Nauvoo Sunstones

by Jennie Lynn Brown

Mother brought the china with her

on the ship from Denmark.

It was part of her dowry

and had roses hand painted on the rims.

Her eyes were tight when she gave me the box.

“For the glory of the Lord,” she said,

And then shut herself in her room.

When we left and saw the temple burning,

Mother cried. Many women cried, but—

I don’t think it was for their china.