One of the joys I receive working with Rod Meldrum and the Heartland group, is that I meet and have met some amazing people. This group of people are loving and kind and very open minded. They will change and grow as the Lord indicates to them to change and grow. They are very prayerful and put the Lord first in their lives.

Now I could say that about 80% of the good members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a beautiful group of people as we gather Israel. This Church is absolutely true, Joseph Smith is and was one of the greatest prophets of all time, The Book of Mormon is an amazing book with answers to gospel question running all through it’s pages. See over 500 Gospel Answers Here.

These last days are bringing two huge forces together, the forces of the evil one, and the superior forces of the Lord Jesus Christ. Overall the Lord will win, but let’s ask ourselves, will we be part of that winning team? I know we all want to be, but what are we doing to garner success in this battle?

An amazing scripture tells us what the Lord is doing in these last days, and I ask are we ready for what the Lord is doing? Read D&C 121:33-34, it says, “How long can rolling waters remain impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course, or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints. Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?”

High Praise

Today, name me all those Latter-day Saints that are having knowledge poured down from heaven to bless our lives. Rod, Wayne, Jonathan, Hannah, Tim, Boyd, Mike, Betty, David H., Dean, Russ, Steve, and many more. I’m not saying our group of Heartlanders is better than anyone, but I am saying the Lord is pouring down knowledge every conference we have. Wow, you don’t want to miss this one on Sept 23-25. It will be a doosy! The Lord is great and He loves us and I am so thankful to all my friends who I have met and continue to meet. For example I just meat Greg Hughes, David Crandall, Hayden Paul, Eric Moutsos, Andrea Hales, Jaren O’Driscoll, who are quality people. This group is growing by leaps and bounds. I look at our little group as an “Army of Helaman” and the Wisdom Bearing Troop. Now don’t get offended, old people, to me are about 30 to 90.

We need our young millennials to grow so we find more Hannah’s, Tristan’s, Kimberlie’s, Judy’s, Leah’s, Isaiah’s, Ephraim’s, Mike Downs, with his great father Jeff Downs. Look how the amazing Barlow children are moving the work forward, its beautiful. I hope Heidi and Russ keep having children that will build our army by 10 more. haha. What about the amazing Sessions family. Is there anyone in that family that is not brilliant, kind and loving? (Well maybe Dean on a bad day) haha. And how about James F. Stoddard III? He has left an amazing legacy and we honor him for all he has done. I truly feel he will do more for us in the next life than he could ever do for us here. Listen to that still small voice and watch the Stoddard clan march forward with their might to challenge the evil of today. Hannah is the Drill Sargent for righteousness and you’d better listen to her. haha. Get to know the powerful testimony of Kimberly Smith, wow. She is an amazing woman who loves the Lord so much. With her and Hannah side by side you cannot win any argument with them about the gospel. They are packed full of knowledge and principle.

Then there is my super missionary friend York Bennett. who has influenced hundreds of people about the gospel and baptized many even after a mission. I have a great new friend Stephen Reed who is a lot of fun. He knows Church History and can really create some wild memes of strange M2C theories. Ask him about where BOMC got their maps and he will tell you about stealing, well a better word is borrowing everything from the RLDS Church.

What about the Old Sage of the group Wayne. The archaeological knowledge of Wayne is unprecedented. He may not hold a degree here, but he is my choice for Archaeologist of the next life and he will be our teacher. What is a degree anyway? Just a piece of paper that was given to reward you for your tenacity and sifting through the many false doctrines of life. Just ask Kevin Price. He is the only PhD that doesn’t act like one. He is funny, conservative smart as a whip, and steadfast, and righteously stubborn, in his faith in the Lord. My wonderful friends Kendra and David Burton I have know since Kendra created a wonderful work of art for me of the Savior appearing in the heartland. She will be displaying her newest art of Joseph Smith at the Expo, which is a beautiful rendition of a young and inspired man.

