When Sarah was twenty-one she married Hiram Kimball, a prosperous merchant of Commerce, not of her faith. Sarah had a seamstress, by the name of Margaret Cook. Sarah and Margaret discussed assisting the hands of those building the Temple. Sarah had the means to furnish material; the seamstress had the skills to make shirts for the workmen. Sarah believed some neighbors might wish to join their efforts. A few were invited to join them. The subject of forming a Ladies Society was discussed, and a constitution was written. Within two weeks, twenty women, including Sarah, met in Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store. On March 17, 1842 the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo was perfectly organized.
Today, the Relief Society is one of the largest organizations of women in the world. Over six million women in over 170 countries are members of this society. The Relief Society reaches out to help women and families Come unto Christ.
The large family Bible in the center of the parlor table is the original family Bible, gifted to Sarah by her husband, Hiram.
The large family Bible in the center of the parlor table is the original family Bible, gifted to Sarah by her husband, Hiram.
Sarah's home was small, but we must remember, "Something big can come of something small." At the dedication of this home, Barbara Smith, tenth General President of the Relief Society, said "We hope women will understand that within their own homes, things can happen that can have a great significance in the Church and in the world."
This bed in the master bedroom has a trundle next to the infant's rocking bed. Linsey-woolsey coverlets decorate the beds. (Linsey-woolsey is a combination of linen and wool)
Are you curious to know what I'm holding in the picture above? Ever heard of an Osage Orange? This tree is next to Sarah's home, and is the strangest fruit I've ever seen. The fruit is heavy, about the size of a large grapefruit, looks like your "brain" and stays green. It is not edible, and some say that it is poisonous. Some say the Osage Orange keeps bugs away, but others say that's silly.
The view of the temple, above, was the same perfect view Sarah had from her parlor. She contributed to the temple construction in several ways. Sarah's family left Nauvoo with the other Saints in 1846, crossing the plains into Utah territory. She served in the Relief Society and was active in the women's suffrage rights until she died in 1898, at the age of seventy three. Hiram was baptized a member of the LDS Church and was called to serve a mission in 1863. Before he reached his assignment, he was killed in a ship's boiler-room explosion.
The view of the temple, above, was the same perfect view Sarah had from her parlor. She contributed to the temple construction in several ways. Sarah's family left Nauvoo with the other Saints in 1846, crossing the plains into Utah territory. She served in the Relief Society and was active in the women's suffrage rights until she died in 1898, at the age of seventy three. Hiram was baptized a member of the LDS Church and was called to serve a mission in 1863. Before he reached his assignment, he was killed in a ship's boiler-room explosion.
Although this group, Vocal Point, came to Nauvoo in August, I must insert these pictures. Elder Gross and I fell in love with this amazing group of college men. They have fantastic a- cappella voices. The picture on the left is in the Tin Shop, when Elder Gross was giving them a tour. He had so much fun with them. The picture on the right is in Land and Records. I helped them find some information on their ancestors that had been in Nauvoo, then I ask them to "sing us a song." Just makes me smile remembering the harmony and spirit with which they sang. Check them out on You Tube, or www.byuvocalpoint.com
You must know I love nature. I captured these beautiful pictures of wild creatures. The zipper spider was huge - over 2 inches long, counting his legs. Corn? No big deal? Well, they don't harvest the corn until it's totally dead, dried up and full of bugs. The bugs look like a large ladybug. A majority of the corn raised here goes to make corn syrup! If you saw all the corn hauled from the fields, you would know our nation uses a LOT of corn syrup! |
Nauvoo is all about the people that lived here in the 1840's and the people that live here now. When we are here today the pioneers of 1840 live again. We tell of their lives and recite their stories. We keep their memories alive. Left to right:: Sister Johnson, Sister Lowe, Sister Blair and our newest missionary, Sister Hughes! Amazing, wonderful friends, and missionaries.
During the summer, Nauvoo is filled with these Young Single Missionaries. They serve a two year mission, testifying of Christ. When the summer season is gone, they go to "out bound" or a warmer, more active location to serve. Next spring they will be back (unless their mission is over) and in that case they go home. We watched these young women grow and mature during the summer. In September we bid them farewell for six months, while they serve in Arizona, Texas and southern California.
In October we had a fantastic day with our friends, the Walkers. We traveled out into the Illinois farm lands, beyond the reach of the internet, and finally to Springfield, Illinois. The Lincoln Museum was one of the best Presidential sites I've ever seen. One exhibit was called The Whispering Gallery. It was filled with political cartoons that highlighted the pressures that the Lincolns faced. Lincoln was especially hated for being an uneducated Westerner, supposedly a warmonger and even more for getting re-elected. If you think politics is nasty today, history shows us that name calling and derogatory comments have been around since our country began. Check out the tomb and monument (below). The obelisk reminds me of Washington's in D.C.
September I was appointed to be the humanitarian chairman for the mission. Throughout the winter, when guests are few, we missionaries use our time and talents serving the local communities. We have projects in the sites, keeping sister's hands busy, while waiting for guests. We have quilts on frames in three sites (for tying). We have flannel baby quilts and burp pads in the Lyon Drug. We are making "care bears" and beautiful pillow cases, knitted caps and scarves...the list goes on and on. I'm piecing quilts as fast as I can. I have the perfect assignment! You think?
Booutiful Nauvoo, a traditional Halloween Parade, was held October 29. Prior to the parade, missionaries carved over 500 pumpkins. These weren't just casually carved pumpkins, as you can see! The parade was filled with people in costumes, a 40 ft. green dragon, the ghostbusters vehicle, horses and "oh my stars" - Trump even made an appearance. |
We wait in the Cultural Hall "green room" before we perform Rendezvous. The men were getting ready to do the number, Willingly. This is a scene where Jed (Tom) says, "We should stay and fight, and not be beaten down like a dog." Elder Lowe doesn't have his rifle, but his knitting loom! He's making a cap for our humanitarian projects! Fact is, Elder Lowe has made over 100 knitted caps..
Elder Gross and I send our love to you, our friends and family. May you enjoy the fall, full of fantastic color, as well as the upcoming holiday season. Thanksgiving, then Christmas. Just in case you haven't noticed, there are only EIGHT more Friday's until Christmas!