The Nauvoo Niddy Noddy … now there is an attention grabber. Gotcha!
In this case, the Niddy Noddy is actually about food. Everyone I have ever known has loved food – good food – and eating. And of course that is, has been, and always will be the case in Nauvoo. So let’s explore the tradition and heritage of the Nauvoo Niddy Noddy.
INTRODUCING THE NIDDY NODDY
Recently my wife has been organizing and cleaning the front bedroom of our home. She calls this room her “craft room” – but it also houses the guest bed for incoming guest couples. (I also have my room … it is my “Office/Scouting and History Museum”.) Lou is preparing for company coming soon.
In her cleaning, Lou unearthed a great find. A worn, well-used, and vintage cookbook:
Wow! Such a fun history find. I opened the cover and began to read.
The name of the cookbook first caught my attention. It was: “Nauvoo Neighbors’ Niddy Noddy Cookbook – 1975” How’s that for a name? Are you kidding me? That was the year I was there as a “young missionary”. I dug into the book immediately and realized that I knew every single “older sister” who contributed to the book. And I realized that I had tasted many of the recipes in our monthly pot-luck dinners back then in Nauvoo. And with margin notes of “good” or “very good”, Etc. in my writing, I realized that sometime in my past, I had made great use of this book – and had prepared many items from it.
But “Niddy Noddy” … how did they come up with that one? Well, they didn’t keep me in suspense. The introductory pages of the cook book had the answers. First off, it introduced the group saying, “The Missionary Sisters of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., met once a week during the winter months of 1974-1975. “Nauvoo Neighbors” was chosen as the name of the group. This was taken from an early Nauvoo publication.” [That was the name of the Nauvoo newspaper back in the pioneer day.]
Having endured a Nauvoo winter – when nothing much was happening I can see how they had time and interest in getting together. But those Sisters must have really been into it. The book listed their “Nauvoo Neighbor Officers”. Sister Neda H. Gyllenskog was President with counselors Phyllis L. Leishman and Alva W. Hardy. Nellie Stevenson was shown as the “Crochet Chairman” and Jo Fairbanks was shown as the Cook Book Chairman with committee members Marian Hadley, Ethel Mathews, and Phyllis Leishman. Those names bring back a lot of fond memories of great ladies I served with in Nauvoo.
Continuing from the intro “… During the year a cook book was compiled of recipes contributed by the sisters. It was named the “Niddy Noddy” Cook Book from a measuring devise used during the Nauvoo Period.”
So, how did they know about the Niddy Noddy? That was long before Miss Google and all of her friends came along. I am happy that I have the help of Google today for such occasions. I decided to delve into it a bit deeper.
Miss Google revealed that the “Niddy Noddy” is “A traditional hand-spinning tool used to wind yarn from a bobbin into a skein (or hank) and to measure its length. It consists of a central handle with crossbars at each end, often used in historical reenactments.” I even found a photo of the instrument – and several options for purchasing them. I guess they are still a thing in the fiber world. Who knew?
The next page of the Niddy Noddy cookbook detailed “Emergency Substitutions”. (The original Nauvoo pioneer women were probably Queen of Substitutions. They probably had to frequently substitute.)
Anyway … some good info:
1 cup sour milk or buttermilk — 1T lemon juice or vinegar – fill cup with sweet milk
1 cup fresh sweet milk – 12 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water
1 cup honey – ¾ cup sugar plus ¼ cup liquid
1 Tbsp. cornstarch – 2 Tbsp. Flour
1 cup catsup or chili sauce – 1 cup tomato sauce plus ½ cup sugar and 2 tbsp vinegar
1 cup brown sugar (firm) – 1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter or margarine – 1 cup shortening and ½ tsp salt (for baking) [Nowadays with the price of shortening, we go the other direction … converting shortening to butter or margarine. GTK … Good to know!)
