The Olive Tree: Sixteen Months of Anziano Eads' Service in a Video

This is not a post by Nathan or Anziano Eads. I, his father am posting it. It is a collection of some (and I apologize if I left someone out, we'll make a larger one after he comes home next March when he can pick the pictures) of the photos he has taken during his time in the Rome, Italy Mission so far. You won't find many of the exotic scenery that is in Italy. What you will see and I know that Nathan has picked up on this from the shear numbers of photos he sends of them, is the most wonderful, most beautiful, most tremendous thing about Italy, it's people and the LDS missionaries serving there.

The music is called The Olive Tree and is based on an allegory in Jacob chapter 5 of the Olive Trees and their fruit. Read it as it truly is all about why our Savior sends out His missionaries. It is out of love, the love found in the ending picture of the video. There is no wound, physical, mental, spiritual that our Savior cannot heal. There is no heart He cannot touch. However, as the allegory points out, he does that through us. Each of us have to find the simple ways that we touch others, that we show our love for others, our Saviors love for them. I think Anziano Eads has found his ways to touch lives and in return, to be so richly blessed and touched by those he reaches out to. You can decide.

"And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard."  Jacob 5:75 (see Jacob 5:71-72 also).

So here is a simple video of some of the photos of Nathan serving on his mission in Italy. Oh, the first date is the date when Nathan's mother and I got married (kinda started the whole thing) in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. The second is of the Rome LDS Temple that is under construction and is the date Anziano Eads reported to the MTC.

YouTube Video



Here are the words to the song:

The Olive Tree
Seminary Music: Book of Mormon

There’s a call that comes to you and me.

Strong and clear, to share His truth and light.

It’s our time to serve and bring new life

To a waiting, waiting world in need.

Each new day we’ll nourish with his words.

Those who seek direction from above.

With our hands we’ll share the Master’s touch.

With our hearts we’ll spread Hiss endless love.

Until He comes and His work is done,

We’ll labor and we’ll reap.

What joy we’ll find this last time,

As we serve the King of Kings.

Heaven’s eyes smile down as we declare

Words of peace so precious and so rare.

As we reap with tenderness and care

Truth and hope bless nations everywhere.  


Text:  Don Stirling

Music:  Kurt Bestor

Arranged By:  Brian Jensen

Artist:  Felicia Sorenson