Grant's maternal (Thompson) side of the family was having a family reunion during pioneer weekend in Nauvoo. The purpose of the trip was not only to gather together as a family and strengthen our ties to one another; but to also learn about our pioneer heritage. Grant's family on both sides has deep pioneer heritage (mainly Joseph Knight Sr. and Parley P. Pratt) that is felt all throughout Nauvoo. Grant and I were excited about about the reunion being Nauvoo and being able to not only share with our children their pioneer heritage but the heritage by all those that lived in Nauvoo.
Thursday July 21: Started out with watch "Plain Anna Amanda." The play was very entertaining especially to the children; however under all the entertainment and laughter the play had a very good meaning behind the play. The play centered around a girl named Anna Amanda who was on a mission to be someone important. You see Anna Amanda was given a nick name of Plain Anna Amanda and to her she felt like she was not important. By the end of the play she realizes she is important and special because she is Anna Amanda. Anna Amanda learns that she doesn't need to try to be anyone else, she just needs to be herself.
After lunch and a good fun at pioneer pasttimes, we were off to show on Parley P. Pratt. It was neat to bring our children to this play and allow them to learn about their 5th great grandfather. The show was about one of the missions that Parley P. Pratt took to England with several members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. Chills ran up and down as they bore their testimonies and shared their experiences. Inside I was saying "Amen." While watching you couldn't help but feel the Holy Ghost testifying to you that the gospel is true and through the gospel one can find true and lasting happiness.
The rest of the day was spent visiting the different sites. We visited the bakery where we were given a free cookie at the end of the tour. We saw the printing press and learned how the printing press was opperated. We went to the blacksmith and saw how a black smith worked and how they prepared the wagons for the journey west. At the end of the black smith tour we were given a "prarie diamond" ring. We made a stopped at John Taylor's home and learned more about the third prophet. We were able to learn what a devoted father and disciple of Christ he was. Our journey wasn't over yet. We made our way down to the tin shop and learned the business of the Stoddard family and how they made a living making tin pans, bowls, laddles, candle holders, and lanterns. Finally we ended our tour at the gun shop where we learned about Jonathan Browning and the contributions he made in helping the saints to defend and protect themselves. By this time the kids were exghausted and Spencer was asking to go back to the hotel. We checked into our hotel quickly and went off to the camp ground to enjoy dinner with the whole family. We ended our very full day with a play "Rendezvous in Old Nauvoo put on by the Senior Missionaries. We sure packed are day full and the kids had no trouble going right to bed.
Friday July 22: Grant and Anthony got up real early to join the family on a pioneer handcart trek. Grant said that they had a good time and enjoyed themselves. Anthony took a turn in help to pull and push their handcart. Madeline, Spencer, and I stayed behind. Infact, Madeline and Spencer were so tired that they didn't even wake up until Grant and Anthony returned from their one mile trek. After the trek the rest of the family was off to do a couple of sessions in the Nauvoo Temple. However, the Grant Cooper Family went off to visit the Joseph Smith sites. There we were able to see the first house that Joseph and Emma Smith lived in when they arrived in Nauvoo as well as the Mansion House where Joseph and Emma were living when he Joseph left for Carthage. We were able to see the hotel that Joseph built to house those saints and others coming into Nauvoo from various places. We ended our tour at the Red Brick Store where we learned more about Church History and the events that took place there. From the tour my eyes were opened to the deep love and compassion that Joseph Smith had for the people whether they were members of the church or not. Joseph Smith showed deep charity for others despite the persecussion around him. We rounded out our day with another play "Sunset on the Mississippi" put on by the Younger and Senior Missionaries.
Saturday July 23: Grant and Anthony woke up early again to go off geode hunting. We learned that Keokuk and the surrounding area is the geode captial of the world. I will do a separate post about their hunting experience. Afterwards we joined the rest of the family in Carthage. If you were unsure if the prophet was indeed a Prophet of Lord; touring Carthage Jail can change any doubt one would had. One could definitely feel the spirit in Carthage and a neat experience for us parents to be able to teach our children about the testimony and legacy of the prophet Joseph Smith. I hope our children in some way were able to feel the spirit and feel and understand the spirit of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Before dinner we went and saw "High Hopes and Riverboats" a play put on by the younger missionaries. After the play we met Grant's parents for dinner and then it was off to the Nauvoo Pagent. I have to say the Nauvoo Pagent was the high light of our week in Nauvoo. The Pagent tells of the history of the Saints in Nauvoo from the time they arrived to the time they were forced out. The Pagent also centers around the Nauvoo Temple and the purpose and blessings of the Temple. At the end the whole cast gathered around to sing "The Spirit of God" as they were singing they lite up the Nauvoo Temple in the distant hills. The spirit was so strong, chills were running up and down my spine, and the tears were wanting to run. All I have to say is the Gospel is true; our Savior Jesus Christ is real and His love is real and unconditional. The Temple is true, the blessings of the temple are amazing and full of peace. I am so grateful for the temple and the blessings the temple provides for our family. As I look into the eyes of my children and husband, love overwhelms my heart as I see eternity through their eyes.
I am so grateful for our trip to Nauvoo. I am grateful for the spirit that is felt throughout Nauvoo, and I am really grateful for the testimonies that were born by the missionaries as each site we visited. Their testimonies strengthened mine and I know that my children walked away with their knowledge of the gospel strengthened. It was neat to be able to teach our children about their pioneer ancestors to be able to walk the streets that they walked, to hear their testimonies, and to feel their love for the Savior and his Gospel. I hope as their Mom that I was able to teach them about the strength that their ancestors possessed and that through the strength of their testimonies they were able to endure their trials and to reach the Salt Lake Valley. I hope that they were able to see in some small way that our testimonies see us through our trials and that it is through our testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ that we are able to find true happiness despite what goes on around us. Nauvoo was a great testimony building experience. I know my testimony was strengthen as well as my resolve to be better and to keep the legacy of our ancestors alive in our lives.
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