, and here I am. The Lord, no doubt, has a plan for me and all of his children. I look forward to the privilege of serving Him in this capacity.

A Dream Come True

One of my lifelong dreams and desires was to serve a music mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I did not know that one actually existed until I went to audition for a scholarship at Brigham Young University-Idaho.   I knew that this was my chance to fulfill my dream and to serve others through my talent of music.

Once I began the process of auditioning, I just felt so good about going on this mission, and it felt right.  I felt at peace, even though I was not perfect (and am still not).  I felt like this was where I was meant to be at this coming time.  I was so excited when I got the email saying that I would audition in the final round at Salt Lake City, Utah!

I couldn't believe that I was able to audition at Salt Lake.  I never thought that I would even get there, but I did.  And everyone was so kind and had a special spirit with them.  I knew that by looking at them that Nauvoo was a very special place, and I wanted to go and have that same Spirit with me.

When I got the call saying that I would be able to serve in Nauvoo, I was overcome with joy!  I was now beginning the journey of my dream to serve through music.  I never thought that I would be able to serve a mission like this, but I know that the Lord has called me to Nauvoo at this time to serve Him and my fellow men. I am excited for this opportunity, to meet many people and to see many things, and to bear my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Led By Faith

I learned about the Nauvoo performance mission from a friend last August. She had just returned from serving there for the summer and was telling me the wonderful experiences she had. She asked if I was interested in being a YPM in Nauvoo. I was, but didn’t give it too much thought at the time since next summer seemed so far away.

A few months later I was having a bad morning, and I was praying for comfort and help to have a better day. Just a few hours later in institute another girl, who had spent the summer in Nauvoo, asked if I was interested in being a YPM for the summer. She gave me the website to check out what I needed to do for the audition. I am grateful the Lord humbled me enough to listen to the Spirit that day. I talked to my parents and started praying to know if this was what I should do. Even though I didn’t have a strong impression to go, I knew it was a good thing and with faith the Lord would allow me this opportunity.

I prepared for the first audition, and received a call back. Now I had the nerve-racking live audition. While in Salt Lake, I was calm and felt happy talking with all the others who were trying out. The Spirit testified to me that this was a great opportunity, and if I was chosen to go I would be richly blessed. I felt like jumping for joy when I received the call that I was going to Nauvoo. I know the Lord answered my prayers about serving in Nauvoo. He has led me through the past months and been preparing me for this opportunity to serve of which I am grateful.

A Gift For A Reason

Let me begin by saying, I KNOW everything happens for a reason.

The year was 2005. I was 11 and wanted to follow my sister’s footsteps by joining band class. Unfortunately, there were about 11 clarinetists and the band director didn’t want any more. So, what instrument to play? She said I could either play the French horn or the Trombone. In my mind, I thought a trombone was a boy instrument (remember I was only 11). 

So here I am, 8 years later. Playing my French horn in the BYU Provo Symphonic band.

And I don’t regret a single moment.

Why did I audition for the Nauvoo Brass Band?

Good question. When I first heard about this opportunity, I thought, “Dude! This would be so cool to do!” When the time came for auditions to be sent out, I began to panic because I had no place to record except my kitchen in my old, worn down apartment. I had no expectations for what the results would be. I just thought, I want to live this life with no regrets, knowing that I have taken every opportunity and made the most of it. I want to be able to say that I tried everything I could.

Well, it turned out pretty well. I was informed of my finalist status and might have done a double back flip….

The luncheon gave me the most peaceful reassurance that the Lord was pleased with my decision to audition. I was so overcome by the testimonies and songs in the meeting that I knew I wanted this to be MY experience. I wanted this with all my heart.

I remember kneeling down to pray and expressing my deepest desire to be a part of this band.  I knew it would be difficult, but I wanted it so much. 

D&C 8: 4-5

“Therefore this is thy gift; apply unto it, and blessed art thou…
...remember, this is your gift.”

I never could have imagined that my life could be planned out with just one phone call.

I know that the Lord provides a way through it all. It is still a little surreal to me that I will be a missionary, in the Lord’s hands, sharing the gospel through music and being surrounded by such sacred scenery. I know this gospel is true.  My heart is so full with excitement at the knowledge that I will spend 4 months walking where the beloved Joseph Smith walked.

