Last p-day, we went on another tour. This one took us along the Mormon pioneer trail in Iowa, through the first county (Lee County) they crossed through. We started off in Montrose, or actually just north of Montrose where the wagons came up off the ferries (or off the ice) and up the bluff away from the river. We saw where the miracle of the quail occurred. We got to hold the “divining rods” that helps the historians today find the tracks of the wagon road, grave sites and foundations of homes built and since destroyed. By car we climbed over the ridge as we left the Mississippi River and looked back over our shoulders, the same as the early Saints did, to see their last glimpse of the temple as they left. We stopped and tried to map out the settlement of Zarahemla that housed the Saints on the Iowa side of the river (along with Montrose) during the Nauvoo era. We followed the path (as close as modern roads would permit) to Sugar Creek, the first encampment along the trail for the Saints. Then a ways further yet, to a site near where the second encampment would have been. At this time of the year, the land is dry and the terrain would be easy to cross even with horses or oxen and wagons. The landscape is still green. It is hard to imagine how it was when the Saints had to work so hard to pull their wagons through deep mud and ever descending rains over those same miles. We were appalled by the number of graves that have been detected along the way. Evidently there were a lot more deaths than that which has been reported. Our guide thought that perhaps many infants may have perished without ever receiving a name – and therefore not becoming a statistic. It is hard to say for sure. The day was cause for much reflection as I considered how many of my ancestors may have walked that very “road” that we followed that day. I am so thankful for them. (I also appreciate modern transportation.)
The number of visitors to the temple are few these days. On Wednesday, we didn’t have a single youth come to be baptized. The other areas of the temple were pretty quiet as well. On days like that, we often assign our temple workers to be patrons. At least that way, a few ordinances are performed making our stay here of some worth. Saturdays are, by far, the busiest day at the temple. Yesterday we had two or three families come in from within the temple district to be sealed together for time and all eternity. One consisted of parents and two teen-age children. Another of two daughters, one age 26 and the other just 5. And I thought our family had quite a spread! This one was even more so. There is always a special spirit that resides in the temple. I am so glad to be able to be here and to work in such a sacred environment.
We have made a lot of wonderful friend amongst the other temple missionaries assigned to be here. In the short time that we have been here, our lives have been enriched so much through our association with them. Our ‘family’ here has become quite close-knit. We often share meals together, family-home-evenings together, tours together, etc. It has been suggested that we come very close here to living the law of consecration. Our housing is similar. We all even sleep under the same rose colored comforters on our beds. Our dinnerware is identical. Even the same pictures hang on each of our walls – unless we replace them. There will be many of the missionaries that we will come to miss when their time to leave arrives at the end of next month. But in time, others will come to replace them and other associations will be created that will be just as meaningful. We love the time that we are spending here. It is so enriching, edifying and enjoyable.
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