10 - Monday, June 23, 2025 - Trail of Hope, Etc.

The Nauvoo Temple's south side, showing 42 windows;
126 of the 138 windows, distinctive features of the Nauvoo Temple--then
and now--were crafted just up the street from the temple by the 
recognized experts in historic restoration of window sashes and doors. 
States Charles W. Allen who heads up the family operation, "We've been
blessed to have our abilities and talents extended far beyond our normal 
capabilities."   (Sacred Stone The Temple at Nauvoo)

* * * * * 

Summer has arrived--the heat, the humidity, the bugs!!!   We can't complain because we have air conditioning wherever we are; and sometimes that's even chilly.  

This week we went on the Trail of Hope.  We remember that 1846 began the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo, leaving behind their homes, beautiful city, family and friends who they quite possibly would never see again in this life. As they journeyed west, many recorded their feelings and experiences in personal journals. 

Along the trail, Nauvoo Performing Missionaries were at various stops and presented very poignant and sacred experiences and remembrances from the journals of the Saints. 

From these journals we get a sense of what it would have been like to have traveled with them.  Some selected writings from these journals are reproduced on the signs along this trail on Parley Street where they made their way to the Mississippi River for crossing.

		This one deleted and I can't get it back.  It keeps causing issues. It may show up in a different place.                 Wilford Woodruff "I stopped my carriage on the top of a rolling prairie and I had a most splendid view. I could stand and gaze to the east, west, north & south & behold the Saints pouring our & gathering like clouds from the hills & dales, grove & prairie with their teams, wagons, flocks, & herds, by hundreds & thousands as it were until it looked like the movements of a great nation."
		End of Trail of Hope where the  Saints crossed the Mississippi  River.

Into the Unknown -- Church leaders planned to leave Nauvoo in the spring of 1846. Saints gathered supplies, built wagons, and organized into companies. They hoped to build a new community west of the Rocky Mountains. However, threats of violence persisted. Brigham Young advanced the departure of the first 2,000 emigrants. Despite the cold, they felt compelled to leave in February. 

Their journey began by taking a ferry across the Mississippi river--the first of several river crossings. Already cold temperatures plummeted further. The river froze, enabling 500 more people to cross and join the group. Their hasty departure left many ill equipped for the road ahead. Winter weather made conditions even worse. It took them a month to travel the first 100 miles instead of the expected 10 days.

* * * * *

On our weekly shopping trip in Keokuk, we drove down Grand Avenue where we heard there were old, large mansions overlooking the Mississippi River.  Several were being worked on, several needed to be worked on, but here are a few typical midwestern nice homes from the turn of the century:

	Notice the bright red painted chimneys!

A couple of weeks ago we posted a photo of us in the cornfield next to the meetinghouse where we attend church in Galesburg, Illinois.  It's so fun to watch the height of the corn each week as we drive.  We thought we would post in a month to see the difference, however, the corn loves this soil, sun, and rain:  This is only two weeks!

June 8, 2025

June 15, 2025

June 22, 2025

Until next week...

9 - Monday, June 16, 2025 - Another Nauvoo Historical Tour

 

 Closeup of the "Martyr Line"

Just below the temple window the stone size changes from 8" to 16".  The top of the 8" blocks was the height the temple was when Joseph Smith was martyred; hence the "martyr line."  Then Brigham Young  wanted them to hurry and finish the temple and they changed to bigger-sized blocks to do so. 

                                                                             * * * * *

We started the week with an all temple missionaries picnic.  Many "district" workers drive 2, 3, and 4 hours to serve in the temple, usually a couple of times a month.  They come and serve an afternoon/  evening shift, stay overnight in a Nauvoo historic home, serve again the next morning before returning to their homes. Some even came for the picnic. 

Enjoying the BBQ pork and the plethora of other      pot luck dishes contributed.  Tons of food.

Playing "walker" soccer. Two members of the             temple presidency in front.

Seventies Hall

Bottom floor meeting space of Seventies Hall.           Originally this floor was the second level.    There were 30 Quorums of the Seventy in Nauvoo.	Top floor meeting place used for Dr.'s office, artt         gallery, school.  Twenty-four Seventies met here    in January 1845 to discuss upcoming plans.
An ante room off the second level large room.   These books contain lists of the original Seventies.    We found a few family names.	Another ante room on the second level.

 

      Bottom floor meeting space of Seventies Hall. 
         Originally this floor was the second level. 
  There were 30 Quorums of the Seventy in Nauvoo. 

 

   Top floor meeting place used for Dr.'s office, artt         gallery, school.  Twenty-four Seventies met here
   in January 1845 to discuss upcoming plans.

 

     An ante room off the second level large room.   These books contain lists of the original Seventies.    We found a few family names.

 

          Another ante room on the second level.

Blacksmith and Farrier on one side and Wainwright on the other. 

An inside view of the blacksmith shop.  Notice all the tools and implements hanging.  Blacksmith made everything needed out of metal.  Webb Blacksmith Shop was one of 7 busy ones in Nauvoo.  He had 6 sons and taught them all the trade.  Edwin continued the tradition.	Here the missionary is making us a souvenir horseshoe:  heat to 1,800 degrees, pound and shape, cool, repeat until desired shape is reached.
The process continues.  Filing the edges. Nail holes must be made to attach the shoe.	Final shaping, and then the horseshoe is dipped in motor oil.  Why?  To give it more horsepower!

The small horseshoe is the one he gave us as a souvenir. The larger (real) one   
The larger (real) one was given to us by a teamster when we went to see the horses. 

                                    

A milk bucket!  Put the container of milk in this bucket/basket and lower it just above the water 
in the well and it will stay cool and good for several days. 

The wainwright side was where wagons were built and prepared.  Another long process: a block of wood to make the axle sleeve, 5 hours to drill a hole in it, a 2nd drill to widen the hole, send 2 x 4's home for spokes to be carved (12 for each front wheel, 14 for each back wheel),

Then the wheel arcs needed to be carved and shaped.  A metal band heated and shaped to be put tightly on the outside of the wheel.  And every 2-3 days the wheels must be removed and greased with beef tallow.  This shows a finished wagon.

Brigham Young Home is on this tour, but it is closed for inside restoration.

Nauvoo Performing Missionaries present a delightful vignette, Youth of Zion, about growing up in Nauvoo and the beginnings of the Young Gentlemen and Young Ladies organization with lessons from Heber C. Kimball.