Remembering the pioneer of Nauboo on a walk to the Mississippi River – Church News

February 8th, 2025, 4:30pm

NAUBOO, Illinois – On Saturday, February 1st, a lively wind and blue sky gathered in Nauvoo, Illinois to celebrate Egypt. After a quick breakfast they walked from the Cultural Hall to Perley Street and then to the edge of the Mississippi River.

For the first time, most members of this honorary guard were young men between the ages of 12 and 18, and they marched on behalf of the former Nauvoo Legion members. Walking behind them was more than 20 young women with flags raised, walking on behalf of individual pioneers.

The drummer will offer the Honorary Nauboo Legion March cadence at the Exodus Memorial Event held in Illinois’ historic Nauboo on February 1, 2025. Most marchers were young men, many of whom were first-time participants. |Susan Sims

“To strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, we want to provide new generations with personal experiences on the sacred ground,” says Gary Jesschey, a senior missionary at Pleasant Grove, Utah. described as a senior missionary who led the planning committee along with his wife, Sister Lisa Jessche. .

“We’ve been working hard to get into the world,” said Ben Bailey, 14, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. We actually did have something to do and it felt like we were part of history rather than talking about it. ”

Betsy Eckersley, 14, of Quincy, Illinois, agreed. I’m proud that they are my ancestors. I hope everyone knows how wonderful they are. ”

Betsy Eckersley holds a flag in Light Blue's design during the Exodus anniversary event. — Betsy Eckersley, 14, of Quincy District 2, Nauvoo Illinois stock, was the flag bearer at the Exodus Memorial event held in Illinois’ historic Nauvoo on February 1, 2025. She said: It made us realize how powerful the Pioneer Saints are. |Susan Sims

The event commemorates the time 179 years ago, on February 4, 1846, when the first wagon of early members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints left Naubou.

Mark J. Mokotel, a temple recorder at Nauvoo Illinois Temple, opened the opening from the stairs of the Cultural Hall about his 24-hour effort to complete over 5,000 temple rituals before members of the Church of Jesus Christ. The saints provided a statement about how they were strengthened by their temple covenants for a painstaking journey into the Salt Lake Valley.

Mark J. Mokotel, dressed in period clothes, tells Mike. — Nauvoo Illinois Temple Recorder Mark J. Mokotel will provide opening remarks from the stairs of the Cultural Hall at the Exodus Memorial Event held in the historic Nauvoo, Illinois on February 1, 2025. |Susan Sims

Mokotel cited the pioneer Sarah P. Rich, who described the sentiment of many in 1846. It would have been like a leap in the darkness. ”

As the two drummers signaled the time to begin the queue, many family members and friends gathered behind the representatives of the Nauboo Legion and the flag bearer to walk in honor of their ancestors and other pioneers. The carriage lifted the back. When everyone arrives on the banks of the Mississippi River, most gather on the slopes near the Pioneer Memorial, and we are grateful that warm apple cider keeps us from the cold.

Anne Thomas, dressed in his pioneer days, speaks in commemoration of the book of Exodus. — Sister Anthomas, wife of Nauboo Stake President Matthew Thomas, will be offering keynote speeches for the Exodus Memorial Event held on February 1, 2025 in Nauboo, Illinois. “At the forefront of our minds, they can become our guidelines and our strength and our hope,” she said. |Susan Sims

They listened when Anne Thomas, a Nauvoo Illinois stock, offered a comment about the importance of maintaining the contracts that the early saints first made.

Thomas pointed out whether the saints had only their baptismal covenants to keep them for years before the temple was built, and she asked the young people in the crowd. Remember the sacrifices (of Christ) in the garden of Gethsemane and in Golgotha? Do we use Saint Cra every week to renew and strengthen our relationship with him? ”

She urged young people to work to gain an eternal perspective on maintaining the contract.

President Daniel S. Mare has a long coat with a top hat and tie. — President Daniel S. Mare, leader of Illinois’ historic site, and his wife, Sister Rebecca Mail, were at the Exodus Memorial event held on February 1, 2025 in Illinois’ historic site. She is wearing clothes. |Susan Sims

President Daniel S. Mare, site leader for Illinois’ historic sites, commented on the purpose of the annual commemoration. Being grateful and its importance is one reason why we work hard to plan this amazing annual event. ”

The historic Naubou is open all year round. Virtual tours are also available. For more information, please visit nauvoohistoricsites.org.

Young men from multiple stakes march in a row representing Nauvoo legions. — Ben Bailey, second from Gray in Gray, from multiple bets to represent the Nauvoo Legion at the Exodus Memorial Event held in the historic Nauvoo, Illinois on February 1, 2025. marching with young man in |Susan Sims

What the young people said

14-year-old Emrie Koch does not have Nauvoo’s ancestors, but was excited to join because “learning about the history behind it sounded cool.”

14-year-old Emily Koch is holding a red flag with a young boy. — Many of the young people participating had never been to Exodus Mot in historic Nauvoo, Illinois on Saturday, February 1, 2025, but attended parents and priesthood leaders. I decided to come. 14-year-old Emily Koch was a flag bearer, and his brother TJ helped represent the Nauboo Legion. She doesn’t have Nauvoo’s ancestors, but she was excited to be involved because “learning about the history behind it sounded cool.” |Rebecca Fillmore

Henry Dear, 17, of Peoria Ward, said in a Peoria Illinois shares, “For me, joining the legion really puts the sacrifices made by the pioneers in the context, and that’s what it is. It reinforced my testimony of trusting the Lord, even so. Everything is wrong.”

Henry Dear wears a red sash with others representing the Nauboo Legion. — Henry Dear, 17, of Peoria Ward, is a stake in Peoria Illinois and will represent the Nauvoo Legion at the Exodus Memorial event held in the historic Nauvoo, Illinois on February 1, 2025. I’m participating. |Susan Sims

Rose Eckersley, 12, of Quincy District 2 of Nauvoo Illinois, said, “When we went down the road, I looked up at all the colorful flags and what kind of people came together? I remembered what happened in the world. It made me feel strong.

“It was more fun because having something to do and playing was a real role.”