Nauvoo 2009

We have just returned from an eight day-3000 mile journey of a lifetime! We left Friday, July 16 towards Nauvoo, Ill. After driving for 800 miles our first day we made it to Florence, Nebraska on Saturday morning. This is known as Winter Quarter's for the member's of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This is where thousands of member's of the church stayed the winter before heading the rest of their journey to Salt Lake City, Utah. We had a lovely tour around the visitor's center by Sister Rosa who was from Brazil. It was neat to learn about events that transpired here. My 3rd great grandfather died close to this area at the Platte River.

The Winter Quarter's Temple was dedicated in 2001. It is a beautiful Temple just below the cemetery. There was a very peaceful feeling around the Temple and cemetery.

After leaving Winter Quarter's we were headed towards Independence Missouri. It is a long drive! Just off of the road we saw a sign for "Bridges of Madison County". We decided we could use a break so we pulled off. None of us have ever seen the movie or read the book but we thought the little town was very quaint. There was a car show going on--lots of neat old cars. I just love little old towns. The old covered bridges were just like old paintings.

Miss A and the little man are very close. He just adores her. This is one of those pictures that I will treasure forever.

Sunday morning we went to Independence. This is a very special area to members of our faith. There is a visitors center here where we learned a lot about the events that transpired. There was also an incredible exibit of portraits portraying events in the life of Christ. It was a really wonderful experience to have with our children.

Across the street from the LDS visitor's center is the Community of Christ's temple. It was a very strange building. Very futuristic. Interesting thing to our family is how different we felt inside as we walked across the street, rather empty. I was happy to walk back across the street.

After Independence we drove to Liberty. This is where our Prophet Joseph Smith was held for about five months in the dead of winter. This is a recreation of the actual building, built on the actual original footings. This is where the Prophet was tested. It is said that it was a "refiner's fire" for the Prophet. It was stated that we all have our "Liberty Jail". We all have to go through the refiner's fire to truly know and understand. I wonder how we know when and if we have had our 'liberty jail'?

After Liberty we headed to Far West, Missouri. This is where the Saints had fled to for safety before settling in Nauvoo. There was a large amount of members that lived here, before the mobs ran them out again. Now there is a lovely green park like place with a fence around four cornerstones of the Temple that was never built. A beautiful place, with very few homes. It is hard to believe that there was ever a town in this area.

Next we went to Adam-ondi-oman. This was the most reverent, serene and beautiful place.

Next we headed across the beautiful country roads of Missouri. This is an absolutely amazingly beautiful state. Rolling hills, green everywhere. Along the road we saw this Amish buggy. I would love to one day experience a bit more of the Amish lifestyle.

We finally made it to beautiful Nauvoo, Illinois! We set out the next morning to experience as much as possible. We went into almost every shop, house and business. They are all completely authentically furnished, using pieces from the time period. We went on a wagon ride around Old Nauvoo getting a perspective and some history.

We went into the little school house, a blacksmith shop, a gunshop, a brickmaker shop, bakery, post office, tin shop and general store. We visited numerous family homes as well as some community buildings.

It is a funny thing when you find people you know so far away from home. My Mom's dear friends(Romrells) are serving a mission at the Nauvoo Temple---I found them through their name tags! We were blessed to be able to go to the Temple twice. Once for baptism's and once for a session. It was a treasured experience.

We watched three different plays. MissE and the little man got to be in two parades.

We were amazed at the performance given by all the Senior Couple missionaries. It was incredible. We all loved every minute, it was so much fun.

In February of 1844 thousand of Latter day Saints were forced to leave their beautiful city. They left willingly, to avoid the mobs. These people walked down Parley Street into the unknown. At the end of Parley street is the Mississippi river. The miracle that happened that cold February was that the river froze solid so that thousands could cross that river quickly. There is a memorial at the river. There are names of at least 2500 people that left Nauvoo but died along the way never making it to Salt Lake City. I knew the name of one grandfather. We found his name on that memorial.

While visiting the blacksmith shop I felt certain that I knew the missionary talking to us. After he was finished I asked him where he was from. He was from my home town ward growing up! His wife was in the next building. When I went in and said my name Sister Hendrickson immediately remembered me. She still lives a block from my Mom, although they are in a different ward now. Strange the people you meet!

Tuesday brought rain. We braved it and went on a carriage ride through the countryside. The teamsters(Missionary men) told story after story about the early Saints. The testimony that was born was very powerful. There was never a doubt that this man knew what he taught was true.

After the carriage ride we drove to Carthage Jail. This is where the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a mob. This is a very humbling, sacred place. The Spirit in this building is so strong that it can't be described.

Wednesday we went to more buildings and then prepared for the Nauvoo Pageant. There is a pre-show where there are all sorts of games that would have been common in Nauvoo. Our children had a ball! It was fun to watch them run from one thing to the next. I took the opportunity to visit with some cast members. They all had such wonderful experiences being in the pageant. One man said that this was their second year and they would sign up for next year. He had four children---under seven! Maybe we could do this?

The pageant tells about Joseph and early Nauvoo. About people coming to Zion and about building a Temple. At the end of the performance after the stage temple has fallen because of fire and a tornado, the lights shine on the new(2002) Nauvoo Temple. It is an incredible feeling to see that beautiful temple.

This was an incredible trip. Not a typical vacation. It is one of those experiences that is hard to describe. Most of what made the trip so wonderful was the feelings that were felt. The Spirit was strong. So strong at times that no words could be spoken.

I am grateful that we had the chance to experience this with our children.

I have memorized these moments and have them burned on my heart forever.