As we drove from our hotel to Nauvoo we followed the Mississippi River . The river was beautiful with the over hanging trees and the Lilly pads that were scattered along the edge of the water. Excitement grew as we neared the city. With each turn we would get small glimpses of the Nauvoo Temple. As we turned the final corner I remember feeling of coming home to a place that I had never been.
Jack found each door an exciting adventure. He tried to explore the outhouse behind Joseph and Emma Smith's home.
Claire loved exploring the outdoors. Looking at the view from the backyard of Joseph and Emma is breathtaking! The purple flowers, the reeds and the river was a sight that made me give thanks for Heavenly Father's creations.
The heat and the humidity made ice cold root beer a wonderful treat. Jack loved that he got his own bottle as we drank root beer from Joseph Smith's Redbrick Store. On the second story of the store Joseph has a small office. In a large room on the second floor the Relief Society was first organized. By small things great things will happen.
The beautiful open spaces were perfect for a family game of tag. It was also amazing to think that we may have played with our kids in the same place that Joseph and other great leaders may have spent quality time with their families.
Further into town we toured a school house, the brick yard, a bakery and the home of Brigham Young. The spirit within each of these places was a powerful reminder of the faith and diligence that the people of Nauvoo had. Diligence to build a beautiful city and faith to move on.
Lance had the chance to make his own rope. It was so wonderful to see his work so hard to crank the wheel to twist the twine to make his rope strong. The look of pride in his eyes as he was handed his own rope to take home was priceless.
We all had the chance to play games from a simpler time. Even Matt took his turn with the wheel and stick. We also had a bit of a race with stilts... it did not go how I wanted it to.
Claire tried her hand at Bear racing. Once again I tried to win a pioneer game, it is safe to say that Claire did not get her Bear racing skills from me.
Lance enjoyed dressing up and cleaning up the pint size cabin. Claire took care of the babies and Jack cooked a wonderful meal. It was fun to see them play the part.
Later that afternoon we went up the hill to the Temple.
It was awe inspiring to see this Temple sitting on the exact place where the Saints worked so hard to build one. Where I was standing was a beautiful statue of Joseph and Hyrum. The statue marks the place where the brothers stood and took one last look at the city and people that they loved, before they rode to Carthage Jail.
Our next stop was Carthage Jail, the place that Joseph was martyred. I expected to feel such a sadness there. Yet is was more of a feeling of inspiration. What the Prophet went through and the dedication of his brother to go with him even to death.
The second story window is where Joseph fell from after being shot.
To finish off an amazing day we attended the Nauvoo Pageant. Before the Pageant the kids were able to see a puppet show and make some crafts and play games. The performance was heart touching. In the beginning Parley P. Pratt says "We are here because you are here." When he said that I felt the truthfulness of it, there are those that have passed on that are grateful that we are falling in love with a city that they gave their all for.
After the show we were able to meet "Joseph". Lance ran up to him and jumped into his arms! Joseph embraced him and told him how glad it was that he could come. It was so touching to see how the spirit of this young Prophet was carried out in this young man.
Leaving Nauvoo was bitter sweet. Knowing that we were able to be in a place that Joseph Smith and other Saints, lived and built a Temple was testimony building. Yet, I was able to feel the sadness that the Saints must have felt in seeing the Temple slowly fade away into the background.
