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The Nauvoo Whistling Whittling Brigade

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THE WHISTLING AND WHITTLING BRIGADE

BLOG #23

A while ago, I mentioned in passing about the Nauvoo Whistling and Whittling Brigade.   In the earlier blog, I said that I would write about the Brigade in a future blog.  And a promise is a promise!

THE WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE IN OLD NAUVOO

Back in pioneer Nauvoo, the Whistling and Whittling Brigade was a thing – a special group  – a brotherhood back then.

Today, we talk of the group in two of our presentations.  One is at the “singing tree” where the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries (NPM’s) perform.  There is a giant tree in Nauvoo.  It is at the corner of Main Street at Kimball Street.    Two or three times a day, the NPM’s sing at this tree, and it is so fun to gather there with whoever might then be on Main Street.

One presentation that we have enjoyed there is “Men Sing the Songs of Zion”.  Another popular production is “The Youth of Zion”.  In this little vignette, several of the young performers – both men and ladies – talk about the Nauvoo youth and some of their activities, their spirit, etc.  I love this presentation.  Like all of the other performances, this one is fantastic.

In this presentation, the performing missionaries introduce the Brigade and talk of how the youth of old Nauvoo protected the city with their whittling antics.

The Teamsters also talk about the Brigade as they tell stories out on their Carriage Ride – where folks ride on wagons pulled by horses – and as they go over the woods and through the river north of the Visitors’ Center.  Their Depot – where the trip begins, is at the north end of the Center parking lot.   The Teamsters tell of one David Moore and give him credit for starting the Brigade.  They tell how his boys “whittled and whistled many a rascal right out of town.”

My ears perk up with any hint of some new piece of history for me to latch onto and to study in depth.  And the Whistling Whittling Brigade was one of those.  I am, of course, a whittler from ancient history – so I was particularly intrigued with this Nauvoo Brigade and their woodcarving. Whitling … now there is something I can relate to.

MY INTEREST IN WHITLING AND CARVING STARTED AS A YOUNG BOY SCOUT

I took up an interest in whittling when I was a Boy Scout – age 12.  I had an official Scout knife – and I still have it.  It is black and kind of “bulky” for a knife.  (Not as sleek as later models.)  I took the Woodcarving merit badge at Camp Geronimo.  I earned the badge by carving a letter opener and a neckerchief of the hand of a Scout in the Scout sign.  I still have the pocket knife and the letter opener.  I cannot find the Scout sign, but I know that I must have it – since I never throw away “anything historical”.  (I have quite a collection!)  The two wood-carved pieces are not at all marvelous, but they do bring back special memories.

MY FIRST CARVED WALKING STICK

My woodcarving skills were put on hold for many years.  I didn’t know that I had any skills – or even interest.  Then I got involved with the Boy Scouts in a more professional way.  And it was then that the dormant interest began to stir once again.

As a new professional for the Boy Scouts of America, I found myself on a 24 or so day training back at the old Schiff Scout Reservation in New Jersey.  (This place was magnificent but has since gone the way of the world – sold to help pay for other Scouting opportunities).  I attended what was then called “NEI” – which is the acronym for “National Executive Institute”.  While at the NEI training, I went to the little bookstore that they had at the place.  And I there purchased my first real Scout whittling knife.  Wanting to carve, but not knowing what to carve, I found a stick and began to carve on it. 

I carved “NEI” on it and took advantage of the natural curves and bumps of the stick to create a twisted funny face.  Also on the stick, I carved “NEI 7803”.  (I was in the 3rd NEI Class of 1978 …). I quickly learned that all one needs in order to whittle was to get a knife and a stick – and to go at it.  I found that was true.  It began to work for me.  Again, it was kind of a humble start, but it was enough to get me hooked on the skill or hobby or whatever it was.

In the rush of leaving for home, I somehow left my newly carved stick at the NEI place in New Jersey.  And then I was in a dilemma.  I called back to folks at the Reservation, and they found the stick and the folks were able to send it home with a BYU friend who was in the 7804 NEI class.  It took a few months before I had a rendezvous with Brad to get the stick back.  I was grateful that he took it on the airplane and somehow got it back to me.

Carving that stick got me hooked on the practice and art of woodcarving.  I resolved then that I would create a new walking stick for each Boy Scout camp that I would work at in the future.  And, so, a new tradition was begun.  I created a stick at and for Camp Loll where I worked later that summer.  And then later, at Camp Bartlett, I created a new stick for that camp.  And so, it began – and became a thing for me.  I got into the mode of finding the right wood stick and with just my  trusty Scout carving knife, I began to have success.  I worked hard to create the new sticks through the years.  And I had a great time doing it.

Creating the sticks was sometimes a challenge when the pressures of time and responsibility sometimes were so much that I didn’t have as much time to carve as I desired. 

Over the passage of time, I created about 15 new walking sticks, and I have them in a barrel collection in my Scouting Trails Museum – now jam-packed floor to ceiling at our Maricopa home.  We moved all extraneous stuff of Sister Hunt and me into our two front bedrooms to make room for our daughter and son-in-law who are residing in our place while we are on our mission.  I filled one room (my museum) with my stuff and Lou filled the front bedroom with her stuff.

WALKING STICK COUNSELING

I found that carving the sticks at camps afforded me a unique experience.  I called it my “walking stick counseling”.  I could go sit literally anywhere in camp – even on some remote log on some hidden trail.  I would start carving and within a few minutes, I would have a couple of Scouts there on the log with me.  They were very intrigued with my carving and asked many questions as I showed them what I was doing.

We had great conversations.  And as I sat with the boys on the log with me, I would ask them about camp.  “How do you like the Nature area?  What is your favorite thing to get at the trading post?  Who is your favorite staff member?  Do you see any problems with our camp?”  And in these discussions, I learned about the goings on all around the camp.  Then as needed, I could use what I had learned in future staff meetings or discussions with individual staff members.

By this method, I seemed to know everything that was going on around the camp.  And this blew the minds of my staff.  They wondered how I knew all of this about them, and their areas, and the camp.  It was great!

THE POCKET KNIFE SAGA

I mentioned that first BSA whittling knife.  I carried that knife in my pocket always for about 20 years.  I had used this knife to carve many of my stick in the collection.  Then, one summer,  we took all of the kids up north to the town of Payson, Arizona and attended July 4th festivities there.  We sat in the grass at a large park to watch the fireworks.  Then sadly, the next morning, I realized with horror that I no longer had my pocketknife.  We returned to the park, and we all scoured the area around where we were sitting – but to no avail.  The pocketknife was nowhere to be found.  (I am sure that someone else found it and enjoyed it.)

Soon thereafter, and knowing of my love for the knife, my three sons pooled their resources, and they bought me a new knife – identical to the original BSA carving knife.  That was about 25 years ago, and I have since carried that knife everywhere as I had its predecessor.  And, like it, I have now carved many more sticks with it.  And I still (even on the mission) carry that knife with me everywhere (except church – where I’ve learned that it slips out of my suit pants pocket).  And I also carry my dad’s “Old Timer” knife with me – keeping a part of him with me as I serve.  (And there’s another “Old Timer” story … which I have already long since blogged about.)

MY OBSESSION WITH BOLO TIES

With my whittling interest, I have had a life-long obsession with a love of hand-carved bolo ties.  Though I have never carved one, these have become my personal trademark.  I have so loved them, that there have been few days over the years when I have not worn the carved ornaments around my neck.  Even family photos through the years each sported a different bolo time (for posterity).

My bolo tie interest also had its beginnings in my youth.  When about age 16, I read in the “Scouting” magazine about the famed woodcarver, Bill Burch.   I read of him creating hundreds of the bolos and then giving them out to Scouts at the National Scout Jamboree.  (And that is also when I first learned about Jamborees and developed an intense desire to take our Troop 155 to the upcoming 1973 Jamboree (and that is a story that I’ve already told).

Anyway, from that youth moment, I wanted to somehow acquire a Bill Burch Bolo Tie (or “neckerchief slide”) but didn’t know how to get one.  This aching burned within me for several years.  Then finally when I was about age 30, a Bill Burch bolo came to me.

Lou and I and three children (expecting #4) were then living in Santa Barbara, California (where I was still a professional with the Boy Scouts).  I was also the Ward Mission Leader.  We literally had absolutely no place to house our missionaries.  (Santa Barbara is a wonderful and most beautiful place – but it is also very strange relative to housing for young adults and families.) 

Lou and were already crowded in our 3-bedroom townhouse with our expanding family but we moved all of the children into one bedroom.  We then created bunk beds and furniture in the other bedroom to accommodate young Elders to be with us.

One of the first missionaries who came to live with us was from Spokane, Washington – where I knew the carver, Bill Burch, lived.  I got excited.  I said to him, “Do you know Bill Burch, the Scout carving guy?”  He said, “Yeah, he was my Scoutmaster.”  I said, “Really …!  Wow!  I have forever wanted to have one of his famous bolo ties.”  He said, “I have about seven of them in my dresser at home.  I will have my mom send one of them to me.”

He did so … and that is how I got my first Burch bolo … numbered #6667 on the back.  And that started an even greater obsession with them.   The bolo had the address of Bill Burch on the back – with the number of the bolo.  And with his address, I was able to communicate directly with him to acquire additional of his bolo ties.

