20 Jul - The Wheels of the Bus Go Round and Round

Today was a travel day. After attending church in Akron, Ohio, we got on the bus for the long journey to Springfield, Illinois.

We attended Sacrament meeting in Akron, Ohio. The meeting was excellent. Speakers spoke about “The Living Christ,” Spiritual Healing, and Receiving Revelation (Seek, Feel, Act). The sister missionaries provided a special musical number. One played the piano while the other sang a beautiful arrangement of “O My Father.”

Once on the bus, we all sang together (no small feat) “How Great Thou Art” and had a spiritual thought that encapsulates the purpose of our trip. Kurt and Shirley from Idaho, shared D&C 88:77-78, 80. Afterward we learned a little more about our two sisters from Denmark, Karin and Eva. During the long bus ride, Pat, Mike, Wally, Jake, Charlie, and Carol gathered insights, photos, and worked on the blog.

We retraced part of the route taken by Zion’s Camp. John gave us a little history of Zion’s Camp as we journeyed along a parallel route through Ohio, Indiana, and Indiana to Missouri—the edge of the frontier. (See D&C 103 and 105) It took them 65 days to travel 1000 miles. We went 500 miles in one day. Joseph taught the brethren (and sisters) along the way. Joseph taught about respect for animals and listening to inspiration. “Stand still and see the salvation of God,” Joseph quoted from the book of Exodus. The Lord provided a storm to destroy the mob and protect Zion’s Camp. This was an experience to prove their worthiness as all of the Seventy and most of the Quorum of the Twelve came from those who participated in Zion’s Camp.

Did you know that it costs $1 for every 4 minutes Henry has to idle the bus because of the air conditioning?

From Carol:
“At 9 a.m. we went to an inspiring Sacrament meeting with “O My Father” sung by a talented soprano sister missionary. The version was arranged to bring attention to “I have a mother there.” The daughter of the high councilor was a great representative of youth as she spoke on building her testimony through service and attending youth conference [EFY] last week. I love to see and hear the youth express their love of the gospel and testimony of the Savior. One other speaker, a single mom with two children, spoke of going through the trials of her life with continued faith in the Lord’s plan of happiness with the knowledge that the Holy Ghost will guide her life as she remains true to the Savior’s plan. It reminded me of dear Emma Smith who cared and supported her dear Joseph. She carried on in her role as the wife of the prophet, losing 6 of her 11 children plus not having her own home through their early years of marriage. But the Lord provided for her and Joseph through the Whitmer, Johnson and Whitney families giving them a place to live where the scriptures could be transcribed and an inspired revision of the New Testament were done. I’ve learned so much concerning those early years of church organization. God truly uses many people to bring about His righteous principles.
“While we travel on the bus, I see many caring expressions of love towards one another. There is the concern by the young men for those not able to carry their suitcases, the considerate sisters who hold the doors for many, plus the great patience of our great leader as he gathers his “wandering flock” onto the bus!! Then there’s the ever diligent Henry, who is given strength and alertness in driving the bus to our next water stop. God bless them all.”