Nauvoo the Beautiful

The first week of May, we decided to take a trip up to Nauvoo, Illinois to see some of the historical sites of our church. For those of you unfamiliar with the Mormon history, the early Saints were driven out of Missouri and found refuge in the swamps of Illinois. After much effort, they turned the swamp into a beautiful city; one of the strongest in Illinois at the time. They lived there for only 7 years before persecution from those against our faith drove the Saints again from their homes; this time in February. About 7 months before their leaving, the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred in Carthage. It is a sad story but so inspiring to see the Saints faith even in so much persecution. Their spirit is inspiring. You feel that in Nauvoo. My parents also went up with us and we met Mitch's cousin Matt and his wife Becca and their little boy Garrick there. It was a fun little family reunion.
Monday night we walked the "Trail of Hope". It is along one of the streets and they have signs documenting some of the pioneers experiences as they left Nauvoo and crossed the plains to Utah. So inspiring.

The group in front of a statue of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum.

Eric and I along the banks of the giant Mississippi River

The beautiful Nauvoo temple (at night). The Saints sacrificed a lot to build this temple to receive ordinances that would bring them closer to God. The temple was destroyed by arsons as the Saints were leaving. About 10 or so years ago, the church rebuild the temple exactly as it was (with modern modifications such as electric, etc.)

Carthage Jail--- where Joseph and his brother Hyrum were held on false charges and later murdered.

Not to make light of this sacred place, but this is Eric and I pretending to be in jail.

This is the well where the prophet fell from the upstairs window after having been shot

Mitch demonstrating the use of the outhouse of one of the pioneer homes.

Me, doing my womanly duty in the summer kitchen

Mitch and my dad making rope at the family living center. Matt helped but he's not in the picture

Mitch's favorite place: the Gunsmith's shop. Matt and Mitch LOVED this. I think we have more pictures of guns than anything else. As you can see, Mitch and Matt had some fun with it:

More guns....sigh

In the Blacksmith's shop

Making a horse shoe

We couldn't leave Nauvoo until Mitch got a Nauvoo brick from the brick masons. Here are Mitch, Becca, and Matt with their bricks:

we'll have to go back soon and finish seeing the rest of Nauvoo. Sadly we didn't even get through half of what's there. How grateful I am for the early Saints sacrifice and faith. It build me up even today.