Nauvoo

In the early 1840's Nauvoo was a booming city. The largest city in Illinois, Nauvoo's population topped even Chicago. In 1846 a great exodus of the Latter-day Saints began. Planned for the spring, the exodus was pushed earlier because of the numerous mob threats to the leaders of the LDS church. In February, the first group of Mormon pioneers left their new, unsold, brick homes with all unnecessary furniture and luxuries, and began the walk down Parley Street, towards the Mississippi River. It was so cold that day that the Mississippi River had frozen over and the saints were able to cross the river on ice. The exodus continued several months until the last of the saints were forced out by gun point.

Nauvoo is beautiful in the winter. However, it is extremely cold. While we were there this past Saturday, the temperature, with the wind chill, was -5 degrees. I have heard that the ice that covered the Mississippi was 3 feet thick when the saints crossed. In the -5 degree weather that we experienced the river was not frozen all the way across. The thickest ice we found was at the bottom of Parley Street and was only 6 inches thick. I can not imagine how it must have been to leave your new warm home and go into the bitter cold unknown, relying only on your faith. While we were there we were told that the saints built their homes out of the beautiful red brick because they wanted their homes to be permanent. They were sure this was where they were meant to stay. Their homes took several years to build. When they left, most of the homes had only been lived in for around six months. A missionary said he only knows of two homes that were sold; the rest were just left behind.

What great Faith! What amazing people to leave behind all that they had worked so hard to build up. What it must have been like to look behind you and see that beautiful temple and know that you would never see it again.

Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive;
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell -
All is well! All is well!