Good enough for a statue?

Have you ever thought about what great things you might accomplish in your life?
Have you ever thought if those things would make your ancestors want to make a statue of you for your greatness? Well, I have just recently asked myself those two questions because my Great, Great, Great Grandfather Israel Barlow had a statue made and dedicated in his honor at This is the Place State Park. There were hundreds of the extended Barlow family who attended this celebration back in September. It was so fun to see so many distant relatives paying tribute to someone we could all call 'grandpa'. Israel was an amazing man with an amazing testimony and I feel blessed to be one of his 100,000 descendants. And just in case you were wondering, here are just a few of the things that made him 'Statue worthy"......

Bodyguard to the Prophet Joseph Smith
Temple Builder
Missionary
Willey Handcart Company Rescuer
Member of Zion's camp
Helped the church purchase land in Nauvoo

Family picnic after the dedication

"The Statue"

Israel is bronzed with one of his wives

The crowd surrounding the dedication.
(You can see 'This is the Place' monument in the background. )

So...the next time you go to This is the Place State Park, make sure you visit Grandpa Israel and tell him "hello" for me.