Entry 8 - Nauvoo ‘The Beautiful’ – Nauvoo, Illinois. 13th –15th April, 2007.

In contrast to Carthage, Nauvoo was beautiful. As we drove along the Mississippi River and then into the green expanse of the Nauvoo area, we were impressed by the cleanliness of it. Each house that has been restored so meticulously was so picturesque with their fences and yards so beautifully maintained. I really felt that this place must have been a haven for the weary saints who had endured so much up to that point. It must have been a real time of renewal for them. The statue of Joseph and Hyrum on their horses as they gazed at the Temple before riding to their deaths at Carthage stated that the Prophets last comment was how beautiful the city was, but oh how the saints are yet to suffer. I guess it was a bit of an oasis in the middle of a huge desert for them. A refuge from what they had endured so far, and then a kick off for what was yet to come.

Nauvoo the beautiful

The Statue of Joseph and Hyrum as they left Nauvoo for the last time.

This records the Prophets words as he and Hyram rode to their deaths in Carthage.

We tried to fit everything into the 2½ days we were there. I am sure there was more for us to do and see, but I really feel we got good value for the time we were there. It was really fun to go into all the different stores, homes and halls and hear about the experiences of each of those who dwelt there.
Everywhere we went we discovered stories of courage and faith. These people were industrious and hardworking. They were intelligent and creative. They were faithful and righteous. But they were set among a community of people who had no understanding of these things. They were on the frontier among people who knew no law and had no understanding of industry and faith. Join this with the few of their ranks who were not pure in heart and sought for there own gain, and the recipe was one of disaster. The opposition came not only from without their numbers, but also from within. What a tragedy that occurred here! I wonder what would have happened in this county if things had been different.

The small fire to the right is known as a bussel oven. From outside the brickwork extends beyond the wall of the building like a bubble in the wall. This was to keep the heat out of the house when cooking. The missionary's bake traditional bread in this oven every day so that we can experience what it would have been like baked in this kind of oven. It was delicious. The wooden box with the lid was used to keep the dough warm for rising - known as a rising box.

Quaint little bakery in Nauvoo. Each house and store had its own story to tell about the people who lived and worked there. Missionary couples dress in traditional costume and relate the stories of those who lived in Nauvoo - be they tragic or triumphant.




This is Sarah Granger Kimball's house. This is where the sisters would come together and work together to take care of the needs of the poor, sick and needy. This was the very beginnings of the Relief Society. It was later organised in the upstairs room of the Red Brick Store owned by Joseph Smith.




The Red Brick Store - owned and run by Joseph and Emma



The upstairs room of the Red Brick Store. This is the room where the Relief Society Organisation came to be.

The Smith home in Nauvoo

The graves of Joseph, Emma and Hyrum Smith - located behind the Smith home.

The Brigham Young home in Nauvoo.

As we drove through the county I observed on the map that there really is no significant town or centre within it. The towns are all small, and there doesn’t seem to be any kind of prosperity or industry within it. The only bright point of the county is Old Nauvoo, the rest is run-down, dull and grey. Is this the result of the opposition and persecution that was heaped upon the saints so many years ago? What would they have gained had they accepted these people and rejoiced in their goodness and faith?

The Nauvoo Temple by day......

...and by night.

While here the girls were able to do some baptisms and Wayne and I did a Temple session together. We were able to catch up with the Mearns’, who were on their last day of their Temple Mission in Nauvoo. They were most excited to see us and took the time to give us a tour of the Temple. Something we would not normally be able to do. It was a real thrill for us to see some places in the Temple that we would not have been able to see without them being there. One of the frames on the wall contained original temple clothing from the 1840’s (Mary Fielding Smith’s) and one holding the original Nauvoo Temple Key. Pity we couldn’t capture them on film. The view from the sealing room window on the top floor was breathtaking. There is also a room on the lower floor, as you enter the Temple that is almost identical to the lower room in the Kirtland Temple. Complete with Aaronic Priesthood and Melchizedek Priesthood seating either end. It is used for Solemn Assemblies and other meetings.

All the windows in the Nauvoo Temple have clear glass with curtains. So you can see the outside world from them wherever you are in it.