"The 'Teamster' gets his team"

What a dream for a 'Teamster to be able to go and buy a new team for the Nauvoo Mission. They had 3 teams picked out. They spent the first day looking them over talking to their trainers and then writing down which they would bid on. The next day they went to the auction. They were surprised to be able to buy the #1 team and pay the amount they wanted. The Lord blessed them that day and blessed the Nauvoo Teamsters. The Wagon Rides are the number 1 attraction in Nauvoo. So important to get good horses. You can see all the Amish with their straw hats up in the bleachers.

There was everything to buy, many wagons, buggies, antiques, harnesses etc. The men were in their glory at this sale. Many Amish raise these horses and train them well, there were Amish all over the place.

Elder Williams also liked this red team and the little buckskin team, to small for Nauvoo but just right for home. He loves this team, and they like carrots, with their white mane and tail and their dark dapple grey. Good young horses, they will serve Nauvoo for another 15 years.

Extra's on Rel. Society Day

The Sisters of the Relief Society were taken by horse drawn carriage, of course our driver was Elder Williams, down the streets of 'Old Nauvoo' to the 'Red Brick Store'. During this ride they were told of stories of old Nauvoo, the saints, families and the gospel. It was such a beautiful ride, on the way home we could see the stars and the moon and we sang, "Sister's in Zion". We were sisters in Zion at that time.

I wore a 'Snood', like Eliza R. Snow wore. A 'Snood' is a lacy hair net caught up with ribbon that holds your hair in place. We all laugh at the name. Many sisters in Rendezvous now want me to make them a snood like mine. I think I'll call it the 'Eliza Snood'.

Relief Society Commemoration, Mar. 17, 1842

"Welcome to the Red Brick Store, birthplace of Relief Society. I am Eliza R. Snow and I preserved the records of those first Relief Society meetings in Nauvoo." A group of women led by Sarah Granger Kimball desired to form a charitable society. "I drafted a plan typical of women's groups of the time, and when the Prophet Joseph was consulted, he responded." The Lord desired to organize them after the manner of the Priesthood.

"Under the direction of Joseph Smith with John Taylor and Willard Richards assisting, 20 of us met on March 17, 1842, right here in the 'Red Brick Store'." Emma Smith was nominated as President with Sara Cleveland and Elisabeth Whitney as counselors and Eliza R. Snow as Secretary.

What a marvelous experience to be in the 'Red Brick Store', to participate in the founding of this wonderful organization. To start out with 20 and then to exceed 2 million. What service and love the Relief Society has given through out the years. How many homes & families have felt of their love. The biggest women's organization in the world. I was so excited to be able to be a part of this. I was truly blessed by the Lord, my dear husband and Eliza her self to be able to learn and participate in this production. The Lord and this mission does stretch us beyond what we think we are capable of doing. So many sisters would have loved the opportunity to be in Nauvoo on this special day. We are truly blessed to be here serving a mission at this time.

"Charity never Faileth", charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.

1842 Relief Society Commemoration

'Welcome to the Red Brick Store, birth place of the Relief Society. I am Eliza R. Snow and I helped to peserve the records of those first Relief Society meetings in Nauvoo. Miss Cook was important at this time in Nauvoo, she and Sara Granger Kimball desired to help the men working on the beautiful Nauvoo temple by making them shirts. I, Eliza R. Snow drew a plan of goernement typical to womens groups of the time, and when the Prophet Joseph was consulted he responded. The Lord wanted something better, he desired a womens group under the direction of the Priesthood. And on March 17, 1842 the Relief Society was organized. Twenty of us met at the upper room of the Red Brick Store. Emma was there along with

A trip to Hannibal

A Preparation day for the Savilles, Rebers and the Williams. We were off to see the famous Hannibal, Mo. town. We have been there before visiting Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer areas but this time we toured an old mansion, that was built in the early 1900, "The Rockcliff Mansion". 30 marvelous rooms, just as they were over 100 years ago. He was a lumber king plus many more identities. They are trying to sell the mansion, we thought if we could all chip in we might could buy a couple of rooms. Elder Saville, Reber and Williams worked together in the mission office, Reber was 2nd councilor, with E/Williams and E/Saville is the scheduler, which makes this whole mission keep on our schedule.

We stopped at "Lover's Leap". A famous spot over looking the Mississippi River. The story goes that a young Indian couple plunged to their death at this spot when her father the chief would not allow them to get married. Their love was so strong that instead of living their lives separately they were willing to die together. We finished the day by going to our favorite eating place in Hannibal, "Lula Bell's". An old 'brothel' that has been turned into a restaurant and theme rooms on the second floor. It is decorated as such, and really has great food.

Serving in Carthage

It always makes a Sunday good if we can serve in Carthage. E/Williams does a great job giving the tour and his testimony in the Jail. What a wonderful Prophet, Joseph Smith and a loving brother, Hyrum. What a love they had for the gospel.

It snowed all day, we drove home about 20 miles an hour, with a dozen cars in front and a dozen behind us, with very low visibility, we were glad to get home. We have had a lot of snow this year. Feb. 28

Sleigh Rides in Old Nauvoo / Exodus

So much snow this year, the big red and green sleigh was brought out and "Chuck and Charlie" were hooked up. The visitors and missionaries loved going to 'Inspiration Point' and going past 'King Follets' well. The old song of "A horse knows the way to carry the sleigh" was really true this year. What a beautiful country side. E/S Williams enjoyed the sleigh ride this day. S/Williams loves her warm furry hood.

Feb. 4, 1846. The Saints leaving Nauvoo, heading West ward. Pass the Temple and down Parley Street, "The Trail of Hope", past the Memorial of Joseph and Brigham statue. S/Williams had the Draper family that she walked for. E/Williams and the teamsters hooked up 5 iron wheeled wagons 12 head of horses and 1 black team and buggy for Brigham Young. The teamsters number 13 right now in the winter time. They work hard and in cold weather.