We had an early spring break this year...the 2nd week in March. Well, we decided to go to Nauvoo, IL with my parents. What we didn't realize was, that it was still off-season. That was great for crowds (there weren't any) but we had no where to eat after 4:00. The few restaurants in town closed early. That was our only complaint of Nauvoo. Everything else we experienced/saw was amazing!
We had an awesome room located over the Zion's Mercantile shop - just kiddy-corner from the Nauvoo Temple.
The balcony over the front entrance was connected to our room. If the weather would have been warmer it would have been nice to sit out and stare at the temple. Even though this was spring break, it sure didn't feel like spring! It was freezing while we were there!
We arrived late in the afternoon after a 6 hour drive. Mom and Dad met us after about a 3 hour drive St. Louis. This was when we discovered that no restaurants were open for dinner. Luckily, there is a Casey's gas station that sold pizza.
The next morning we began our Nauvoo adventure at the Visitor Center. We were able to watch a church movie about Nauvoo and look at the displays. We also got tickets to go on a wagon-ride that took us on a tour of Nauvoo. The senior missionaries around Nauvoo were all so kind. They provided us with warm quilts to wrap up in during this ride. After lunch, we then got to explore some of the historic buildings. We visited the Tin shop, Gunsmith, Post Office, Bakery, Cultural Hall, Print shop, Wheelwright and Blacksmith shop. Each building had missionaries in it to tell us about the building as well as usually tying in a spiritual message.
That night, we saw a musical production put on by the senior missionaries. It was very fun. My parents have said they want to go on a mission to Nauvoo, but now knowing they would have to be in a musical - I think my dad has changed his mind!
On our 2nd day, we decided to begin down in Carthage, since it had snowed that night. It was about a 20 minute drive away. When we arrived we were able to watch a video, which was then followed by a tour. This was a very special place. I think we all felt the spirit in that building. It was hard not to tear up looking at the jail cell, but it was impossible not to cry while we sat in the room Joseph Smith was shot in. We all sat on some benches in the room as a recorded account of that morning was played to us. The bullet that struck Hyrum Smith was through the wooden door to that room. It still is there today!
We stopped to have lunch in a nearby town and then proceeded back to Nauvoo. It really was a pretty drive, with the road hugging the banks of the Mississippi River.
We had a Carriage Ride that afternoon that took us to some pretty parts of Nauvoo. During the ride, the senior missionary told us some stories and experiences about some of the residents of Nauvoo. My favorite part, we stopped in a wooded area and everyone in the carriage sang 'I am a Child of God'. More waterworks from Jenn! That afternoon my mom and I went to an Endowment session at the temple. Dave and my dad went that night. All temples are so beautiful, but this temple just seemed even more so. It was such a neat experience to attend!
Our third and final day in Nauvoo, began at the Joseph Smith Historic Site (owned by another church). We again got to see a film which was followed by a tour. We were able to tour the 1st Homestead of Joseph and Emma Smith, the Nauvoo House, Mansion House and Red Brick Store. Some of the final things we saw included the Trial of Hope (quotes were posted along the route the Saints took to the Mississippi River on their exudus), John Taylor home, Lucy Mack Smith home (which had the steepest stairs of Nauvoo), Brickyard, Land and Records office (which helped Dad figure out where his ancester lived), Nauvoo Groves and the Family Living Center. This last place was really cool...especially for the kids. We learned how to make rope, bread, candles, barrels, and weave rugs.
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| Throwing rocks into the frozen Mississippi |
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| The 'steepest stairs' in Nauvoo |
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| The Mansion House |
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| Red Brick Store |
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| Making some rope |
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| Giddy-up! |
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| Joseph and Hyrum Smith Memorial |
The next morning we said good bye to my parents and started our trek back home. We are so glad we were able to go on this trip. It was amazing!
The balcony over the front entrance was connected to our room. If the weather would have been warmer it would have been nice to sit out and stare at the temple. Even though this was spring break, it sure didn't feel like spring! It was freezing while we were there!
The next morning we began our Nauvoo adventure at the Visitor Center. We were able to watch a church movie about Nauvoo and look at the displays. We also got tickets to go on a wagon-ride that took us on a tour of Nauvoo. The senior missionaries around Nauvoo were all so kind. They provided us with warm quilts to wrap up in during this ride. After lunch, we then got to explore some of the historic buildings. We visited the Tin shop, Gunsmith, Post Office, Bakery, Cultural Hall, Print shop, Wheelwright and Blacksmith shop. Each building had missionaries in it to tell us about the building as well as usually tying in a spiritual message. 
