The Fire of the Covenant
THE FIRE OF THE COVENANT
BLOG #37
A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of participating in a re-enactment event commemorating the 1846 Exodus from Nauvoo as the early Saints began their westward migration. The whole scene drew me back in thought to my own ancestors who made their own trek across the icy Mississippi River. I reflected solemnly on “The Fire of the Covenant” that burned within their hearts and souls.
Our event was held on February 1st. The “real” Exodus began on February 4, 1846 as Charles Shumway was the first to move his wagons across the mighty and icy river. He was followed by hundreds and even thousands of wagons who later made the same journey over the next few weeks and months. So my own ancestors were likely part of many groups who made their trek down Parley Street with their eyes, hearts, feet, and wagons pointing west.
And it truly was “the fire of the covenant” that pushed them onward – even amidst the horrific threat of mobs and the bitter cold weather.
All of these great pioneer ancestors of mine had joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints many years – or a decade previously. Many of them joined in New York, Ohio, Kentucky and everywhere in between those places and Nauvoo. Each of these people had their own conversion stories. Each had met early missionaries as they traversed through hidden villages. They heard the preaching of their neighbors, their kinfolk, or missionaries who traveled through their “neck of the woods”.
These ancestors heard the news of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. They learned of a young Prophet, Joseph Smith, who declared that the heavens were not forever closed. They heard his claim that he had been visited by heavenly messengers – even God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They also had had opportunity to obtain, read, study and to pray about The Book of Mormon. They felt the witness of the Holy Ghost within their hearts bearing witness of these new truths. And following the feelings of their hearts, they made covenants with God and Christ and were baptized into the Church.
These ancestors – the Cheney, Pulsipher, Wiggins, Rawson, Clark, Robinson, Alger, Hancock, Wilcox, Stevenson, Rice, Coffin, and other families were among the very first to hear and embrace the Restored Gospel. They were stalwarts in helping the Church to get organized and were zealous in their commitments to that “fire of the covenant” that had begun burning within them.
These, my people, followed their Prophet leader, Joseph Smith to Kirtland, Ohio where they helped to build the Kirtland Temple – the first Temple in this – “The Dispensation of the Fullness of Times”. These same people joined the Saints as they went west and south to Missouri. Then came the lies and the hatred as mobs drove them relentlessly from their Missouri homes. They were willing to leave everything and they sacrificed their all for those covenants that they had made. And being homeless and destitute once again, they crossed the Mississippi River (or came overland from various places) to Nauvoo.
Here in Nauvoo, they enjoyed the prophetic leadership of their Prophet, Joseph as they established Nauvoo – a “covenant community” – and in the Lord’s words, “The Cornerstone of Zion”. The construction of the Nauvoo Temple became the focus their lives and every effort as they gave a “tithe of their time” (meaning a day in every ten) for the construction of their glorious Temple.
And in the process, they looked forward with great gladness and anticipation for the completion of the Temple. Their greatest hope was to receive their “temple endowment and sealing ordinances”. The mob action of wicked men around them became even more incessant. The Saints were again to be forced from their beautiful homes, farms, and especially their beloved Temple. They would join the Saints for their westward trek.
All of the Saints – including our ancestors – awaited their turn to go to the Temple to receive their Temple Endowments. They were so anxious to receive this special “gift” from God before their forced exodus. They wanted the “fire of Temple covenants” as a strength for the journey ahead.
The book, “Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society” states that “More than 5,000 Saints thronged the Nauvoo Temple after its dedication so they could receive the endowment and the sealing ordinance before embarking on their journey into an unknown future. They came to the temple all day and long into the night. President Brigham Young wrote that they were so anxious to receive their ordinances that “I have given myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the Temple night and day, not taking more than four hours sleep, upon an average, per day, and going home but once a week.”3
[Still Quoting:] “The strength, power, and blessings of temple covenants would sustain the Latter-day Saints during their journey, when they would suffer cold, heat, hunger, poverty, sickness, accidents, and death. They were strengthened and empowered—spiritually prepared to leave Nauvoo on their arduous journey into the wilderness.”
As the Saints prepared for the arduous journey ahead, they were assigned or recruited to various pioneer companies – each one with a called Captain – (And captains of 100, 50, 10, etc.) And once assigned to these advance companies, they worked with other members of the coming pioneer company to create and manufacture their own wagons that would be needed for the planned trip. Every available space in the community was converted to places to manufacture the wagons and the wheels.