Below are some pictures of others who have touched me and I love. It is so hard to speak about them all but I challenge you to get to know the good people at our event. You will develop lifelong relationships.

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My faithful Native American friend is Franklin Keel. You won’t meet a more humble follower of the Lord ever. What an example he has been for the Chickasaw Nation and all people. He introduced me to a man who I later found was related to John Howland of the Mayflower just as I was, Allen C. Christensen. We speak regularly and he is such a friend and one who I can ask anything. He is the author of the wonderful book Joseph’s Remnant, all about the Lamanite Hero’s of our day.

Have you ever met a lady named Betty White? No not the actress, Betty “Red Ant” White, before she married out of her tribe, and her mom, baptized by LeGrande Richards was not pleased with her, but she married a Chippewa named short Mike Lafontaine anyway. His mom Del is a beautiful short Swede whom I love to death. I have never met such wonderful White Lamanites in all my life. Ask Betty, that is a compliment. The White part is because she is so pure inside. The Sprit radiates within her and she sees things that the normal soul just can’t. Her uncanny spiritual goodness is an honor to her Navajo people and every one else. Mike is a flat out worker. He is Chippewa magic. He can build a home by himself in less that 5 days. haha. He gets things done like no-one I have ever met. He is a dedicated priesthood holder who combined with Betty, make an incredible team. The thing I love the most about him is that I have him by one inch in height. That makes me the almost shortest and most rotund man in the Heartland.

Have you ever felt the beauty, energy, and fun personality of Tatia (Good Name) Nelson? She is a hoot. She can laugh and sing with the best of them and has a heart of gold. I don’t know how she puts up with CJ as a friend but he is a new friend that I like a lot. Can’t wait to meet him. CJ is donating over 6,000 bottles of Hand Sanitizer for every guest at the expo and we thank him and Tatia who works with him for their generosity. (See Picture Right).

The Cartoonist guy is Val Chadwick Bagley. It is his art as the header image on this blog. He has done over 300 cartoons, and illustrations for me. As a matter of fact he is only one of two artists that has ever sold over 1 Million pieces for Covenant which does a lot of LDS art and books. You have to laugh at his wonderful sense of humor and his ability to make the common thing come to life with glib and joy. He has done cartoons for over 40 years in the New ERA for the Church. Don’t confuse him with the less spiritual Pat Bagley, they are not related. Purchase his Heartland Book Here: 96-pages of Heartland and Book of Mormon Humor full color for just $10. It is amazing.

What can I say about Jonathan? Have you ever met a man that writes books in bed and every month or so he has a new one? I think he must have 30 part finished books ready to go at the drop of a hat. He is an amazing source of wisdom and Church History. Elite is his title in the next life. So what does that make Rod? Well he is only as good as the woman he serves, Tonya. Most of you don’t know that Tonya rules the roost and that is why Rod has no hair. She is one loving and tough woman keeping this wonderful concept of the Heartland alive for us all. Her practicality and desire to succeed is awesome and I love her. I feel like I have known Rod my entire life. He is a stud in my book. His tenacity is unwavering, I think they threw out the “ever ready bunny” when Rod came along, as Rod outlasts that silly bunny and he is running on his first charge. Not new batteries for that man. We love you Rod. His children, Cassie, and Shawna, and Logan and Jake, and Big Red and little Matthew are fantastic. There dogs aren’t that great but they love them so I guess I have to as well. (Small Sacrifice) Is that enough LOVE from me? I hope so, I am truly blessed.

From the Wonderful Life of Irene Tukuafu

“Now let me share from her own words an amazing lady who most of us know and if we don’t we should get to know her. Irene Tukuafu. In Nauvoo she is known as the “Lady in the Round House.” When you meet her she is a smile a minute with such an amazing disposition you instantly want to hug her. She is a best friend immediately. Aske her to play her 5 or 6 instruments, but you haven’t lived until you sit on her porch in Nauvoo and listen to her beautiful music from her harp. It is a beautiful thing.

