Day 9: Nauvoo/Carthage

This morning we went to church at the chapel right by the sites. There is a special sacrament meeting for all the missionaries who work at the site and the visitors that come to see the sites. Because of the pageant there were a lot of people. So many in fact that there was the normal sacrament table at the front of the chapel and in the back of the chapel into the overflow there was a long table set up with the sacrament and at least a dozen more priesthood holders to pass the sacrament. Even with all the help, the sacrament took a long time to pass around, but it was great to still be able to renew our covenants even while on vacation.

Matthew at the visitor's center next to a display with a piece of the original Nauvoo Temple

After church Matthew and I headed towards the visitor's center to decide how we could best use our time while in Nauvoo. We talked with a missionary couple and they suggested we start our day by going to Carthage and then use the rest of our time to explore as much of Nauvoo as possible, so we did just that!

A picture of the view on the way from Nauvoo to Carthage

The drive to Carthage was not very long, but it was beautiful. A lot of it was close to the river. We were very glad we went to Carthage first. We were some of the first people there and the tour was amazing. There is something to be said about going to a sacred place. It is not necessary to go there to gain a testimony of what happened and the truths that came with it, but it does increase the strength of your testimony. I think that all who can, should go to the church sites. They give clarity and a picture to the things you read about in the scriptures. I think this is one reason why Matthew and I want to go to Jerusalem so bad. Just one more thing to tie us to the scriptures.

After returning to Nauvoo we looked over the map of all the buildings we could explore and decided to start from one end and get through as many as we could before dinner time. It was a really fun day. We explored some of the homes, such as Lucy Mack Smith's home, we learned a little about how bricks and horseshoes were made (and got to take a brick, horseshoe and prairie ring home with us), we learned a little about the schools, and other buildings that were a part of everyday living to those who settled here. It helped me to realize how fortunate I am to live in a time where things come so much easier.

Above: These three pictures are from Lucy Mack Smith's home. Doesn't the bed look so comfy?

Above: Pictures of the Gun Smith Museum. There were lots and lots of guns

Right outside the Brick Shop. We were even given our very own Nauvoo Brick!

A Spice Rack

The bakery had yummy cookies

Above: The above three pictures are at the Blacksmith Shop. There was a demonstration of how they covered the wooden wagon wheels with metal and we were given "prairie rings" which are nails bent to make a ring

The school house. I was surprised that Matthew held the chalk...he doesn't like the feeling of chalk because of his psoriasis.

The meeting house

Above: Pictures of the Cultural Hall. The missionaries informed us that many plays and dances were held here. Now there are many time period quilts displayed upstairs right outside the dance hall. There was a picturesque view of the temple from an upstairs window.

Above: A statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on the edge of the Mississippi commemorating the saints leaving Nauvoo and heading west. Matthew next to a ferry replica that would have been used to cross the Mississippi.

As everything was closing we were able to get a quick tour of the John Taylor home. Each building and home that we explored had so many details. The one thing that I really like in the John Taylor home was the rocking horse and the story of how John Taylor risked his life to go back and get the horse that his son admired. It taught me a lot about his character and love for his children.

After we finished seeing all the things we could see we headed back to the King's residence. David took us on a tour of his home and the surrounding area. He has a lot of land and it includes a cute little pond. It was fun to see his excitement as he talked about his family and home. Their home was gorgeous. Honestly, I was kind of afraid to touch anything, it all looked too nice to be touched. I even told Matthew that I thought we should use our own towels because the ones in our bathroom were so white and had such nice embellishments on them! We had Sunday dinner with them and afterwards played some games. It was a lot of fun. It reminded me of all the fun we have with the Bowen clan and the games we play with them.