Us on the Wagon Ride through Nauvoo. It's a tour that gives a brief history about the city. It's very enjoyable. The weather was perfect... and get this... NOT ONE MAYFLY. I know... total miracle!
The beautiful Mississippi River.
My family (I was behind the camera) in front of the sun stone. The sun stone was found on the Nauvoo Temple. When the Saints were forced to leave Nauvoo unjustly, their temple they worked so hard to build was burned. Some still stood, but a tornado came and demolished what was left. In 2002, the Nauvoo Temple was rebuilt and dedicated. The Spirit there is so strong. I LOVE NAUVOO.
This is us standing where Porter Rockwell once lived. He was a self-declared body guard to Joseph Smith, Jr., first prophet of this dispensation. Despite what many believe they understand about our church, we do not worship Joseph Smith, Jr. In the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, an Apostle, "Now, to anyone within the sound of my voice who has wondered regarding our Christianity, I bear this witness. I testify that Jesus Christ is the literal, living Son of our literal, living God. This Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer who, under the guidance of the Father, was the Creator of heaven and earth and all things that in them are. I bear witness that He was born of a virgin mother, that in His lifetime He performed mighty miracles observed by legions of His disciples and by His enemies as well. I testify that He had power over death because He was divine but that He willingly subjected Himself to death for our sake because for a period of time He was also mortal. I declare that in His willing submission to death He took upon Himself the sins of the world, paying an infinite price for every sorrow and sickness, every heartache and unhappiness from Adam to the end of the world. In doing so He conquered both the grave physically and hell spiritually and set the human family free. I bear witness that He was literally resurrected from the tomb and, after ascending to His Father to complete the process of that Resurrection, He appeared, repeatedly, to hundreds of disciples in the Old World and in the New. I know He is the Holy One of Israel, the Messiah who will one day come again in final glory, to reign on earth as Lord of lords and King of kings. I know that there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man can be saved and that only by relying wholly upon His merits, mercy, and everlasting grace can we gain eternal life." Click on Elder Holland's name above to find out more.
We went on a carriage ride to Inspiration Point. This is a more scenic tour. It is stunning. In one of the pictures you'll notice that Kolton has his nose covered... that's because the horses who were pulling the carriage decided to free their bowels and it was making Kolton gag. Literally. He'd never make it on a farm! Haha!
We were also able to tour many of the homes and shops around Nauvoo. These aren't homes and shops like you're thinking. These are historical sites. Full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serve in Nauvoo. They dress in time period costumes, give tours, and educate tourists on both the physical and spiritual miracles that took place in Nauvoo. Click HERE to see a map. You can click on any home/shop to see a picture of it... check it out! We were able to visit almost every location.
At the Nauvoo LDS Visitors Center there is a garden that is dedicated to women. It's beautiful. The statues there are amazing and are definitely made in praise of women. I loved the one of the elderly woman making a quilt. This reminded me of my recently passed Grammie. I love her so much. Her family was everything to her. The monument of the mother and father with their little girl gives me hope. I know we will have Mercydez again. And yes, we will get to raise her. I can't wait.
We walked The Trail of Hope. This is where the pioneers walked toward the Mississippi River, during the middle of winter, with very little. The crossed the frozen Mississippi and began their trek west, where they ended in Utah. There are signs along the Trail of Hope. These signs have quotes from journals belonging to different pioneers. It's inspiring, to say the least.
We were also able to visit Carthage, Illinois. This is where the Prophet, Joseph Smith, Jr. and his brother, Hyrum Smith were martyred. They were held in jail and a mob, who didn't understand Mormonism, nor did they want to understand Mormonism, pushed their way in and shot Hyrum and Joseph to death. There were two others with Jospeh and Hyrum in Jail. One was significantly injured and the other was okay. There are monuments with beautiful quotes given along the walk to Carthage Jail.
This is the cell where they were kept. It's very small and there is barely any air flowing in and out. It got to be 120 degrees (Fahrenheit) in this cell. The jail owner was kind and allowed the men to come out of the cell and into his own bedroom. This is where the mob broke in and killed them. The owner of the jail had nothing to do with the mob. The picture of Auriel and Kolton is in the room where they were martyred.
We visited the Nauvoo Temple grounds. It's so beautiful there. There is a statue of Joseph and Hyrum on their horses, looking back at Nauvoo as they were being escorted to Carthage Jail. You'll also see a picture of Kolton by a sign. This is a great story... Kolton was so worried about not tripping on the curb that he forgot to notice the sign and turned his face right into it! Ha! Poor kid had a horrible headache the rest of the day! We couldn't help but laugh though. He was a good sport to have his picture taken by it... smiling, nonetheless.
We also had some fun down by the Mississippi River. Kolton and Auriel can now say they have been "in" the Mississippi. And we can all say we've jumped up and down a million times by the Mississippi. Yay for randomness.
And, of course, we were there for opening night of the Nauvoo Pageant. It was so wonderful. The production was very well done. The music was absolutely beautiful.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE NAUVOO!!! I'm sure my family all feel the same too!