The Mennonite Wedding

“Here’s something that I wrote in my journal last night.   I loved being there.  I was surprised that I was the ONLY one that was NOT a Mennonite.  There was one Amish couple, as I saw her black bonnet laying on a counter in the house.   There were a very somber couple and a very somber sad looking teen daughter.   That was just my observation. 

ALL were dressed in their Sunday go to meeting cloths.  New dresses I could tell because I’m a seamstress.  NO pierced ears, nor any earrings.  They ALL wore little white bonnets, except a few had some other type of lace bonnet.  These bonnets are straight pinned to their hair.   Surely they get their skin in there sometimes.   ALL hair is slicked back, then covered with these bonnets.   They looked and acted happy and uninterested in worldly things. Maybe only 2 women were overweight.  That is very admirable.
 
The men wore mostly black vests and they looked handsome.   The visiting clergy wore a certain kind of coat that I can recall seeing in pictures of the early Church Leaders of the LDS church.   These too are also hand made, not store bought. 
 
After I wrote in my journal last night I saw this on Epochtv.comhttps://www.theepochtimes.com/c-breaking-the-silenceI saw episodes 3&4.  Quite amazing and I learned A LOT.   Of course not HALF AS GOOD as the one that you have (or did have) on your site. (Amish Forgiveness and Conversion) I still love it that such a documentary was filmed of them joining the true Church and so very beautifully moved.   The acts of making it seem like a “painting” and turning into the real thing and action is what is being done in the Temple still life movies………….not movies…..

However, These are worth watching and if you have time, SOMEDAY…..I encourage you to look at these and think about it.   We are NOT saved by our works but through Christ and his atoning sacrifice. To rule by POWER and “forced love” is not good for small groups or nations. 

At the end of my journals every night, I send a little message to Tomasi.   I don’t know weather you want to use any of this, but wanted to share with you anyway.”

ALOHA, IRENE
THIS IS MY JOURNAL ENTRY OF 11 SEPT 2021   

Woke up early enough and started the day off right. scriptures. I’m reading in 3 Nephi now and come follow me. Somehow these are working together to strengthen my own testimony and I’m thinking to learn more and seek for the Spirit of the Lord to be with me. I made a little breakfast and fed my fish and snail and out the door I went with my gift in a cute bag. A bread knife and a cooking spoon that I’d made. I didn’t want to take some horrible back road to my friends house so I put in my GPS phone, THE ZIMMERMAN’S STORE in Rutledge, MO. I kept about 5 miles/hour over the speed limit. I got to the store and got directions to Elizabeth’s place. THERE ARE 2 V ROADS. I took the wrong one. BEANS. But backtracked and got to the right one and found that I got there just in time. I’m glad they were late starting. About 400 folks. I was the only non Mennonite.

I saw Elizabeth right away with her holding the little baby boy she’s raising for a woman in prison. I love Elizabeth for her selfless love for others. ALL are dressed in their best Church clothes. ALL have white bonnets. There is one Black hat Amish woman there with her husband and teen daughter. It was held in Elizabeth’s HUGE BARN that they laid out rugs filling the whole floor.

This barn is only wood shell, but very tall and wide and is covered in tin paneling or roofing. Many buildings are made like this in the Midwest. Her dad built it before he passed away. She has 13 siblings….13 girls and one son. Elizabeth asked if I’d brought a gift and she showed me where to take it. I gave it to some handsome guy and he took it into the open cleaned up garage. Then we walked to the huge Barn. I’m so grateful I brought my padded seat as ALL the seats were hard metal seats and I know it would be a few hours in there. I was grateful to sing 3 hymns with them. I do love their music and it’s all acapella. One man starts the singing and then we all join in. Just like it was in Tonga. Shape note singing style. And the notes in the hymn books are different shapes.

