Week 9 Highlights

Just a word about this week’s temple picture(s). Both of these were taken from approx- imately the same location just one month apart showing how fast everything turns green in the spring.

Yahoo! No rain all week! This is REALLY good news for all of the folks along the river who have experienced the highest river levels ever. They all talk about how high it was back in ’93, but now they will be talking about ‘08. Even though the rain had stopped, our Thursday trip that we had postponed twice because of the flooding had to be postponed again. Maybe we will be able to go this coming week.

The attendance at the temple is noticeably less than it should be because of the problems that are still faced by those who have to come long distances, especially those who have to cross any major river on their way here. A couple came yesterday whose normal two-hour drive to the temple took them 5 hours. They weren’t sure they would be able to get home without spending the night somewhere waiting for a bridge to open. They seemed to be in very good spirits about it.

The Temple Missionaries activities are usually held on Sundays, when no one is working at the Temple, or on Monday afternoons because the temple is closed early (about 6:00pm) and everyone is usually home by 6:30. This week started with another wonderful “All Temple Missionary Picnic”. This one was held in the “Pioneer Pastimes” area on Main Street. We arrived after our shift was over to find TONS of all kinds of food, salads, fruit, chips and disserts. We sat and ate and talked. It was amazing to see how much food there was. We didn’t think that there were anywhere near enough people there to eat it all. However, when I went back to see what was left for 2nds, there weren’t any. Our entertain- ment was a Temple Missionary from the Newport Beach Temple who played the accordion. He is actually quite good, and began with, of course, “Lady of Spain” and did a very good job with it. Then, after a few other numbers, he passed out song sheets that had a lot of “Old Favorites” lyrics printed on them and with his accompaniment, we had a sing-along. A good time was had by all.

This Friday we had the assignment to be at the temple at 7:30am to help with the maintenance of the grounds. We didn’t really know what to expect, but after talking to some of the missionaries who had been there before us, we thought it might involve some weed pulling. We were right. Our two-hour assignment was to pull the weeds that have started to sprout up between the paving stones in the back of the temple - and there was plenty to keep us busy for our two hours. I think it has been quite a while since we have been down on our hands and knees for two hours straight. There was quite a bit of soreness the next day or so. Just before we left, the head groundskeeper stopped by and told us that we were the BEST couple that he has ever had. (I’m sure we are the first ones that he has told that to)

This week we visited a couple of sites:

Blacksmith and Wainwright Shop (The Blacksmith provided all of the iron parts and the Wainwright is a wagon builder)

This is a fully restored and furnished 1840’s shop. When some of the descendants of Chauncy Webb (one of Nauvoo’s blacksmith/ wainwright) found out that the church was restoring the shop on its original foundation, they donated a LOT of old equipment that had been handed down in the family. At the busiest time in Nauvoo, there were 48 blacksmiths. Chauncy Webb was the craftsman who Brigham Young choose to build his wagon for the trek westward.

It was very interesting to see how they constructed wheels and the iron parts that go into a wagon. Inside the shop, they have a complete covered wagon, loaded with supplies, all ready to cross the plains. At the end of the demonstration, the narrator used the forge and tools to make a small horseshoe. They even gave everyone a ring made from a horseshoe nail. You’ll have to come to Nauvoo to find out why all of the wagons have smaller wheels in the front than they have in the back. (And it has nothing to do with going downhill :)

Brickyard

This is the site that is just across the street from us, and we finally got around to visiting. In 1840, there were seven brickyards in Nauvoo. Five were up on the bluffs (The temple is on “The Bluffs”) and two were on the flats (We live on “The Flats”). The seven brickyards combined to make four million bricks a year for construction in Nauvoo. The saints were very blessed with a rich supply of clay that just happened to be perfect for making bricks. Usually the Saints built a log cabin on their property to live in while they were constructing their brick home. They have record of 350 brick buildings in Nauvoo when the Saints left in 1846 and 49 were still standing in the 1960s when the restoration of Nauvoo began. The missionaries at the brickyard showed us how they formed, dried and baked their bricks in old Nauvoo. And, of course, they gave us a brick to take home with us.

Last night, after our shift and after dinner, we took a nice walk down Parley Street to check on the height of the river. It is still about the same as the last time we were there, several days ago. We watched a beautiful sunset over the Mississippi, and then walked back. The weather was beautiful – warm with a light breeze, then as it was getting dark, we enjoyed watching the fireflies. What a beautiful place this is.

And thus ends another marvelous week in Nauvoo. Thanks again for all of your e-mails, notes, cards, and letters.

All is well.

We love you all,
Mom & Dad / Granny & Grandpa