The Trail of Hope

I hope you will take the time and read these reader boards that I've posted...'Trail of Hope' is a list of 29 reader boards of true stories from the individual's journals as they prepared to leave Nauvoo and move West to the unknown...I would have loved to have posted all the reader boards  but just don't have enough room...Please take the time and read them if you can...the stories are so touching...

"The Journey West...Excodus to Greatness"

The sign reads as follows:

"1846 Began the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo. Leaving behind their homes, beautiful city, family and friends who they quite possibly would never see again in this life. As they journeyed west, they recorded their feelings and experiences in personal journals. From these journals we get a sense of what it would have been like to have traveled with them...Some selected writings from these journals are reproduced on the signs along this trail to the river."

ORSON PRATT

"Our camp resounded with songs of joy and praise to God-all were cheerful and happy in the anticipation of finding a resting place from persecution in some of the lonely, solitary valleys of the great interior basin whithersoever, we migh be led."

WILLIAM HYDE

"The thoughts of leaving my family (for the Mormon Battalion) at this time are indescribable.  My family consisted of a wife and two small children, who were left in the company with an aged father and mother and brother.  The most of the battalion left families...when we were to meet with them again, God only knew.  Nevertheless, we did not feel to murmur." 

HOSEA STOUT

"He died in my arms about 4 O'clock. This was the second child which I have lost, both dying in my arms. He died with the whooping cough and Blackcanker. We all entirely destitute of anything ever to eat much less to nourish the sick."

BATHSHEBA SMITH

"My last act in that precious spot was to tidy the room, sweep up the floor, and sit the broom in its accustomed place behind the door. Then with emotions in my heart...I gently closed the door and faced it with faith in God and with no less assurance of the ultimate establishment of the Gospel in the West and of its true, enduring principles, than I had felt in those trying scenes in Missouri."

MARY FIELD GARNER

"We hurried to pack some food, cooking utensiles, clothing and bedding, which was afterward unpacked and strewn over the ground by the mob as they searched for firearms. Mother had some bread already in the kettles to bake. Of course she didn't have time to bake, so she hung it on the reach of our wagon and cooked it after we crossed the Mississippi River."

GEORGE Q CANNON

"Those of us who can remember when we were compelled to abandon Nauvoo when the winter was so incliment know how dark and gloomy the circumstances of the Saints were, with the mob surrowing our outer settlement and threatening to destroy us and how trying it was to the faith of the people of God. The word was to cross the Mississippi and to launch out into the unknown wilderness-to go where-no one knew. Who knew anything of the terror of the journey thither, or of the danger that might have to be met and contended with? Who knew anything about the country to be traversed? Moving out with faith that was undisturbed by its unknown terrors. It was by faith that this was accomplished."

WILFORD WOODRUFF

"I was in Nauvoo on the 26th of May 1846 for the last time, and left the city of the Saints feeling that most likely I was taking a final farewell of Nauvoo for this life...I looked  upon this temple and city as they recided from view and asked the Lord to remember the sacrifices of His Saints."

Nauvoo Temple

This would be the last view Wilford Woodruff would have seen of the temple.

The temple was burned down and then a tornado took down the remaining walls.

This temple was rebuild.

T

GILBERT BELNAP

"Some had covers drawn over their wagons while others had only a sheet drawn over a few poles to make a tent. Sometimes these rude tents were the only coverinng for them, while keeping the watchman post in the darkness of the night....I wept over the distressed conditions of the Saints, toward the dim light of many a flickering lamp have my eyes been directed becaused of the crying of the children, the restless movements of the aged, infirm and mournful groan of many suffering from fever.  These have made an impression on my mind which can never be forgotten."

The Mighty Mississippi River

This is where they crossed the Mississippi on their journey West....