As Long as the World Shall Stand - David A Bednar

February 1846: 175 years ago, Charles Schumway initiated the Latter-day Saints' westward migration from Nauvoo, Illinois, by ferrying across the Mississippi River.
Frigid temperatures characterized the initial three weeks, with wagons navigating around large ice chunks.
Charles C. Rich crossed the frozen river, followed by many refugees on solid ice.
Winter Exodus: Led by Brigham Young, involving about 3,000 saints.
Spring Exodus: Over 10,000 saints departed Nauvoo in three waves, triple the winter departure number.
Fall Exodus: Consisted of 700 saints forcibly removed from Nauvoo at gunpoint.
Hardships during the winter withdrawal led many to seek shelter along the Mississippi River.
Brigham Young urged brethren at Council Point to aid the struggling saints, invoking the Nauvoo Temple covenant.
Call to Action: "Now is the time for labor. Let the fire of the covenant which you made in the house of the Lord burn in your hearts like flame unquenchable."
Wagons were promptly dispatched eastward to rescue the saints.

The early saints' strength stemmed from the fire of temple covenants and ordinances.
They were committed to worship and uphold their standing in the Lord's house.
President M. Russell Ballard's Insight: "Sometimes we are tempted to let our lives be governed more by convenience than by covenant."
It is not always convenient to live gospel standards, share the gospel, or respond to church callings.
Opportunities for service often arise at inconvenient times.
Spiritual power comes from keeping covenants, not from convenience.

The early saints were acutely aware of their dependence on God and trusted Him for deliverance.
Sacred covenants and priesthood ordinances provide access to the power of godliness and blessings through the Savior's Atonement.
Priesthood's Role: "And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God."
Ordinances: "Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest."
Without these ordinances and priesthood authority, the power of godliness is not manifest.
The saints invited the fire of the covenant and the power of godliness into their lives through faithfulness.
This empowered them to trek westward with faith.

Temple covenants and ordinances anchored the Latter-day Saint movement.
Brigham Young emphasized the completion of the Nauvoo Temple.
He worked tirelessly with others to administer temple blessings before the westward journey.
Brigham Young's Dedication: "Such has been the anxiety manifested by the saints to receive the ordinances of the temple… that I have given myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the temple night and day."
Upon reaching the Salt Lake Valley, Brigham Young immediately chose a temple site.

Early members understood the profound blessings of the temple.
Sarah Rich's Testimony: Temple blessings brought "joy and comfort in the midst of all our sorrows" and enabled faith in God.
Without the temple's faith and knowledge, the journey would have been a leap in the dark.
They trusted in God as His chosen people and rejoiced in their deliverance.

Sacred covenants, priesthood ordinances, the fire of the covenant, and the power of godliness remain central.
Lessons from Nauvoo and the westward trails continue to bless us.

Reference Point: Recall events between Tuesday, November 10, and Friday, November 13, 2020.
Significant events occurred in North American temples during those four days.
In November 2020, government officials announced restrictions on religious gatherings due to COVID-19, effective for at least three weeks.
Temples had to suspend operations, disappointing patrons and workers.
Living ordinances only were performed by appointment with reduced capacity.
Members faced further delays.
Temple leaders and workers prayed for direction and decided to keep the temple open around the clock on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The doors remained open until midnight on Friday.
Challenges included contacting patrons, rescheduling appointments, ensuring adequate worker availability, and arranging cleaning crews.
The work began with phone calls, emails, and text messages.
Volunteers responded in large numbers.
The temple doors opened early Wednesday morning and stayed open until midnight on Friday.

Quote 1: Almost everyone answered their phone when contacted to reschedule appointments.
Quote 2: Office clerks and secretaries worked tirelessly to fill the schedule with new appointments.
Quote 3: The Lord's hand was evident with miracles in scheduling and obtaining paperwork.
Quote 4: Ordinance workers served all night with smiles, reminiscent of Nauvoo, and sacrifices were made out of love for the Lord and the temple.
Missionaries, families, and individuals came to the temple, grateful for the opportunity.
Temple staff and workers dedicated countless hours to sanitizing the temple.
Quote 5: Appreciation for ordinance workers, engineers, recorders, and the housecleaning crew.
Quote 6: A recent convert, accompanied by church leaders and missionaries, experienced great joy.
An ordinance worker, unknown to the sister, was present at her endowment session, fulfilling a prayer.
Quote 7: Serving in the temple during the night felt like the Nauvoo pioneers of old.
Workers were in awe of the light and gratitude of the patrons.
Quote 8: Receiving her endowment felt like the early saints refusing to let the Nauvoo Temple close.
She understood the importance of sacred ordinances and felt part of history.

Mormon's questions: Has the day of miracles ceased? Have angels ceased to appear? Has the Holy Ghost been withheld?
Answer: No.
Miracles are wrought by faith, and angels minister to men.
Miracles occur today as they did in the early days of the restoration.
Similar faith-filled events happened in Nauvoo in 1846 and in North America in 2020.
Miracles include scheduling appointments at the precise time a patron could come and a recent convert finding a close friend as an ordinance worker.

Mighty miracles occur for devoted disciples making sacred covenants and receiving priesthood ordinances.
The fire of holy covenants works within us, and we receive the power of godliness as we honor those covenants.
The same spirit that drew saints to the Nauvoo Temple was at work in November 2020 and continues today.
Remember that every good gift comes of Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Spiritual gifts will never be done away with.

We live in a remarkable season.
No unhallowed hand or pandemic can stop the Lord's work.
As you honor your covenants and discern with faith, your spiritual vision will be magnified.
Seemingly small miracles can be the mightiest and most impactful.
Witness of the divinity and reality of the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.