Absolutely Awesome Eight: Rendevous in Old Nauvoo

Although it was late when we arrived Monday night, our teenagers were up bright and early Tuesday morning to keep our (only option) appointment at the Nauvoo Illinois Temple to perform baptisms and confirmations.

It was a wonderful way to start the day.

After breakfast, we gathered our entire crew and headed to the Visitor's Center.

It was a pleasant surprise when the young performing missionaries came around a corner and began singing beautiful hymns as we stood near the "Christus". They are an incredibly talented group!

There was a tangible feeling of humility and sacrifice evident throughout our time in Nauvoo. It's easy to understand why the early Saints loved this beautiful place and how difficult it must have been to leave it all behind.

Tanner's good friend, Jacob C., passed through the area a week before we arrived. Jacob strategically placed a few clues around the Visitor's Center which lead us on a little hunt.

In some ways the search was more exciting than the find.

Too bad a little mouse beat us to the treasure!

Anna, Elsie, Lillian, Quinn - getting to know Jack and Jim.

Our first day in Nauvoo was rainy and overcast but we bundled up under blankets for the horse and carriage tour.

Elder Davis narrated this 45-minute tour through the countryside and shared powerful stories - including one about the great missionary, Dan Jones, who brought many converts into the Church from Wales. In its simplicity, this was one of my favorite experiences from our time in Nauvoo.

Being a senior missionary in Nauvoo is one of those "golden" opportunities. Opportunities to serve increase dramatically if you know how to drive a team and care for horses. Interestingly enough, the state that contributes more senior couple missionaries to this mission is Idaho.

After enjoying a production of "The Promise", a musical journey depicting Nauvoo during the mid-1800's, we ventured on to the Family Living Center.

It was nice to be inside while the weather cleared.

We learned more about what ordinary life was like for the early Saints.

I was fascinated to glean information on how they made rope, bread, rugs, candles, pottery, etc.

It really took the entire family working together to produce what was necessary to survive.

Then it was time for a little outdoor physical activity.

Anna and Lillian

Elsie, Breanna, Anna, Lillian

Brinley was entertained watching Aaron and Bryant get their act together.

Then she gave it a whirl.

And so did I.

Lots of races.

The softened, wet ground made it a bit more challenging to keep balanced.

Anna's turn.

Tanner, Breanna, Garrett, Lillian, Jantzen

But in the end, I was the self-proclaimed champion - even in sandals.

There were dress-ups and all types of games for children (and adults).

Elsie particularly liked playing in the one-room school house.

Jantzen quickly figured out how to work this ring toss game.

And Quinn was a fan of the stick horse.

Our wagon tour time arrived so we loaded up to enjoy a 55-minute narration from a senior sister missionary. This is where we really learned about the city, buildings, businesses, people, etc.

Before construction was completed for a meeting hall, members of the Church would gather in this grove to listen to the Prophet, Joseph Smith teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many inspiring sermons were preached at this location.

View of the Mississippi River

The Seventies Hall

Early June was the perfect time to visit old Nauvoo - no crowds and no humid heat!

Period-dressed senior missionaries often waved to us as the wagon tour passed.

Not every building in Nauvoo was made of red brick. Passing this rustic cabin, I enjoyed the story about Patty Sessions - a mid-wife who assisted with over 3,000 births during her lifetime.

We visited the upstairs of the Red Brick Store where the School of the Prophets met. In the basement of this building an extensive restoration project is underway (through Community of Christ church?). One lady showed us original pieces of dishware and other household items that were painstakingly being puzzled back together after being extracted from the ground. It was a common practice for broken dishware to be thrown down into the family "outhouse" for safe keeping.

Log cabin was Joseph and Emma's first home in the area.

The Mansion House

Joseph Smith and his family moved into this home in August 1843. An additional wing was added bringing the total number of rooms to 22. Six of these were used by the Smith family. This house also served as a hotel and was a social center for many occasions. Although the Prophet lived here less than a year, Emma remained in this home until 1871.

Home of Wilford Woodruff

The Smith family cemetery is located between the Red Brick Store and Joseph and Emma's first home built in the Nauvoo area (log cabin). Joseph with wife, Emma and brother, Hyrum - buried side by side.

Joseph Smith Jr.'s parents are also buried at this location - Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith.

Here we are listening to sister missionaries share about the events that occurred at Carthage Jail in June 1844. This 30-minute drive from Nauvoo took Joseph and Hyrum about 4 hours by horseback.

After being shot several times by an armed mob - painted black- of 150-200 men, Joseph fell to his death from this window on June 27, 1844.

Joseph and Hyrum Smith

"In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!" (D&C 135:3)

There is a small visitor's center and lovely grounds around the jail. I have always loved the Prophet, Joseph Smith and know he was called of God to bring about The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord's anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum..." (D&C 135:3).

Bonnie & Heather

Carthage Jail

Later that evening, we stopped to take pictures in front of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple. Directly across the street from the temple is this monument entitled "The Last Ride". From the bluff, you can see the Mississippi River in the distance.

A beautiful sunset.

As we were preparing to head down the hill for the evening "Trail of Hope" walk along Parley Street, Tanner noticed a Power of Moms window sticker in the minivan that pulled up just in front of us. When I saw the CA license plate and a curly-haired lady in the front seat, I knew it was April Perry's family. Sure enough. They were stopping for pictures also. We have met on a few occasions before and they walked over to talk with us as we sat in our car.

April and Eric Perry

This picture was taken from our car window. Aaron calls me a P.O.M. groupie - and this confirms it! We ran into them a few times while walking the streets of Nauvoo and it was fun to chat.

Down on Parley Street - where the early Saints lined the road preparing to cross the Mississippi River for the last time as they journeyed west.

The young performing missionaries (YPM) are kept extremely busy during their 4-month mission.

They can all sing, dance, act and entertain young and old alike.

This was about the only line we ever waited in. It took a while as each group was led by one of the YPM's by candlelight along Parley Street where they shared true accounts written by early saints preparing to leave Nauvoo.