Meet on Parley Street

As we were driving in Nauvoo, Daniel relayed the following story to me, and it really set the tone for our entire trip to Nauvoo.

His last night in the Mission Home before he was set to come home from his mission, Daniel was talking with his Mission President.  His Mission President wanted to give Daniel some advice.  He started talking about the Saints in Nauvoo.  It was something to the effect of:

"When the Saints were asked to leave Nauvoo, they were given about 4 hours notice.  It was the dead of Winter, in the middle of the night.  They were going to be walking across the frozen Mississippi River and into an unknown future.  One where they didn't know if they would live or die.  President Brigham Young asked the Saints to meet on Parley Street.  Daniel, there will be times in your life when there will be things asked of you.  Things that will be difficult.  Things you will question if you will be able to do.  Things that will try your faith.  Will you be on Parley Street?  In the dead of winter, in the middle of the night, in 4 hours time, 'Will you Be on Parley Street?'"

As he is telling me this story, and we are driving into Nauvoo, the first street you come to is Parley Street.  I got chills all over and knew that it was The Spirit bearing testimony to me that I need to be on Parley Street.

We searched and searched for a picture of Parley Street to take home with us to remember our time in Nauvoo, to remind us of the sacrifices of the early Saints, and also to help us reflect on where we need to be and what we need to be doing in our own lives.  Because that's what it's all about.  It's great to hear stories and feel the feelings of the early Latter Day Saints of the Church of Jesus Christ.  It's nice to visit their homes and hear funny, or even spiritual, stories about their lives.  But what's really important is to use their example to bring about change in our own lives.

 Every store we went into told us they had nothing on Parley Street...

except for one.

It's a picture of the view the Saints had as they were waiting on Parley Street to leave Nauvoo, looking back at the Temple.  It's called "Coming Home on Parley Street" and I think it's just perfect.

I will do what is asked.  I will stand with The Brethren of the Church.  I will do hard things.  When I find myself in the dead of winter, in the middle of the night in my life, when I am unsure and afraid, and am questioning my faith... I'm going to go to Parley Street.

Will I see you there?