Women of the Mormon Battalion and Two-dimensional Statues: Kanesville Visitors Center

This statues and informational bulletins are presented outside the visitors center.  Some women stayed in Kanesville, while some went with as laundresses.  One woman would not see her husband alive again as he was murdered in California.

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: Nauvoo Temple to Salt Lake Temple

 The pioneers were traveling based on their faith in Jesus Christ.  Why else would people travel so many miles through the wilderness, and with so much hardship.  They also traveled so they could complete a House to the Lord.  As many as possible completed their temple covenants in Nauvoo before they had to abandon the building.  They were anxious to continue the work, and used the Endowment House before the temple was completed.  In fact three temples were completed, St. George, Logan and Salt Lake City.

Mormon Trail Center Tells the Story of Mormon Migration to Utah: A New Prophet is Called

 Since the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith in June of 1844, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had been lead by the Council of twelve apostles with Brigham Young as the President of the Quorum.  After the first group had traveled to Salt Lake, and Brigham Young had returned to the Iowa/Nebraska area, he felt impressed that is was time to reorganize the First Presidency.  A tabernacle was built in Kanesville (now Council Bluffs) to facilitate this.  Although not all twelve apostles were present thee was enough for a quorum.  The others were impressed as well that ut was time.  Brigham Young was sustained as prophet and president of the church.  His counsellors were Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards.  

12 Apostles

Brigham Young

The New First Presidency

Sustaining by the apostles

Leaving Nauvoo

Across Iowa

On the Missouri

To the Salt Lake Basin

A New First Presidency

Ship travel

By Handcart

By Train

Florence Mill/Winter Quarters Mill

 The Florence Mill was first built while members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints occupied Winter Quarters in 1846 as they waited to continue their journey to the West.  Brigham Young ordered it be built.  Other people ran the mill after the Mormons abandoned the area.

Summer Trip to Liberty Jail

 We went with Charity's family to Liberty Jail traveling from Pohlsander Reunion in Arkansas to our family reunion in Nebraska.  Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith and other church leaders were imprisoned here for over two months form December 1, 1838 and were released in early April of 1839.  This is one of those places that has great power.  Section 121 of the Doctrine and covenants was received here.  One of my favorite verses: 45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

History of Rigby First and Fourth Wards

I found a program for the dedication of the Rigby First and Fourth Ward chapel, which included a history of the wards. 
History of Rigby First and Fourth Wards
As the Snake River continued to meander across the sage-brush plains cutting channels through former Indian territory, our pioneers emigrated from northern Utah, settling in the areas now known as Menan, Annis, LaBelle, Lewisville, Milo, Willow Creek and in 1885, Rigby. 
A branch of the Lewisville Ward of the L.D.S. Church was established in this area August, 1883, by Wm F. Rigby of Driggs.  Dan Robins was sustained as Presiding Elder.
By the spring of 1886 many Saints were in the area and they began the construction of a log church house about a mile northwest of the present city.  It was never completed there, however, because early in 1886 the town site became available and the building was hauled to the church plot and finished.  It became the church house, community hall and school. 
Elder John W. Taylor of the Bannock Stake Presidency organized the Rigby Ward, May 22, 1886.  The name was selected to honor Wm F. Rigby, who had been instrumental in the organization of the former Branch.  George A. Cordon was ordained Bishop and served for the next 31 years.  He was followed by his son, Omer, in this calling, December 2, 1917.
The white limestone ward house was completed in 1898 and has served the community since.  It has been expanded twice.  In 1909, the north wing was erected and in 1931 the additions to its present size were begun. 
Growth of the community warranted division of the Rigby Ward January 18, 1919.  No change of the Bishop took place in the First Ward, but John Omer Call was chosen as Bishop of the new Second Ward.
Having served nearly 24 years as Bishop, Omer S. Cordon was released May 10, 1936, and John R. Sayer was sustained.  He served as the third Bishop until September 5, 1937, when Oluf Jensen became the leader.
The Rigby First Ward was again divided May 10, 1942, and the Rigby Fourth Ward was organized.  The First Ward supported Alden Poulsen as Bishop until August 11, 1946, when Henry W. Pieper was chosen to serve.
The Fourth Ward was presided over by Cecil A. Call until September 22, 1946 when Edwin H. Lee was sustained.  He served faithfully until February 8, 1953.  At this time J. garth Zundel was ordained.
Such rapid growth and development had taken place in the community that on January 8, 1956, the Rigby First and Fourth Wards were reorganized to form the Rigby First, Fourth and Fifth Wards with Bishops Bruce a Eckersell, Lyle R. Peterson and Floyd Wood being sustained.
Bishop Peterson of the Fourth Ward pushed for the construction of a new and badly needed church and the First Ward supported Bishop Eckersell in joining in this movement.
Construction began November 1, 1958 with ground breaking ceremonies and has steadily progressed.  However, Bishop Peterson was sustained in the Stake Presidency March 26, 1962, and on April 29, 1962 Joseph C. George was approved as Bishop of the Fourth Ward. 
Now under the able leadership of Bishops Eckersell and George, with great honor due President Peterson and many others, we humbly present this building for dedication unto the Lord, September 16, 1962.
Compiled by Charles Henry.

old church

New church

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Oakland Temple Hill Historic Tour

This is a pamphlet from the church.  The Temple Hill was used annually for an Easter presentation before construction of the temple.  The property was purchased in 1943.  My dad writes in his letters during the war of helping to establish a soldiers home at a church property in Oakland, and I assume that was on the grounds.  Construction of the area began in 1956 and of the temple 1962 with dedication of the temple in 1964 by President McKay.

The tour suggests four buildings, the visitors center, The Brooklyn memorial, The Inter Stake Center and the Temple

The visitors center

One of my highlights of my temple visits is to step onto the deck of the Brooklyn.  This memorial was added to the site in 1996.  The ship Brooklyn brought Saints to California.  It included those who settled in Fremont, Hayward, New Hope (San Joaquin County) and other areas in California.

The view of Oakland is tremendous

The interstake center

The fountains

There is now a fountain coming off the temple.  The fountains always recycle the water, using it over and over.

The panels are beautiful.  A special clamp was developed to help in their placement as the panels weigh over 12 tons.  Also if you are visiting, don't neglect the terrace flower gardens which are beautiful any time of year.