Nauvoo Exodus Re-enactment

Today, Feb. 8, 2014, we had a re-enactment of the Exodus of the population of Nauvoo, which began on Feb. 4, 1846.  It was a very sober event, thinking of the feelings of the Saints as they drove their wagons down Parley St. to the Mississippi River and then waiting in line as the ferries took them across one by one.  The weather cooperated in helping us feel the discomfort they must have felt as the waited such a long time for their turn to cross.  The temperature was 14 degrees F.  and a light snow was falling and a stiff breeze took the wind chill  down.  Fortunately we have clothes to ward off the cold, which the early Saints did not.  They must have froze terribly while they waited, and worse when they finally got over to Montrose where they did not even have a home to protect them from the elements.  Only a tent or to get under their wagon, as the wagon was so loaded they could not get in it.

 We assembled at the Family Living Center, at 6:30 am. about 1 1/2 miles from the river, and had a nice breakfast and a program reciting excerpts from several of the Saint's journals.  Then we went outside and walked along side of the wagons to the River.  I was part of the Nauvoo Legion, which at that time numbered about 4 to 5 thousand. We marched in front of the group of missionaries and local and visiting members who came, some from Utah, etc. just for this re-enactment, and when we got to the River we had a flag raising ceremony and another program, and sang Come Come Ye Saints.  A very touching experience.

 There were  about 350 people total who walked in the procession

 They carried flags representing every nation that was in the original group.

After the program many of them went out on the ice of the Mississippi River, which is still frozen over and covered with a lot of snow from the two heavy storms that have come through in the last two weeks. Sister Ririe even ventured out onto the ice!
Experiences like this continue to keep us humbly thankful for the peace we enjoy today as compared to the lawless mob attacks the they lived with,and for the comforts of today compared to their constant struggling with not enough food, not enough clothing,or shelter, etc.  We must not take what we have for granted, but must be ever more greatful and dedicated to their memory and sacrifice.
After the events we staffed our assigned sites for visits.  During one of my tours at the Brickyard I discussed with a group from Utah, how we could honor what they did, in our lives today. Very thought provoking and emotional interchange was had.
It is our greatest desire that our children, our grandchildren, our nieces and nephews, and our brothers and sister honor their covenants and live up to the legacy these faithful Saints left for us to follow.  In that only, is true happiness found.
We love this mission!