The Mechams in Nauvoo: Lightening Strikes

We did Sunset on Monday evening and after met up with cousin JoEllen Tillack, Uncle Carl and Aunt JoAnn's daughter and her husband. They were here with a youth group from Thermopolis, Wy. It was great to visit with them, even for a short while.

The whittlers, Elder Mecham, Elder Thurgood and Elder Jensen. Making whistles for the brigade to keep peace here in Nauvoo.

On Thursday we went to Carthage for the commemoration of the martyrdom with music and speakers. A great grandson of John Taylor's shared the eye witness account of events of that day. What an honor to be there to remember what Joseph and Hyrum gave for the restoration of Christ's gospel. They sealed their testimony with their blood.

On Friday several things happened. First we had the priviledge of working on the wagon together and this fine family from Warren, Utah rode with us. This is the family of Cody and Polly Jensen that live across the street from where I grew up. Cody's parents are serving here in Nauvoo along with us. Great People.

A thunderstorm came through. We had stopped doing rides and watching for the storm to move on. Well we thought that it had, because the rain had stopped and the skies were clearing. But about 2:00 a wagon had just left the station, when a flash and big boom hit. It rattled the horses and the people. Later we discovered that the lightening had hit the Angel Moroni on the temple. The people in the temple said they felt it. One man was outside the temple and it knocked him across the sidewalk. A little scary. No one got hurt. The statue is a little blackened on the head and trumpet.

Friday evening we went to dinner at Alfano's in Carthage. We had good food and good company as you can see. What a great group to work with.

After dinner we went to the Legacy theatre to see the Hughes Brothers show. One of our Young Sister Missionaries, Hannah Hughes is part of this family production. Pres. L., encouraged her to go preform with them, so she did. She is very talented, singing, dancing and playing the violin.

Saturday morning we went with Elder Quirl to feed the sheep.

Then we stopped by to see the new baby oxen.

We drove the wagon again today, with Sister Decker and Sister Bush narrating.

It was a hot day, so they shut down the rides about 3:00. After a shower and rest we went for a ride with the Quirls. We drove over to Keokuk and stopped to watch a barge go through the lock.

We then drove up the river and stopped at a new place to eat, Fat Jimmy's. Great food. After we drove further north along the river, stopped to take some pictures of the barge. When we got to Fort Madison we had some ice cream. Then on into Nauvoo, stopping to take some pictures around the temple.