President Nelson Viewing

President Russell M. Nelson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, passed away a little over a week ago on September 27, and today was his viewing. I admire him so much. When he became the prophet of the church in 2019, I read the biography on his life titled "Insights" and I loved it. I admire his intelligence, his optimism, and his enthusiasm for life. I'm impressed with his health and longevity. I feel a special connection to him too because of his large family! He and his wife had ten children, so we're both part of the double digit club. I especially want to emulate his love for people and his dedication to Christ and his gospel. There was a Memoriam printed and distributed with the Church Magazines, and I loved this part about when he was called to be a stake president:

When Elder Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) called and set Dr. Nelson apart as a stake president in 1964, Elder Kimball joked, “Everybody we’ve interviewed around here says you might be all right, but you don’t have the time. Do you have the time?”

“I don’t know about that,” Russell replied, “but I have the faith!”

I want to be like that with all that God asks me to do. Corey and I don't know a lot of things about our life and our future, about his career or what the Lord has in store, but we have the faith! And what a great thing to proclaim about yourself "I have the faith!" I think proclaiming that out loud will make me act more like it, so I'm going to work on that, maybe pump myself up a bit when I'm fearful or uncertain and declare to the universe "I have the faith!" 

President Nelson has been a wonderful prophet for the world at this time. I know President Oaks will be wonderful too as he now takes on the mantle and the responsibility. He has been prepared, just like each prophet before him. I am looking forward to this next chapter in the history of the world with a constitutional scholar leading the church. (We could need that if things fall apart in this country under Trump!)

So we went downtown today around 2pm to attend President Nelson's viewing. I checked the boys out early from elementary school, Corey got the older girls, I brought clothes for people to do a quick change in the car. Downtown we found two parking spaces right next to each other on the NW corner  of temple square, yay. As we were walking across the street, we saw cousin Seth! There was a steady line of people going into the Conference Center and up the escalators. Katharine ahead with Lily Sophi and Natalie. Corey answering some questions for Owen. I'm in the back with Peter.

If the kids don't remember being here, atleast they'll remember that they went. I remember as a kid, I didn't want to go to President Kimball's viewing because my best friend Stephanie who lived across the street was moving to Texas and I wanted to be there when they drove off. So there's an example of me remembering that I did NOT go. I also didn't even know what a viewing was. Little 8 year old me imagined him being propped up in a glass case, like a display at a museum. In my imagination he had a cane and was in an autumn setting, haha, I do remember that - what I thought it was like! 

Then we came down by the Conference Center Theater and kids used the bathroom. A few of the older kids wanted to go again, so we waited in line for a photo and were at the front of the line by the time they got back.  Actually we were at the front of the line for about 5 minutes, but I just turned myself into the photographer for everyone. I'd take their phone, snap a pic, and then invite the next person in line up. I did that for like 15 people, then when we were all there, the last person did it for me. Our turn for picture by the paintings of the first presidency and twelve apostles. 

K being sweet and asking Sophi something. 

Then a kid group pic outside - like we did at President Monson's viewing in 2018.

We turned the event into a FHE outing and we walked through Temple Square. Looking at the construction project.

Walking into the Tabernacle for a little lesson. We didn't have a tour guide, but we had Corey, which is even better (He did a ton of research on stuff downtown in 2019 for a ward youth conference). 

Another group pic of all our little ducks lined up in a row, not by age or height.

And we still had time on our parking meters, so after the Tabernacle we went over to the Church History Museum and walked around the first floor there seeing displays about the restoration. Peter and Katharine seeing what it might have been like in the Smith's family cabin as they read at Joseph's knee.

We watched the surround sound video of the first vision. I loved the printing press display. It is SO amazing how they printed books in the past - I mean wow, SO MUCH!!!  It has amazed me before when we visited the Crandall Printing Press. To be a person that set the type would just blow my mind. 

Death masks of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. 

Looks like the little kids are about ready to go. They've done great, this was a long outing for little people.

Back at home, kids did music, chores, we had dinner, and I played soccer at 7:15 pm in the backyard with Owen and Peter for like 30 minutes, mom vs. boys. I won but they are good players, it was dark and fun. I also went bouldering at Ft Union this morning. I came home to find a sad Katharine. 

She had a bad dream that I left her at Becca's house. And she was also very confused that now I was her and she was NOT at Becca's house. Yeah, dreams can be weird. She was up early cause of that dream, and she was ready for a nap later. I snuggled with her. 

Natalie snuggled with her on the couch during scriptures, where they both fell asleep.