July is pageant month, and Nauvoo is bustling with visiting families and youth conference groups. This morning, Sandy and I got up at 3:15 A.M. so we could be at the temple to assist a youth group coming to do baptisms at 5:00 A.M. Tomorrow we go to the temple an hour early so we can officiate the 7:00 A.M. endowment session. This Saturday a group of ordinance workers (excluding us) will be at the temple ready for a youth group coming at 4:00 A.M. to perform baptisms. It is our understanding that this busy schedule will be the norm for the next six weeks.

Yesterday, as I was anticipating our early schedule, it occurred to me that youth group leaders will get up earlier than we will in order to get the kids up, dressed, fed, and to the temple on time. I am in awe of these groups who travel great distances (California, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Tennessee, etc.) to experience Nauvoo, its history, and the temple.