I know that there is a plan for me.  And come May 3rd, I will be on a plane to the next part of my Journey that the Lord has prepared me for.

Finding the Right Path

My name is Suzanne Kinghorn. I'm from Laie, Hawaii, and I attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii, studying Music Performance on the Trumpet. Serving in Nauvoo has always been something that I wanted to do. Two years ago I spent about a week of my summer near Nauvoo, and I was amazed at the Spirit that I felt as I saw the places that mean so much to our Church History. I knew two sisters who were serving as members of the Nauvoo Brass Band, and it made me realize how much I wanted to serve there. The next year, I had the opportunity to audition last minute, but I had to turn the offer down, feeling that the time was not quite right for me. I continued with school, and one of my best friends was able to serve in Nauvoo that summer. From that moment I knew that the next year would be my year to serve.

As the year progressed, I found myself unsure about what I was doing with my life. I knew that being in school was the right thing to do, and I knew I would be auditioning to serve in Nauvoo, but I was looking toward the future with uncertainty, not really knowing what path was right for me. Other struggles in my life lead me to seek comfort and guidance from the Lord. October 2012 General Conference came, and with it the announcement about the age change for full-time missionaries. This became a turning point in my life. and things began falling into place. Over the next months, I continued to pray about whether I should serve a mission. My best friend was the greatest example, because of his earnest efforts to begin his mission papers as soon as he could after the announcement was made. I began to feel my desire to serve a mission, to share my testimony of the Gospel, grow with every passing day, when before I had not seriously thought about the possibility.

Soon I began the audition process for Nauvoo, and as I went through that process I became more and more convinced that I should also serve am 18-month mission after returning from Nauvoo. I talked to my Bishop and Stake President, who both were very excited about my decision and helped me work out everything. I began my mission papers soon after the New Year began. My best friend, who helped me record my audition video for Nauvoo, left for his mission to Colorado, Colorado Springs, and his faith and willingness to serve has had a great impact on me and my desire to serve.

My decision to serve as missionary has opened for me the path that is right for me. I am so excited to serve the Lord. I know that the Gospel is true. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share the Gospel through music, which has been one of the greatest anchors in my life.

Nothing Is Too Much For The Lord

I'm Janese Shaw.

I still get a good laugh every time I think about playing the trumpet in Nauvoo this summer! The trumpet and I go way back, like to when I was twelve. This instrument saw me through all of my awkward years of bad haircuts and braces. I put it away when I turned 17 and thought I'd never return. I have been pursuing my degree in music education at Southern Utah University with an emphasis in voice, so I was a little surprised when things worked out the way they did. I'm sure that, like everything in life, there is a purpose. I'm just going to have to re-enter my awkward stage to figure out what it is!

Needless to say, my audition process was a miracle. Naturally, as a singer, I applied as a stage performer, but as luck (or you know) would have it I had just taken up the trumpet again that semester as part of the SUU Athletic band. Since I was playing again, I didn't think twice when adding trumpet to the list of instruments I played.

A few weeks later, I was notified that I didn't make it as a stage performer, but that if I were interested in playing the trumpet I should contact Elder Brague. I thought, "Nice sentiment," and didn't contact anyone.

About a week later I got a voice mail from Elder Brague saying he'd really like for me to come up and audition so I called him back to say "No." Somehow, "No" turned into, "I'd love to do it. I don't know if my skills are up to par, but I'll put my whole heart into it and give you the best I've got." I wanted to die after hanging up the phone. Seriously, Janese? You're going to take something else on? I was about to take on a 19 credit semester and was in the middle of rehearsing a major opera, and I was going to make time to play the trumpet? Okay. Whatever.

I practiced my little heart out over Christmas break on the opera and my trumpet. No matter how many hours I gave the latter, I was totally insecure coming into auditions. I could go into everything that happened audition day, but I honestly don't recall except that I played better than I ever had before. I wasn't able to muster much skill, but the air was flowing and I could feel it! It was a great feeling, and I decided that whether they chose me or not didn't matter, (because I seriously understood why they wouldn't choose me!) it was an excellent opportunity to for me to break out of my comfort zone and prove to myself that I can do hard things.

Unlike most other YPMs, when I got the call from Elder Brague letting me know they wanted me to come to Nauvoo, I about died (in a bad way). Again instead of hearing the words "No, this is too much." come out of my mouth, I heard "Great! I know it will be a lot of work, but I'm here for you."