Photo: Kevin Hunt (left with walking sticks and friends – at his 50th Anniversary in Scouting Jubilee Celebration

From that point forward, I have collected bolos from many sources and from more than a dozen different carvers of them.  And now, I have a collection of about 35 of them – with the goal of having one to pass on (posthumously) to each to my nine children (including the ladies) as well as one for each of my 26 grandsons.  It has taken a bit of effort and resources to accumulate such a collection.  (And that brings to memory another blog article …)  Read it at:  https://thescoutingtrail.wordpress.com/2017/10/23/bolo-ties-are-part-of-my-scouting-tradition-part-1/

BLOGS, BOYS, KNIVES, STICKS, AND WHITTLING

Some years ago, a long-time Scouting friend, Darryl Alder, got me hooked on the hobby or whatever it is – of writing blog articles.  I’ve written about a 100 blog articles on Scouting subjects and many of them through the years have been on woodcarving, or whittling,

I introduced one of those blogs saying, “There is something about boys, knives, and carving … Like kids and mud puddles, camp, Scouts, sticks, and knives just kind of go together. One thing that all Scouts seem to have in common is their propensity for stick carving.”  (August 16, 2017)

Sadly, with the passage of time and the changing of the guard in Scouting (and me personally), many of the links to those former great articles have gone the way of the world.  But I did save them and published them all in Volume #20 of my personal autobiography (that I called “My Life’s Collective Works”).  You can access the book at this link:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/mlcw-vol-20-kevinthescout-woods-wisdom-from-the-scouting-trail/hardcover/product-wd5pkp.html?q=Woods+Wisdom&page=1&pageSize=4

NOW BACK TO THE NAUVOO WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE

That was kind of a round-about way to introduce the Nauvoo Whistling Whittling Brigade.  I hope that you enjoyed the detour …

So, boys, sticks and carving are not a new phenomenon.  The connection is probably as old as time.  Adam and his sons probably made knives and began carving soon after the Eden experience.  It was likely a part of their survival mode.

When my sons were teens, they were privileged to attend the biennial Varsity Scouting “Mountain Man Rendezvous” held at Camp Geronimo near Payson, Arizona.  In preparation for this grand guy event, the boys worked for months ahead to create capotes (large fur-like capes) mountain man hats, and other gear.  Creating their own knife (from a plain piece of steel to a cool, finished knife) was a part of the program.  And each Scout who made such a knife has, no doubt, treasured it for life since that time.  (*Much to the dismay of their wives who wonder why their men keep such a thing in their homes.)

HISTORICAL BEGINNINGS OF WHITTLING AND WHISTLING IN OLD NAUVOO

Historical records indicate that the old Nauvoo Whistling Whittling Brigade likely did not get its formal start until 1845 – after the death of the Prophet Joseph

.  However, Mosiah Lyman Hancock may have employed the same tactics much earlier – to help protect the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Mosiah was born in 1834 so would have been ten years old when the Prophet was martyred.  He was the son of Levi Ward Hancock (and nephew of my 4th great grandmother, Clarissa Hancock Alger).  In his autobiography, he said,

“I joined the whistling and whittling band.  In those days, there was, now and then, a fop or dude who would go to a man’s shingle pile, and with his hat or cap cocked on one side, would sit and whittle and whistle. There was no law against that, but from what we could learn, some of them were interested in taking the life of the Prophet. We kept a good watch and were directed to keep an eye on the “Black Ducks”. We really tried to do our duty, and we succeeded in bagging some game. I was about to give some instances, but forbear by saying, “In no case did I ever help to engage in whittling any one down to make them cross the great river unless they were known to be lurking around the Prophet’s premises quite late, or to be seeking that which was none of their business. In extreme cases when we knew a man to be a snobber, and who still sought the life of the Prophet, we would use our rail. We generally had four boys to a rail—–the rail would be flat on the bottom and was three cornered; on the top corner it was terribly sharp—–fixed to suit the aggravating circumstances. Four boys generally knew how to manage the rail. We all had our knives and our timbers to whittle and make rails from, and we knew what tunes to whistle. I do not know if the boys from Nauvoo would like for me to betray those old-fashioned secrets; but that was the way we initiated those who seemed to wish with all their hearts to become thoroughly acquainted with the secrets of the Prophet. …”

Source:  (https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/history/mosiah-lyman-hancock/)

The above account tells of how Mosiah (who lived just a block East of Joseph’s Mansion House – on the corner of Water and Partridge Streets) helped to protect the Prophet Joseph.   Mosiah continued: “The Brethren pushed the work on the Temple; and the Gospel was preached; and every Saint was busy doing all he could to help the work along. Although I was very young, I was on guard many a night, and gladly did I hail with many of the Saints, the completion of the temple.”

Mosiah adds an interesting side note:  “On about January 10, 1846 [when he was 12] , I was privileged to go in the temple and receive my washings and anointings. I was sealed to a lovely young girl named Mary, who was about my age, but it was with the understanding that we were not to live together as man and wife until we were 16 years of age. The reason that some were sealed so young was because we knew that we would have to go West and wait many a long time for another temple.”

As noted, Mosiah seemed to be protecting the Prophet Joseph (who died in 1844).  The real organization of the Brigade happened after the death of Joseph but Mosiah had the skills so he definitely would have fit right into the newly organized Brigade.

PROTECTION FROM THE MOBS

From the day of the First Vision, Joseph the Prophet of the Restoration, had to run for his life.  He was constantly barraged by evil people who wanted his capture or even his demise.  He had to be constantly on-guard and had to ask many other people for their help and protection in his behalf.

The enemies of Joseph and Hyrum thought that the church would evaporate or die with the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum.  The harassment of the church stopped but only for a brief period before it intensified even more.  The evil designs of the adversary opened fire against the Saints.  Foes of the church were also determined to stop the construction of the Temple. 

THE NAUVOO CITY CHARTER

“The Nauvoo City Charter was unique because it established a city council, municipal court, university, and independent militia unit (“The Nauvoo Legion”). The charter was quickly approved by the Illinois general assembly on December 16, 1840, and  passed the final review by the Council of Revision on December 17,  It became effective February 1, 1841.  Before the 1870 Illinois Constitution, municipalities could vote to incorporate themselves or could be incorporated by special acts of the General Assembly.  For a time, this city charter was magnificent.  It served the Saints well and allowed them to create their own “Utopia” by which they governed themselves.

“The charter authorized the creation of a city council, consisting initially of a mayor, four aldermen, and nine council members; and a municipal court with jurisdiction over local cases and the power to issue writs of habeas corpus.   The charter also included provisions for a university and a local militia.  … The Nauvoo Legion, the city’s militia – and a local police force – was organized in 1841 and functioned until its charter was repealed in 1845. The Legion was made up of mostly members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Some opponents of the Legion believed it was a threat to non-Mormons. 

“ ,,, Nauvoo’s charter was unique among Illinois city charters, the combination of powers in the charter and the energetic use of those powers became a source of contention.” 

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/topic/nauvoo-charter

INCREASING THREAT OF MOB VIOLENCE

Neighboring communities saw Nauvoo and its charter a political and economic threat and mob violence increased.

After the Martyrdom, mob rule was the order of the day.   Violence increased as mobs and wicked people continued to want to exterminate the “Mormons” (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) – just as they had done in Missouri and elsewhere prior to the Nauvoo era.

Ultimately, the full charter – with all of its powers – including the right of citizens to defend themselves was revoked in 1845, again by order of the Illinois General Assembly.  In January 1845, the legislature repealed the Nauvoo Charter by a vote of 25-14 in the Senate and 75-31 in the House.[2] Nauvoo was dis-incorporated and its assets were placed into a receivership.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauvoo_City_Council)

EFFECT OF THE REVOCATION OF THE NAUVOO CHARTER

The revocation of the Nauvoo City Charter dissolved the Nauvoo Legion as well as the local police force.  This action came as mob violence and prejudice continued to increase exponentially.  The city was then totally without protection.  The Saints were left to the mercy of those opposed to them.  Dramatic action was needed for the protection of the city and for the completion of the Temple.  Brigham Young and the Apostles soon realized that guards were needed both day and night.

Thurmon Dean Moody wrote a beautiful treatise (maybe one of the greatest writings) on the subject of the Whittling Whistling Brigade.  I recommend his article can be found at chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1738&context=byusq

Citizens of Nauvoo knew that this was the demise of their beloved Nauvoo.  Appeal attempts were made but to no avail.

Almon Babbit wrote an appeal to the charter revocation:  “Repeal the charter of Nauvoo, prescribe her citizens by your public acts and you will tolerate and encourage the demonstration of mob violence that surrounds the people of Nauvoo.”  He noted that fiends around them were waiting to feast upon the Saints to their destruction.

Wandle Mace said of the evil forces:  “They tried every means they could devise to bring trouble upon Nauvoo.  Frequently a party would land from a steamboat and come into the city, commit their deviltry, and return to the boat and leave again – well knowing we had no law to protect us since the city charter was taken away.”

A PLAN IS DEVISED

Apostle Brigham Young decided that action needed to be taken.    On Sunday, March 16, 1845, Brigham called a meeting for the next evening.  He said, “We want the bishops at the Masonic Hall, and we will organize them according to our notion of things.  We have no police, and the legislature has repealed our charter.  We mean to have the City of Joseph organized so the streets shall be kept clear and the poor cared for.”

Hosea Stout had previously been the Chief of Police under the city charter. 

Photo: Hosea Stout

The committee organized the city into companies of ten with a captain at the head of each company.  The “new police” were to continue to meet mostly as a guard for the Temple.  They were not a city organization, but it was to be an ecclesiastical guard.  The groups were to receive no pay and were to be volunteers.  Not wanting to resort to extra legal extra activities and being aware that their priesthood authority did not apply to any but their own people they felt as if this would be a viable solution.

At the meeting Brigham called, Hosea was present and suggested a plan.    He had met three days before with Stephen Markham, a captain in the former Legion.  Both were anxious to preserve order as much as possible under the circumstances.

