SUNNY AND TOM ARE SEALED!

Michael and I had the special blessing to be present at the sealing of our niece, Sunny, and her husband, Tom, in the Nauvoo Temple on Thursday. Although it took some doing to get there, we were so glad we went. This temple is a special place and even though we had been there before, it was a different experience this time. Sunny is beautiful, grounded, and accomplished. Tom is delightful, articulate, and funny. Sunny and Tom showed us places and artifacts in the temple that we didn't see on our first visit. We also had fun visiting Nauvoo sites with them and we especially loved having church and family history reveal itself as we explored and talked to people in Nauvoo.

We were able to print off many histories and important documents of our ancestors who lived in Nauvoo at the new Land Records Office. They put all the records we selected on a CD for us to take home.

On the banks of the Mississippi near the original home of Joseph and Emma.

Another new addition is the new marker for Emma, Joseph, and Hyrum.

This bronze of Joseph and Hyrum is new and is across from the temple in a beautiful garden area.

The Winslow Farr home in Nauvoo, just up the street from Heber C. Kimball's home. I am descended through Lorin Farr and Michael is a descendant of Aaron Farr.

The church has spared no expense on this site and it just gets better and better each year. All obstacles (old structures, newer tennis courts, etc.) have been removed to set off the temple as a beautiful, illuminated jewel. It is filled with the most amazing ORIGINAL artwork throughout, every coridor and hallway and room has paintings hanging on the walls. Many walls are covered with scenes painted directly on the surfaces to fill entire rooms. The temple is truly a magnificent museum with the finest wood floors, restored pieces, and new furniture of the period. The colors are stunning and although the restoration is clearly in the period, the elements of color and art bring it into modern day. Though mobs burned, looted, and blasphemed the original temple, the new temple has risen up in beauty and permanence. It seemed to make a statement that it was there to stay in even greater prominence.