DAY 5: Nauvoo

Stayed in Keokuk, Iowa across the Mississippi River from Nauvoo last night. The heat wave in the mid-west makes being outside for long periods of time pretty unbearable. As a result some of the planned activities surrounding he pageant have been cancelled or moved indoors.

First stop was the Jonathan Browning rifle shop

After becoming converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ Browning had the phrase 'Holiness to the Lord - Our Preservation' placed on all his rifles

Brownings son John Moses Browning was the real innovator who received over 100 patents on guns and rifles some of which are still used by law enforcement today like the 9mm shown below

This 30 caliber machine gun was widely used in the Korean and Vietnam Wars

Next it was off to play with pioneer toys and games that children would have played in the 1840's. While there we ran into old friends from Mesa: the Bartons

We were again reminded that there is no need to buy our children expensive toys.

Next was off to see the children's performance of Just Plain Anna Amanda and ran into Sister Carroll from Mesa who is performing in various acts during the pageant.

Ruby was called up at the end of the show. Didn't get my camera out fast enough but what the cast and audience was laughing about was an exchange Ruby had with the lead actress.

Anna Amanda: "Ruby, you are special and unique aren't you?"
Ruby: "yep"
Anna Amanda: "no one else is just like you right?"
Ruby: "actually, my sister is just like me - she's my sister"

Throughout the day are scheduled various vignettes performed by the actors in the pageant. Prior to each vignette the Nauvoo bagpipe band performs.

We watched two vignettes today: the King Follett discourse and Letters of Joseph and Emma

King Follett (performed in the south grove)

Original Sunstone outside of LDS visitors center

Finished the day by visiting the Community of Christ visitors center and tour.

View of the Mississippi from the Nauvoo house

The Nauvoo House - completed after the death of the prophet. Emma's room that she lived and died in is the furthest to the left on the second story (as my thumb is intentionally pointing out).

The gravesite of Joseph, Emma and Hyrum. Unfortunately the Community of Christ does not allow pictures inside of any of the JS properties they own.