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| Elder and Sister Gibson at Carthage Jail |
We made our first visit to Carthage on Wednesday as a part of our site training. Carthage is about 30 miles Southeast of Nauvoo. Every Wednesday we have a mission training and it varies as to what we are instructed in. In this case it was a tour of the Carthage Jail and Visitors Center. This is part of the Nauvoo Mission and we have two couples permanently assigned there during the winter months and the number jumps to three and there are also several young single sisters added during the summer months. It is a very unique and special place and has a very special feeling about it. While there may be a tendency to feel melancholy and depressed over the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum there is also a feeling of resolve to represent our beliefs and testimonies as we go about representing the Lord and his restored church. It was surprising to learn of the jail and it's history and operation. It was unique to say the least. The jailer and his family lived there and fed the prisoners. There is a part of the jail reserved as a "debtors" prison. It held people who could not pay their debts until they could...sounds counter productive to me. On the second floor is the actual "Dungeon Cell" which looks much like you would expect a jail. What I didn't know is that the room in which the prophet and his fellow brethren spent the night and subsequently were attacked in was actually the jailer and his wife's bedroom. Joseph, Hyrum, and the others were confined in the debtors cell. As the mobs evil temperament increased on the day prior to the martyrdom, the jailer had suggested that they would be safer on the 2nd floor in his bedroom. The following day he suggested that they might be safer in the dungeon cell but Joseph prevailed and they stayed in the bedroom. That is why they were able to force the door open.
Rendezvous ....a Laugh a Minute
Our adventures at Rendezvous continue and they are certainly worth writing about. It is probable I won't be able to catch the depth and breadth of the moment, however. We were still working out the "Whoa" on the carriage ride during the week. With hope in hand we hit the stage....same driver...same result (horses, however, were prepared and did stop short of end of the scene)! Last night we had the problem under control, or so we thought. Now you have to understand that Rendezvous is done with little (and I mean, very little) rehearsal time. So with a quick 30 second rehearsal the director put a new driver in the scene. Trouble is...he can't hear the song because he is too close to the piano and has a hearing problem and is not wearing his hearing aids. So he is driving without a clue......it was only the quick thinking a fellow actor who poked him a little late in the scene that the horses stopped. Whew!!
And then there's Sister Gibson. (She usually doesn't read this so I am probably safe in telling it...or not). After we finish our second scene (Noah and Sophia) she is supposed to remain on stage with me and other cast members for a large cast number which features the Streets of Nauvoo. At the end of that scene she is in another large scene, a short time later, featuring the relief society sisters. So as the curtain is pulled on the Streets number I realize (not that there is much I could do about it) that she and two other sisters are not on the stage (can you say "Senior Moment?). They were down in the cast room preparing for the Relief Society scene (wondering where the other sisters were). One sister tried to make amends by charging down the aisle in the middle of the scene and join the cast on stage for the finale.
Most all of you will have not clue as to what I am next going to explain. It is sad but true....and if you live long enough.....it WILL happen to you. Our dear director tells me it is time to start rehearsing for my soon to arrive "editor" roll. I am ready....but for what..... I don't know. It is still pretty much "Ground Hog Day" where every day with the memorization of the script seems to be a new day. I have now resorted to walking down the street, waving my arms in folksy gestures, and pointing wildly around as cars pass...I can only imagine what they are thinking. Some days it is great...a flawless performance....some days it is read and reread and reread and rehearse and re-rehearse small scenes. So my big moment arrives....and I primed.....confident....and mystified as a look and feel like a mule dear in the headlights of the oncoming car. I know the words....I just can't find them...they are lost in the myriad of trash boxes in my mind. After stumbling through our sweet director tells me it was fabulous.....I am going to do great. (I think she has worked with old people too long and has a pretty low expectation factor)
A Trip to Zarahemla......
No....we did not take an unauthorized quick trip back to the Book of Mormon lands but rather spent a portion of our P-Day with and extraordinary couple, The Foley's who have lived their lives in Lee County, Iowa and where they have researched the Mormon Trail across Iowa. It's safe to say he has devoted a major portion of his adult life to this undertaking. We started our day in Montrose, IA which is directly west of Nauvoo on the opposite side of the Mississippi. I would have like to started off with a picture of the restored Nauvoo Temple but CF card reader is not to be found so I can't provide a view at this time. So along with a group of Saints who lived in Montrose at the time of the exodus there were also other colonies established in Iowa, even though it was referred to as Indian Territory and should have only been occupied by Native Americans or Half Breeds. But, what the heck, there were developers who sold land they didn't own and even printed their own money. It was the Wild Wild West and beyond belief. A few miles east of Montrose is a colony that was named Zarahemla (It has been suggested that yes, this is the place). Behind the last house on the road to Zarahemla is a graveyard containing the burial sites of many people. There are a few, very few, remaining headstones and markers.
