Nauvoo
Week 15 (21 – 27 March 2016)
Another
fantastic week in Nauvoo! Time is
passing so quickly, it seems like we are writing a new blog every other
day. This week began with all of the
Temple Missionary sisters attending a special Reenactment of the organization
of the Relief Society in the Red Brick Store that was originally formed on
March 17, 1842. All of the “Site”
Missionary sisters had participated in the reenactment on the 17th,
but the Temple sisters were serving in the Temple that day. All of the sisters and brothers portraying Joseph
and other Priesthood leaders were dressed in Nauvoo era dresses and suits. The event was held in the upper room of the
store and Sharon said, was very well portrayed with the formation and
sustaining of the first Relief Society Presidency; Emma Smith (an Elect Lady)-President,
Sarah Cleveland and Elizabeth Whitney as Counselors and Eliza R Snow as
Secretary. Later in the week we attended
a lecture by Susan Easton Black Durrant that stated the Relief Society was the
formal organization which grew out of the “Straw Hat Association” which later
became known as the Benevolent Society (constitution written by Eliza R. Snow)
and later was organized through the Priesthood and revelation as the Church’s
Relief Society. The original Straw Hat
Association was formed by the Nauvoo sisters out of their desire to be like
other ladies organizations throughout the east that gave/performed service in
their respective areas. During the
Nauvoo era the Relief Society was not taught by sisters to the sisters but by
Priesthood brethren; Joseph, Willard Richards and John Taylor.
During
this sister activity, a few of us men played golf at the local golf course in
Hamilton. Later that evening we traveled
to Burlington, IA to see the movie “Miracles from Heaven.” We are sure many of you have seen it and
agree that it had a wonderful message; again showing that God is not dead and
that He loves His children.
On
Tuesday, we served in the Temple in the evening and then were able to catch the
last 25 minutes of Sister Durrant giving a lecture on the Business Associations
in Nauvoo (1839-1847). It is surprising
to hear that there were so many businesses/occupations in Nauvoo during this
time, of course there were many thousands of people living here by now. The following numbers of shops/businesses
were located in Nauvoo: 4-Architects (including William Weeks of the Temple),
20-Shoe/Boot makers, 11-Hotels, 11-Mills, 4-Quarries, 12-Dentists, 12-Midwives,
12-Doctors (usually by name only; not necessarily fully trained), 12-Drug
Stores, 38-Dry Goods & Grocery Stores, 9-Steamboats, 24-Tailors, 4 Ports of
call (all but one charged a “Port Tax”) and 0 (ZERO) Banks. Most all the shopping was done by men because
they were considered better “Barterers.”
Payment for goods/services was: preferred, but not likely CASH (remember
no Banks), 2nd Traded Services, 3rd Traded Products, 4th
Short Credit (purchase, pay later), and lastly 5th Long Credit
(purchase…usually never paid). By the way,
this was how much of the land was purchased in Nauvoo by the Saints.
Wednesday
was a normal day in the Temple, serving in the evening and was Scott’s and
Jeanne’s Birthday. We spoke with both of
them and wished them a Happy Day and Year.
Thursday,
again served in the Temple and also attended another lecture by Sister Durrant
on Brigham Young. In 1847, Brigham was
46 years old, was leader of the Church and leading the saints to the Rocky
Mountains. Of course, on 24 July 1847 Brigham
arrives in the Valley of the Great Salt Lake.
