We were fortunate enough to stop and see some LDS Church history sites along our vacation. On the way to DC, we stopped in Kirtland, OH. We took a wrong turn on the way there, so we got to Kirtland at about 5:00 am. We decided to just sleep in the car for a few hours until the sites opened. The tour of the Kritland temple was very interesting. The temple there was used for a very different purpose than our current temples. For the time period this building was built, it was an amazing building!
After our conference, and after Gettysburg, we stopped in Carthage and Nauvoo. This was on my birthday, and it is what I wanted to do. Carthage is where the jail is where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were shot and killed. This is the window that Joseph Smith fell out of after he was shot.
Hyrum was trying to hold this door shut against the mob. They shot the lock off and then shot through the door, shooting Hyrum in the face and he died. You can still see the 2 bullet holes in the door.
Here is our family in front of a statue of Joseph and Hyrum. One of the missionaries was nice enough to help us with a picture.
Nauvoo was our next stop. They had a 19th century village that you can tour. Some of the buildings are originals and others are replicas from drawings they found and foundations that had been buried. We stopped at the blacksmith's shop. They told us that a lot of the equipment had been taken, but bought back and brought to Nauvoo. We got to watch the missionary make a horse shoe and then we all got "prairie diamond" rings (a square nail bent into a circle.)
We also went to the brick shop. Brick making was huge in Nauvoo at that time. We got to learn how bricks are made and then we got a brick for our family. He also gave a 'second' brick to each of the kids. Gotta love free souvenirs.
The last house we went into was the Jonathan Browning Home and Gun Shop. It was really interesting to find out how Browning got his start and how guns were made back then. Holden had a melt down at this point, so we decided not to go into anymore homes/businesses. We drove around the city and saw where the prophet lived and where his store was.
This is the new Nauvoo Temple. It is built on the same site where the old Nauvoo temple was. Last time I was in Nauvoo (when I was in high school), there was just the foundation and the corner stones were visible.
This is a statue of Joseph and Hyrum as they are leaving Nauvoo for the last time, heading to Carthage "like a lamb to the slaughter." I love the view with the Mississippi river in the background.
This is one of the original sunstones from the first temple. This is on loan to the LDS church from the Illinois Historic Society. This is 1 of only 2 remaining original sunstones. The other one is at the Smithsonian. (The Smithsonian that I really wanted to visit, but was closed when we were in DC.)
After our conference, and after Gettysburg, we stopped in Carthage and Nauvoo. This was on my birthday, and it is what I wanted to do. Carthage is where the jail is where Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were shot and killed. This is the window that Joseph Smith fell out of after he was shot.
Hyrum was trying to hold this door shut against the mob. They shot the lock off and then shot through the door, shooting Hyrum in the face and he died. You can still see the 2 bullet holes in the door.
Here is our family in front of a statue of Joseph and Hyrum. One of the missionaries was nice enough to help us with a picture.
Nauvoo was our next stop. They had a 19th century village that you can tour. Some of the buildings are originals and others are replicas from drawings they found and foundations that had been buried. We stopped at the blacksmith's shop. They told us that a lot of the equipment had been taken, but bought back and brought to Nauvoo. We got to watch the missionary make a horse shoe and then we all got "prairie diamond" rings (a square nail bent into a circle.)
We also went to the brick shop. Brick making was huge in Nauvoo at that time. We got to learn how bricks are made and then we got a brick for our family. He also gave a 'second' brick to each of the kids. Gotta love free souvenirs.
The last house we went into was the Jonathan Browning Home and Gun Shop. It was really interesting to find out how Browning got his start and how guns were made back then. Holden had a melt down at this point, so we decided not to go into anymore homes/businesses. We drove around the city and saw where the prophet lived and where his store was. 
This is the new Nauvoo Temple. It is built on the same site where the old Nauvoo temple was. Last time I was in Nauvoo (when I was in high school), there was just the foundation and the corner stones were visible.
This is a statue of Joseph and Hyrum as they are leaving Nauvoo for the last time, heading to Carthage "like a lamb to the slaughter." I love the view with the Mississippi river in the background.
This is one of the original sunstones from the first temple. This is on loan to the LDS church from the Illinois Historic Society. This is 1 of only 2 remaining original sunstones. The other one is at the Smithsonian. (The Smithsonian that I really wanted to visit, but was closed when we were in DC.)
4 comments:
We have that same family picture taken in front of the Smith Brothers. I loved going to all of the church sites. So inspirational. I'm so glad you guys were able to go.
Wow you did a great job of getting your trip all blogged!
what a great trip! It looks like you were very busy, but made some great memories. thanks for letting us all share the trip!
Ok I just caught my self up on the last two months of your blog: FIrst of all I love Holden's buzzed head- what a cutie.
It is so neat that you get to do some fun things with CLara like the Zoo and ropes corse-its neat.
Also what a funny boy you have- the garbage cabinet?
I love the ryan shupe and rubber band~ I saw them in concert and really enjoyed it.
Ok your trip seemed so awesome- I know alot of driving but funs places- I didn't know your dad had a lake house. I too love lakes- and Beaches.
Makayla is so cute with her love for frogs and bugs and stuff.
I love the picture of clara in the wave. and the picture of Holden eating the microphone.
Man I would love to go to both wash DC and the church history spots!- one day!
Was it sorta Eire to be where Joseph and Hyrum were killed? Man I remember that door from the movie down town!
WEll I am glad you had a fun trip!
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