On the next page was a “Recipe to Preserve a Husband”:
“Mix well together the following ingredients:
A full measure of honesty
To which add sincerity
Blend with dependability and trustworthiness
Spice generously with fun and laughter
Garnish with patience well sweetened with smiles
And flavored with cookies to taste.
Then wrap in a mantle of charity
Keep warm with a steady fire of devotion
Serve with peaches and cream
Ethel Mathews
THE NAUVOO HERITAGE OF IDA BLUM
When young in Nauvoo, I met Ida Blum. She was kind of a hunched over little lady. She was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but she always came to our church meetings with a couple of her old lady friends. One was a Mrs. McConkie. (My mother-in-law knew these ladies well on her Nauvoo mission of 1979-1981.)
I thought that Ida Blum was ancient history when I met her. Again, Google tells me that she would have been 86 when I knew her in 1975. (And she died in 1980.) “Ida Kuhn (a German name) was born September 2, 1889 in Nauvoo.” She lived her entire life in Nauvoo.
I liked the modern artwork of the first recipe section of the book:
In this section, Ida introduced the first recipe of the book: “This recipe has been in the Blum family for more than a century. [So that would put it almost to the Nauvoo pioneer era. The Germans came to Nauvoo after the departure of the “Mormons”.] I have used it many times, then hartshorn was difficult to find in drug stores, so I commenced using the second recipe.”
She said that her original recipe for “Springerlies of Picture Cookies” called for “two level teaspoons of hartshorn which had been powdered fine. (One needs a hammer to do this for if the hartshorn is easy to crush it is useless. Do not use more than two level teaspoons of the powder).” I will leave it to your own imagination as to what “Hartshorn” might be – Kevin
This one – not from Ida looked intriguing:
And one more note about Ida. I wrote of her in a blog created around December of 2024 but … Sister Hunt and I drove through a very old Nauvoo cemetery. (I am weird … I often get my jollies by driving through or walking and reading headstones in cemeteries!) As we rounded one corner I was drawn to the headstone that said “Ida Blum”. I had to get out to investigate. “1889 – 1980”. I said to my wife, “I knew that lady”.
BEGINNING OF A FAMILY TRADITION IN THE NIDDY NODDY
In the Niddy Noddy, I was particularly drawn to one recipe that I recognized. And in the margin, I had back then added my own hand-written note that said, “Very Good”.
For many years, our family has enjoyed making and eating “Nauvoo Potatoes”. They are now a part of every major holiday celebration and often many times in between. It has become the family craving.
“Nauvoo Potatoes” … that is the only name that I have known them by. I introduced this gourmet potato casserole to my parents and sibling family as I returned from my “young mission” in Nauvoo 1975 and I cooked them for Lou and our kids from the beginning of the Kevin and Lou family. They (“potatoes” plural) are almost as eternal as we are. Everyone has loved them through the years. (Now the rest of the LDS world has caught onto them … but most folks know them as “Funeral Potatoes”. That sounds like a dead title. I think “Nauvoo Potatoes” is a much more historic and tantalizing name. I would rather reserve them for eating among the living!
And on a search on my own computer, I found that my mother had liked the recipe, claimed it as one of her favorites, called it “Sout Cream Potatoes” and included it in hand-written recipe books which she gave to her granddaughters. It is interesting that in the corner she covered all of the bases. She called it “Funeral Potatoes” and “Nauvoo Potatoes”.
Frequently my family members have asked, “Why are they called Nauvoo Potatoes? My answer has been “because Nauvoo is where I first had them.”
Anyway, in this vintage recipe book, I got excited as I found a recipe for “Nauvoo Potato Casserole” (there you have it!) submitted by Sister Dorothy Farnworth, who then served full-time in the Visitors’ Center.
I copied the cookbook cover and the Nauvoo Potatoes recipe and sent it out to my family. They loved it! Kaylea said, “Oh Wow! That’s very cool, Dad! This is some fun history right there.” Keith said, “Awesome! It’s still “very good”. Marinda said, “That is so cool to hear the back story of Nauvoo Potatoes. Cool cookbook.” And Lana wrote: “That’s so funny you shared this dad, my kids were just asking less than a week ago why they are called Nauvoo Potatoes. Ha, Ha!” I told Lana, “Now you can tell your kids it’s from the Niddy Noddy!”
