Exodus Re-enactment Day

Tables of breakfast items

Today was the annual re-enactment of the "Nauvoo Exodus." The weather forecast for this morning was minus nine degrees Fahrenheit and with a wind it could be -15 to -20 degrees. Fortunately it was only 20 degrees and no wind. It actually felt quite nice. 

Members come from all over to participate in the .9 mile walk from the Cultural Hall down Main Street to Parley Street then down Parley Street to the river. One man, his two sons, and two of his friends flew in from San Diego to participate. He said he's been coming for the past nine years. It was estimated that there were over 300 people who participated in the walk.

Missionaries who wanted to participate were asked to research an ancestor who lived here and wear their name and walk for them. Ann wore the name of Catherine McGuire who was 11 years old at the time of the exodus. Catherine is Ann's second great grandmother. Since I didn't have any ancestors who lived here, I walked for Catherine's father, William.

Ann leading "Press Forward Saints"

Some of the attendees in the Family Living
Center. Ann is sitting on front row

Ann with the flag of Scotland

Ann  signed up to carry the flag of Scotland. I signed up to be a member of the Nauvoo Legion. Sixteen members of the Nauvoo Legion marched at the head of the procession. Two of them carried the Nauvoo and American flags. Except for the flag bearers all the legionaries carried a mock rifle on their shoulder. Along with carrying the rifle, each legionnaire wore a blue scarf, red sash and an ammunition pouch. The sister missionaries who signed up carried one of the flags of the countries of Nauvoo immigrants who lived here. The sisters walked along side the wagons and carriages. Some legionaries,of which I was one, were assigned to walk along side the wagons and carriages to keep participants from getting too close to the horses and wagons. It made it possible for Ann and me to walk together.

Fred with Nauvoo Legion items

We started out the day with a continental breakfast for everyone, which included among other items over 700 cinnamon rolls. The breakfast was provided by the missionaries and held in the Family Living Center at 8:00 a.m. Following the breakfast, there was a short but nice program which included the singing of "Press Forward Saints" led by Ann.

At 8:45 a.m. we assembled outside of the Family Living Center with the marching legionaries in front followed by a carriage carrying a missionary couple representing Brigham Young and his wife Mary Ann. Behind them were the rest of the carriages and wagons and everyone who wanted to walk in the Exodus. 

Fred & Ann during Exodus Walk

Nauvoo Legion Assembling for Flag Ceremony
with Fred on front row far left

The walk started promptly at 9:00 a.m. When we arrived at the Exodus Memorial at end of Parley Street by the river, all legionaries assembled for a flag ceremony where they did a military rifle salute for the flag raising. That was followed by the reading of a short poem about the Exodus. At that point Elder Ballard played "Come, Come Ye Saints" on his harmonica. Following that rendition, Ann led everyone in singing "Come, Come Ye Saints" accompanied by Elder Ballard on his harmonica and Elder Fuellenbach on his guitar. A closing prayer ended the Exodus activities.

Ann leading "Come, Come Ye Saints"

Everyone walked back to the Family Living Center to warm up with some hot chocolate and more breakfast before going to their various site assignments for the day. Since today is our preparation day, we went back to our apartment.

Fred & Ann following the Exodus Walk

This evening, we had three couples who along with us made up our MTC district over for dinner. We've had some get togethers before but we wanted to fix them our Dutch oven country style spare ribs (without the Dutch oven). All of us happen to be in the same cast for Rendezvous shows so it makes it easier to get together. We had an enjoyable evening.