Ole' Nauvoo

I have hated to even post because the hijacker did such a beautiful job on my blog. I loved it and didn't want to change a thing, but I guess I need to update and post pictures of the grande visit we had to Ole' Nauvoo. I had been to Nauvoo with my parents, back in the days when the restoration was in it's infancy. Earl and I took the kids in 1999, which included Rob, Chelsea and Giselle and had a wonderful visit. We left then saying that we wanted to hurry and retire so we could go there on a mission. When our dear friends - Rob and Gayla - went on their mission 19 months ago, we told them we would visit them before they came home. We were going to go when Jodi and Mike went to the temple, but that was right during the time of my Mother's worst part of her illness. We had one week left before they came home, so we jumped on a plane and flew. It was wonderful and worth every penny. We want now, more than ever, to go there on a mission! The first picture is of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum and their last ride. As they left Nauvoo to ride to Carthage, the Prophet turned in his saddle and looked back over his shoulder at Beautiful Nauvoo. The statue is inspiring and depicts the Prophet and his brother so well.
This is the only picture of Earl and me together the whole time we were in Nauvoo. We are standing next to the statue above and some people came along and offered to take our picture. The view from here is gorgeous - it is located across the street from the Temple. You can see all the homes of Nauvoo down below and the Mississippi in the background. This place is truly amazing.
We were on the horse-drawn wagon ride that takes you around the town of Nauvoo - Elder Maxfield is one of the team drivers - and this is almost at the end of Parley Street. This is the street that the Saints walked down as they left Nauvoo. It is called "Trail of Tears" and there are markers with vingettes of different people's memories or comments. As the street ends, it runs right into the Mississippi and this is where the Saints crossed on that cold February day with ice chunks floating in the River.
If you turn and look over your shoulder as you hit the end of Parley Street, this is the view the Saints would have had of their sacred Temple. It must have been so heart-breaking to leave your home and the Temple.
This is the statue of the Propher Joseph and his beloved brother, Hyrum. It is taken in the courtyard in Carthage, close to where the Prophet would have fallen from the window. The spirit at Carthage is unreal. It is impossible to leave that place without a lump in your throat, tears in your eyes, and love in your heart for all that was sacrificed for us to have this beautiful Gospel.















This is the Smith Family Home. Joseph and Emma lived in this home after living in a very small log cabin that is located to the other side of what you see. The Church of Christ owns this site plus the Nauvoo House, the Mansion House and the Red Brick Store. They allow our church to do the re-enactment of the forming of the Relief Society in the upstairs of the Red Brick Store where it was originally organized.

This is a statue of the Prophet and Brigham Young holding a map of the Rocky Mountains.
The Prophet received this revelation prior to his death and had a map maker draw what he had received.
Rod and Gayla were wonderful actors in the shows. We knew they would be. It was so good to see them and stay with them and partake of their spirituality. They were the hit of the show for us and we love and appreciate their example and continued commitment to the Gospel. It was such a good trip for Earl and me, as well. We just enjoyed the time together.

On a side note - without pictures - school has started and we are back at the "usual" schedule. Dad and I continue to make the trek to Layton each day. I scheduled his appointments so we could go after I am finished with school. He has had foot adjustments and orthodics placed in his shoes and last week he had his knee adjusted. About the time his back is feeling better, then we work with his feet and knee, which causes lots of pain. We hope the knee will be feeling better by tomorrow. We think we will be finished with the treatments by the end of this week or the middle of next week. I can't tell all of you how much I have enjoyed spending this time with my Dad. He is a wonderful person. He is brave and stalwart and so determined to feel better. He is so knowledgable and I have drunk of his well of knowledge all summer. He is so observant and shares what he sees with me. It has been a beautiful experience for me. He is patient with my driving and doesn't complain out loud -- I see him reach for his elbow rest every now and then, but other than that, we've had a good time.