The plan was to organize the whole community of saints into quorums of 12 Deacons – each with a Bishop at their head.   David Moore – referred to on the horse “Carriage Ride” said, “The purpose of the organization was two-fold: 1) to take care of the poor 2) to guard the city at night to keep everything straight.”  He further recorded:  I was appointed one of the bishops also (at age 26).  I had a very large district assigned to me.  I was allowed 13 men, and we had to keep watch over the north part of the city one night each week including the steamboat landing.  Our weapons were a large hickory cane and a toothpick – a huge knife.  The object of the knife was to whittle rascals out of town.”

Brigham soon proclaimed this as a new “official Mormon practice” at the meeting on the 17th of March.

IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN

In his autobiography, George W. Bean recorded, “This was my first real public service at the age of fourteen and a half years [and] being large of stature and well equipped, I did my full share of duty for five days and nights after this.  I performed guard duty at nights all winter about the streets of Nauvoo.”

On each corner was a man from twelve to twenty years of age who watched all movements from sunset to dawn and reported any suspicious activity to the bishop who promptly consulted the leaders and the Nauvoo Legion Officials.”

THE AGE OF THE BRIGADE DEACONS

Some reports of the Whistling Whitling Brigade indicate that the “Deacons” were all very young – like teen-age boys.  Such may not have always been the case.  In those days, there was no age parameter for being a Deacon.  A Deacon could be a young boy, or he could be an adult.  Ages for Aaronic Priesthood quorum membership did not happen until 1908 (just in time for the 1910 organization of the Boy Scouts of America).  At that time, young men of age 12 could be ordained as Deacons.

So, the Brigade Deacons could have been ages 12 to 25 or older in old Nauvoo.

THE JOB OF THE WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE

Paul D. Bailey gave a detailed account saying that the community “met the increasing flood of gentile undesirables by organizing the boy population into a whistling and whittling brigade suspicious strangers immediately would be surrounded by groups of boys armed with long bladed jack knives and sticks whichever way the suspect moved the boys followed whistling and whittling as they went.  Not a question would they ask not a question would they answer.  They were too small to strike individually too many to battle collectively when they descended on a hapless stranger they hugged his presence like vermin until in exasperation he was glad to take hasty leave from the abode of the saints.”

Wandle Mace said, “Our families were exposed to the rascals who on finding them unprotected by husbands and fathers would insult and abuse them in consequence of such things.  The old police formed themselves into whittling companies and guarded the city  from the rascals.  When a stranger came into the city they would learn if they were upon legitimate business and if so, they did not interfere with them but if they had no legitimate business, they were then under the surveillance of the Whittlers who would follow wherever they went whittling and whistling. They did not molest them in any way not even talking to them but simply followed them whittling and whistling as they went.”

William B Pace painted a vivid picture as he wrote in his journal of the activities of the Brigade.  He said, that  “every boy generally could whistle and most of them had knives from ten to fourteen inches long in scabbards ”a la bouy” and when any of these fellows became boisterous or showed any signs of meddling the boy who discovered would draw his knife and commence whittling and soon a crowd of his pals gathered.  Then they would surround the obnoxious element – be he large or small –  many or few – and whistled and whittled in his direction and they’d stick by him until he was out of town.  This was rather an amusing process.  Not a word was said but an unearthly whistle – and generally everyone had his own favorite tune – and an incessant whittling with those large knives was enough to strike terror to the hearts of the victims and he got out of town as quick as his legs could carry him.”

BROTHER BRIGHAM AND THE BRIGADE

Brigham Young was often confronted about the Brigade by men who got whistled and whittled.  He denied that he had anything to do with the antics of the Brigade.  But, on 14 April 1845,  during the height of the brigade encounter, Brigham Young mentioned that “Nauvoo’s Whistling and Whittling Brigade and the deacons have become very efficient looking after the welfare of the saints. Every part of the city is watched with the strictest care and whatever time of night the streets are traveled at the corner of every block a deacon is found attending his duty.”

Dirty men who felt the brunt of the Brigade sometimes complained to Brother Brigham and accused him of orchestrating the plan and the antics of the Brigade.  One such person who talked to Brigham was given an interesting retort back.  President Young is reported to have quietly replied in the words of Martin Van Buren when president of the United States to Joseph Smith:  “Gentlemen your cause is just but I can do nothing for you.  The legislature has taken away our city charter we have no laws nor power to protect you.”

Obviously, Brigham Young did support the Bishop and Deacon method of watching and guarding Nauvoo, but it was not as apparent that he was supportive of what appears to be its offshoot the Whistling and Whittling brigade.

Many reflected the opinions expressed by many involved with the organization noting that the Brigade lasted but a few weeks.  But, even so, Scoundrels soon learned  that to go into Nauvoo, men must mind their own business and not meddle with the people, or they would get whistled out.  So, if the whistlers kept out even a few of the bad guys – the scoundrels – they were successful.

While the Whistling Whittling Brigade was successful in the short run, the Bishops and Deacons ultimately could not fully control the mobocrats who came after the Saints.  They were still expelled from Nauvoo – beginning in February of 1846.

SO, WHAT DID THE WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE WHITTLE?

This blog article was based on the assumption that the Whistling Whittling Brigade actually did real “woodcarving” – and that the Bishops and Deacons created a desired object, shape or design with their  sharp-edged cutting tools.  (That is a Google definition.)   I guess I assumed that the work of the Whistling Whittling Brigade was whittling or actually wood carving.  And this is what drew me to the Nauvoo Whistling Whittling Brigade.

Now, however, as I have learned more about them, I have realized that their real purpose was to protect the city and to encourage scoundrels to get out of town fast.  I realized that they really weren’t doing real woodcarving, but they sure put on a good act.  They cut on sticks as if whittling – but probably were just taking big swipes (maybe taking the bark off of their sticks).  I had no idea that they did their whittling with large “Bowie Knives”.  Whittling really is not possible with a very large-bladed knife.  Whittling – with a specific goal or design in mind – is best done with small blades that can be manipulated to create intricate designs.

WHAT DID THE WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE ACCOMPLISH?

I learned that the Brigade really was successful – in that they accomplished their goals – but it was a different goal than I had supposed.  Their mission was that of helping scoundrels out of town.  They were a real source of strength to the Saints.  Their presence helped Saints feel at least some peace and protection – even in the trauma of the time.  Their work had nothing to do with whittling and carving.  Theirs was a higher calling – to protect their community, the Temple and fellow saints.  And they accomplished that mission.

The Brigade members served their Nauvoo Covenant Community.  Each man or boy did his best and did his part to contribute to the community as a whole.  Brigade participants experienced a great brotherhood as they worked and served together.  They became friends, and brothers as they served together for the cause of Zion.

Brigade members worked under the direction of their ecclesiastical or church leaders.  They were a beautiful witness of how the Priesthood can operate when all work together.  Bishops were responsible for and guided their Deacons – men and boys – in the protection of their fellow Saints.  Bishops and Deacons worked together to accomplish their mission – setting an example of how Bishops and Aaronic Priesthood men and boys can work together in our day.

The Brigade was successful in keeping the peace in the short run but, the Brigade could not handle the violent mobs that were to come, and the Saints  were later forced to evacuate Nauvoo the following spring.  The Spirit and camaraderie of the Brigade members, however, would live on within their minds and hearts as they went forward – united in faith – to their next adventures and future priesthood responsibilities.

I am surely not a whistler, but I do love to whittle along the trail whenever I can.

Kevin V. Hunt

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Patriotic, Cultural, and Country Fair Fun

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BLOG #15

By Kevin V. Hunt

At this season in Nauvoo, there are plenty of opportunities for patriotic, cultural and country fair good times.  And it is so fun to be a part of all of it!

Where to begin?

The 4th of July is exciting and fun – no matter where it is celebrated.  And that day back in 1776 is certainly worth celebrating.  On that day, the United States was born.  It took a while to develop, but that is when it really started.  A new nation!  A nation of freedom and hope.  It all began with 13 Colonies of folks wanting religious and other freedoms not then enjoyed under British rule.  We can all be grateful for those gallant men and women who made the decision to make the break from their mother country.  It truly is a moment that should be celebrated again and again.  Independence Day!  Hoorah!

THE BEGINNING OF A FOUNDATION FOR THE GOSPEL RESTORATION

July 4th – our Independence day was a pre-curser to the establishment of the Constitution of the United States that would come later (in 1789) after the ensuing Revolutionary War which cemented the “Spirit of God – the Spirit of Freedom” (Alma 61:15) in the creation of the true land of the free and the home of the brave.

The Doctrine and Covenants speaks frequently of the cause of Freedom.  In D&C Section  98 the Lord himself teaches “that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me.  Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the Land.”  (D&C 98:4,5)

A few verses later, the Lord teaches us to live “according to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles”.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND THE FORMATION OF THE FUTURE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE COMING FORTH OF THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE GOSPEL RESTORATION

Nephi recorded: ”And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance … And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord: and the power of the Lord was with them.  And  I beheld that their mother gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them.  And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.  And I Nephi beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.”  (1 Nephi 13:15-19).

I like to remember that it was Moroni (and not Betsey Ross) who created the first American flag:  “And it came to pass that he rent his coat: and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it – “In memory of our god, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children – and he fastened it upon the end of a pole…. (And he called it the Title of Liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of /Christians remain to possess the land.”  (Alma 46: 12-13).  Moroni went throughout the land to establish the “Covenant of Freedom” (Alma 46:15) “And it came to pass also, that he caused the Title of Liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites”.  (Alma 46:36).

And so, with that background, it is appropriate that we gather wherever and however we can, in celebration of the “Covenant of Freedom” that God established for us.

A REUNION OF THE ELDERS AND SISTERS OF OUR MTC GROUP

It had been three months (could that be?) since the 13 couples of us had gathered at the Provo MTC in preparation for our missions to Nauvoo.  (April 1st … no joke!)  Those were glorious times and we forged friendships that will remain with us forever.  And so, naturally, we are drawn again to each other and the bond that continues to pull us together.

