We've had a busy month with family reunions, trips and college classes. (BYU independent study literature class is kicking my can.) The 27th of June we left with Amy, Aaron and kids for a 3000 mile road trip. We went to a very cool Lomax Miller reunion in Nebraska. He my Grandpa Daniel Wright's mom's dad. It was at a Baptist summer camp and we had a great time getting to know some great, friendly people. Patty and Mac got to go to part of it too. In three years they are planning to do it again only maybe in Oregon. 
After the reunion we headed for Omaha, Nebraska or Winter Quarters. We saw the Kanesville tabernacle where Brigham Young was ordained the prophet. I don't think I realized how far across the United States the saints actually got before they started on the wagon trains. And they still had a long ways to go. We also went to the Winter Quarter's temple and visitor center.
The next day we headed to Nauvoo. We stayed at a cabin just two miles south of Nauvoo which was a perfect place for the kids to play and yell and run. Randy showed them how to skip rocks and I got to do one of the things on my "bucket list"; we caught fireflys! They were so cool and we tried to bring some home for the Federkeils but they died before they reached Utah. 
We enjoyed our time in Nauvoo. We got to do a session in the Nauvoo temple. We loved the plays they did during the days. The homes were not very handicap accessible or child friendly so we split up for part of the time. Randy and I checked out some of the homes and businesses and the Bentleys went in search of a candy store for Levi. We found some great information on family members in the Lands and Records office. We went on an oxcart ride and saw where the saints crossed the Nauvoo river. Our ancestor Zachariah Hardy helped ferry people across. On Feb 11 1846 there was a terrible snow storm and he was found dead on his ferry the next morning. On Feb 14, the Mississippi froze over and they were able to cross on the ice. That's one of the few times in history that it ever froze. We went to the Old Nauvoo cemetery and his name is on the list of people who died in Nauvoo but they don't know exactly where he was buried so there isn't a stone for him. 
It is a beautiful city and it broke my heart to think of them leaving their homes. Their time
in Nauvoo was relativly peaceful and when they left it was partially because they had to, but also because they wanted to follow the Prophet.
The last day in Illinois we went to Carthage jail. I don't know what you can say about Nauvoo. It leaves me speechless. To say I am thankful seems so insignificant in comparison to the sacrifice made there. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith. The Lord used a young man with a willing heart to establish his church. The whole time I was in Nauvoo I tried to wrap my mind around the mob mentality that culminated at Carthage and I just couldn't do it. It just must have been the influence of Satan in the hearts of man.
After Carthage we packed up and headed back on I-70. We went to the Far West temple site, Adam ondi Ahman and Independence Missouri. There is a feeling through out that part of the country that something is coming. It will be interesting to see the prophecies play out. I hope it will be in my lifetime. 
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