Coast Guard Days

Kevin had a rare Friday day off so we racked our brains to think of the best way to spend an inexpensive summer day. As we pondered the different ideas...beach, movie rental, children's museum, fishing in the park.... we remembered Grand Haven ( a beachside town 20 miles north of us) was celebrating Coast Guard days, so we lathered on the sunblock, threw the kids in the car, and we were off for what turned out to be a pretty great day.

We admired the rides from a distance (inexpensive was the key to today's journey.... as much as this broke Jordan's heart Kevin and I weren't going to budge), we walked along the boardwalk, and shopped (minus the purchasing part) at the craft fair. By far the coolest part of the day was touring the Coast Guard ships. We got an upfront tour of the Coast Guard living quarters, mess hall, engine rooms, different decks, GPS monitoring stations, and the kids got to "steer" the ship. It was a great way to spend a day, and we ended up keeping it fairly cheap...2 diet cokes and 3 snow cones was all it took for a full afternoon of entertainment. You can't beat that!

Carthage Jail

The bullet holeA bullet hole in the original door that struck Hyrum Smith in the face and killed him as he tried to blockade the door with his body
The Staircase leading up to the Jailers bedroom and the dungeon.
Caleb, Jordan, & Kyler outside the Visitors Center

One of the monuments outside of the Jail

The dungeon. The jailer and his wife gave up their own bedroom for the prisoners to make them more comfortable. The dungeon was a dark, depressing, and hot place in the heat of June.

The Window the Prophet Joseph fell out of as he was shot in the back and stomach by members of the mob.


A trip to Nauvoo wouldn't be complete without a trip to Carthage Jail. Nauvoo has a splendor about it that makes you want to return again and again. Carthage on the other hand is a place you go to visit to see the jail where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were martyred. When you walk into the jailhouse, you feel a strong spirit, but also a devastating sorrow at the events that transpired there.


The LDS church has beautified the grounds and has wonderful statues in place as tributes to the events that happened there in June 1844. You feel the sacredness of the site when you walk the grounds. It feels holy...much the way you feel when you walk on temple grounds. You instantly want to be more reverent and quiet. I noticed it with my own kids as they piled out of the van. We all got a bit quieter and more intune to our surroundings.


Kyler summarized the experience by saying, "Mom, I felt the most powerful Spirit when I walked into the bedroom where the Prophet Joseph was killed. I'm so glad we got to visit here. That was pretty neat."


What a true statement my 10 year old said. One can't help but feel a strong spirit when they enter the room. I am so grateful my kids were able to experience a visit to Carthage. Sometimes you forget that kids are often times the closest to our Heavenly Father They have in innate sense to put their trust and faith in Him. They are the ones to remind us to pray daily, read our scriptures, have family home evening nights, and live the gospel standards. Kids have a way of making us be better people.

Memory Game

1. As you comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember.

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

The City Beautiful

The City Beautiful

Last week we had the opportunity to travel to Nauvoo, Illinois which is also known as "The City Beautiful". It's easy to see why it is known as that once you go. Nauvoo is a small town nestled along the Mississippi River in Western Illinois. It is a city rich with LDS history, and many buildings and homes have been restored to be accurate representations of what they were like in the mid 1800's. As you tour different areas you get a feel of what life was like for the early pioneers. Whether you're touring the Printing Office, the Brickyard, or Brigham Young's home, you see how well these Saints came together to build a beautiful city in a matter of a couple of years. Of course, the main focal point of Nauvoo was missing for a long time. The Nauvoo temple was destroyed by fire and tornado's when the mobs forced the Saints to abandon the city and move west in chilling winter conditions. As the Saints crossed the frozen Mississippi they could see the sacred building they had spent the last few years building being consumed by fire. I cannot imagine the devastation they must have felt to see a House of the Lord be given so little regard.

In April, 1999 President Hinckley announced plans to rebuild the temple. I remember the excitement I felt the day I heard the news. Thousands of members of the LDS church looked forward to the day when we could pay tribute to the early Saints for the sacrifices they made on our behalf. The new temple was built, and on June 27, 2002, the temple was dedicated. This was a poignant date because it also happened to be the anniversary date of Joseph and Hyrum Smith's martyrdom. Once again a temple lights the sky and stands as a beacon in the heart of Nauvoo. Immense gratitude does not even begin to describe the feelings we had as we first spotted the temple from our car windows. It was a breathtaking sight. Walking around the landscaped grounds and witnessing dozens of other visitors feel the same awe we felt was an amazing experience. If you ever have the chance to go to Nauvoo you should go. It is a trip that will not disappoint you. I know our family left Nauvoo with a greater sense of love for the early Saints. It was powerful experience. It was a testimony builder, and I for one, can't wait to go back again. The City Beautiful has once again reclaimed its title.