So here I am. I just finished a major production of Don Giovanni, I am making it through a crazy semester, I am practicing my trumpet as best I can and I am preparing for a mission!

He Made A Way

From the moment Elder Brague came to BYU-I and told us about the Nauvoo Brass Band, I knew that was what I was supposed to do. Now, a year and a half later, it's finally a reality for me. I had to wait a year to audition due to my age, but the whole time, I was excited and ready for Nauvoo. When President Monson announced that girls could serve full time missions, I got really excited and was preparing to start my papers, but after fasting and prayer and consulting with my bishop, I realized that wasn't what I was supposed to do. I then sent in my audition tape, not exactly confident that I would get called back for live auditions.

Here's where things get interesting, and several things happened to strengthen my testimony of God's timing. First, I had already bought my non-refundable plane ticket to come back to school on Jan. 3rd, and the auditions happened to be on the 5th in Salt Lake City. An old roommate happened to live in Tooele right outside of SLC, so I had a place to stay until my audition. I also accidentally left my mouthpiece at home in TN, and I just so happened to get to SLC just early enough for my mom to overnight it to me. Then, my friend Brooklynn also got called for auditions, and her grandparents were able to drive her and me to school after auditions. I know that these events are no coincidence. The Lord made a way for me to get these things done, so that I could audition for this amazing experience. I know that this is where I'm supposed to be in my life, and that my Heavenly Father is pleased with the decisions I have made. I am so grateful for the opportunity to go to Nauvoo this summer.

According To Their Desire

Something I have learned as I have acknowledged God's hand in my life is that He grants unto me according to my desires (see Alma 29:4; see also Alma 29, D&C 6:8, 7:8, 11:8, and 4:3). In seeking definition of my desires, I have found in my heart and my Patriarchal Blessing that it is my desire to share the beauty and blessings of the gospel and life itself with God's children. I feel that Nauvoo is one opportunity the Lord is giving me to do so.

I've known about Nauvoo since my sister played the trumpet in the band a few years ago (2009?). I don't remember much about it except that she forgot my birthday in one of her e-mails and that she came home singing songs she had written about her love for the place and wishing she could go back. However, Nauvoo was never in my plans.

In fact, music itself wasn't really in my plans until this past fall semester. I have played clarinet for years, but always shied from the idea of doing anything more with it than playing in a band. Finally I gave into the Spirit and decided I needed to become a music minor. The hardest thing to sign up for was private lessons-- but I learned later that had I not, I would not have been prepared to audition, nor would I have known how much I really enjoy playing music.

October Conference was extremely exciting: I cried and cried after I listened to the Prophet's announcement that I, a nineteen-year-old, could now serve a mission. I have always had a desire to serve, and here God was granting unto me according to my desire. I wanted to leave right away-- December, if I could.

I prayed and fasted and fasted and prayed and talked to my Bishop, but for some reason I wasn't receiving a sure answer on either side of the issue. I was distressed about the heavy decision that lay before me. After thinking a lot about the place of agency in decision making, I decided to just go forward toward serving, and began instead pondering about the time I should leave. While pondering in the temple, I felt really good about leaving in May. And I also felt good about the month of September. The ambiguity only confused me more.

In band the next week, we heard an announcement from Elder Brague about Nauvoo-- which would be a program from May until about September. Well, there was the answer.

I prepared my audition and sent it in, and during the wait began to feel disappointed that I would only be serving for three and a half months, instead of 18. But the more I thought, the more I realized that this, too, is God's work, and "why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?" (Alma 29:6).

After the call back audition, I was more excited than ever and felt such a strong desire to serve in Nauvoo, where I could be influenced by that wonderful spirit of love, truth, and sacrifice, and specifically to gain a stronger testimony of the Restoration of the Church and of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I was overjoyed to learn that I would be a part of the historic band, and relive the wonderful heritage of the early Church.

Since, I have considered again the question of a full-time mission. After much more deliberation and prayer and waiting for things to pan out, I have just this week received assurance that it will be my blessing to serve a full-time mission after Nauvoo. I plan on receiving my mission call in the Beautiful City itself, from whence so many others were also called to serve missions. Here, again, I find so much joy in knowing that God is merciful and aware of my desires, and that "if [I] have desires to serve God, [I] am called to the work."