Brother Foley then began teaching us the magic in the divining rods. These are simple pieces of wire (clothes hangers, etc.) which when straightened out with a small handle to for an "L" and held loosely will reveal some of the earth's great secrets. In this case it can determine the trails of wagons, boundaries of buildings, and even find and determine information about gravesites. Basically, when the wires are held loosely in your hands and you begin walking whenever there is a disturbance of depth and composition in the ground the rods will magically cross at the beginning and return to parallel at the end. He has used this technique to map and determine the locations of campsites, trails, and graveyards. In the picture you see posted we are standing in the graveyard in Zarahemla. The stakes that are now planted their indicated gravesites and their width and length locations. A two foot x six foot hole is usually and indication of an adult. There are many, many, graves, however, that are 18" x three feet....indicating the many children who had died before reaching adulthood.
And now here's the punch line....The Foley's have expended enormous amounts of time, resources, and effort into exploring the Mormon Pioneer Trail and the history of the towns and all the time acknowledging the hand of God in many of their endeavors in helping them in their lives and research......they are not Mormon's but rather Methodists. We, and a few other couples who were with us, will be enjoying a dinner with them on Thursday and then we are going to take them to Rendezvous....fortunately there will be another cast performing.
You Just Can't Find Bakery........
That Makes a Great Loaf of Wheat Bread
Sunday, Sister Gibson and I spent the day in the Scoville Bakery. It sits next to the Cultural Hall and here were not only show visitors and "old fashioned bakery" but we get to tell the story of Lucius Scoville and his family and testify of the blessings of the temple and that families are linked together eternally through covenants. It was a surprising day and we expected, and had, only a few groups. What was remarkable was that with one exception they were all members of other faiths that had come to Nauvoo. This is not usually the case. I especially enjoyed a group of six college students who were here on assignment to discover the "cultural side of Nauvoo". It was a great opportunity to share the gospel and we encouraged their questions as we bore testimony of many truths as well as the Book of Mormon. It reminded me of all the good times I had over the years teaching and explaining the gospel to my priesthood young men, young women and even the primary. It is sad, to say the least, that I am not enjoying their company now. They are the best. The best question I am ever asked is "What is that funny silver thing on you lapel?....it looks like an Armadillo...or some odd animal" Best boys in the whole world!!
As for the picture caption.....if you like a good multi grain or whole wheat don't come around this area. This is the corn capital of the nation.....not the great American bread basket. If you find a bakery they only make confections and rolls....good bread.....it doesn't exist. Fact is....the Great Harvest Bread Company or The Village Baker spoiled us. And the bread baked in the Family Center, while entertaining, just isn't in the competition. It is baked the way the 1840's folks baked it.
I will keep searching..............
Rendezvous ....a Laugh a Minute
Our adventures at Rendezvous continue and they are certainly worth writing about. It is probable I won't be able to catch the depth and breadth of the moment, however. We were still working out the "Whoa" on the carriage ride during the week. With hope in hand we hit the stage....same driver...same result (horses, however, were prepared and did stop short of end of the scene)! Last night we had the problem under control, or so we thought. Now you have to understand that Rendezvous is done with little (and I mean, very little) rehearsal time. So with a quick 30 second rehearsal the director put a new driver in the scene. Trouble is...he can't hear the song because he is too close to the piano and has a hearing problem and is not wearing his hearing aids. So he is driving without a clue......it was only the quick thinking a fellow actor who poked him a little late in the scene that the horses stopped. Whew!!
And then there's Sister Gibson. (She usually doesn't read this so I am probably safe in telling it...or not). After we finish our second scene (Noah and Sophia) she is supposed to remain on stage with me and other cast members for a large cast number which features the Streets of Nauvoo. At the end of that scene she is in another large scene, a short time later, featuring the relief society sisters. So as the curtain is pulled on the Streets number I realize (not that there is much I could do about it) that she and two other sisters are not on the stage (can you say "Senior Moment?). They were down in the cast room preparing for the Relief Society scene (wondering where the other sisters were). One sister tried to make amends by charging down the aisle in the middle of the scene and join the cast on stage for the finale.
