Nauvoo Phoenix

The phoenix is a mythical golden bird associated with renewal and regeneration. Rising from the ashes of its previous life, the phoenix is a symbol of hope, of life and of better things to come, born from the knowledge and experience of difficult times and challenging circumstances. Nauvoo means 'beautiful'. Shortly after the early saints were driven from Nauvoo, unfriendly sources ultimately destroyed most of it. Probably the most preferred act of violence was fire. Much of the city was burned.

Today is December 15. Only 6 more days till the Winter Solstice. After that, the days will have increasingly more daylight. I have often thought that Christmas falls near the Winter Solstice because of that phenomenon. To those of the restored church, the birth of Christ was on or near April 6 as we know it. But we celebrate with all Christendom on this traditional day and are never left wanting for the Christmas spirit. That spirit is all around Nauvoo. And for us this year, the accompanying simplicity is truly peaceful.

Tonight, I left on a walk around the city just after dusk. The beauty of walking here is that you can pause in front of historic buildings and homes. Brigham Young, Lucy Mack Smith and John Taylor were included in some of tonight's wanderings. All three of these homes survived the fires of Nauvoo's destruction between 1846-1850. Through restoration they have truly risen from the ashes of an intolerant time of fear. Many other historically significant homes have been rebuilt. The blood, the sweat and the inumerable tears shed at the loss of their homes - once buried deep in the Illinois soil have now germinated and re-grown. There is a rebirth of the beautiful city. There is a feeling of peace and I suppose strength as this once-defeated town is standing. No property is as significant as the temple itself. Once desecrated and burned, almost mysteriously a tornado administered it's final destruction in 1950. It was as though it was being razed by a heavenly hand till a future date.

That date arrived in 2002 when the Nauvoo Temple was rededicated. President Gordon B. Hinckly, in his dedicatory address referrenced an 'unseen audience' attending the event.

Undoubtedly, an air of pathetic victory must have accompanied the vigilanties that drove the faithful from their homes long ago. To their shame, the City of Joseph somehow remains. The mobbers names have long been forgotten. The temple - the crowning acheivment of the early saints efforts shines today atop the bluff on it's original foundations.

To be able to walk these lanes daily is such a blessing for Sheri and I. For me, these evening strolls in almost complete solitude provides an opportunity for reflection on the justice of God who in a reverentual way, has certainly had the final word on the disposition of this once-defeated town.