July 9, 2014

July 9, 2014

Some of you might have read in the news that we have had a little flooding around here because of the rain storms that have pounded the area the past couple of weeks. The water from the Mississippi (or more accurately, Lake Cooper) has crept up Parley and Water Streets and blocked off the end of them where the Saints lined up their wagons to cross the river back in 1846. 

The end of Parley Street.

This wagon barge is normally on dry ground.

After having Jill and Jodi and their families with us last week, this week was kind of boring. It was pretty much back to the routine of sites and wagon/carriage tours during the day and performances in the evenings. Since today was our prep day, we did take the time earlier this afternoon to visit the sites of the Community of Christ Church. We were able to go into Joseph and Emma's original log cabin, the Mansion House, and the Prophet's Red Brick Store, which has a meeting room upstairs where the Relief Society was originally organized. That same room was used for political meetings and many Church leadership meetings. Unfortunately, the Community of Christ does not allow pictures inside their venues, so we don't have any shots of the inside of these places to share with you.

However, on one of Jan's walking/exercise jaunts around Old Nauvoo, she took pictures of many of the interesting and historic sites that guests come here to see. I'm including some of those pictures below; hopefully, they will give those of you who haven't been here before an idea of the kinds of things we hope you'll come and enjoy first-hand.

Joseph and Emma's first house (originally the log portion on the right)

Lucy Mack Smith's home (during the final years of her life)

Mansion House/Hotel

Grave site of Joseph, Emma, and Hyrum

Brigham Young's home

Blacksmith and Wainwright shop

Joseph's Red Brick Store

Pendleton Home and School

Printing Office, John Taylor Home, and Post Office

Seventies Hall

Statue of Brigham and Joseph looking to the West

Looking down Water Street

Looking across the Mississippi/Lake Cooper

We feel so blessed to be here in Nauvoo to learn about the saints who sacrificed so much so that the gospel and Church could continue to grow and fill the earth. Without their sacrifice and devotion, the wonderful blessings we now enjoy could not have been possible.