So, now that I have your mouth watering … here is the original recipe from the “Niddy Noddy”.
THE FAMOUS SCOVIL BAKERY GINGERBREAD COOKIES
My wife also unearthed another small cookbook – which she inherited from her mother – who also served in Nauvoo – from 1979 – 1981. A folded recipe fell out. This was for the now famous “Gingerbread Cookies” as made in the Scovil Bakery. And with it was a little poem about the Nauvoo “Bustle Oven”. That is the kind of oven that the Scovil family had in their bakery – and it was common in many of the early Nauvoo pioneer kitchens. For these “ovens” there was an indoor “box” that opened to contain hot fire and coals to heat the oven with. And outside … well, it was so named because it stuck out like a woman’s bustle. (I won’t comment on that one!)
For decades, the Scovil gingerbread cookies (cut to be gingerbread men) were actually baked right there in the Scovil Bakery – in that bustle oven. And they were one of the “must haves” for anyone visiting Nauvoo. Children of all ages love them!
Above: The double bustle oven arrangement inside the Scovil Bakery.
Above: Double Bustle Ovens behind Scovill Bakery … (Left) behind main house/kitchen and (Right) on the back of the “Summer Kitchen” structure
Above: The Bustle Oven protruding out from the back of the Jonathan Browning kitchen in Nauvoo
The Scovil cookies nearly went extinct during the COVID-19 pandemic. That situation meant that the gingerbread men cookies could no longer be baked in this pioneer oven. Gratefully, the cookies were such a Nauvoo tradition that other options were explored.
When Sister Hunt and I served on our mission in the Scovil Bakery, the Church had contracted with Morgan Squire – the owner of the fun little Nauvoo café called “The Red Front” to make the cookies to be given to Nauvoo guests. (The Red Front is one of only a scant handful of eating establishments in Nauvoo.)
For one summer, Sister Squire (her staff and family) baked 50,000 of these little cookies. Imagine that as a cooking project! Sister Hunt and I were there in the Bakery one time when Morgan came with another installment 5 or 10 thousand cookies. We helped her transport these down the very steep and curvy stairway into the basement of the bakery.
Above: The very steep and curvy stairs of the Nauvoo Scovil bakery.
In the basement there was a very pioneer looking deep freeze. Actually there were two of them – both from the same vintage.
Above: Gingerbread cookie freezer in the basement of the Scovil Bakery in Nauvoo.
I note that this is the kind of freezer that Grandma used to have in the hallway of the old farm house. (We used to visit her and Grandpa for a few weeks every summer and that freezer was the favorite of me and all of my cousins. She had giant Safeway 2 ½ gallon tubs or tanks of ice cream – which we could sneak into multiple times a day as desired. Wow! Every kid’s dream). Anyway, this Scovil freezer was probably one of the original pioneer models. And it was packed “to the gills” with hundreds of bags of these famous gingerbread cookies (each one being individually bag wrapped in its own cute little bag).
It was interesting as we greeted guests. Many folks (kids of all ages) had heard of these cookies and they wanted one or more of them. Some moms had been promising them to kids all day: “If you’re good we’ll get you a cookie at the Bakery”. Some folks were challenged when we made them sit through our “Scovil” story if they were to be rewarded with a cookie. And we always promised them cookies “if you’re good”. And many people found a way to make return visits – asking to skip the speech.
Just a note: This “fall-out” cookie recipe that we found was tucked into a 1980 cookbook. The Scovil bakery existed in the pioneer Nauvoo era. Lucius Scovil took in cakes, cookies, and other delectables “on consignment” so he invited all of the ladies in town (and maybe a few men) to create their very best goods – which he then sold in his Bakery – making money for him and also for the real bakers too.