Then the visiting “Elder” stands up to talk. He hardly opens his mouth. Woah, I had a hard time understanding him. He pitched his voice like a very high tenor and preached in the same note the whole time. I’m sure he taught their “doctrine” as all were very attentive. I tried to listen closely. That was about 25 minutes. Then another visiting Elder….I thought to myself, “oh good, he may speak in a lower tone.” NOT….He was a bigger man and younger then the first one, but he also spoke WAY HIGH on the scale. I’d get out my phone to see what he was speaking in….but that would be rude. All were very attentive. I’m falling asleep sitting up straight. The Barn is warm, and every window is open. At the bottom of the barn, folks had opened it up so that the metal pannels would let the air breeze flow. Great idea.

On and on they spoke. There were some testimony’s by the men folks of the family. I was asleep enough that I didn’t see the bride and groom stand up and were asked a few questions by their Bishop.

There was no flower girls, no ring presented, no “kiss the bride” no clapping when it was over. There was not bower of archway to stand under. She and him were dressed in the same Sunday go to meeting cloths as everyone else. She’s extremely beautiful and he had a GREAT BIG SMILE.

We all go outside and quietly talk with others. I’m invited to look at the wedding gifts. OH WOW…..the couple don’t open these, they are all opened by someone else and set out for all to see. Many practical things. For them were hoses and hoes and electrical chords of many colors. Elizabeth made a beautiful clock on the wall. Of course there were quilts and bedding and towels and dishes and all sorts of things. Oh wow. No one was taking photos so I kept my phone/camera in my pocket. I have no trouble talking with folks and it was wonderful to talk with the ladies.

Some knew me or heard of me, “Oh, you’re Irene with the round house”. like that. Then we all walked to the Big Barn again and all the tables were set up. Salads and olives and cheeses and other wonderful goodies. Then the food was passed down these long put together tables. Just MARVELOUS meatballs. And potatoes and green beans and just wonderful other foods. IT WAS A TRUE FEAST. Foods hot and were served hot, same with the cold things. Everyone cleans up EVERYTHING on their plate. Real plates, no paper or plastic. A tiny jigger of wine, I gave it to the one next to me. I thought there would be a “toast’ the bride and groom. NOT. All are so polite and kind and I loved that of these folks. Cake and ice cream were served on the same plates. That’s why they clean up Everything on their plates.

I sat with Elizabeth’s sister and she had the little guy. A fabulous roll out for this young couple and I wish them happiness and long life together. I went to get my little padded seat and got in my car and drove away. I made another wrong turn and went quite a ways before giving up and turning back. I saw some old guys at some random feed store and asked how to get to Zimmerman’s Store and they directed me. Yeah.

Such beautiful materials, but I didn’t get any. I got carrots and peppered hot pretzels that came from Elizabeth’s store. I got some Vit C in the NOW brand, but get home and they also are made in China. I’m going to have to look really hard to find vitamins that are made in America. I did get some jell capsules and a thing to set those capsules in to fill with stuff that will be much cheaper then buying them all made. Several ladies in the store knew me and one by name…..it was her first day there working.

I’ll go there again. of course. I saw some lovely yellow mums for $2.95 each and took ’em home. No trouble going home……….beautiful farming country. The Bread Basket of the USA. Reached home about 4:30 and went right in and took a nap. TIRED. Then reading the news, I saw some documentaries on folks that are leaving the Amish. I watched this one and as the man that was directing this video series said, “Not all Amish are like these ones that are so strict that they are not progressing.” I found that it was an interesting take on their lives.

Tomasi Love, you would have enjoyed being with me here. Almost NONE of these folks have any idea what is in the South Pacific…..”the Polynesian Triangle”. 8th grade education does show here. However, when we first moved to the Mainland ……………..a lot of Haoles didn’t know those places either. How I enjoy even now explaining my name and how to pronounce it and smiling in my heart that I’m married to you for Eternity. ” Irene Tukuafu

Her Website is here: http://irenetukuafu.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html
http://irenetukuafu.blogspot.com/
http://harp4you.blogspot.com/

Friends are wonderful. God is Great and I am a blessed man to know you all. I missed speaking about many of you, but I will get you one day soon, as I love speaking about the goodness in good people.