Above: Elder Kevin at the representative Wainwright Shop
Church leaders published “The Bill of Particulars” – which was a rather comprehensive list of supplies and materials that they would need to outfit their wagons for the trek. Much effort was made to acquire their 1,000 pounds of flour, and all else that would fill their wagons.
The westward exodus was projected to come in May of 1846 but the mobbers wanted the Saints gone sooner. And thus, the wagons began to roll down Parley street. This as their beloved Temple was worked to full capacity in an effort to allow every possible Saint to receive their Temple ordinances. The Temple was often open days and night to accommodate the waiting throng. Everyone wanted to get to the Temple – not knowing when they might again have the blessing and opportunity of another future temple. (History shows that the next Temple – in St. George, Utah – would not be constructed for another 30 years. The Endowment House – a “emporary Temple” was constructed in 1855 as the Salt Lake Temple was under construction.)
The temperature of that February 4th morning (in 1846) was biting and frigid. The people were ill-prepared for the sub-zero temperatures of the day. Fathers and sons drove their wagons – most of them pulled by oxen. Mothers tried to comfort and encourage their freezing young children as they marched forward down that Parley Street.
Today the “Trail of Hope” leads modern “pioneers” down Parley Street – with numerous plaques with journal entries of those who made the original trek.
With their eyes westward, I am sure too, that each one of those faithful Saints looked with eyes full of tears at their beautiful Temple that loomed behind them on the hill above them to the northeast. One can hardly imagine the thoughts and feelings of those hearts as they thought of their efforts, their hopes and dreams, and certainly the Temple covenants that they had made with their God in the sacred edifice. And amidst that trauma, they still went forward … with “the fire of the covenant” burning deep within them. It was this fire and their covenants that would help them reluctantly – but full of faith – take step after step away from their beloved Nauvoo and the Temple.
And why did my people do that? Why would they sacrifice their all for this trek to an unknown home? What drove them forward? It is difficult now to imagine how they did it – but I am so grateful that they did this for me and my current generations. I honor and revere them.
THE 2025 (ANNUAL) RE-ENACTMENT OF THE 1846 EXODUS
Since coming on our mission to Nauvoo, my wife and I have heard of the coming Exodus experience. I very much looked forward to the event with great anticipation. Beginning a month or more before, we began to receive communications about the coming event. We were given instructions on how to prepare for the experience.
The trek was to be a symbolic walk down the 1 mile-long Parley Street toward the partially frozen River. We were all invited to wear our pioneer costumes. The projected schedule of the coming day helped our anticipation to grow. It sounded as if it would be a magnificent event. We looked forward to the special day of February 1st.
WALKING IN HONOR OF A SELECTED NAUVOO PIONEER ANCESTOR
In preparation for the coming event, missionaries, local residents, and pioneer descendants from a radius of a couple of hundred miles away – were invited to “walk in honor” of an ancestor who actually made the original trek. We were invited to create nametags to be worn around our necks to remind of us those heroes of yesteryear.
I have some 34 direct-line Nauvoo ancestors so I had many to choose from. I could have selected any of those great forebears. I chose one of my favorites – Nathan Calhoun Cheney – my 3rd Great Grandfather. He was the father of Eliza Jane Cheney, my 2nd Great Grandmother (who was born in Kirtland and who was almost age 8 at the time of the trek).
And as a side note: As I write this blog article – on February 17th, I rejoice in the birth of Nathan on this date 213 years ago.
Anyway, I began pronto to create my 2-sided nametag. I also created a nametag which read “Elizabeth Jane “Betsy” Perkins Belcher” for my wife, Lou. This is her great grandfather (a very close pioneer relative) to wear. Betsy was about age 11 when she began the trek.
NAMETAG HELP TO MEMBERS OF OUR DISTRICT
Although we had already made our own nametags, Sister Hunt and I joined the members of our district as we gathered at the local FamilySearch Center. Elder Nelson – a FamilySearch missionary, and Sister Nelson met us there. They helped members of the district – on January 30th – to research and prepare their own nametags. They were most helpful to us.
Cousin Brad Hunt, also a district leader, joined us there for the event at the FamilySearch Center. It was great to be there at his side – and he at mine. And his great wife, Tammy blessed us with wonderful apple crisp and ice cream afterwards. It doesn’t get much better than this!
