In 1846, 14 year old Elvira Stephens left Nauvoo with many of the fleeing Saints. She looked across the river from Montrose and longed to feel the Spirit of the Temple... so, in severe winter conditions she returned to Nauvoo and entered the temple to fortify her soul for the upcoming challenges that befaced her. Then back across the ice to the camp of the Saints. The view of the Temple and the feeling of peace she felt there beckoned her once again and again. She returned not just once, but three consequetive times... so, was her longing to be near the Temple... In her journal, later in life she stated that it was that experience while leaving Nauvoo and returning three times to the Temple...it was that extra effort, that "sustained her for a life time". As JoAnn and I leave Nauvoo after a season of serving in the House of the Lord, we too, have learned as did Elvira, that "returning to the Temple" gives us spiritual and physical strength to endure all of life's trials.