The day was July 3rd – and the beginning of our celebrations of freedoms now evident throughout our Nauvoo. 

The location for our gathering was a surprise.  I had not known that it existed.  (There are all kinds of such hidden places here in Nauvoo – and we seem to move from one to the other.)  Remember Elder Jones?  Well, he and Sister Jones (and another couple) decided that we should stage a regular reunion of our MTC group.  Their announcement said that we would meet at “The Kimball Barn”.  I thought, … “hmmm … where is that?”  I asked Sister Jones and she said that it was behind the Hiram and Sarah Granger Kimball home.

We arrived at the spot and Wow!  I could not believe this place.  Being a long-time party planner and caterer, this place really caught my attention.  It was magnificent.  The barn was majestic and beautiful. 

Inside, there were at least a  dozen tables – with room for three times that many.  I marveled at the grand party scene.  The food began to roll in as each couple came with their best picnic pot-luck contributions.  We set up a large table to hold the goods.

It was kind of a muggy night and the place seemed to capture the mugginess inside.  We decided that it might be a bit cooler outside.  And Voila!  There were another dozen picnic tables out there.  We all circled around the food table and we all took more than we needed (at least I know that I did).  And talk about great food!  It was amazing.

It was also great fun visiting with our MTC friends.  We didn’t talk much about the MTC but there was much to talk about otherwise.  Eight of the couples are now “Nauvoo Teamsters” and they provided the rest of us with many fun details of the horses and oxen that they drive around Nauvoo.  Elder Jones kind of surprised us with his energy and enthusiasm.  He was like the “Energizer Bunny” with his joy of the occasion as he kind of took charge and led the laughs.

WE EXPERIENCED THE TRUE 4TH ON TEMPLE HILL

No 4th of July celebration is complete without the traditional overload of fireworks.  And this year was no exception – but we actually experienced it on July 3rd – the eve before the 4th).  Nauvoo has the perfect and natural place for the best seats for viewing the fireworks.  This is on Temple Hill – located just to the west and in front of the Temple.  We went directly to the spot from our MTC gathering held earlier that night.

We parked in a nearby Temple parking lot and walked to the Temple and then across the street.  In my arms, I carried the new camp chairs given to us for Mothers and Father’s Day by our Lana.  (And she never does anything simple or basic.  No, these chairs were the greatest and best (and thus, a bit of overload in the carry)!  Thanks, Lana!

We joined hundreds of other people on the Temple Hill.  Everyone had brought their own camp chairs or blankets on which to enjoy the show.  There was plenty of room for everyone – and then some.  We found a spot that was good for us.  We recognized a lot of our Nauvoo visitors and fellow missionaries around us.

(And I note that tonight I had purposely left my two pocket knives – one a Hunt/Stoddard “Old Timer” and the other my trusty BSA carving knife … on my dresser at home.  I thought of a July 4th event 25 or more years ago in Payson, Arizona – when I had my BSA knife in my pants as I sat on the grass and it slipped out onto the grass.  We returned later but could not find it.  I was so sad!  I had carried this knife for some 20 or so years and it meant a great deal to me.  After that knife loss, my boys, knowing what it meant to me, bought me another just like it – and I have had it with me almost constantly since.  I did not want to lose another knife on this occasion.)

Imagine my joy as I heard the bagpipes piping nearby.  This group is so fabulous.  I have long belonged to the bagpipe loving society so this was heaven for me.  I relished in the music that the group was putting forth.  The Nauvoo Brass Band then took a turn and they played many of our traditional patriotic songs.  They were great, as always!

I enjoyed watching the crowd around us.  Sometimes “people watching” is one of the best aspects of such a gathering.  (One of my favorite activities wherever I go.)  Anticipation was high with everyone as we all sat in our spots enjoying the wonderful evening.  And God did one of his magic tricks for us. 

The sunset that evening was spectacular. Wow!  This was so amazing.  I took photos of each stage of the sunset – over a period of many minutes.  I was grateful for this wonder in front of me.  A sunset over the Nauvoo Mississippi River, with band accompaniment … it doesn’t get much better than this!  I took in and loved every moment of the total scene.

Then came the fireworks!  They started off with a bang.  We all adjusted our chairs a bit to the southwest and sat back to enjoy the show.

The show was not anything like the one staged annually in Idaho Falls (as we have experienced a couple of times with Lana and family) but for little Nauvoo, it was fairly decent. I know that it was a stretch for the community, and I was grateful for the efforts made for all of us (most of us not even being from the local community).  We enjoyed 20 minutes of pop and bang and then the expansion of bright colors.  Somehow, all of this made me proud again to be an American (in spite of national challenges going on around us).  I was happy to be a part of the grand scene.  And how cool to be seeing the show in Nauvoo and right there on the footstool of the Temple!  Way too much fun!  (Who’da thunk it a year ago …?)

A MISSION-WIDE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION

At least once a month (or maybe every 6 weeks), the mission stages a dinner to welcome new missionaries and to say good-bye to some going home.  That is what we experienced on the eve of the 4th of July.  The event was held at the local Nauvoo Stake Center – because this place has room for the 200 or so missionaries (including the “YSM’s” (Young Sister Missionaries) as well as the Senior Missionary couples.

Sister Hunt had years before made us some very patriotic matching vests in the best of red, white and blue.   And she had added these to our “wagon” when we came to Nauvoo.  Luckily, I rediscovered these in a hidden drawer just a couple of days before the event.  We really looked the part – and we caught the attention of many as we made our entry to the hall.  It was fun to stand out in our personal celebration of the day.

The party organizers were genius in their preparations.  They had set up seven round tables and each one accepted food as it arrived.  They knew what they wanted on each table – to make sure that everyone would get the same options – no matter what table they went to.  Sister Hunt had made some family baked beans (a recipe made famous by her mother – Grandma Verna Belcher).  And I had made a plethora of my own famous banana chocolate chip cookies – for the occasion.  We were directed to the table needing our goods.

A missionary Elder welcomed the group, and we had a prayer of gratitude for the food before us.

My journal records the details of the event:

The food – including pulled pork – was all fabulous.  I loved Lou’s beans.  And there were several desserts – which included the cookies that I made.  The cookies seemed to be a hit.  They were all gone. We came home with quite a big quantity of beans – so this is good.

After the meal, many missionaries staged several musical numbers.  Elder and Sister Williams (him on the piano) led us in singing our National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”,  and then “America” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.  (And Lou and I could hardly refrain from singing the camp song, “I wear my Pink Pajamas” to this tune.)

Two young sisters did a great performance of the song, “Sisters”.  We all enjoyed their hilarious song.

A string band played several numbers.  With them was a musical group known as “The Hart Family”.  The band reminded me of the string band of Enterprise, Utah – that always played at the 24th of July celebrations that we often went to in my youth.  I loved the music.

President Daniel Mehr was the final speaker and as ever, he did a great job.  He talked of being a General Authority Seventy and eating in the cafeteria in the Church Office Building.  He talked of an occasion when then Elder Russell M. Nelson was present. Someone asked him his view of the world trauma of the moment.  He replied, “I am not worried about this.  This is the Lord’s World and He will take care of it.”  He talked of Joseph Smith and how he was a lover and promoter of freedom of religion to all.  He surprised me when he referred to the trauma in today’s world.  He compared it to the “Kingmen” and “Freemen” in The Book of Mormon.  I could understand who is Kingmen and who is the Freemen.  The society similarities of then and now are really scary.  He said that we should be zealous to defend and protect the family.  He said that he is doing his best to prepare his children and grandchildren to be worthy and ready to marry our children and grandchildren (pointing to all of us).

In all, it was a very fun evening.

PREPARING FOR THE COMING PAGEANT

After the above, Lou and I went to the stage where the Nauvoo pageants will be staged.  All of the missionaries have a part at the ending of the British Pageant shows – each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the next three weeks.  The Senior Missionaries are to go forward at the finale of the show – and are to “stand resolute” as the show ends.  This should be fun.

EVENING PERFORMANCES OF THE NAUVOO BRASS BAND AND THE PRODUCTION OF “SUNSET ON THE MISSISSIPPI”

Most weekday evenings (not on Sundays), we offer some great entertainment for our Nauvoo guests.  The excitement begins with a special concert by the Nauvoo Brass Band.  It is so fun to sit there in the beauty of the evening – atop of the stage that we knew so long ago when we were in the “City of Joseph” pageant cast.  I love the energy – and the sounds – that the Brass Band puts forth.  I can’t get enough of them.

Then comes a drama production of song and dance staged by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries (“NSM”).  This production is “Sunset on the Mississippi”.

This is the “modern” version of a program that has been traditional here in Nauvoo for decades.  Forty-five years ago my in-laws, Elder and Sister Belcher, were cast (as Senior Missionaries) in the stage production of the “Night on the Prairie” – then held in and around the Cultural Hall.  The family cherishes the photo of the folks engaged in the stage fun (though they were not known for dramatic acting before their Nauvoo debut).

Anyway, back to the here and now …  The current production is staged by these marvelous young performing missionaries.  They are full of energy, and they show it well in their fancy and colorful period costumes.  The girls look beautiful in their ruffled dresses and pantaloons.  The guys are decked out in colorful shirts and vests – and the traditional Nauvoo caps.

The production is just so fun!  It is something that everyone needs to experience when in Nauvoo.  And this year, we got to experience it with our granddaughter, Brianna, as she came to Nauvoo with her O’Fallon, Illinois Young Women group.

 It just keeps getting better!

