Trip back to Utah - Day 4 and 5

The next stop on our adventure was Nauvoo, Illinois. We got there later in the day so we checked into our hotel, Hotel Nauvoo, and went to check out the stores. We took some fun pictures while we were walking. We went into Latter Day Harvest which is like a Desert Book. We also went into a shop that was in an older gentleman's home. He was really nice and had the longest white beard I had ever seen. We went back before we left and bought a Joseph Smith ring from him. We also made sure to walk down the street to see the beautiful temple. It was crazy to think that last time I was there I was able to stand on the foundation of the baptismal font and now there is an amazing temple instead. We stayed there for quite some time taking in the beauty and taking lots of pictures. Micah had an urge to be creative with the camera.





The next day we started our touring of Historic Nauvoo. We first stopped by the visitor center and picked up a map to decide the order in what we wanted to see. We first started by seeing the Monument to Women. It is an amazing blessing to be a women even though at times it seems demanding and such a trial.


We then headed straight to the Joseph Smith Historic sites Visitor Center which is owned by the Community of Christ. We joined a tour and were able to see the Nauvoo House, Joseph Smith Homestead, the Mansion Home, the Red Brick Store, and the Smith Family Cemetery. It was neat to see the places that Joseph and Emma actually lived in. It was also neat to be in the same place where the Relief Society was organized. It was especially neat to see the grave sites of Emma, Joseph, and Hyrum. All three were such wonderful people and even though I never met them I have a love for them and all they did and went through.




We then went on the Trail of Hope and it was neat to read the quotes from journals of those who had to up and leave. I don't know how I would have felt if I were in their shoes. It must have taken so much faith. We also walked down by the Mississippi River and I was amazed at how wide it was. I always pictured it smaller. It was crazy to think that the saints crossed the Mississippi and had to go all the way across. We then stopped by the Blacksmith shop and were sure to pick out our prairie diamonds (Micah was a good sport with me and wore it the whole time we were in Nauvoo). One of the missionaries was from Bountiful and we had a good time talking. We also stopped by the brickyard to pick up our souvenir brick, which was the only souvenir I really wanted. We then went get the tour of Lucy Mack Smith's home and Brigham Young's home. We also stopped by the Scoville bakery and enjoyed a gingerbread cookie. At that point everything was closing so we headed back to the hotel to get some dinner. On our way back we were in a funny mood and had fun taking some funny pictures. That night we then went to watch Rendezvous, which is a comical musical put on by the couple missionaries. We had such a fun time and they did such a great job.





The next day we started by heading out to Carthage, Illinois. There we toured Carthage Jail. It was amazing to hear the story again and realize how much effort was put into the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. We made our way to the room where both Hyrum and Joseph were shot. They played a Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief and there is such a wonderful feeling that you never forget. We had a wonderful experience there!




Afterward we wanted to see a few more sites before leaving, so we headed back to Historic Nauvoo and toured Heber C. Kimball's home, Wilford Woodruff's home, and John Taylor's home. We also toured the Cultural Hall and on the top floor there is a ballroom where they used to hold town dances. We were able to dance on the same floor that Joseph and Emma danced on which was fun. We also went to the Land and Records building. There Micah found a ton of information on his ancestors and found out his ancestor, Alpheus Cutler, had land in Nauvoo. I was also able to find information on one of my ancestors which was fun to read. We had way too much fun in that building. I think the sister missionaries were entertained.





Before we left we were able to find where Alpheus Cutler lived while in Nauvoo. We weren't able to go to the temple which we were disappointed about. They have a unique schedule so we didn't do enough homework to plan our schedule differently. We plan to go back sometime and that is what we will be doing first. We were sad to leave but have decided that Nauvoo will be our summer getaway, if only the money allowed that right?