THE DAY OF THE PLANNED EXODUS
Saturday, February 1st dawned a very chilly day. The weather report showed that it was a frigid day of 31 degrees – with a wind-chill factor bringing it down to 22 degrees. It actually felt much colder than that. The comforting thought was that this was “relatively warm” compared to what it probably was on that actual February 4th start of the 1846 Exodus day. We cannot imagine the bitter, freezing temperature of that day.
We donned many layers of clothing to help us survive the coming experience. I wore some thermals, a pioneer shirt and pants, a vest with deep sheep-looking and wooly padding, a warm coat, heavy gloves, a stocking cap – and a fancier hat over the top of the stocking cap. This made me look quite strange, but the combination helped to protect me somewhat. I retrieved the carved walking stick that my Mesa, Arizona friend (and Nauvoo Temple worker) had carved for me. (Using one of my carved walking sticks has been one of my Scouting “trademarks” through the years.
GATHERING WITH FELLOW (AND FREEZING) SAINTS AT THE FAMILY LIVING CENTER
Saints from all of the surrounding area around Nauvoo were invited to come to participate in the planned Exodus event. And they came in droves – about 400 of them! It was evident that many of these faithful folks had likely come to many previous such annual enactments. It was great to feel their spirits as they anticipated yet another such traditional experience.
Breakfast of cornbread, oatmeal, and biscuits and gravy was provided for the anticipated group. I was grateful to Elder and Sister Cullen for their food preparation (as well to Elder and Sister Gary Jestice – the general chairmen of the event). They did a great job.
Biscuits and gravy are among my known favorite foods and I would have very much enjoyed being a part of those who were in line for the food. I needed to be elsewhere, however. I did help open an extra door at the entry to better assist in the flow into and egress out of the place. This helped the flow considerably.
Sister Hunt and I got a great photo of us with our Mission President Daniel S. Mehr. He was dressed really classy with his outfit and big top hat. We all missed Sister Mehr – and particularly the President. She was still in Utah with her family.
GETTING OUTFITTED FOR THE TREK
Above: Kevin Hunt in “modern” Mormon Battalion Uniform – comoplete with period communication system!
In the advance communications, there went out a plea or invitation for interested men (and boys of the surrounding area) to join the modern “Nauvoo Legion” and to march with the Legion on this trek. This was exciting for me. I have served for 30 plus years as a member of the “modern” Mormon Battalion so I saw this as an extension of that great group.
And on this day, I proudly wore the name of Nathan Calhoun Cheney around my neck. I was certain that Nathan had been a member of the elite Nauvoo Legion – as he was frequently a guard of the Prophet Joseph Smith – and later was a guard for his pioneer company across the plains. It was a great honor to march forward in his name.
Anyway, I reported to the nearby Cultural Hall (aka: “The Masonic Lodge” in pioneer days). I got outfitted with a red ribbon – draped from my left shoulder – as with other men of the Legion. I picked out an “ammo bag” and put it over my right shoulder. I then was privileged to obtain a “rifle” (constructed of a tooled piece of wood the shape of a gun – and with an aluminum conduit for a barrel). I felt as if I was really “official” – a true soldier.
MEETING A YOUNG BOY WHO WAS A WANNA-BE SOLDIER
As I made another pass into the Family Living Center (still trying to get biscuits and gravy), I met a young black boy – who told me his name was Ammaron (a Book of Mormon name). I had met his parents. They are the owners of the new “River Sidon Café” here in town and Lou and I ate there on its opening day. I recognized them with the boy. A great kid … My gun immediately caught the attention of this Ammoron. He was in great awe of it. I saw it in his face and eyes. I held it out to him and let him hold and use his imagination with it. I told him that I could likely get him outfitted as a member of the Legion – and likely with a gun like mine. His eyes shone with excitement over the possibility. His parents agreed to let me lead him away for enlistment.
Together we went to the basement of the Cultural Hall. I was happy that there were still some red sashes and ammo bags available for him. Ammoron was proud as I got him uniformed up. We then went to the gun area. Sadly, there were no more guns there where they had once leaned. With no hesitation, I handed my gun over to Ammoron. I knew that he wanted and needed it. I was happy to give my gun to him – and the look on his face was truly worth the small sacrifice for him. He rejoined his family in line for food – and now proudly sporting his new Legion regalia. He later joined “the ranks” with me and a great many others as we mustered up in rough formation in front of the Cultural Hall.
An experienced elderly brother came and gave us some basic “right and left” directions for “cadence” marching.
