Charity Never Failith

Sunday morning, Bethany, Lance, and I visited the Relief society gardens. Of course, we took a lot of pictures! 

This one is one of my very favorites!

This one too! 

There are so many beautiful statues here. And, they all have scriptures to accompany them. 

Now, we have pictures where we recreated the statues...
"Dating"

"Helen Keller"

"Molestations"

Shopping in Downtown Nauvoo

Downtown Nauvoo sure was a hopping place... There were a few antique stores, a cute little pharmacy, a grocery store, and no more than four places to eat at. There were a couple fabric shops. At one of them, I bought a couple embroidery patterns and a Nauvoo plate for my mama, and at the other I bought a Nauvoo glass ornament.

In true small town form, there were several t-shirts... This one was my favorite!

This was Nauvoo cafe. Bethany, Lance, and I ate here before the pageant. It was alright. This is where Lance found cinnamon apple jam. I think he fell in love! 

This was Bethany's favorite find... The Jello Cook Book. 
Does it get anymore mormon than that?!

The Mighty Mississippi

At 2,320 miles, the Mississippi River is the second longest river in the US
159 years after the saints were forced across the Mississippi as they were fleeing their beloved 'City Beautiful', the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution of regret for the forced expulsion of the Mormons from their state. Can you believe that? It wasn't 'till April 1, 2004 that an apology was made. Stunning.

The late summer weather resulted in these lovely purple flowers growing out of the banks of the river. 

There was this beagle running around up and down the river. She was so cute... Until she dug a diaper out of the trash can. Haha, this seemed to be one of her favorite spots. Perched, on the picnic table. Beagles are such funny little dogs!

Bethany told us she always wanted to get out and look at a historical marker as we passed several of them on our way up to Illinois. So we got out of the car, read the informative sign, and took a picture next to the Historical Marker sign. She was so happy! 

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Keokuk, Iowa. Here we are next to the welcome sign!


After we saw the Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo show, we went down to the shore of the Mississippi river to watch the sunset. It was stunning.

Kisses are always good, but they're just a little more romantic as the sun is setting behind you!
I sure do love this boy! :)

A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief

Hath often crossed me on my way,

Who sued so humbly for relief

That I could never answer nay...

On Saturday, Bethany, Lance, and I drove twenty minutes to Carthage, IL. It was here Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were killed by a cowardly group of men with painted faces. The two leaders of 'The Mormons' were being held in the Carthage, IL jail under false and shady charges. When the mob stormed the jail, the four men, including John Taylor and Willard Richards, were sitting ducks for the angry men who had guns. Hyrum was shot in the face through the door and was immediately killed. Joseph, who was sitting on the window ledge, was shot and fell through the window. John Taylor was saved by the bullet that hit his pocket watch and stopped it from piercing his heart. He would go on to become the third president of the church. After the mob left the room John would save Willard Richard's life by dragging and hiding him under a pile of straw in the cell next to them. This was the most sobering part of our Nauvoo trip.

This is the window through which Joseph fell after he was shot.

This is the door to the room where the four men were 'imprisoned' at the time they were charged by the mob. You can see a hole if you look closely at the middle pannel on the right side of the door. It is this bullet-hole that is suspected to be the hole through which Hyrum was fatally shot.

And this is the cell where Willard Richards was dragged by John Taylor. People now speculate that the straw helped coagulate the bleeding from his bullet wounds, and probably saved his life.

Bethany volunteered to take a survey about her Carthage experience and as a 'thank you' received a Mo-Tab 'Priase to the Man' CD...
She was thrilled!

This couple couldn't do the tour because of their chairs, so a sister missionary gave them a verbal/picture tour. I thought that was really special :)

This stone was on the jail grounds... Kind of interesting-- It says, "From Nauvoo Temple"... I wish I knew the story behind this- Our missionary guide didn't really know anything about it.


Before we headed back to Nauvoo to see the senior missionary show, Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo, we stopped for lunch at The Towne House Restaurant. An interesting experience... The food wasn't great, the service wasn't great, and then the thought occured to me-- we were supporting the town that killed Joseph Smith. So, anything that was good was spoiled by that thought... Lame, huh?

The menu cover

Lance's salad had GREEN ranch dressing on it. And it tasted funny. Needless to say, he didn't finish it...

We had our waitress take this picture of the three of us-- Pretty much, the look on Lance's face sums up our experience with this restaurant!

Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
Jesus annointed that Prophet and Seer.
Blessed to open the last dispensation,
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.


Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
Death cannot conquer the hero again.

I Love to See the Temple...

I'm going there someday.
To feel the holy spirit,
to listen and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God,
a place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young.
This is my sacred duty.

I love to see the temple
I'll go inside someday.
I'll covenant with my father,
I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a house of God,
Where we can be together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth:
A family is forever!

Saturday morning, Lance, Bethany, and I went to the Nauvoo temple to do baptisms. It was such a wonderful and peaceful experience. Here are a few pictures...

The welcoming sign in front of the temple... And look at those beautiful flowers!


I really do love to see the temple!


The Nauvoo temple was rebuilt in 2002. I remember going to the open house with my mom and my sister... It was wonderful to go back inside again. The baptismal font is really beautiful, and there is a feeling there which is unsurpassed by any other place on earth. While sitting in the chapel before doing baptisms, I came across hymn #283, The Glorious Gospel Light Has Shone,

1. The glorious gospel light has shone
In this the latter day
With such intelligence that none
From truth need turn away.
The precious things which had been sealed
And from the world kept hid,
The Lord has to his Saints revealed
As anciently he did.

