Monday, July 4, 2016 – Independence Day, “Nauvoo on the Road”

Independence Day, the 4^th of July! A day we remember, a day we honor and a day we salute those brave men and women who went before.  They pledged all they had, their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to establish this new country based on justice, freedom and equality. “Only in this foreordained land, under its God-inspired Constitution and the resulting environment of freedom, was it possible to have established the restored church of Jesus Christ.” Pres. Ezra Taft Benson

Today Sis. Johnson and I were assigned to work with other missionaries in the town square of Carthage. The town had its annual 4^th of July parade and celebration.  It was a wonderful “Small Town” parade with the enthusiastic participation of the local residents. I used to think Eagar, AZ’s Independence Day parade had a lot of tractors, well Carthage’s parade probably had just as many. A good time was had by everyone. 

After the parade was over the town’s people had a large celebration in the town square & park. The church’s assigned location was at the North East corner of the square. Within minutes after the parade was over the park was flooded with families enjoying the event. We, the missionaries, went to work with “Nauvoo on the Road”.

 

“Nauvoo on the Road” is a large trailer full of the same types of things that are taught, demonstrated and produced in “Historic Old Nauvoo.” We had pioneer games for the kids and pioneer toys of all kinds. Sis.  Johnson got to help with the games and toys. All of the children had a blast. Elder Simmons and I demonstrated how the pioneers made rope. Each child had to wait his turn to make a rope but when he/she made it, they got to keep the rope. The rope making demonstration is always a big hit. There were also weaving and spinning demonstrations as well as pioneer cooking, etc.

We were there in the park for the rest of the day. Finally the crowds slowed down and we made it back to our house and finally had our lunch at 3:00PM. I think the whole event was very successful.

 

In the evening we didn’t drive to the Carthage fireworks show, we just watched it from the sidewalk of our home at the Carthage Visitor’s Center. Everyone loves a fireworks display. We enjoyed it too.