To further document the events of that grand day, I will now revert to the more detailed account of the event – as I recorded (that same day) in my journal:
I returned to the roadway in front of the Cultural Hall and got in line with the Legion. There were about 30 or so of us who made the march. A couple of flag bearers were in the front of us. A brother marched along side of us and he gave out “cadence” orders.
The crowd gathered in front of the Cultural Hall. President Preston was the MC for the event. He called upon Sister Turner to give an invocation. The Temple Recorder (not sure of his name) gave a wonderful speech about the history of the Exodus – and also talked about the importance of the Temple and Temple covenants prior to the Exodus. I loved the speech – and wished that I could have a copy of it.
Then it was time to march. A couple of young drummers led the parade. Then there were a couple of flag bearers. President Workman was one of them. The Legion headed out. We all worked to stay in line vertically and horizontally with each other. I visited with a young man by the name of Black – who was in front of me. His young brother was at my left. It made me happy to look back to see my new friend, Amoron with his gun. He was very happy.
I wore a nametag in honor of Nathan Calhoun Cheney – my 3rd great grandfather – and one of my favorite ancestors. I was proud to walk in honor of him. At one point in the march, I felt a wave- a “rush” of something that came over me – and I thought of Nathan. Hard to explain what it was that I experienced but I kind of thought that he might somehow know that I was marching for him.
We began our march. We were followed by a corps of young ladies who were all flag bearers. All of the young men Legion members and the young ladies all seemed to enjoy the activity.
This group was followed by all of the folks who came for the event. There was a crowd of folks. Taking up the rear there were six or so wagons driven by our teamsters – and pulled by our show horses. (And one team pranced as if they knew that they were in a big parade.) It was great that the Teamsters got to be out with their animals. They have done a lot of sitting around of late and so the action was wonderful.
Lou went around with our Legion. She kind of ran ahead (as did Elder Sanders) taking photos of our group. We marched south on Main Street and then turned right (west) onto Parley Street. We marched all of the way west on Parley Street – as did the pioneers of 1846. We marched down through “The Trail of Hope”.
We marched the half mile or so down to the river. Elder Rieske – our Legion Commander was there to give us directions. He lined us up in a circular display around the road and monuments down at the river. We alternated with Legion members and the young lady flag bearers.
We watched – in formation – as the rest of the parade marched past us. I was jazzed as I saw the Teamsters with their horses and wagons at the end of the parade. They looked majestic.
I told a few Legion boys to go read the monument plaque in front of the flagpole. I wanted them to see the plaque to dedicated to the memory of Captain Moroni in The Book of Mormon.
I enjoyed watching a young father with his several children. I could see myself in him. I took some photos of him – that I later wished that I could share with him. I took a photo of him in front of the grand statue of the prophets, Joseph and Brigham Young – depicting Joseph sharing a map with Brigham – as if pointing him toward the new home in the West for their cherished Saints. This statue has great meaning and significance for me.
The Exodus committee then staged another program. The Temple Recorder’s wife gave a great talk.
She quoted – as had the Brother at the beginning of the program, the words of Sarah Rich.
And this is again quoted from Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society:
“Like many Relief Society sisters, Sarah Rich was buoyed by temple blessings as she faced the challenges of the exodus. Prior to leaving Nauvoo, she received a calling from Brigham Young to work in the temple. She later said:
“Many were the blessings we had received in the house of the Lord, which has caused us joy and comfort in the midst of all our sorrows and enabled us to have faith in God, knowing He would guide us and sustain us in the unknown journey that lay before us. For if it had not been for the faith and knowledge that was bestowed upon us in that temple by the influence and help of the Spirit of the Lord, our journey would have been like one taking a leap in the dark. To start out … in the winter as it were and in our state of poverty, it would seem like walking into the jaws of death. But we had faith in our Heavenly Father, and we put our trust in Him feeling that we were His chosen people and had embraced His gospel, and instead of sorrow, we felt to rejoice that the day of our deliverance had come.”4
As Sister Rich implied, the exodus was not a “leap in the dark” for faithful Latter-day Saint women. They were sustained by their covenants. Like the children of Israel anciently, they followed a prophet into the wilderness in the hope of deliverance. In preparation for the exodus, President Brigham Young made the following declaration to the Saints: “This shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord.”5 Latter-day Saints walked into the wilderness bound by covenant to God, their families, and their fellow sojourners.
Also at the program at the river’s edge, the four Missionaries who sang “Come, Come Ye Saints” a couple weeks ago again sang the song. They were fabulous particularly in this Exodus setting.
After the event, Lou and I went down to the river that was frozen at the edge. We got some great photos (which the family also enjoyed when I sent the photos to them).
THE TRAIL OF HOPE ON PARLEY STREET
The “Trail of Hope” is the same path that many Latter-day Saints took when they left Nauvoo and began their journey west. The trail showcases the faith of ordinary people who faithfully followed the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to a new life in the valley of the Great Salt Lake (present-day Utah in the United States).
On February 4, 1846, the first wagons left Nauvoo, traveling to the banks of the Mississippi River along Parley Street, where a ferry could take them across the river into Iowa Territory. The Saints continued to depart Nauvoo along this same trail through September of that year.
Over 14,000 Latter-day Saints left Nauvoo during the coming months. They were headed into the unknown and had to trust their leaders’ guidance and revelation. Many of the exiled Saints recorded their experiences of leaving Nauvoo in their journals, and others continued to reflect on their departure years later. In a sermon given in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 21, 1867, Apostle George Q. Cannon declared, “It required a great amount of faith on the part of the people, to venture into an unexplored and desert country to attempt again to build up homes, and to perform the labors enjoined upon us by God, our Heavenly Father.” (Source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/locations/trail-of-hope?lang=eng
Overview photo of “The Trail of Hope”
SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOBLE OXEN
Most of the departing Saints began and made their trek with wagons pulled by Oxen. In Nauvoo, we have several oxen. (And I may have already mentioned a quote that I learned from my Teamster missionary companions. Elder/Cousin Brad Hunt said that an ox “is a cow on a mission. It is a cow that has been trained for his occupation”.
THE NAUVOO OXEN EXPERIENCE AND MARKERS
The Nauvoo Teamsters manage a herd of oxen. They give visitors a ride on a wagon pulled by a team of oxen. They say that “this is the most authentic experience in Nauvoo”. And my teamster friends educated me on the difference between a cow and an ox. They are virtually the same, but the “ox is a trained cow with a mission – a profession”.
Most of the wagons that left Nauvoo headed for the west were pulled by oxen – rather than horses. Surrounding the oxen ride are a plethora of plaques that memorialize the ox drawn experience – through the eyes and journal records of folks who drove their oxen to the Great Salt lake Valley. In a way, the plaques pay tribute to the thousands of oxen that made their trip west – and who faithfully pulled the over-packed wagons of their pioneer families.
Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt with the Nauvoo Oxen.
Left: The Oxen Plaques along the trail on Main Street
MORE ACTIVITIES ON THE DAY OF EXODUS
As the Exodus event concluded, Lou and I then made the trek back to the Family Living Center. We had been assigned to be guides there for any of the participants who might come. I was in a hurry to get there – and walked faster than Lou. (She can never keep up with me anyway.) I felt an urgency to get there and to be on duty.
Upon arrival, I gathered a group of kids and led them to the rope making station. I had fun teaching the kids. I made five or six ropes with groups. We had one father come – in his suit – with a couple of his own kids as well as a couple of their friends (while the other 3 adults were at the Temple). Lou and I took them around to several stations. I took them to barrel making and bread making after rope making. Lou taught them bricks and wool carding. I enjoyed visiting with this guy named Ison.
OUR OWN “FIRE OF THE COVENANT” PREPARATION FOR THE EXODUS
JANUARY 29TH – WEDNESDAY JOURNAL ENTRY
This evening we had a special and sacred opportunity. In the Nauvoo Temple, there is a large “Assembly Hall” as is it is called. Normally this beautiful room sits silent – with a chord blocking entrance to it. President Mehr requested use of the room for a missionary meeting. They had to get permission for its use through the First Presidency. The First Presidency granted permission and asked “who are the speakers to be?
The missionaries of our mission – as well as Temple missionaries – gathered there tonight. We wore our Sunday clothes. And of course, we needed our recommends to enter the Temple.
The room is magnificent in its architecture. I sat there in awe as I looked at the room. There are four levels for chairs of leadership. The place looks very much like the Kirtland Temple with its bench arrangement and “pulpits”. I figured out that there are ten rows of chairs – each with ten chairs. And on the sides are four more seats in each of the ten rows.
Sister Reed played the prelude music – with the beautiful acoustics. I was surprised when President Mehr had a lady Sister Jestice conduct the meeting. (Not that there is anything wrong with it – it is just different.) We sang “The Spirit of God” – a song that was written by William W. Phelps, was in the first church hymnbook – and sung at the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. This was a great song.
We were first addressed by Sister Church – wife of the current Temple president. She talked of her ancestors who were here. We were then addressed by President Church. He talked of the plan of Salvation as we get to experience in the Temple.
President Mehr was there by himself. His wife is still in Utah and is with her mother – who is terminally ill. We all miss her. He really misses her – since they usually do everything together. He gave a wonderful talk. I recorded it in my “study journal”. I had not known if I would be able to take the journal into the Temple but I was able to do so. I recorded his talk in almost every detail.
It was a really wonderful occasion – for which I am grateful that we were able to participate in. The meeting was a blessing.
Being there reminded me of when I was beginning my mission. In those days – me included – got our training at the “Lafayette School” located across from the street from the Salt Lake Temple. This was “The Mission Home”. During our stay there, we got to go to the 5th floor “Assembly Room” of the Salt Lake Temple.
In that session, we were privileged to hear then church President, Harold B. Lee, addressed us for a great length of time. He opened the meeting to questions by the missionaries. Most of the missionaries worked their hardest to dream up their most impressive questions for the prophet.
Although as a neophyte journalist, I did not record the incident, I clearly remember President Lee. As a question was asked of him, he would say, “Elder, that is a very good question. Let’s go to the scriptures for an answer.” Then seemingly, his scriptures plopped open and he would discourse on the question. He repeated this rhythm over and over.
ANOTHER GREAT TEMPLE OPPORTUNITY AND BLESSING
JANUARY 31ST – FRIDAY
… I often receive messages from Ancestry or FamilySearch relative to people in my family line. Often these are “research hints” with an invitation to review records to see if they relate to specific people in the family tree – and if the hint and the ancestor are the same people. I found it extremely interesting today to find several record hints that were all about Nathan Calhoun Cheney. He is one of my favorite ancestors. The interesting thing is that I had previously selected his name to wear on a nametag for the “Exodus Trek” which is tomorrow. He must know that I am thinking about him.
I further recorded:
This evening, we participated in a really cool event. The Temple President Chris Church invited our mission President Mehr to be a Temple Ordinance Worker. And as such, he is able to host sessions for the missionaries. They reserved the full 3:30 and 5:30 sessions for just missionaries. We selected the 5:30 Pm session since typically we should be available to give tours until 4 PM (even though at the moment, we often do not get calls in the afternoon).
Our session was completely full – with no open seats. I figured out that the ordinance rooms would hold 48 people (24 each of men and women). President Mehr was the officiator for the session. I am sure that he missed his wife – who would have normally been there with him in the role. She is still in Salt Lake with her mother who is very ill. He recruited Sister Williams to co-officiate with him.
It was obvious that President Mehr was very happy to be there in that role – and looking out and seeing all of his missionaries present. It was such a great blessing and opportunity to be in the Temple with all of our missionary friends. I had the thought that I have never been in an endowment session wherein I knew every person in the session. This was very cool. And of course, it was great to rub shoulders with all of my brothers.
President Mehr also voiced the prayer in the prayer circle. He prayed quite specifically for us as missionaries. This was wonderful. He prayed for us as we serve here, as well as for our families – with special spiritual needs – back home.
It was also my blessing to have President Mehr be my ordinance worker who presented me at the veil. I loved that. It was kind of funny because it was obvious that he had not done this before and was somewhat nervous about it. As I got up to the veil, he said to me, “Well, are you ready for this?” He stumbled on his words and had to resort to the card. But, the symbolism of him being there for me was special.
I went through for Bendex Jensen – a family name – a man born about 1755. I was pleased to go through for one of my Danish ancestors.”
I FELT THE FIRE OF THE COVENANT AGAIN IN NAUVOO
Wow! What a special and sacred week. I am in awe of this Hallowed Ground of Nauvoo and the very special feelings and “Nauvoo Miracles” that we get to experience almost continuously. It is such a special blessing being here in Nauvoo. I am so blessed and honored to be here and able to bask in the memory of my magnificent pioneer Nauvoo ancestors (and the many others who felt the “Fire” in other parts of the country – but still made the exodus to Utah). I am grateful to all of these special people.
I am grateful for the “Fire of the Covenant” that these pioneer ancestors have passed on their legacy of faith to me and to my current family of children and grandchildren. That fire burns strong in my own mind and heart.
Grateful to be on the Nauvoo Covenant Trail!
On the Nauvoo Trail 