Nauvoo!

We awoke to sun shining on the Mississippi this morning. We made one quick stop in Quincy to see the site of the Lincoln/Douglas debate. Jeff, Gary and Bob paused long enough to strike an appropriate Lincolnesque pose. Then we headed up river towards Nauvoo.

It was a special treat to hear about Darcy's ancestor, Jonathan Browning, on the bus from Darcy and Gary and then from the tour guides at the Jonathan Browning restored home in Nauvoo. As we entered the building there is a plaque recognizing Browning's family contribution to the restoration. Below the names of many of her aunts and uncles was Darcy's mom's name, Janet Southwick. At Brigham Young's request, Brother Browning stayed behind for 6 years in Winter Quarters and worked diligently supplying Mormon immigrants with firearms in preparation for their journey to the Rocky Mountains.

Jeff and I used our free time this afternoon tracking down the location of Hyrum Smith's home. We learned that he had a home on Water Street and a farm in the area above and behind the temple. His home is believed to have been built up on a raised wooden foundation. Thus, no foundation or archeological remnants have been found.

Brent and Eddy had made special arrangements for us to have a private meeting in the upper room of the Red Brick Store. We had costumes borrowed from a Nauvoo production and did our own re-enactment of the brethren organizing the Relief Society directed by Eddy. Rich, Jeff and Jon took the opportunity to bear their testimonies to us and we sang "Praise to the Man!"

We ended our day with a catered dinner in the park followed by entertainment at the Cultural Hall where the Nauvoo missionary couples put on a musical stage production. We stopped to see the glowing, beautiful temple at night on the way to our hotel.

When we visited the Wilford Woodruff home today our guide told of his departure from Nauvoo. He finished his home only a month before leaving it to head west. He never expected to see the city, his home or the temple again. As he gazed back on the temple he said a prayer that God would remember the sacrifices of his saints. The sister guide said she believed that prayer has been answered by the restoration of Nauvoo.