A couple of days ago, a guy from Hinckley, Utah came by. He had equipment that would allow him to take panorama pictures of the fort inside the rooms and outside the fort. I spent a couple of hours with him taking the photos in some of the rooms and the blacksmith shop. He has already posted some of them on a site called 360cities.net. They are pretty cool. They will eventually be posted on Google Earth.
Yesterday, I had a black van pull in that was quite interesting. When I first met the driver he was a cocky Hispanic guy, wearing a wife-beater shirt, and muscles on top of muscles. He asked what this place was and if we had a roller coaster in there. I explained what the fort was all about. The guy in the passenger’s seat looked like a gang banger. They went and parked the van, and the guy and his wife and cute little four year-old girl came over and asked for a tour. As we went through the fort, I watched the spirit work on this guy and humble him almost to tears. When we finished the tour, they wanted the Book of Mormon and the missionaries. He couldn’t express his gratitude enough for their experience in the Fort.
Today, an SUV pulled in and two couples from California got out and asked for a tour. They were probably in their mid fifties, and were on their way to SLC on business. I showed them the Cove Fort Video, and took them to the fort. In the second room, I overheard one of the ladies quietly say to the other, “this place has a good feeling.” I wonder how many times I have heard that. It’s great. They really enjoyed the tour and one of the couples wanted the Book of Mormon, and the Missionaries to come by.
As they were leaving the parking lot, I happened to be outside, and they stopped the car to take more pictures. I asked the driver,(The one who wanted the B of M) What business he had in SLC. He said that he had invented those cardboard, fold-up emergency toilets. I told him I had bought one and had given them to family members as well. He got all excited and had everyone get out of the car and have pictures taken with me. He also said he was going to send me the new and improved version of the toilet. What a day!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Missionary Work (Mike)
We had a total of 1,316 referrals, (member and non-member referrals) which broke the record of 1,276 in the past years, and we had 50 more non-member referrals (people who referred themselves) than previous years.
The total visitors at the fort for this year was 75,376; surpassing the recent history record of 73,273.
Yesterday, we had only two visitors stop at the fort because it was so cold. I took the first tour which was a lady from Las Vegas. As I began the tour, I asked if she was LDS. She said yes and this was the day of her baptism two years ago. She said her bishop had recommended she stop at Cove Fort on her way home, Because, she wanted to have a spiritual experience on this special day. That put the pressure on me. She had many concerns and questions. It felt like being a Bishop again. She wanted to talk and explained that she had never had a spiritual confirmation that the gospel was true. As I listened to her, I was able to point out when she had indeed had a spiritual confirmation.
We discussed the 46th section of the D&C where it speaks of spiritual gifts. The first gift has to do with being able to know truth by spirit to spirit confirmation directly by the Holy Ghost. The second gift is being able to know truth by listening and believing through the spirit, the teachings of others. Some get a confirmation by the first gift of the spirit and others get it by the second gift of the spirit. She was getting ready to go to the temple for the first time, and had never read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover. I had some advice for her about reading the Book of Mormon and other things.
What I told her seemed to meet her needs, and she was happy with the new insight. When we finished the tour, I realized that I had been on the tour for two hours.
Her husband was a non-member, so we are sending him a Book of Mormon and some videos by way of the missionaries. I hope it all works out.
The total visitors at the fort for this year was 75,376; surpassing the recent history record of 73,273.
Yesterday, we had only two visitors stop at the fort because it was so cold. I took the first tour which was a lady from Las Vegas. As I began the tour, I asked if she was LDS. She said yes and this was the day of her baptism two years ago. She said her bishop had recommended she stop at Cove Fort on her way home, Because, she wanted to have a spiritual experience on this special day. That put the pressure on me. She had many concerns and questions. It felt like being a Bishop again. She wanted to talk and explained that she had never had a spiritual confirmation that the gospel was true. As I listened to her, I was able to point out when she had indeed had a spiritual confirmation.
We discussed the 46th section of the D&C where it speaks of spiritual gifts. The first gift has to do with being able to know truth by spirit to spirit confirmation directly by the Holy Ghost. The second gift is being able to know truth by listening and believing through the spirit, the teachings of others. Some get a confirmation by the first gift of the spirit and others get it by the second gift of the spirit. She was getting ready to go to the temple for the first time, and had never read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover. I had some advice for her about reading the Book of Mormon and other things.