EXPERIENCING THE “COUNTRY FAIR” WITH THE NAUVOO PAGEANTS

It’s Pageant Time here in Nauvoo …!  It is the time long anticipated by every missionary here in Nauvoo.  This is such a grand time – with the Nauvoo spirit and energy everywhere.  It is such a great thing to experience.  We are all looking forward to it.  You can be sure that I will give many more pageant details as we really experience it.  I promise to make a full report in a future blog post.

I can speak from experience, however, when I talk about the “Country Fair” that is staged each night between the “Sunset” program and the actual pageant.  We got to experience it last summer with Jenae and girls and with the set-up that we have seen on the fields around us, we can be assured that 2024 pageant comers will surely get the same experience this year.  And this year, we will get to experience it again as Jackie and her family will be here for several pageant days.  They are to arrive soon, and we can’t wait to have them.  It will be fun to be a part of the Country Fair activities with them – just as we did last year with Jenae and her girls.  It is just so fun.  We could not believe that so many great activities could be packed into such a small space and time.

Last year, I wrote of the experience in my personal journal:

“We then went to participate in the “Country Fair”.    This was an absolutely fabulous event.  There were 20 or 30 different stations – each manned by a cast family (many for the “Gold Cast” who come here for just a week (and then more come in).  Some of my favorite events included handcart rides, May Pole dancing, Scottish dances (with bagpipes).  I looked on-line for a list of the traditional Nauvoo “Country Fair” events – for future reference.  Other events included stickball, stilts, Tug-O-war, Graces and hoops, sack races, log sawing, parlor games, wood branding, rag rugs, round dancing, quilting, stick pull, arm wrestling, a “Cousins” tent (to see who is related to who via Family/search), a puppet show, children’s games, and crafts.  It was amazing.  They could have handled 1,000 or so people.  As it was, there was a small crowd there today – so there was no waiting in long lines.”

MISSIONARIES GOT A SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE COMING “COUNTRY FAIR” EVENTS

There is never a dull moment for missionaries serving (like us) in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission (which included Nauvoo and the Carthage Jail).  There is some kind of an activity, training, performance, or devotional going on all of the time.  And we look for any and all opportunities to party and celebrate.

The Country Fair will be staged every night for three weeks – as noted above – but many of us missionaries will have other support functions to fulfill as the Fair happens.  And so, pageant organizers let us participate in our own such event – ahead of the real thing.  But, it became the real thing for us. Again, my journal tells the story:

“This evening we had a fun mission event.  Elder Davies, who is over the pageant somehow, staged a “Country Fair” – similar to the fair that they have each night of the pageant.  He had a band composed of many missionaries.  They played music for folks to dance to.  It was mostly female dances – since the young sisters cannot dance with guys as missionaries.  They had a lot of refreshments.  Lou mixed up two bags of chocolate chip cookies to take.

Elder Davies asked if I would help him (or I volunteered before he asked).  I agreed to help run the stick pulling event.  This has long been a favorite activity for me.  (And Joseph Smith loved doing this!)  I was not very busy for the first while but then I called some people over to participate.  I pitted Elder Brian Reed against a big Tongan sister. 

The sister beat him.  He was really embarrassed – saying that “I’ve never been beat before.”  I got several sister missionaries out there on the tarp – competing against each other.

The highlight of the evening was getting the Mission President, Mehr, out on the tarp.  He took on several of the young sisters.  This was a surprise to all.   I also got a match between Pres. and Sister Mehr. Everyone got a kick out of the competitions with the President.

PIONEER GAMES AND CRAFTS AT THE FAMILY LIVING CENTER AND AT PIONEER PASTTIMES

About once a week, Sister Hunt and I get the chance to serve at the Family Living Center.  This is program area that is housed in a giant timber and wood building (just my style).  This is a fun place and everyone who comes there likes the many activities.  The place has demonstration centers for the following pioneer activities:

Wool carding

Cooking

Candle Making

Weaving

Bread Making

Packing the Wagon to go West

Rope Making

Barrel Making

Pottery Making

Brick Making

When Elder Belcher saved the badly deteriorated Coolidge home, he set up many of these demonstrations in the building.  Thus, this is another area of his ongoing legacy.  It is amazing all that he started, and which still is in place today.

We joined another Senior couple and two young sisters.  I enjoy helping or inspiring kids to “pack” the wagon for the trip west.  I have also volunteered to do bread making – since I did not know anything about any of the rest of the areas (but I am learning.  I now know barrel making.  The young sisters were able to do most of the demonstrations – since they have been to the place before.  I also love doing the rope making demonstration – partly because so many people love the activity – and are so fascinated with the mechanics of the rope making machine.

The other day, a rope making visitor said to me, “How long have you been doing this?” (meaning the rope making function).  I said, “I have been a Boy Scout for 60 years”.  She and others around her all got a chuckle out of this. 

Lou is often privileged to do teaching about her father’s brick yard and brick making.  She loves doing this and the people all seem very interested in it.  She enjoys sharing with the folks the tale of how her father started the brick yard and designed the small brick that is still given out as souvenirs to visitors.  It has been a great blessing and opportunity for her to do this teaching – in honor of her parents.

A ”Sister” station that is staged by the missionaries in the Family Living Center is known as the “Pioneer Pastimes Pavilion”.   This large tent ramada is located about a block south of the Family Living Center.  It is fun to go there (except when it is really hot) and to enjoy the walk down through the beautiful lanes en route.

On the way, we can often see the Performing Missionaries teaching prairie dances to curious on-lookers.  It is fun to see the NPM’s get the visitors up and dancing with them.

The missionary job at the Pavilion is to engage the folks – mainly the young children and teens – in the many pioneer game options.  We can offer them dress-up costumes where the kids (and adults too) can dress in authentic pioneer costumes.  It is so fun to watch the kids get into this action. 

We have hoops, stilts, “climbing monkeys”, various marble games, roping the horse or sheep, playing house, and more.  This is the place for families to come after a long day of dragging the kids into the various restored homes.  They suddenly lose their tiredness, and they have a great time – even engaging their reluctant parents in the activities with them.

FUN SHOWS AT THE CULTURAL HALL

There are about 30 homes or shops that we give tours in here in Nauvoo.  A couple of weeks ago, the scheduler asked us what places we had not been to, and which we would like to “learn”.  The Cultural Hall was one of the few places that we had not previously been to.  So, it was fun to be assigned recently to the place.

We had actually been to the Cultural Hall for a zone meeting a week or so before.  On that occasion, we gathered there with about 20 couples from the “Hyrum Zone”.  Elder Hurst (a teamster) is our new Zone Leader – after the recent departure of Elder Thomas.  It was fun to be in this Cultural Hall.  We thought of Grandma Verna being there and doing acting in the “night on the prairie” program.  Elder Hurst had created a great PowerPoint presentation about the contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I enjoyed this program a lot.

The Cultural Hall actually almost feels like a mini Salt Lake Tabernacle – with its oak look benches and pillars.

Anyway, we looked forward to our assignment to the Cultural Hall.  On our day of the assignment, we arrived and checked the site book to figure out how to turn on the lights on each of the three floors.  This can sometimes be a bit tricky.  Remember that the Saints did not have electricity when they were here – though they would have loved it.  And now, 180 years later, great effort is expended to try to maintain the original look and feel of the pioneer places.  This means that the electrical or light switch is often located down at foot level and the plug is generally painted to match exactly the color of the wood around it.  And each place has its own quirks  – and every place is different.

We did not know when assigned, but much of the job of the missionaries assigned there is to be host to folks who come to experience the many shows staged there each day by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries.  That is what we did – and it proved to be great fun.  It also meant that we were able to view the many programs ourselves.  This was so great.  These young performing missionaries have energy deluxe.  And they have such enthusiasm during their song and dance routines.

In the Cultural Hall, we were privileged to hear several performances of the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries.  They performed two different programs – two times each.  Each performance was fabulous!  The did programs entitled, “Hymns of Zion” and “Nauvoo Singers”.  I thoroughly enjoyed each performance.  I love the energy of the young people.

The groups performed: “Nearer My God to Thee”, “In Our Lovely Deseret” (which was fabulous).  They sang “Laura’s Nauvoo” (supposedly written by a non-member), “Praise to the Man” (by W.W. Phelps), “The Morning Breaks”, (by Parley P Pratt), and O My Father (by Eliza R. Snow).  They sang these words to four or so different tunes.

A youth group from Indiana came en masse – a group of about 20 youth and an adult couple.  It was fun to interact with this group.  They even got up on stage (in a slow period) and did their own song and dance routine.  This was their big moment.

In the mid-afternoon, the Performers came to present their last performance of the day.   Literally, no one was there to hear their show.  They went on with the show and Lou and I sat alone as the audience and enjoyed our personal concert – with just us there to hear them.  They were amazing and wonderful.

P-DAY ACTIVIITES FOR ELDER AND SISTER HUNT

Like any missionary serving anywhere in the world, we also look forward to our own P-day each week.  Here we are assigned a specific day of the week for a month. And then we switch to a new day for the next month.  Sister Hunt and I have just been assigned to Saturdays for the month of July.

On our P-days, we do our weekly laundry (though we have a washer and dryer in our place – so we can do it any time that we get the urge).  We clean our place. I also spend several hours each P-day writing blogs and posting photos to them.

We also try to find some unique activities that are new to us.  Often, this might include going to a new home or site that we have not yet experienced.  And later in the day, we generally drive the 12-mile trip down the river (on the picturesque and wonderful Mississippi Great River Highway).  We go to Keokuk – our newest town of any significance.

