Nauvoo

Yesterday, we loaded up the family and headed off to Nauvoo for a little day trip.  I love Nauvoo.  I love the spirit of the city.  I love remembering beloved pioneer ancestors who walked those hallowed roads, sacrificed so much to live their newfound faith, and survived their personal refiner's fires to follow a prophet of God--even when it meant turning their backs on the beautiful city they loved to enter the unknown.  

As we drove along the Iowa highways, in air conditioned comfort, we read accounts from Judson Tolman's and Anson Call's journals about their own experiences in Nauvoo.  How they built up a city, experienced the grief of the death of a prophet and other persecutions, and forged a faith that would carry through the generations to our little branch of their family trees.  How we love and honor them and all our family members who chose to follow so it would be so easy for us to have and live the truth.

We started the day off with the horse drawn wagon ride through Nauvoo.  After that, we spent time walking around the city, visiting our favorite homes and activities.  While we were in the activity center, we met Elder and Sister Tolman from Cache Valley.  We found out they were from the Cyrus Tolman line.  We shared Judson's journal with them and they shared home made orange rolls with us.  We also learned about making ropes, pottery, barrels, bread baking, candle making and weaving.  

We then headed off to the outdoor play area for the kids to enjoy pioneer activities.  We had fun trying to walk on stilts and play other fun games.  A little dressing up was essential.

Josh's favorite home of the day was the Browning home, where he saw a lot of guns.  He thought that was pretty cool.  We also got our traditional brick and prairie diamonds.

Because we didn't have time to stay very long, we missed out on the performances, including a special performance by the BYU ballroom dancers who happened to be performing.  We also didn't have time to make it to Carthage.  We will hit that next time.

All in all, we had a lovely day.  We are so thankful to live so close to so many sacred sites in our family's (and church's) history.  We would love to have a family reunion in Nauvoo any year anyone is interested in making the trek back.