What I told her seemed to meet her needs, and she was happy with the new insight. When we finished the tour, I realized that I had been on the tour for two hours.
Her husband was a non-member, so we are sending him a Book of Mormon and some videos by way of the missionaries. I hope it all works out.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Bearing Testimony- Lynda
On Christmas Eve a young lady stopped on her way to Cedar City. She wanted to talk to the Missionaries. So she came into the MOR (Missionary Observation Room) and said that she was taking the challenge that Elder Anderson had given in General Conference. That challenge was to bear testimony of Jesus Christ more often. So she wanted to share her testimony of the Savior, to the Missionaries at Cove Fort. It was such a sweet testimony. She cried and we cried as we felt her spirit and the Spirit of our Heavenly Father. What a great way to remember the birth and sacrifice of our Savior Jesus Christ.
I had another couple stop that day from Delta. They were meeting their son on the bus from Las Vegas. I took them through the Fort and told them they seemed to be really nice people. They said that many people would probably not agree with me. I wonder how many times we judge people by their outside appearance and not look deeper into their hearts. They told me, that they really were nice people ,and thanked me. They accepted an offer for the Missionaries to come and bring them a Book of Mormon. I know that I am going to change and look at people differently because we are all Heavenly Father's children.
Another man, a non-member, who was an executive in a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, came to the Fort recently. We talked a great deal about the Chruch. He had a accountant that was a member. He mentioned that he was very impressed by his friend and had watched the members in his neighborhood in California. He also said that sometimes the members seem to forget their neighbors and leave them out. They seemed to be so caught up on their own activies that they often forgot to include his children or family. Another lesson for me to remember. I need to befriend all my neighbors and not be so caught up in my own little circle of member friends. Well enough of the preaching. These are things I need to work on in 2011.
I hope that all of you blog readers had as wonderful a Christmas and holiday season as I did. May the Lord bless you in 2011. I love my Savior and am looking forward to 2011 as "Another Great Year to serve at Cove Fort"!
I had another couple stop that day from Delta. They were meeting their son on the bus from Las Vegas. I took them through the Fort and told them they seemed to be really nice people. They said that many people would probably not agree with me. I wonder how many times we judge people by their outside appearance and not look deeper into their hearts. They told me, that they really were nice people ,and thanked me. They accepted an offer for the Missionaries to come and bring them a Book of Mormon. I know that I am going to change and look at people differently because we are all Heavenly Father's children.
Another man, a non-member, who was an executive in a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, came to the Fort recently. We talked a great deal about the Chruch. He had a accountant that was a member. He mentioned that he was very impressed by his friend and had watched the members in his neighborhood in California. He also said that sometimes the members seem to forget their neighbors and leave them out. They seemed to be so caught up on their own activies that they often forgot to include his children or family. Another lesson for me to remember. I need to befriend all my neighbors and not be so caught up in my own little circle of member friends. Well enough of the preaching. These are things I need to work on in 2011.
I hope that all of you blog readers had as wonderful a Christmas and holiday season as I did. May the Lord bless you in 2011. I love my Savior and am looking forward to 2011 as "Another Great Year to serve at Cove Fort"!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Festive Cove Fort (Mike)
The days have been going by fast, the weather this winter has been mild for Cove Fort, with temps In the 40’s and even 50’s some days. We have reached our goal of 1,300 referrals and are surpassing it daily. While things are a little slow, the men have been busy making the spinning toys we give away to each family. We work in our shop, and have have made around 20,000 of them from river birch which we cut in the mountains near here. Lynda and I also made toys for the grand kids… Airplanes and Jacobs Ladders.
I have had at least one family each day asking to have the missionaries come by their home to deliver either a Book of Mormon or a video. Some are requesting to be taught by the missionaries; others who request the Book of Mormons probably will be taught also when the missionaries stop by. We are lucky to get one tour a day each with the lower numbers of visitors. The power went out for a couple of days after a heavy snow storm, and the power went out at the gas station on I-15, so they sent their customers here to use restrooms. We have a large diesel generator that keeps us operating. We ended up getting 195 visitors on one day and 150 on the next day. We weren’t even planning to open because of the weather, but it turned out to be some of our best missionary days.
