More Nauvoo

Well I just can't seem to fit everything into one blog but then again Nauvoo is so wonderful that it should get it's own post or two.  After the temple session we changed our clothes and went down in the "flats" (another term I learned.)  We visited the Visitors Center and picked up our tickets for the play the Senior Missionaries do (really you should see it!), the horse and buggy ride and the Wagon ride. 

In the Visitors Center

He lives!! 

My Prophet, Priest and Kind

He lives! 

My Savior still the same!  HE LIVES!!

"So it was with me. I had actually seen a light, and in the midst of that light I saw two Personages, and they did in reality speak to me; and though I was hated and persecuted for saying that I had seen a vision, yet it was true; and while they were persecuting me, reviling me, and speaking all manner of evil against me falsely for so saying, I was led to say in my heart: Why persecute me for telling the truth? I have actually seen a vision; and who am I that I can withstand God, or why does the world think to make me deny what I have actually seen? For I had seen a vision; I knew it, and I knew that God knew it, and I could not deny it, neither dared I do it; at least I knew that by so doing I would offend God, and come under condemnation."  Joseph Smith Jr. 

Alyse and Rocky and Dan.  Getting ready to pull us along to new understand and knowledge

This is the hill that when life got heavy for Joseph he would ride his horse up to this hill and look out over the Mississippi.  The photo below is what he would look out on.  Below is where those coming into town via riverboat would land.  He would go down and meet those who were getting off.   There is a sense of peace on this hill.

The Road of Tears or renamed the Road of Hope.  This is the road that saints took as they left Nauvoo for the last time.  If you look hard you can see the temple in the distance.  Oh my how their hearts must have burst with sorrow.

This is one of the original tunnels built by the pioneers that helped drain the water from the land.  

I was told this is where Joseph took Emma and gave her a kiss.

 I have some ancestors who lived in Nauvoo.  The Washburn's were their name.  Before the family left Nauvoo two if their children died.  One 6 month and one 2 years old.  This headstone is where these two babies were buried.  My brother found them and has since dubbed them "The Kids."  He asked me if we had been to see the Kids yet and I told him no.  He drove us up here and we walked to the cemetery where I am sure a family whose hearts were filled with sorrow laid their babes to rest and knew they would never be back.  I am sure that  the Washburn's never imagined their posterity would come to the graves of their children and lay flowers!