Beneath the Black Walnut Trees

This morning we all got to sleep in! We took our time getting ready for the day and then took a drive to Carthage to see the place where Joseph, and Hyrum Smith were jailed and eventually martyred on June 27th, 1844. Elders John Taylor and Willard Richards were also there during the attack, but survived. 

As we began our tour a few of the boys began pushing and shoving and one of them ended up in tears. Daddy hauled them both out to the van while the rest of us finished up inside and then it was decided that they would like to catch the next tour group going through. The kids said it was a good experience and they learned a lot. I think seeing the actual place and the holes in the door where the gun was shot made it more of a reality for them. To know that these events really happened has strengthened their testimonies of the prophet Joseph Smith and all that he did in restoring the full Gospel to the earth.

Lily hadn't napped all day and I knew performing would be tricky with her tonight. When we arrived back stage in the evening, I scooped her up and slowly wandered into a nearby grove of black walnut trees. I found a tiny cobblestone bridge and began swaying and dancing back and forth to the sound of hymns being played on the bagpipes and the chatter from the gathering crowds. 

It didn't take long for her head to start slipping off my shoulder as her body became heavy in my arms. I slowly wandered back to the stage area and tucked her into the wagon where she stayed asleep for half of the show. She always makes sure she is there for her big bow at the end!

"The Gallant Ship" is a favorite scene for many in our family! I'll often catch a few of the kiddos humming it throughout the day.

There is one scene where we are singing "Beautiful Zion" as we enter from the back ramp and make our way to the bottom corner of the stage. During this song there are parts where the lights change and we are supposed to freeze. Mr. Stannix nailed this pose everytime and Ollie was such a champ sitting in the awkward "falling" position for close to a minute during each freeze pose. 

It was interesting watching the transformation in our older kids who were a little bit apprehensive about spending a good chunk of their Summer dancing and acting on stage. They quickly grew to love it, and crave it, and I hope it will be a memory they always cherish and tresure! 

The Nauvoo Pageant

 This morning was our dress rehearsal for the Nauvoo Pageant. We were able to run it from start to finish with some minor fixes, and it left everyone feeling confident for our evening performance. We then had the afternoon to spend together as a family. We tidied our living quarters and requested a restock of toilet paper from the cabin owner. When it was delivered with a knock at the door, Sawyer asked, "Who was that? The pizza guy?" It gave us all a good chuckle!

In the early evening we attended our company meeting and singing warm up at PHQ. On our way to the stage, Lily fell asleep. Mr. Stannix went ahead with some of the older children while I waited in the van with some of the younger children. Knowing how late the evenings are after performances, I knew she needed all the sleep she could get. While waiting in the van Sawyer says, "We should have a dance party, right Mom?" 

After a little while I gently lifted Lily from her car seat and we all walked back stage to find our meeting place. We have entrances and exits from various places around the stage, so we try to station our wagon and water bottles somewhere close where we can all meet up at the end of each scene to prep for the next one. The older kids are also in extra or different scenes than we are some times (thankfully, they take care of remembering this themselves), so it helps to have somewhere to re-group back stage.

This main actor, who portrays an immigrant from Scotland was one of our awesome district leaders. The boys all loved him and he helped each of them have such a great experience! 

The fishing boys, skipping stones and catching fish just like the little boys in Nauvoo.

Mr. Stannix also got to play the apostle Willard Richards. This photo is from the missionary departure scene where the apostles leave their families to serve missions in England. 

Near the middle of the Nauvoo Pageant, Sawyer and his sweet little friend got the chance to shine in a cute little scene "stuck in the mud" where the prophet Joseph Smith comes across them stuck in the mud on their way to school and kindly helps them out and reassures them that we all get stuck sometimes. He plays a boy named "Wallace". 

We were usually back stage gearing up for our next scene, so I only got to see this during one of our rehearsals.  Sawyer patiently waits on the stairs with his friend while an adult helps cue them up, then after the scene one of our big kids picks him up clear on the other side of the stage as the rest of us head on stage. These photos will always be a treasure to me!

Once they are unstuck and their shoes have been cleaned, Joseph tells them to run along to school and the little girl takes Sawyers hand and shouts over her shoulder "Thank-you Brother Joseph!" as they run across the stage together. 

Hyrum was such a good sport with his poor cast. Some of the dances were more difficult as he couldn't hold hands as easily. He expressed a few times a desire to do it next Summer when he doesn't have a busted hand.

The prophet Joseph and the Apostles.

 

I felt the Spirit strongly during the end scenes during the Martyrdom where the actors who portray Hyrum and Joseph Smith walk off the stage to music and leave to Carthage jail.

"Mrs. Turley" always took Lily during this scene as I needed both of my arms to join with the other sisters across the stage as the Nauvoo temple was being completed.

The coolest part was always the Finale as the stage constructed temple came down to show the real Nauvoo temple lit up in the background. The saints sacrificed so much to build this temple and receive the blessings and covenants, only to be driven from Nauvoo a short time later. Their faith is such a testimony to me!