Thursday February 4th was the anniversary of the beginning of the Exodus when the Saints were forced by the mobs to leave Nauvoo in 1846. Every year there is a reenactment. The site missionaries were joined by the temple missionaries, some townspeople, and missionaries from the Peoria Illinois Mission, I think.
We actually began the Sunday before with the Exodus Sociable (fireside). We heard beautiful music from the mission choir and heard great pioneer stories from some of the site and temple missionaries as they told of their ancestors who lived in and then left Nauvoo. Ron was assigned to take pictures and I had hoped we would still have snow on the ground but it snowed the next day instead. It was cold but everyone was bundled up as you can see. It gave us all a great appreciation for those who left their homes in the freezing winter time and headed out leaving most of their belongings behind. What faith they had in a prophet of God! It was a great day, an emotional day, a day of appreciation and remembering.
We were able to wear the names of our ancestors who were here then, or any of the pioneers, as we walked down Main Street to Parley Street and then on to the edge of the Mississippi River. As you can see by the picture Sister Lauralee Foote and I chose the same name. She's a temple missionary here with her husband, Derrell Foote. Does that name sound familiar!! They are wonderful and it's been so fun to be here with them. Derrell is my second cousin.