Most all of you will have not clue as to what I am next going to explain. It is sad but true....and if you live long enough.....it WILL happen to you. Our dear director tells me it is time to start rehearsing for my soon to arrive "editor" roll. I am ready....but for what..... I don't know. It is still pretty much "Ground Hog Day" where every day with the memorization of the script seems to be a new day. I have now resorted to walking down the street, waving my arms in folksy gestures, and pointing wildly around as cars pass...I can only imagine what they are thinking. Some days it is great...a flawless performance....some days it is read and reread and reread and rehearse and re-rehearse small scenes. So my big moment arrives....and I primed.....confident....and mystified as a look and feel like a mule dear in the headlights of the oncoming car. I know the words....I just can't find them...they are lost in the myriad of trash boxes in my mind. After stumbling through our sweet director tells me it was fabulous.....I am going to do great. (I think she has worked with old people too long and has a pretty low expectation factor)
A Trip to Zarahemla......
 |
| Divining the Graves of Zarahemla |
No....we did not take an unauthorized quick trip back to the Book of Mormon lands but rather spent a portion of our P-Day with and extraordinary couple, The Foley's who have lived their lives in Lee County, Iowa and where they have researched the Mormon Trail across Iowa. It's safe to say he has devoted a major portion of his adult life to this undertaking. We started our day in Montrose, IA which is directly west of Nauvoo on the opposite side of the Mississippi. I would have like to started off with a picture of the restored Nauvoo Temple but CF card reader is not to be found so I can't provide a view at this time. So along with a group of Saints who lived in Montrose at the time of the exodus there were also other colonies established in Iowa, even though it was referred to as Indian Territory and should have only been occupied by Native Americans or Half Breeds. But, what the heck, there were developers who sold land they didn't own and even printed their own money. It was the Wild Wild West and beyond belief. A few miles east of Montrose is a colony that was named Zarahemla (It has been suggested that yes, this is the place). Behind the last house on the road to Zarahemla is a graveyard containing the burial sites of many people. There are a few, very few, remaining headstones and markers.
Brother Foley then began teaching us the magic in the divining rods. These are simple pieces of wire (clothes hangers, etc.) which when straightened out with a small handle to for an "L" and held loosely will reveal some of the earth's great secrets. In this case it can determine the trails of wagons, boundaries of buildings, and even find and determine information about gravesites. Basically, when the wires are held loosely in your hands and you begin walking whenever there is a disturbance of depth and composition in the ground the rods will magically cross at the beginning and return to parallel at the end. He has used this technique to map and determine the locations of campsites, trails, and graveyards. In the picture you see posted we are standing in the graveyard in Zarahemla. The stakes that are now planted their indicated gravesites and their width and length locations. A two foot x six foot hole is usually and indication of an adult. There are many, many, graves, however, that are 18" x three feet....indicating the many children who had died before reaching adulthood.
And now here's the punch line....The Foley's have expended enormous amounts of time, resources, and effort into exploring the Mormon Pioneer Trail and the history of the towns and all the time acknowledging the hand of God in many of their endeavors in helping them in their lives and research......they are not Mormon's but rather Methodists. We, and a few other couples who were with us, will be enjoying a dinner with them on Thursday and then we are going to take them to Rendezvous....fortunately there will be another cast performing.
You Just Can't Find Bakery........
 |
| The Scoville Bakery |
That Makes a Great Loaf of Wheat Bread
Sunday, Sister Gibson and I spent the day in the Scoville Bakery. It sits next to the Cultural Hall and here were not only show visitors and "old fashioned bakery" but we get to tell the story of Lucius Scoville and his family and testify of the blessings of the temple and that families are linked together eternally through covenants. It was a surprising day and we expected, and had, only a few groups. What was remarkable was that with one exception they were all members of other faiths that had come to Nauvoo. This is not usually the case. I especially enjoyed a group of six college students who were here on assignment to discover the "cultural side of Nauvoo". It was a great opportunity to share the gospel and we encouraged their questions as we bore testimony of many truths as well as the Book of Mormon. It reminded me of all the good times I had over the years teaching and explaining the gospel to my priesthood young men, young women and even the primary. It is sad, to say the least, that I am not enjoying their company now. They are the best. The best question I am ever asked is "What is that funny silver thing on you lapel?....it looks like an Armadillo...or some odd animal" Best boys in the whole world!!
As for the picture caption.....if you like a good multi grain or whole wheat don't come around this area. This is the corn capital of the nation.....not the great American bread basket. If you find a bakery they only make confections and rolls....good bread.....it doesn't exist. Fact is....the Great Harvest Bread Company or The Village Baker spoiled us. And the bread baked in the Family Center, while entertaining, just isn't in the competition. It is baked the way the 1840's folks baked it.
I will keep searching..............
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| "No pinching the buns here" |
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