Okay, so you might think I'm a nerd, but I don't care. Last year, when I was lucky/blessed enough to be able to serve as a YPM in Nauvoo, I never got the chance to go to the Sarah Granger Kimball home. It was the one place there I've always felt sad about not actually seeing, and I promised myself if I ever got the chance to go back to Nauvoo, this particular home would be a necessary stop. I guess for me, it symbolizes a lot of what I love about Nauvoo.
It was in her home that the idea for the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo was born. She initially opened her home for social and religious gatherings there in Nauvoo. She organized a "Ladies Society" to sew shirts for the men working on the temple. It was such a huge, central effort for all the saints living there in Nauvoo, and everyone felt a desire to help in whatever way they could. Eliza R. Snow was asked to write a constitution for the society, which she did. When it was shown to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he said it was the best he'd ever seen, that their offering was accepted of the Lord, and He (the Lord) had something better for the sisters of the Church. It was in March of 1842 that the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo was organized under the direction of the Priesthood. I have a huge admiration for the women of Nauvoo; their unfailing, unwavering strength through life's challenges, devotion to their families and those around them, and their unfailing faith in God. Living in Nauvoo for those four short months gave me such an appreciation for all these women did and the incredible refinement that can come to all of us through living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Needless to say, that was the one place I didn't ever have time to go visit, and the one place I promised myself I would go see if I ever had the chance to go back!
Lindsay (She's my boss, and she's great. I always feel a little weird introducing her as my boss. It just seems odd for some reason. Huh.) hadn't ever been there, either, so we went when we could both go. I know it's just a house, but I loved it anyway. :)
I loved the end of the tour where they gave us this quote from the dedication of the home after it had been restored in March of 1982. Barbara B. Smith, the General President of the Relief Society at the time, said this:
"We hope women will understand that within their own homes, things can happen that can have great significance in the Church and in the world."
It just makes me so happy to know that all along, and especially in our world today, that Heavenly Father has had a plan for all of us to help us literally return back to His presence. It's things like the Relief Society and this focus on the home and the family, service, and love that give me hope for the future.
And wahoo! Take a look at that incredible view! It's so beautiful! And can you imagine seeing the original temple being built every day from your front porch? Happiness and Bliss. :)
I know. It's just a doorbell. But this is Wilford Woodruff's Nauvoo doorbell, and I just happen to think it's the greatest doorbell in all of Nauvoo. :) Hello! Why don't we make them cool like this anymore?! Wilford Woodruff has always been one of my favorite prophets because of his commitment to write in his journal all throughout his life. If you don't already know this about me, you should know now, I suppose, about my obsession with keeping a journal. I have a whole shelf of my own journals, and I'm a huge proponent of the whole idea of keeping a personal history. Even if no one else ever gets anything out of my personal journals, they help me remember why I've made certain decisions, and they help me remember important people and events in my life, etc.
The Elders at the oxen ride were a hoot! It makes all the difference in the world when you love what you're doing, eh?! No matter where you are, or what you're doing. :)
Yes. We have them by the horns. Try not to be jealous. Also, this was Lindsay's first ride in a covered wagon pulled by oxen. She'd never seen them in real life before! I thought that was so weird and incredibly funny at first. But - I guess that's not terribly odd...it's not like they're around in normal life everyday anymore...lol...
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