Saturday, April 26

By Evelyn Richardson of Nauvoo, Illinois, USA

Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. …For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

—Isaiah 61:9, 11 NRSV

It is quiet in the Visitors Center at the Joseph Smith Historic Site in Nauvoo, Illinois. The day started with a much-needed rain shower. My husband, Don, is leading a tour. A deer looks in the window as it eats from the flowerbeds. It is peaceful.

However, behind the scenes, we process orders to stock the book and gift shops for the increasing spring and summer visitors. I look forward to meeting the visitors and volunteers.

Nauvoo! What a wonderful place to share in the history of the Restoration movement. Times were difficult for those disciples who gathered on “the flats” here in 1839. If it had not been for them, rooted and grounded in the good news of Jesus Christ and his mission, where would we be today?

As I look over the script for the tour guides, I wonder how life would have been with the young church in this place. People received direction to build a second temple, a House of the Lord. There was much illness and grief from malaria. The prophet, Joseph Smith Jr., was still a “wanted man” in the eyes of the law in Missouri. Yet, those people of great faith built a community where they could live as one. Life was not always rosy, but I am thankful for those pioneers and the spirit of this place.

I’m sure we each have a place where we can retreat and feel close to God and let God’s Spirit bless us. Thanks to the generous response of disciples to world mission tithes, we have support for Community of Christ historical sites.

Prayer for Peace

God of the past, present, and future, we are thankful for the faithful pioneers who laid a foundation from which we can pursue Christ’s mission of peace.

Spiritual Practice: Honoring God’s Call to Others

Reflect on God’s call in your life. Quietly reflect on the moments when you have experienced God’s presence and invitation to expand your gifts. Write in your journal or quietly reflect on images and insights that come. When have you experienced God through the calling and gifts of others? How do your gifts connect with the call of God you notice in your family, friends, congregation, or community?

Peace Covenant

Today, God, I will learn more of the story of the Restoration.