This Christmas season has been fun, with festive decorations all around and much good will. We had bell ringers from Milford come and entertain us. They were great. We also attended the Forgotten Carols in Richfield. We all got together on Christmas Eve for dinner, then again for breakfast Christmas morning. Christmas night, we got together for dinner, and played games. It’s been fun with this great group of missionaries we have here for the winter. They will be forever friends.
Kitty Landon stopped in for a visit today. She had been in St. George area visiting Rod and his family for Christmas. It was good to see her.
We were hoping to reach our goal of 75,000 visitors this year. It looks like we will make it, we only need around 150 more.
I know that Church member daily pray for the missionaries, that they will be led to the honest in heart. That is exactly the people who are prompted to stop here daily. They come and feel of the spirit and want to know more. The gospel net if functioning well at Cove Fort.
I have had at least one family each day asking to have the missionaries come by their home to deliver either a Book of Mormon or a video. Some are requesting to be taught by the missionaries; others who request the Book of Mormons probably will be taught also when the missionaries stop by. We are lucky to get one tour a day each with the lower numbers of visitors. The power went out for a couple of days after a heavy snow storm, and the power went out at the gas station on I-15, so they sent their customers here to use restrooms. We have a large diesel generator that keeps us operating. We ended up getting 195 visitors on one day and 150 on the next day. We weren’t even planning to open because of the weather, but it turned out to be some of our best missionary days.
This Christmas season has been fun, with festive decorations all around and much good will. We had bell ringers from Milford come and entertain us. They were great. We also attended the Forgotten Carols in Richfield. We all got together on Christmas Eve for dinner, then again for breakfast Christmas morning. Christmas night, we got together for dinner, and played games. It’s been fun with this great group of missionaries we have here for the winter. They will be forever friends.
We were hoping to reach our goal of 75,000 visitors this year. It looks like we will make it, we only need around 150 more.
I know that Church member daily pray for the missionaries, that they will be led to the honest in heart. That is exactly the people who are prompted to stop here daily. They come and feel of the spirit and want to know more. The gospel net if functioning well at Cove Fort.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Great Day and Snow (Mike)
Today was a good day. We started the morning moving snow. I ran a power snow broom and cleared all of the walkways. We delayed opening the fort until ten.
I went out to start opening up at nine thirty and noticed a couple of young men parked on the far side of the parking lot. I went over and welcomed them and offered a tour. They were from San Diego and both of them were shivering in the cold wind. I waited until they got their warmer coats and walked with them to the movie room. They told me that they were on their way to Colorado to meet some friends and go skiing. They were both college students in San Diego. I showed them the Cove Fort video and took them on the tour. They were both full of questions about the fort and the Church. The tour took a long time and we hadn’t even opened for tours yet, so I had all the time we needed to teach them about the church. Both were very sincere and wanted to learn more. They each filled out a referral card requesting a Book of Mormon and the missionaries to come and teach them.
The day ended with four referral cards and around sixty visitors, mostly members of the church. We have mostly church members stopping in for tours and not so many nonmember tourists since the cold weather started.
We just got back from Richfield grocery shopping and plan to stay home on our P day tomorrow.
The weather forecast for tomorrow night is Blizzard conditions with possible five inches of snow and forty mile per hour winds.....We’ll be moving snow on Wednesday with below zero temperatures. Sounds like fun.......good thing I went and got some good long johns.
The day ended with four referral cards and around sixty visitors, mostly members of the church. We have mostly church members stopping in for tours and not so many nonmember tourists since the cold weather started.
We just got back from Richfield grocery shopping and plan to stay home on our P day tomorrow.
The weather forecast for tomorrow night is Blizzard conditions with possible five inches of snow and forty mile per hour winds.....We’ll be moving snow on Wednesday with below zero temperatures. Sounds like fun.......good thing I went and got some good long johns.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Snow (Mike)
We got our first snow storm. It was coming down heavy as I closed the fort last night. I couldn't believe it...just as it started snowing and the sun was going down, people started coming in. We had to conduct tours by flash light. One of my tours yesterday was a minister who gave me a referral to send the missionaries and a Book of Mormon to her house. She has a congregation in Oklahoma.....they are Messiahonic Jews......Jews who believe in Christ, they have a Rabbi who is their leader. As I took she and her husband on the tour, I raised some questions that really made her think.....I taught her about temples and temple work, the restoration, and eternal marriage, maybe something will come of it.