On 26 July, Brigham and the Apostles hike to Ensign Peak and plant a
Banner, Joe Hills Johnson was there and later penned “High on a Mountain Top.” On 28 July 1847, Brigham puts his cane in the
ground on the Temple Spot and states that here we will build a Temple to our
God. Interestingly, many object to this
notion and prophecy saying, “Every time we build a Temple (Kirtland, Far West-cornerstone
laid, and Nauvoo), persecution rages and soon we are driven out.” Brigham stated that time would be different,
this Temple will have 6 spires (3 Melchizedek and 3 Aaronic Priesthood) and it
will last into the millennium. People
still object and are fearful that only bad things will happen if they build
this Temple. Finally, on February 14, 1853
Brigham himself starts to build the Temple, eventually the people rally around
him and the foundation is dug from 1853 until 1857; red sandstone is quarried
from a nearby quarry and the foundation is being laid. In July 1857, the saints hear the US Army is
coming to find out what is happening…a Council on War is formed by Priesthood
leaders to determine what they should do…here is a Temple coming out of the
ground. They decide to cover up the last
4 years of work and plant a garden. The
saints form “prayer circles” in their homes and pray the Army will come and go
and that they can build their Temple…saints are now firmly behind Brigham. When the Army leaves the saints again begin
to work on the Temple, when they uncover the foundation they see the foundation
is cracked by the weight of the earth…how will it ever support the walls and
last into the millennium? They begin to
remove the foundation stones and (later build the City and County Building)
begin to quarry granite from the nearby canyons. The huge stones were transported to the
Temple site (with each arrival of a stone there is a big celebration and parade)
with much difficulty. Eventually a
railroad spur is built up the canyon and the huge stones are transported in
this manner decreasing many, many difficulties with the wagons and oxen. Stone cutters opened each huge rock if it was
good (grain, no cracks) they used it on the Temple; if not as good discarded
and later used on the Assembly Hall.
The
Temple is progressing slowly; Brigham and John Taylor die and still the Temple
is not completed. Wilford Woodruff is
the Prophet when the outside is completed 6 April 1892 (Moroni is placed on
top) and they have a huge celebration; they sing “The Spirit of God like a fire
is burning” and Wilford prophesied, “If the interior is completed in one year,
persecution will end!” The Temple was
dedicated exactly one year later on April 6, 1893 (40 years in
construction). The dedication lasted
three weeks. During the first dedicatory
session, Sister Bennett gave birth to a screaming son; he was delivered in a
room in the Temple. She returns 8 days
later to bless him, his name was Joseph Temple Bennett. An interesting note concerning the design and
construction of the angel Moroni; Wilford wanted Cyrus Dallen, a sculptor
living in Springville to make the angel.
He refused the offer to do so stating “He did not believe in angels,”
Wilford even called him into his office to plead with him, his answer again was
“No, I don’t believe in angels.” Wilford
wanted an upright angel, not the horizontal one that was placed on the Nauvoo
Temple. In order to get Brother Dallen
to do this he (Wilford) had to resort to using Cyrus’ mother to influence him
to do so. She said to him, “Cyrus, do
you think I am an angel?” He replied, “Yes,” she then said, “Please build an
angel for me.” He eventually built her
an angel and it was given to the Church, not because he believed in them, but because
his mother was an angel.
Friday
and Saturday provided more special experiences in the Temple; miracles happen here
every day. There is always something
that shows us that this is the work of God and that He is in charge. When things seem impossible; almost
immediately there is a solution and things proceed as if there never was a
problem.
Sunday
was Easter and we along with Elders & Sisters Gammell & O’Brien were in
charge of the Temple Missionary dinner.
It was originally scheduled to be in the garage of President &
Sister McArthur, at the last hour it was changed to the Arrival Center (where
families come to prepare to go to the Temple or single adult groups await their
turn to go to the Temple-we believe this is a unique feature of the Nauvoo
Temple). We moved the furniture, brought
in the tables and all other couples brought food assignments. It turned out very nice, the food was
excellent and we, as a family of Temple Missionaries, loved being with our
family. Of course, we missed being with
our own families, but this was a special one-time experience that we will long
remember. Following dinner President
& Sister McArthur spoke briefly about Easter and some of their favorite
memories and testimony of the Savior and the Plan of Salvation…it was a very
touching evening.
We
want each of you to know that we love you with all of our hearts. We are privileged to be your parents, grandparents
and friends. We depend so much on your
love, support and understanding to help us do the things that the Lord would
have us do at this time of our lives. We
pray the Lord’s choicest blessings to be with each of you now and forever.
Love,
Mom
& Dad/Nana & Papa/ Elder & Sister Shaw
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