Nauvoo Part 1

A couple weekends ago we took a trip to Nauvoo and Carthage, Illinois.  I have wanted to make this trip for a few years.  I wanted our family, especially our children, to see firsthand where history was made in the early years of the church.  I wanted them to have an opportunity to strengthen their testimonies about Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I wanted them to feel the Spirit testify to their souls that the gospel is true and that they are part of a legacy of righteousness.  It was a wonderful weekend.

We went on a carriage ride through old Nauvoo.  The missionary narrators/drivers told us some great stories and taught us about life in Nauvoo.

It was a bit cold that day and they provided lots of blankets to help us keep warm.  The breeze coming off of the Mississippi River was cold.

 The boys were most excited to visit the gunsmith shop.  Mr. Browning was the inventor of the repeating rifle.  There was a large collection of guns and swords to see.

 Here we are on the banks of the Mississippi River at the end of Parley Street.  This is where many of the early saints began their trek across the plains.  I can't imagine doing that in February in temperatures cold enough to freeze the river.  All of their belongings had to fit in one (very small) wagon. 

Later we went on a carriage ride to another part of Nauvoo.  Different drivers = different stories. 

Still cold.  We didn't mind having to squish.

 Next we went to the Family Life building.  We learned about how the early saints made bread, candles, rugs, barrels, pottery, fabric, etc.  Lots of demonstrations.

 At the Blacksmiths shop we learned about making wagon wheels and horse shoes.  We were each given a prairie diamond ring (a bent over horseshoe nail). 

 Walking down Parley Street.

 This is in front of the rock quarry where they got the limestone to build the temple.

 This is where we stayed for the weekend.  Kind of a DIY bed and breakfast.  They provide the ingredients, you make breakfast.

 This sunstone is one of the original stones from the original Nauvoo Temple.  The other is in a Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.

 We stopped off next to the river to let the kids run around.  Everyone needed a little break.

  

 At the Family Life Center we were part of a rope making demonstration.

Hazel got to keep our family rope.

At the river, Isaac found an old tire at the edge of the water.  He fished it out and was trying to get all the water and muck out of it so he could bring it home.  It was gross.  We did NOT bring that thing home. 

This is the Red Brick Store, owned by Joseph Smith.  This is where the Relief Society was first organized.  This building, along with the Nauvoo Mansion, and Joseph Smith homestead are owned by the Community of Christ.  They rebuilt the store. 

Check back tomorrow for the rest of the trip.