In Keokuk, we generally go to the Aldi store.  We there get fruit, vegetables and snack items for our lunch.  We usually have to go to the Dollar Tree Store for cheap incidentals.  We then go to Walmart.  It is always nice to restock our wagon there.  We get gas at a station by Walmart.  We are pleased that the gas on the Iowa side of the river is about 75 Cents a gallon cheaper than that on the Illinois side.  And our last stop is generally at the Dairy Queen.  Several weeks ago, we discovered their “Pecan Mudslide Sundae”.  This celestial delicacy is soft ice cream topped with both hot fudge and caramel toppings – as well as toasted pecans.  Wow! Talk about fabulous!  We now have the car trained to pull over there each week at the appropriate time.

AN UNPLANNED VISIT AND RIDE AT THE OXEN RIDE

Yesterday (July 6th) was our first Saturday P-day.  I got up and made computer reservations for us to go on the “wagon ride”.    Then I later realized that I should have signed up for the “carriage ride”. We were headed to the rides before I realized that I had made a mistake.  We headed toward Main Street and Hotchkiss streets – where the ride was to be.  And that is where I realized my mistake.

We kept going on Main Street, and I noticed the ox ride space up ahead.  In all of my years of coming to Nauvoo, I have never seen this ride location – nor have we taken the ox ride.  We decided to go for the oxen ride.

We pulled in and got out of the car.  We were immediately greeted by  our former Acacia Ward neighbor from Mesa, Arizona. She and her group somehow knew that Lou and I are in Nauvoo and they were going to go looking for us.  We visited for a few minutes and then took a photo.  It was interesting to see how the Lord puts these people and our connections with them together – (like today) since going for the oxen ride was definitely not in our plans – and with it being our P-day, we would not have normally been out in the sites.  These little “Nauvoo miracles” happen all of the time – and we are grateful for them.

Elder and Sister Doug Mills were there at the ox ride.  They took us on the ride and gave us a great story as we did so.  Sister Mills said that “This is the most authentic thing here in Nauvoo!”

The oxen were amazing – and huge.  I learned a lot of new facts about oxen and how the pioneers walked beside them all of the way.  It was all very interesting.

First, … the question of “what is the difference in a cow (steer) and an ox?” My teamster Cousin Brad explained it for me.  He said that “an ox is a cow on a mission – with an occupation”.

Oxen are very big and strong.  They weigh about 2,000 pounds.   And together, they can pull their combined weight – so 4,000 pounds.  We learned that oxen on wagons have to have horns.  The horns are needed to hold the wooden yoke up.  Without horns, the yoke would slip down onto their faces.

Oxen are always “yoked together” in pairs.  (Sounds like a good lesson about us and Jesus and us and fellow laborers in the Kingdom!) And often these pairs remain and work together.  And in so doing, one becomes the “right ox” and the other the “left ox”.  And I guess they get “befuddled” when they are moved to the other side.

Oxen get to know just five commends:

“Step Up” is the command to move forward.

“Gee” means to go to the right.

“Haw” means to go to the left.

“Whoa” means to stop.

And “Back” means to back-up.

We learned that one does not “drive” oxen – as one would with a bridled horse.  They are “led” by walking beside them.  So, there was not even a seat on the ox driven wagon.  We learned that the oxen loved and listened to the children – so the children were good at leading them.

Hearing this, I thought of the old Primary song favorite, “Pioneer Children”:

“Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked, and walked,

“Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked, and walked,

They washed at streams and worked and played

Sundas they camped and read and prayed

Week after week, they sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked”

I guess the pioneer children walked and walked alongside of their family oxen – leading them across the plains – and walking some 1,400 miles. 

As we got to the oxen, Elder and Sister Mills introduced us to Dan and Duke.  They seemed formidable and scary.  But the Mills convinced us that we could “become friends” with the oxen.  We posed with them – for the sake of posterity.

After the short ride around the muddy track, I was drawn to the plaques that lined the walkway around the oxen yard.  These were informative and interesting

A CARRIAGE RIDE AND A VISIT WITH COUSIN BRAD

We also then went to the “carriage ride” – starting at the station at the northeast corner of the visitors’ center parking lot.  We were greeted there by “Cousin” Brad.  I like this guy.  He and I have a connection.  We visited for a while.

I had not heard of the commemoration event, but Elder Brad told me that he had been privileged to be a part of a 180th Anniversary commemoration of the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum as they were viewed by the Saints in the Mansion House (some 10,000 of them).  He said that the original pioneer “Nauvoo Brass Band” had played at the original services for Joseph and did again on this commemorative experience.  Brad shared with me his feelings that he posted on his Facebook account.  I loved it.  Another of those “Nauvoo Miracles” that I introduced above.

He wrote, and I quote (with his permission): “180 years ago today on June 29, 1844 Joseph and Hyrum Smith lay in state in the Mansion House.  The Nauvoo brass Band played and my great, great grandfather and his family along with 10,000 grieving latter-day Saints filed through to bid their final farewell to the Prophet Joseph and his faithful brother, Hyrum.

“Today I had the privilege of driving the bandwagon and stopping in front of the Mansion House while the Nauvoo Brass Band played in honor of Joseph and Hyrum – just like they did 180 years ago.  It was most powerful.  They played “Praise to the Man”.   They also played another song called, “Emma’s Lullaby”. 

“Here is a quote from my Grandpa Dudley Leavitt’s history:  “Later as the bodies lay in state, the Leavitt family all passed to take their last look at Joseph smith and his brother Hyrum.  I was so impressed by the calm majesty of their faces that even after I was an old man, I of a surety that here was a prophet of the living God.”  No hardship could shake the faith of Dudley.”

We did not have reservations for the carriage ride, but Elder Hurst said that he would try to get us on the carriage.  He and Elder White were on the carriage and Elder Hurst was voice.  He did a great job of storytelling. They took us north of the station – up through “Joseph Creek” and beyond. 

We made one stop at the top of the hill to let the horses rest for a few minutes.  Elder Hurst showed us a well built in honor of King Follett (that was his real first name).  He died in a well accident when rocks fell down upon him as he was digging a well.  The Prophet Joseph preached King’s funeral sermon (later named “The King Follett Discourse”.  

On our Carriage Ride, we saw pastured horses en route.  Elder Hurst pointed out that even in the pasture, the horses stand in pairs – with their partners on the trail.  This was very interesting.

We drove near my old “Red Barn” environs (the barn and the white home) where I lived as a young missionary – and this was fun.  We really enjoyed this p-day ride out through the beautiful woods and through the river.

THE MORNING HORSE RITUAL

There are many hidden Nauvoo experiences that don’t appear on the schedule or brochures.  You just kind of happen to hear about them – and then you go and get a wonderful experience.  And then you think, “Too bad everyone doesn’t know about this.”

That is the way the morning horse feeding ritual is …  We just happened to hear about it last year when we were in Nauvoo with Jenae and family. 

The big event of each day is the feeding of the horses.  We wanted to be there for this.  At night, the horses are left in a large field.  Then in the morning, they let them out and herd them down to feeding stalls for grain.  They know where to go and they kind of run down to the feeding area.  Each horse has a name, and workers know the horses by name.  Some missionaries stand at the gate, and he calls out the name of each horse as it arrives.  Then Elders guide them to their selected places for their grain.

The Elders said that there is an “Alpha Male” (“Matt” – the only gray horse) that rules the roost with an iron fist.  And if any other horse tries to get ahead of them, he bites them.

There are some 18 missionary Elders who serve with the horses.  Their wives serve with them (as tour guides) and some work in other restored homes.  These guys all wore plain colored Western shirts.  Many of the men here wear the same style of pants with suspenders.  It was great to talk to many of the Elders as we watched the horse operation.  I told many of them of my youth missionary experience in Nauvoo 48 years ago.

After the horses ate their grain, they put 12 of the horses on “P-Day” (Pasture Day).  They use 14 horses each day.  They pull the carriage ride, the wagon ride and the carriage that carries the “Nauvoo Brass Band”.  They have utilized the ancient “Red Barn” that I knew as a missionary.  They have stations   or areas for each horse and at these, they have the individual harnesses for each horse.

One Elder says that most of the horses have hand spans (extended horizontally) of 17 to 18” above the withers.  Most normal horses have spans of 14 to 15”.  The horses are magnificent and beautiful.  The whole operation was amazing and interesting to watch.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Well folks, there you have it.  Patriotic … we go all out celebrate whenever and wherever we can.  Cultural events:  They are all around us.  The NPM’s (Nauvoo Performing Missionaries) add energy wherever they go.  It is so great to hear them – and the Nauvoo Band perform.  And with all of this combined, Nauvoo really is a very fun place to hang out.  It is very exciting to be a part of all of these experiences.

REMEMBERING JOSEPH

As another P-day activity, we went to the Visitors’ Center.  I had also made reservations for us to see the “Remembering Joseph” production staged by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries.  This production was fabulous.  I loved it.  They quoted many people who had memories of Joseph.  Again, I got to hear Elder Smith sing “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”.  He is so wonderful singing this song.  The whole production was amazing, and I was touched tenderly by the Spirit.

Well, there you have it … patriotic moments, cultural events and country fair fun … all in week!

Elder and Sister Hunt on the “Nauvoo Trail” … and it just keeps getting better!

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Restoration in Old Nauvoo 1975 to 2024

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Blog #9

In case you haven’t been to Old Nauvoo in a while, maybe it is time you came! I have personally noticed a lot of Restoration going on – especially the Restoration in Nauvoo from 1975 to 2024.

And first, I apologize for the space between the last blog article and this one. Actually, however, I have not been idle. I have actually been working on this blog for 50 years!

 I have had the unique opportunity and blessing to experience historic Nauvoo at various times and in several different circumstances through the years.

My first Nauvoo experience happened in 1975 when I was serving on my “young mission”.   I served in Nauvoo for the final 6 months of that mission.   I loved the experience.  It was truly wonderful and exciting in every way.  I served then as a site guide in the eight restored homes.