2. And thru the priesthood now restored
Again prepared the way
Thru which the dead may hear his word
And all his laws obey.
As Christ to spirits went to preach
Who were to prison led,
So many Saints have gone to teach
The gospel to the dead.

3. And we for them can be baptized,
Yes, for our friends most dear,
That they can with the just be raised
When Gabriel’s trump they hear;
That they may come with Christ again
When he to earth descends,
A thousand years with him to reign,
And with their earthly friends.

4. Now, O ye Saints, rejoice today
That you can saviors be
Of all your dead who will obey
The gospel and be free.
Then let us rise without restraint
And act for those we love,
For they are giving their consent
And wait for us to move.

This song brought tears to my eyes and helped me remember what everything is all about. It made me so thankful for the plan of salvation. I am so thankful for my eternal family, and the chance I have to do work for my ancestors. I am so thankful I will one day know all those who have come before me... I can't wait to meet those who have made sacrifices on my behalf without even knowing me. This song reminded me of how thankful I am for my heritage.

The beautiful flowers were present all throughout the temple grounds... I am so thankful for the flowers and the beauty they bring to the earth!


This was Lance's first time to go into the temple. I think he had a wonderful spiritual experience! Right before this picture was taken, bethany was stung by a bee who was flying around the flowers, polinating... ouch!


We have been best friends since third grade... that's twelve years! I am so thankful for her... She's been such a wonderful part of my life, always a good influence, and we have made a lot of really wonderful memories together :)

Taking the Stage...

One of the great things about Nauvoo is the many theatrical productions they have throughout the day, every day. In fact, Bethany's friend, Brooke, from Utah was in one of the shows we saw called High Hopes and River Boats. This is the Nauvoo website's description of the show:

"A musical drama documented from histories and journals of early Nauvoo residents. Performed by college students from around the nation, High Hopes and River Boats is a terrific, family friendly show that introduces young and old to the history of Nauvoo.

Enjoy stories taken straight from the journals of early Saints as they came to Nauvoo to establish the "City of Joseph." Hear the crack of the ice as they cross the Mississippi River, hear the whistle of the steamboats in the land of new immigrants, and cheer for the handsome young men as they woo beautiful young women!"

Brook was one of the "beautiful young women" being wooed in the show. After the show, we stuck around and bethany got to chat with brook for a few minutes! She introduced us to her companion, told us about the auditioning process, told us how much she has absolutely loved being a performing missionary, and exclaimed to bethany, "You're a girl, I'm so excited I can hug you!!" It was wonderful meeting her!

Bethany and Brooke after the show.


This is the 'whisteling and whittling' song. When some unsavory charactors began to move into Nauvoo, the men of the city devised an intimidation plan involving young boys with large jackknives who would follow these starangers' every move, whisteling a tune and whittling on their block of wood until the shady person realized them and their bad intentions were not welcome in Nauvoo and left the city. This was an ingeneous non-violent means of protecting the city after the government took away their charter of protection. Truely inspired.


Another picture from the show, this is when they find out they must leave Nauvoo. Everyone sang a comforting hymn as they put their faith in God and His plan for them. This was a wonderful uplifting show- When you're in Nauvoo, make sure to see it!



The Other show we saw was Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo. It told the stories of many saints before and during the exodus from Nauvoo into the West. The senior missionaries we had seen all day for two days at the sites were the performers, and they did such a wonderful job! Watch this short clip, and you'll get a good feel for the show :)

"When You're Here, We're Here... Because We Are In You."

The Nauvoo pageant was a wonderful look into the building up of Nauvoo. It followed the story of a newly baptized immigrant from Scotland and her non-believing husband. They lost their son on the 44-day sea journey to America, and they arrived in Nauvoo mourning their loss. Throughout the show, the non-believing scot learns and begins to love the gospel and it all culminates when he gains a testimony about the plan of salvation and its role in eternal families. He says,

"I had to give away all I had to get all that I want."

What a beautiful, yet simple statement of faith! Here are a few pictures from the pageant:

This year's slogan, "Let Nauvoo in her beauty rise"... And Nauvoo really is absolutely beautiful :)


The three of us before the pageant. We were in the blanket section... up on a hill. Best seats in the house!


Lovebirds!


It was so awesome... The saints were 'building' the temple throughout the show, and this is just after they finished it. Later in the show, the mob tears the temple down, and they begin talking about how it would be rebuilt. Gordon B. Hinckley said,

"Today, facing west, on the high bluff overlooking the city of Nauvoo, thence across the Mississippi, and over the plains of Iowa, there stands Joseph’s temple, a magnificent house of God. Here in the Salt Lake Valley, facing east to that beautiful temple in Nauvoo, stands Brigham’s temple, the Salt Lake Temple. They look toward one another as bookends between which there are volumes that speak of the suffering, the sorrow, the sacrifice, even the deaths of thousands who made the long journey from the Mississippi River to the valley of the Great Salt Lake."

After this quote was read, the real temple behind the stage was lit up and this is what happened:

What a wonderful testimony-building show. I was amazed at the talent of all the volunteering families... What a neat experience that would be to have with your family! Maybe one day...