June 27 - 5:16 PM A very special day

We were able to get the day off from our temple shifts on Saturday.  We felt very blessed to have this wish granted to us.  We started the day on a small tour bus.  We went on the Martyrdom Trail, as much as is still able to be driven on.  It was a wonderful three hour experience.  We started at the last home that Joseph Smith lived in.  This is the door where he said good-bye to his wife Emma, who was four months pregnant, their four children, and his mother Lucy Mack Smith.  He asked Emma, "Will you raise my boys to follow after me?"  He asked her this question three times before rode away.

This unpaved road is the last of the original Carthage trail.  What was the old road across the prairie is now private corn and soybean fields.

This picture is out of order, but it is a picture of the original canal that the saints dug to drain the swamp out of Nauvoo.  It is still in use today for drainage.  The reason it is not any deeper is the limestone rock is about six feet down from the surface. 

After we went to Carthage, our bus driver got us back to Nauvoo for the 12:00 noon commemoration at the grave sites.  This event was sponsored by the Community of Christ as they still own the property where the Red Brick Store is at, and the grave sites are close to that area. Our YPM's, Young Performing Missionaries sang two songs, there were a couple of short talks and readings.  The Nauvoo Brass Band, which is also YPM's performed.  Such dedication from these young missionaries.

During the short commemoration ceremony, a rose was placed on each grave marker.  One for Joseph, one for Hyrum and one for Emma.  A member of the Community of Christ placed one, then one was placed by Nauvoo Restoration Society and one by the Bishop of the Nauvoo 3rd Ward. 

This is a picture of Lacklan Mackay.  He is the director of the Community of Christ in this area.  It is interesting that 24 years ago we met him in Kirtland Ohio.  He was directing the tours at the Kirtland Temple when we went there.  It was late in the day and he still took us on a private tour of the temple.  He was very helpful and kind.  I am surprised that today he isn't a member of the LDS Church.  He had such a testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration.  It was good to see him again.   

After the presentation at the burial plot we drove back to Carthage for the LDS Commemoration at 5:00 in the evening.  We had expected about 1500 to attend, but the weather has been so wet, if we would have had that many, they would not have been able to get on the grounds.  The grass area was closed as it is too soggy.  They had set up chairs all along the walkways.  We were there about two hours early - but we wanted to have a good seat.  We did.   

The program was short, a good reading and mention of the death of the Prophet and Hyrum.  Then as close to 5:17 as they could, the program stopped and silently two riderless horses were led into the court yard.  To say that this was a special, breathless moment would be an understatement.  It was very emotional. 

After the horses were led out, the YPM's sang a version of "Hail to the Prophet - Ascended to Heaven"

As Joseph Smith left Nauvoo on his way to Carthage on horseback, he stopped near the temple, and paused as he looked over the city and spoke these last words. 

"This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens;  little do they know the trials that await them."