In the frigid February of 1846, the Latter-day Saints of Nauvoo, Illinois were driven west and faced an unknown future. They took what supplies and provisions they could, and left the city and temple they had built. The temple, in particular, was difficult to leave. It represented years of work, sacrifice, and obedience. The men of the town contributed one day in ten to its construction. Mercy Thompson and Mary Fielding Smith started the penny fund, where sisters from around the country (and Great Britain) could donate pennies for the purchase of glass and nails. The Relief Society was founded in response to the need for clothing for the temple work.
Joseph Smith said of the ordinances and blessings of the temple, “...it behooves the Saints to weigh the importance of these things, in their minds, [and] ...resolve to do all they can, and feel themselves as much interested as though the whole labor depended on themselves alone. By so doing they will emulate the glorious deeds of the fathers, and secure the blessings of heaven upon themselves and their posterity to the latest generation (1)”
Indeed, many saints did labor as though the whole were dependent on themselves alone. By that frigid February, the temple was mostly complete, and ordinances were completed day and night so that the Saints could have their temple blessings for the perilous journey before them.
Erastus Snow summarized, “The Spirit, Power, and Wisdom of God reigned continually in the Temple and all felt satisfied that during the two months we occupied it in the endowments of the Saints, we were amply paid for all our labors in building it. (2)”
Then, they were gone. Thousands of citizens left to find a place “far away, in the West. (3)” They left the temple behind. However, an unknown group of them wrote in large words on the back wall of the Assembly Hall,
“THE LORD HAS BEHELD OUR SACRIFICE, COME AFTER US.”
These words have weighed on my thoughts for the past few weeks. Who was it directed to? The odd traveler who may look on the temple in the years following the Exodus West? Is it from the point of view of the deceased? Who, even now, plead to be found so their ordinances may be completed? Or is it to us? The very descendants of those pioneers— if not by blood, then by spirit.
Isn’t that what Nauvoo is all about? Going to historic sites is all well and good for learning stories of faith and triumph, but the stories mean nothing without application for our day. The Lord beheld the sacrifice of those early pioneers, and it is our job to leave a legacy of faith just as strong and lasting. In the words of a treasured primary hymn,
“You don’t have to push a handcart, leave your family dear, or walk a thousand miles or more to be a pioneer. (4)”
My grandmother was a pioneer. Inactive from the church, she lived without temple blessings. Angels in the form of Visiting Teachers visited her and brought her back to activity in the church. Her life became a pattern for selfless service and humble sacrifice. She is a pioneer.
My great x4 grandfather was a pioneer. He did push a handcart, was trapped in the blizzards of Wyoming, and almost died on his way to the Salt Lake Valley. When criticized for it, he replied, “The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay and I am thankful that I was privileged to come to Zion in the Martin Handcart Company. (5)” He was certainly a pioneer.
My life has been blessed beyond measure. But I have had my share of hard times, and every time I chose to cling to God’s promises and every time I choose faith over fear, I am following in the footsteps of those Nauvoo Pioneers. I hope everyone who comes to Nauvoo can look at the rebuilt homes, the quiet streets, and especially the rebuilt temple, and see the sacrifice of those pioneers, who declared as their final words in Nauvoo,
“The Lord has beheld our sacrifice. Come after us.”
Visit The Nauvoo Discovery Program. nauvoodiscovery.com
5 https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/KWNK-3P8 His name was Francis Webster.
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