As I finally closed, two cars pulled in looking for a place to stay to get out of the blizzard. One was a girl who was returning from Iron Man competition and the other was a man, a member from Uraguay, who had been here before. We put them up for the night. The girl filled out a referral card for the missionaries to come to her home. It was a wild night. We had only 45 visitors yesterday, but lots of success on referrals....five I think.
Today we had only 15 visitors, but nine referrals.
Sunday, we had 256 visitors, and some neat experiences. most of us had six tours, which kept us running the whole time. We had fun all day.
This mission is the greatest!
Today we had only 15 visitors, but nine referrals.
Sunday, we had 256 visitors, and some neat experiences. most of us had six tours, which kept us running the whole time. We had fun all day.
This mission is the greatest!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Fall Days (Mike)
As we move closer to winter, the numbers of people have been getting smaller. All of the summer missionaries have returned home except those of us who were asked to extend. We only run two shifts now with the nine couples who are still here. The leaves are falling and the days are getting cool, but the weather has been wonderful so far. The forecast is for snow today and the rest of the week.
Even though the numbers of people are dropping off, we have still been getting near one hundred people a day and good member and non member referrals....probably because we can spend more time with them.
Yesterday was especially good we had over two hundred and fifty visitors, mostly members and just a few nonmembers. I had two non member tours and both of them wanted the missionaries to come. Both tours were from California. The first was a man and wife who where of Caribbean Island ancestry. They were neat people, and will make good members some day. They let me know that they were active in their Christian church, but they desired a Book of Mormon and a video.
The other non member was a single lady traveling home to California. She was really interested in the Book of Mormon when I explained what it was, and wanted the missionaries to come and teach her more. She didn’t claim any religion.
I had one member tour where a man and his family of teenagers came through on a tour. At the end the father filled a member referral out for his sister. As he was filling it out, tears started rolling down his cheeks and he said,” I’m going to just call her.” He called her on his cell and said, “Sis, would it be alright if I send you a video, and have the missionaries bring it.” She said, “Yes.” The whole family was excited, because the sister had never allowed any contact from the church.
Each day since my last writing on my birthday on the 22nd, I have had at least one nonmember who requested the missionaries to come and teach them....this is great.
We have been having fun after hours. We had a date night at the twig. Travis Kessler and his family joined us. We just had good food and festive decorations and spent time visiting and laughing like old people enjoy doing.
The other day we took one of the couples out to warm springs and to Kanosh to show them around. We ended up at Cuffs Drive in for good food. We were shopping in Richfield and met up with the Halls at Steve’s Steak house for a great meal. The winter wind is howling around the house, and we are expecting snow today. We are keeping warm and having a great time. This has been a totally fun and spiritual experience and I don’t know when I have enjoyed anything more.
Even though the numbers of people are dropping off, we have still been getting near one hundred people a day and good member and non member referrals....probably because we can spend more time with them.
Yesterday was especially good we had over two hundred and fifty visitors, mostly members and just a few nonmembers. I had two non member tours and both of them wanted the missionaries to come. Both tours were from California. The first was a man and wife who where of Caribbean Island ancestry. They were neat people, and will make good members some day. They let me know that they were active in their Christian church, but they desired a Book of Mormon and a video.
The other non member was a single lady traveling home to California. She was really interested in the Book of Mormon when I explained what it was, and wanted the missionaries to come and teach her more. She didn’t claim any religion.
I had one member tour where a man and his family of teenagers came through on a tour. At the end the father filled a member referral out for his sister. As he was filling it out, tears started rolling down his cheeks and he said,” I’m going to just call her.” He called her on his cell and said, “Sis, would it be alright if I send you a video, and have the missionaries bring it.” She said, “Yes.” The whole family was excited, because the sister had never allowed any contact from the church.
Each day since my last writing on my birthday on the 22nd, I have had at least one nonmember who requested the missionaries to come and teach them....this is great.
We have been having fun after hours. We had a date night at the twig. Travis Kessler and his family joined us. We just had good food and festive decorations and spent time visiting and laughing like old people enjoy doing.
The other day we took one of the couples out to warm springs and to Kanosh to show them around. We ended up at Cuffs Drive in for good food. We were shopping in Richfield and met up with the Halls at Steve’s Steak house for a great meal. The winter wind is howling around the house, and we are expecting snow today. We are keeping warm and having a great time. This has been a totally fun and spiritual experience and I don’t know when I have enjoyed anything more.
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