My wife and I brought the nine children to Nauvoo and were cast members two different summers in the “City of  Joseph” musical production.  We found other opportunities to come to Nauvoo for many other excursions.

Then in 2024, my wife and I were assigned to Nauvoo for an 18-month “Senior Mission” for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And once again, we are historic site guides – just as I was in 1975.  This time, there are over 30 restored homes and shops and we rotate through most of them.

    During both missionary assignments,  I have taken a multitude of photographs of many of the historic restored homes in Old Nauvoo.  Being somewhat of a historian, this has been a great adventure! In this book/slide show, I am able to compare the homes as they existed in 1975 – and as they are now in 2024 – 49 years later. (Where did that time go? I couldn’t possibly be that old!)

    When in Nauvoo as a young missionary, I maintained daily journal entries for each day of the mission.  I also wrote extensive letters home to the folks each week.  In an effort to add a bit of variety to the photos, I have included entries from that 1975 era (from the journals and letters) to show actual activities that I participated in at that  time.

    This has been a major effort and I hope that you will enjoy the PowerePoint presentation. The show really tells the story of Restoration here in Nauvoo.

    Here is the link. (And you might want to copy and paste the link into your browser.) Look at the top of the PowerPoint presentation. ) Once you click on the presentation, look for the word “View” at the top. Then click on “Slide Show”. You will probably also want to click on “View” once more and then “Zoom”. Enlarge the view to 100% (or more if you are my age!). And then you are off and running! Sit back and enjoy the ride.

    https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bRVa8rnQdY9YmBRA8AVDuAS5NeXgwsGA/edit#slide=id.p1

    And you know by now, that I don’t let moss grow under my feet. (But in humid Nauvoo, that might be a trick!)

    I have already also published the book or slide show on my lulu.com site where I publish my books. With this link, you can order your own full-color book. (Color costs a bit more … but it is truly worth it!) The book will be a very quality book that you can put on your coffee table (without the coffee) and enjoy for years!

    https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/a-nauvoo-walk-down-history-lane-nauvoo-restoration-1975-to-2024/hardcover/product-w4vvrve.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

    Well, there you 1 it!975 to 2024 Nauvoo Restoration. And that’s a big wow!

    From the Nauvoo trail … Kevin

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    The Magnificent Mission Training Center (MTC)

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    By Kevin V. Hunt

    If I were to use one word to describe the Missionary Training Center – The MTC, I would just say that it is “MAGNIFICENT”.  Words really cannot describe it adequately.  Two words that could describe the MTC campus and function would be “TOTALLY AWESOME!”. “GRANDEUR AND MAJESTY” would be three words.  And four words would “FULL OF THE SPIRIT” (meaning the Holy Ghost).  I could go on and on, but you get the drift.

    ARRIVING AT THE MTC – AND IN-PROCESSING

    In a recent blog, I took you right up to the door of the MTC with us.  We told the family, “We’re going to be hanging up now” as we literally went through the door.  It was such fun having many of our family members on-line to share that special moment with us.    This was something that we had been hoping and dreaming of for several years.  And, as I said before, it was interesting to now to have them be the ones to drop us off at the MTC.

    I had brought to my mind the general motto of the Brigham Young University – the campus where the MTC is located.  I remembered this motto from years ago when I entered BYU as a student (a hundred years ago).  That was, “Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve”.  That’s what we were doing!

    Elder and Sister Hunt at the MTC

    We were ushered into the office facility of the MTC.  I was in awe that the building is named for Wilford Woodruff – the fourth prophet of the Church and one of the greatest missionaries of all time.  There is beautiful painting or photo of him in the center lobby.  I have a special love for Wilford Woodruff – since two of my own fourth great grandfathers were the missionaries who tracted out and baptized Wilford (Zera Pulsipher and Elijah Cheney).

    President Wilford Woodruff

    In a script that we would use later in the week, (preparing us to give historic tours in Nauvoo), we were told that Wilford can be compared to the four royal sons of King Mosiah who taught for 14 years among the Lamanites – and who baptized 1,000’s of their brethren.  Those men are some of my own favorite characters in the Book of Mormon.  I love to read of their missionary labors (Alma chapters 16 to 26).

    We did not have our luggage with us.  We knew that we could connect with it later.

    We were placed in a holding line – while the MTC personnel determined who we were.  This was further complicated by the fact that there were THREE HUNT COUPLES who were all entering the MTC – all on the same day – and all of us going to Nauvoo.  Talk about confusing!  More on my “cousins” later.

    Once the folks determined our identity, we were led into a large room where we saw a multitude of other such “senior couples”  We were directed to a table that had four or so ladies waiting for us.  Each one had their specific function to perform.  And we were put onto a large serpentine function that wove us around to various stops for various tasks.

    MTC Name Tags

    We were first given the famous missionary black badges – to tell the world who we now are and what our function will be.  It was so exciting to put on our badges that tell the world that we are now official representatives of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  We were happy to take upon ourselves this sacred designation.  They gave us three varieties of badges – to accommodate all kinds of suit coat situations.

    We were given an official “Ministerial Certificate” – officially signed by Russell M. Nelson, our current church prophet, and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We were told that we could take these to the MTC copy center to have them laminated – for a longer shelf-life.  We later made our way over there and left the cards there for their lamination.  And yes, they lost our cards in their process.  (They suggested that maybe one of the other Hunt couples got ours by mistake – but not so.)

    Sister volunteers asked about our travel plans for getting to the mission.  Like most missionary couples serving in the U.S., we brought our own vehicle.  We presented our travel plans and when we would plan to get to our Nauvoo mission.

    At another table, a sister reviewed the cafeteria scenario and we talked of dietary issues.  We had none!  Wow!  Look at us!  We were told about available exercise facilities at the MTC but ultimately, we did not have time to use this equipment.  We were just too busy.

    We were given fresh fruit and a choice of a variety of finger breads.

    And by this time, it was time for us to enter the cafeteria for our first MTC lunch.  Wow!  What a collection of food options.  And seeing that throng of young missionary Elders and Sisters, as well as a large crowd of Senior Couples – all holding on to each other and practicing their “Senior Shuffle” – everyone dressed in white shirts and ties, and suits – and fancy (simple but very beautiful) dresses for the ladies.    That is when “magnificent” hit me.

    MTC Cafeteria

    SENIOR ORIENTATION

    Senior Couple In-Processing

    After our lunch, we returned to our former orientation room – to find the full place now filled with seats for our auditorium gathering.  (They do fast work for such things here).

    We were introduced to the couples who serve as the Presidency of the MTC operation.  We met President Kevin Calderwood (good name!) and his wife, Sydnee.   After an opening song and prayer, we were invited to introduce ourselves.  Each couple got a moment to tell who we are, where we are from, where we are going, and the number of children and grandchildren we have.  (I think we were the most blessed in that activity!)

    It was interesting to note that in that gathering, there were 124 senior missionaries reporting for duty.  There were six single sisters, and the rest were couples.  We came from all over the United States, and we were leaving to serve all around the world!  That is where “Totally Awesome” began to sink in.  We found that there were 13 couples who are all heading together to Nauvoo and of those 13, eight of them are going to serve as “Teamsters” – managing oxen and horses and giving historic tours along the routes of the wagon teams.  It suddenly became “really cool” to be wagon teamsters.  (And that’s a blog for another day … More on them later!)  We were told that the MTC presently had over a thousand missionaries – with 240 more scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.  We were told that of the crowd, 51% of the group are young “Sister Missionaries” – and that in June, this would reverse – with about 85 per cent to be Young Elders.

    And just a note … that was our first time to get a look at the three Hunt cousins.  I tried to memorize their faces so that we could connect after the meeting.

    We were then given some general instructions.  These complete, we were greeted by a young brother – actually employed by the MTC.  He had more general stuff for us to know.  This gathering event seemed to take most of the afternoon.

    It was soon time for dinner.  And another look at all of those magnificent missionaries.

    ASSOCIATION WITH THE HUNDREDS OF MISSIONARIES

    Everywhere we walked, met, or went, we saw hundreds of missionaries – as described above.  What a grand missionary force!  The cafeteria became the natural “hang-out” place.  I don’t know how many folks the place would hold, but I do know that it was a lot.

    In the cafeteria, there were a multitude of food stations – each with their food specialty.  There was definitely something for everyone!   They had a variety of main dish options, a well-stocked salad bar, sandwiches, a fruit bar and more.  With my “generations of sweet tooth” things going on with me, of course, I went to the dessert bar first.  Yummy.  They had new delicacies there every day.  Wow.

    We were free to eat anywhere we wanted to land ourselves.  We tried to sit by new people (young and old) at each meal – in order to make new instant friends.  Of  course we all asked or answered the three questions: “Who are you, where are you from, and Where are you going to serve?”  So easy to start a conversation based upon these questions.

    In the MTC (and the cafeteria) we met folks of all sizes and shapes, and people from a multitude of nations and peoples – all appropriately and wonderfully dressed in missionary attire..  This was so exciting and wonderful.  That’s where “GRANDEUR AND MAJESTY” became evident.  Seeing and being with those hundreds of young people truly was a grand and majestic experience.  I thought, “Where else in the world can you find a crowd of young people such as these – all dressed sharp, all committed to serve, and all righteous (having met the very stringent application questions).    This truly was a manifestation that the work of the Lord is moving forward!  Words cannot describe the image and feeling of being with these men and women of God.

    Sister Missionaries at map of the world – Pointing to their Missions

    Elders in the hallway

    That brings up the four words:  “FULL OF THE SPIRIT”.  The light and power of Christ – and the presence of the Holy Spirit (the Holy Ghost) was everywhere present – in the cafeteria, in the halls, walking around, in every classroom, and just permeating everywhere.  This was such a grand and majestic thing to experience.

