family and LDS Church history project

We're going to a family reunion at the end of July in Nauvoo, Illinois, one of the major history sites for the LDS Church. To get ready for the trip, we made a paper chain to countdown and have lots of family and Church history things to learn before we leave on the trip.

For our family, we're learning about creating our family and personal histories as well as reading stories about our pioneer heritage that Grandma has compiled. We have a family journal that I've maintained since AC and I got married, and now we're all contributing to it. We're learning about our extended family by asking cousins, aunts, and uncles their favorite things (color, food, animal, cartoon, etc.) We'll share our findings at the reunion.

We have lots of things to read and discover about our church's history:
- read about what happened in Independence MO, Far West MO, Winter Quarters NE, and other major sites in Church history.

- watch Church-produced movies about our history: "The Restoration," "Legacy," "The Mountain of the Lord," and the new biography about Joseph Smith that's online.

- sing the Primary songs "To Be a Pioneer" and "Families can be together forever," as well as choosing some new ones to learn.

- look at pictures of the Nauvoo Temple

- read on the computer about things to do in Nauvoo and St. Louis

- learn how to say "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints" in Spanish (for fun)

- check the Deseret Book website for any kids' books about pioneers (I don't know if there are any - we'll find out when we get to this loop)

- learn the first verse of "Come, Come Ye Saints"

- make a timeline of Church history from Joseph Smith's First Vision to the arrival in Utah.

- map out our route for the whole trip. We're going to St. Louis, Nauvoo, Independence, and coming home through Arkansas.

Everything is listed individually on our loops, as well as specific questions to ask extended family members. We've been doing this since May 1 and the loops go all the way to July 27. The last 2 loops are to do laundry for the trip, and PACK! Can't wait to go!