Kalona - Amish and Mennonite Country

On a recent P-day we visited the town of Kalona, Iowa.  This town of about 2,400 residents is 95 miles from Nauvoo and is the home of many Amish and  Mennonite families.  The Amish began settling in this area in 1846.  (Click on either of these links to learn more about these people)

Our day included a 2 hour guided bus tour that took us to the area around the town.  The guide took us to the Golden Delight bakery (many goodies), to the JK Creative Woodworking shop and the Kalona Cheese factory.  We saw the fields, homes and gardens in the area and learned about the people.  The farms are well cared for and very attractive.  It is obvious that the people take pride in their homes.

Dinner

After the tour we had lunch in an Mennonite home outside of town.  The meal was great and the 82 year old hostess/cook was delightful.

Garden - one of many

Countryside

Horse drawn cultivator

Bonnie wants one of these when we get home

The Nauvoo Groves

In the early days of Nauvoo there was no building sufficient to house the people for large gatherings. Today there is an area identified as "The Nauvoo Groves".  There are several plaques available for those who visit this area that include excerpts from the journals of those who recorded their experiences at the Groves.

One of these plaques includes the following description of these places.

"It was in nearby groves which were located northeast of here where many great and historic speeches were given by Joseph Smith and other church leaders of the time.

There were other sites where meetings were held including:

• ·   The East Grove, located one-quarter mile east of the Temple between Young Street and Knight Street, east of Robinson Street.
• ·   The hollow across from the Temple, south of Mulholland Street
• ·   The floor of the unfinished Temple

 Inclement weather was at times a factor in whether and where meetings were held.

Maintaining reverence and order was difficult in such an informal setting as a wooded grove of trees.  Joseph Smith reminded the saints of this on an occasion of September 17, 1843, when he gave instructions about order in the congregation (horses in the assembly and men and boys on the stand who didn’t belong there).  He requested the people to keep good order and asked the police to exercise their authority to see that it was done."

Another plaque reads:

In the afternoon (May 1844) we drove to visit the farms upon the prairie which this enterprising people had enclosed and were cultivation with every appearance of success.  On returning, we stopped in a beautiful grove, where there were seats and a platform for speaking  “When the weather permits” said Smith, “We hold our service in this place…”  “I suppose none but Mormon preachers are allowed in Nauvoo,” said the Methodist minister, who had accompanied our expedition.  “On the contrary,” replied the prophet, “I shall be very happy to have you address my people next Sunday, and I will insure you a most attentive congregation.”  “What! Do you mean that I may say anything I please and that you will make no reply?”  “You may certainly say anything you please, but I must reserve the right of adding a word or two, if I judge best.  I promise to speak of you in the most respectful manner.” - Josiah Quincy, Figures of the Past, (1883), p 393


And another:

7^th (February 1846) The Saints met at the Grove in front of he (Nauvoo) Temple for the last time to be addressed by the Twelve.  Much instruction was given by President Brigham Young in relation to our leaving Nauvoo and emigrating to the wilderness.  A large congregation of saints were present and (it) was a solemn time. - William Huntington, autobiography, Typescript, BYU, p45

The "Groves" today is a peaceful place where we can reflect on the people who lived and worked here over 150 years ago.  Many of our ancestors lived and died in this place.  The Prophet Joseph Smith and other leaders spoke here. 

Old Stone Bridge

The "Old Stone Bridge"

Joseph Smith referred to the land purchased for the saints at Commerce in the following terms, "The place was literally a wilderness.  The land was mostly covered with trees and bushes, and much of it was so wet that it was with the utmost difficulty that a footman could get through and totally impossible for teams."  The people suffered from extreme hardship as they cleared the land and prepared it for a gathering place.  Many fell ill due malaria, ague and fever that came in part from the mosquitoes.

The swamp had to be drained.  The origin of the water was NOT the river, but came from springs on the land above.  In order to capture the water a large ditch and/or canal was dug to divert the water to the river. 



This ditch can now be seen from the "Old Stone Bridge" site on the southwest side of Nauvoo.  

Our 50th Anniversary

June 1, 1964 we were married in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple.  We were (perhaps still are) a handsome couple.

We met on July 4, 1963 on a blind date and were engaged by fall.  We both have many memories of this courtship time.

We graduated from BYU in June 1966 and moved to Denver that summer.

We had hoped that we would celebrate our 50th with our children.  But, we were given an opportunity to serve in the Nauvoo Illinois Temple from April - October. So instead of being with our children and grandchildren we celebrated here in Nauvoo.   Hopefully, we will be able to celebrate with our family next year.

The night before (Saturday) we stayed home and had a Digiorno's pizza.  (We go 1st class all the way.)

Before going to church we opened an anniversary book that included a wedding photo from each of our children along with memories and thoughts about us as their parents.  This was really a special treat and memory that we'll treasure for years to come.



We went to church in the morning and then stopped in front of the Nauvoo Temple to take our 50th Anniversary picture.

As it turned out we were responsible for hosting a "break the fast" dinner with three other couples. The missionary couple that lives above us (the Dalling's) had a similar assignment so after we had dinner we met in our apartment for dessert with the other couples (7 in all).  We had lots of dessert and really enjoyed being with the other couples.  We particularly liked the cupcake "50" prepared by Sister Moller.

We received calls from each of our children and really enjoyed the video that Mike put together with comments from each of children and many of the grandkids.

On Monday we received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Bryan and Justine ... just perfect.

Overall it was a great anniversary celebration.

We love our family and will be glad when we can be with them later this year.  For now we are happy to be serving in Nauvoo.

This is the right place for us to be at this time.

Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds

In early May we visited the Old Nauvoo Burial Grounds.  The Burial Grounds are about 3 miles east of Nauvoo.

This is a special place with tender feelings about those who died here ... especially our ancestors.

Path to Burial Grounds

The Kiosk

There is a kiosk near the center of the cemetery that contains a list of  some of those individuals who died in Nauvoo between 1839 and 1846.








Some of the names of ancestors that we recognized included Absalom Tidwell, Stephen Foote, and Daniel Spencer.

Plaque in the Kiosk

A portion of the Burial Grounds