    And as a side note … we soon found out just “how awesome” it is for us to be going to Nauvoo (and we didn’t even request such an assignment).  In every discussion, with folks everywhere on our trail, as we said, “Nauvoo to be site missionaries” we were met with a silent attitude a gasp of awe and wonder.  We realized that this is “the ultimate” place that everyone wants to go.  We were humbly proud and excited for our special and sacred opportunity to serve in Nauvoo – this “Covenant Community” – the “Cornerstone of Zion.”  (Of course, every place is awesome and cool – and people are called to these places by the Lord’s prophet – to accomplish great things according to their own talents and abilities.)

    It was fun at the MTC to greet old friends and to make many new friends – both old and young!

    Friends from home – Mark and Marlene Ellingson

    More Mesa, Arizona Friends – Ray and Sharon Snyder

    THE MTC “BOOKSTORE”

    We soon discovered that the whole MTC missionary world was drawn to the “bookstore”.  We followed the crowd and made our way there.  We bought some marking pens and other note-taking  necessities.  We were anxious to meet Joe Merrill – the Bookstore Manager – since we share four grandchildren with him.  It was great visiting with him.  Of course, we took several photos with him and us, and sent them pronto to his kids and ours.  They used that “Awesome” term when they saw the photos.

    NO ROOM AT THE INN

    Elder Ronald Rasband, one of our current 12 Apostles, and a great leader in the church, recently gave a talk at the October 2023 General Conference of our Church.  In his talk, he invited all senior couples of the Church  to review their life situations to see if this might be the time to leave grandkids and to serve a couple mission.  He said that couples were greatly needed throughout the world – “and everywhere in between”.

    Elder Rasband’s talk must have had a positive effect on many “Elderly” couples.  I know that his message had a major effect on Sister Hunt and me. 

    And because of this enthusiasm to serve the Lord, as he had invited, we arrived at the MTC and were greeted with news that “there was no room in the inn”.  They had more couples than they could accommodate.  So, we were assigned to stay in the “Residence Inn” (located abut a mile and a half north and west of the MTC) for the full duration of our MTC stay.

    Of course, we were not ones to complain …  It was really a hard life living in this “apartment” (with cooking equipment, a fridge, dish washer, two TV’s, a couch and chairs, and a king sized bed.  Kind of a rough life … but someone has to do it.  It was fun coming home to this place each night after the work of the day.

    THREE HUNT COUSINS          

    Of course, the news of three Hunt couples – all here together at the MTC – and going to Nauvoo was interesting to all.  I quickly cornered the other two Hunt Elders.  We each opened the “Relatives Around Me” app on the FamilySearch program on our phones.  We were anxious to find out how we are all related – assuming that we are.  As we opened the APP, we learned that we are all (Elder Brad Hunt of Diamond Valley, Utah (by St. George), Elder Jacob Hunt (from Centerville – north of Salt Lake City and me) are all “4th Cousins”.  We descend through three different sons of Amos Hunt, our common 3rd Great Grandfather.   Amos is probably proud … I hope so!  I Took a photo of the Hunt cousins.  And we had fun being “cousins” all week long.

    Later in the week, we also met a young Elder named Hunt.  It was interesting to note that his own first name is Jefferson Hunt (shhhh!).   He told us that he comes through the lineage of Jefferson Hunt, Captain of the 1840’s “Mormon Battalion”.  We brought him into the family photo with us.  And for the record, there is no close connection to our Hunt line with that of Captain Jefferson. As a side note, the other two Elder Hunts are both going to serve in the Teamster group at Nauvoo.  They can have their basic ox …!

    CLASSES AND TEACHING

    The Church recently revised the “old” “Preach My Gospel” study guide for missionaries.  The first edition came into Vogue about 20 years ago (as our son was serving his mission in Texas – and he helped to teach this book and its use throughout his mission).

    We had training classes each day of our first week at the MTC.   We studied the “PMG” book and gleaned some really great insights to the missionary effort and our role in it.

    Our AM  Study District

    Elder and Sister Hunt with other Senior Missionaries – PM Study Group

    For our final two days of training – we studied another book – specific to our roles of “Historic Site Missionaries”.  This was also excellent training – and was a bit more “hands on”.

    For all of these classes, we had different teachers.  Two sisters taught in the first week.  One taught daily in the morning and the other taught in the afternoon.  Both of these sisters had previously served as full-time missionaries.  They taught “with the Spirit” (The Holy Ghost”) and they knew their “stuff”.  They taught with power and authority.  And then in the afternoons, we had another team of equally qualified Sisters.  They were all amazing and wonderful

    We had Friday night off – after the classes finished at 3 PM.  We arranged for the Belcher siblings (seven of the living eight) to get together.  We trekked to the Murray, Utah Chuck-A-Rama restaurant and had a great visit together.

    Thursday evening was “Temple Night” for everyone.  The Provo Temple (adjacent to the MTC)  is presently closed for major remodeling.  They provided buses for the Young missionaries and the couples found their own rides. 

    Sister Hunt and I found space for us at the American Fork – Mt. Tiimpanogas Temple. 

    GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

    General Conference in the MTC

    Typically, MTC missionaries participate in regular Sunday services – just as they would if at their homes.  Ours was a special privilege, however since our stay included the 194th Annual General Conference of the Church.  We convalesced at our “Inn” and watched the two morning sessions of the conference there.

    Then in the afternoons, we went to the MTC – and viewed the conference with hundreds of missionaries (mostly the young Elders and Sisters).  Wow!  What a great army.  Again, the power of the Holy Ghost radiated everywhere among the majestic crowd.  It was fun to view the conference proceedings shoulder to shoulder with these young missionary greats.  It was a special blessing and opportunity to hear the inspired words of our Prophets, Apostles, and other General Church authorities.  As ever, I took copious notes of the many  talks.

    Typically, on Tuesday nights at the MTC, missionaries get to hear a talk presented by an Apostle or General Authority of the Church.  Because of the General Conference week, we did not have that privilege.

    We did have a couple of wonderful evenings of Gospel presentation.  One night we learned and basked in the study of the Character of Christ.  Then on the other night, we heard messages from the MTC presidency members.

    I am a “people watcher” anyway, so I loved looking behind me (behind the seats reserved for us “Seniors”) and seeing the young Elders and Sisters gathered for the events.  One Elder in a gold suit wanted to be seen in my photos.

    THE  FAMOUS MTC MURALS

    There are 21 different meeting and residence facilities at the MTC.  Throughout all of the buildings, they have on virtually every available wall space, majestic murals of the Life of Christ and His servants – as well as real life missionaries teaching people all over the world.  These murals are so awe-inspiring – and they strongly bring the Power of the Holy Ghost to the entire campus.

    The “T-4” (teaching building #4) building, is a six-story structure.  And throughout this facility they have giant, full-wall murals of Christ and His workers in His kingdom.  We were encouraged to go through the facility to view and experience these beautiful murals.  Each mural was awe-inspiring, magnificent, and wonderful.  These really helped me to feel the Spirit – and the power of the might of Christ, prophets, and others.  So magnificent!

    Mural of “The Sons of Mosiah” Preaching to the Lamanites

    A BIT OF MTC TRIVIA

    The MTC was established in the mid-1970’s.  My younger brother was one the last Elders to enter the Salt Lake Mission Home.  That was September 15, 1978. Today, the MTC trains over 20,000 missionaries each year.  And the missionaries are trained in 60 different languages of the world and there are a dozen or more regional MTC facilities located through the world.

    I am so old that my “young missionary training (1973)  actually precedes the MTC experience.  My wife and I actually reported for missionary training and duty at the old Salt Lake City “Mission Home”.  Wow!  That is really old!  This Mission Home was housed in an old school located across the street from 29-story skyscraper of the Church office building.  That is an interesting scenario that warrants a study by interested historians.  Good stuff.  As I was compiling my 20-volume autobiography a couple of years ago, I researched the old Mission Home and included it in one of the volumes.  Here is a link for avid historians.

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F81GvT2801UwMUwe93qH1teLUOH9Xjap/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=1068e19282860106253950&rtpof=true&sd=true ­­­­­­­­­­­­

    Also, here is a link to my own journal entries for that experience. 

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FKPdi_ZaS2DwlAtSAT4k9oxJXNBMFmhS/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106819282860106253950&rtpof=true&sd=true

    Enjoy!

    TO THE NATIONS

    One of my favorite experiences of the MTC was feeling the reverence and awe of the Gospel being taken – with all of these magnificent missionaries – to all countries of the world.

    There is a rotunda of flags of the nations to which the Gospel is being taken.  They line the sidewalks all around the training buildings.  It is so exciting to see these flags.  They are rotated daily to include more of the national flags.  These flags are a testimony of God’s work spreading over all of the world.  Just being here at the MTC is a testimony of God’s work and the truthfulness of the Restoration of the Gospel – wherein God and Christ called Joseph Smith to be their modern prophet and the person through whom their Church was restored for our day. 

    International Flags at Mission Training Center

    In a prior day, I wrote a hymn that expresses my feelings about these flags of the world nations.  This is what I wrote:

    I look forward to sharing this Gospel and The Restoration with the many visitors who come to experience Nauvoo with us.  This should be a grand adventure.

    The words of “MAGNIFICENT”, “TOTALLY AWESOME!”, “GRANDEUR AND MAJESTY” and “FULL OF THE SPIRIT” definitely describe our wonderful MTC experience.  Ready now for action in Nauvoo.

    We take off from the MTC April 10th– though I am “sicker than a dog” at the moment.  We go forward in faith! Nauvoo bound!  Pray for our safety!

    Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt