The Nauvoo Temple is closed for cleaning this week and next so we are using our time to explore the beauty surrounding us here in our new "neighborhood". We are amazed each day over what we discover. We live on Parley's Street which is also referred to as "The Trail of Hope." The name came from the HOPE the pioneer's held as they were driven from their homes in February, 1846, in the depth of Winter, crossing the frozen Mississippi River, heading by wagon or by foot seeking for refuge and peace and religious freedom. They journeyed through the unknown wilderness, placing their full faith and trust in God, en route to the Great Salt Lake Valley. Ironically, that is where we left our home to come serve our Nauvoo Temple Mission. We traveled by car and thought the trip was long!
One lovely Fall morning this week, we walked their path down Parley's Street and gazed across the Mississipppi River. The "Trail of Hope" is lined with various quotes from those who made the trek and you can practically hear their desperate expressions as they departed their beloved Nauvoo. Over the next few weeks we will share some of these with you in pictures we include in our blogs. Today's quote speaks of the saints looking back at the temple as they walked away. This particular morning as we walked in their footsteps, the fog was settled along the ground about 3 feet in depth. We glanced back to see the magnificent Nauvoo Temple and took a picture to record approximately the view they saw during their exodus. It was a sobering thought and a mystical sight to behold. We already have gained a much deeper appreciation for the sacrifices our pioneer ancestors made so that we could have the blessings of the Gospel today.
Yesterday, we drove on a well constructed modern bridge that connects Illinois and Iowa, crossing the Mississippi River and then driving to the small town of Montrose where the early Nauvoo saints first arrived after crossing the frozen river. There is a Pioneer Trail Memorial there and we looked across the vast river to see the tiny temple on the hill. It looked like a Lego building from that vantage point. Once again, we were silenced by what they must have felt looking across that frozen expanse to the temple and to their homes which they would never see again.
On a more uplifting note, Fall is simply beautiful in Nauvoo!!! Unfortunately for colorblind people, it isn't as stunning. There are golden trees and piles of red and gold leaves everywhere you look. When the sun shines through the trees, they literally glow. We took a carriage ride through the far edges of Nauvoo and saw deer hiding in the bushes. We have seen several deer just wandering through the grassy areas around where we live. We were told by the carriage driver that the deer are coming up here because it is deer hunting season along the river's edge. The horses that pulled our carriage weighed 2,000 pounds each. They are huge! We are glad we don't have to help take care of the horses and oxen they have here, however they are fun to see.
We celebrated Elder Peterson's (better known as Dad, Grandpa Pete, and other fond names) birthday this past weekend. The highlight of the day was reading out loud the 70 sweet and humorous and loving comments each of our family members wrote for him in his birthday envelope at our pre mission departure family gathering in October! Also, he enjoyed several phone calls and pictures and cards which brightened his day. Thank you for making his birthday more special! We had 2 of our fellow missionary couples over for a chocolate toffee cake and ice cream. After serving that day in the temple, we had dinner at a little Mexican restaurant called El Camino in Hamilton which is about 15 minutes from here. He will never forget his birthday in Nauvoo or what he ate for dinner that day!
Here are a few interesting facts about Old Nauvoo:
- At its peak, Nauvoo was home to 12,000 people.
- Nauvoo's population today is 1,100
- 15,000-16,000 Saints in Iowa and Illinois combined were eligible to join the migration.
- About 2,500 wagons traveled with 6 people per wagon- 2 children counted as one adult
- 3,285 families were organized for the trek
- There were about 800 more families than wagons in the exodus.
What a blessing it is to be part of the sacred, sweet spirit of this area. We send our love to all of you and testify that the Lord is truly in charge of the world and He has prepared a way for each of us to return to the presence of Our Father one bright day. He loves all of His children and He wants all of them back with Him. We are grateful for the blessings of the temple!
WE LOVE YOU!
Elder Peterson
November 5th
View looking to Nauvoo from Montrose, Iowa
Fall in Nauvoo
Our apartment building is patterned after the
Tinsmith building in Old Nauvoo. There are 24
red brick buildings here which include 60
apartments that were built in 2002 at the same
time the new Nauvoo Temple was built.
An original Sunstone from the Old Nauvoo Temple
located in the Nauvoo Visitor's Center.
November 5th
"Eyes Westward"
Brigham Young and Joseph Smith
Looking west across the Mississippi River
Tinsmith building in Old Nauvoo. There are 24
red brick buildings here which include 60
apartments that were built in 2002 at the same
time the new Nauvoo Temple was built.
located in the Nauvoo Visitor's Center.
Love it! Love you guys!
ReplyDelete