Above: Lucius Scovil marketing the goods at his Scovil Bakery in Nauvoo
I was born out of my time … With my sweet tooth, The pioneer Scovil Bakery sounds like my kind of place. I would have very much enjoyed the confectionaries of Mr. Lucius Scovil.
Over time, the bakery building “disappeared” at least the part above the ground did. I think that the cellar or basement remained intact under the ground.
Above: The underground findings at the excavated Scovil Bakery site
When I was there in Nauvoo in 1975, this building was being reconstructed. I took some photos of the place as it was being recreated.
Above: The Scovil Bakery undergoing reconstruction in 1975. Photo by Kevin V. Hunt
Rebuilt in 1975 … So, that is why we missed the gingerbread cookies and the recipe in our 1975 Niddy Noddy.
Anyway, after the building reconstruction, the missionaries actually created and cooked the cookies right there in the old now new Scovil Bakery. Our inspection of the secret inner parts of one of the two inner ovens revealed a modern oven element. Naughty, Naughty!
MAKING BREAD AT THE FAMILY LIVING CENTER
Another casualty of the COVID epidemic was the hot bread that used to tantalize guests who came to the Family Living Center in Nauvoo.
Like the cookies, this hot bread used to be one of the highlights of any Nauvoo trip.
The Family Living Center has a fantastic vintage kitchen. In all of my Boy Scouting cooking, this would have been the luxury kitchen.
Above: Luxury pioneer kitchen with fireplace, Dutch ovens, bustle oven (center), bread cooking paddles, many shelves, bread proofer box, and large counter. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Above: The Family Living Center fireplace – with bustle oven on right
Above: The teaching kitchen in the Family Living Center
It had a large fireplace for fire – where soup and other great foods could be created. And it was large enough to generate a lot of hot coals – to be used for Dutch oven cooking – and to fill the “bustle oven”.
Above: The bustle oven on the backside of the Family Living Center
So, the bustle oven … this made for a lengthy and prolonged cooking process. Fire would be added to the bustle oven. In fact, the fire would be packed such that it would completely fill the available space. A door would be placed in the oven front. Then the coals would continue to burn until the fire was completely used up and only coals remained.
While the fire was burning, this became the time to create the bread and other goodies that would later be baked in the oven – once it was “pre-heated” sufficiently. (Just like cooking in any oven today … it must be pre-heated for best cooking results.)
Above: A modern version of what pioneer women may have baked. And this was the recipe that we shared in our cooking demonstration at the Family Living Center.
To make bread in the pioneer era … They often had a large box called a “proofer”. This had a hinged door at the top. Inside was placed a large bowl of boiling or very hot water (heated in the nearby fireplace). Another large bowl with the bread dough was put down on the other side of the water in the box.
The lid would be closed and the dough would be allowed to raise for 10 minutes. The dough would then be “punched down” and put back into the proofing box for another ten minutes. By this time, the water would have cooled down and the water would be removed – and probably used for dish, clothes, or people washing. More hot water would then be retrieved from the fireplace – where hot water was continually being heated.
The above process of 10 and 10 minutes and punched down again. After the second 10 minutes, the bread could be formed into loaves, rolls, cinnamon rolls, garlic bread, buns, and everything bread. Yum!
After the bread or other goods were mixed and ready as per above, the oven would be checked. If the baker could hold his/her hand in front of the brick oven for less than 10-12 seconds, that was a sign that the oven was hot enough for baking. If one’s hand could be held there longer, the oven was not hot enough and more fire would likely be needed. How’s that for a scientific method?
If the above test was passed, then the coals would be removed from the oven (and saved for soap making … nothing in the pioneer world was wasted …). And by this time, all of the bricks that surrounded the oven on all sides – were very hot. And then it was time to insert the bread.
Above: bread cooked in the bustle oven
The bustle oven operated much the way that today’s pizza oven operates. A bit of corn meal was spread onto the hot bricks to keep the bread from sticking to them. Then the bread loaves could be placed into the oven using a large paddle (again with corn meal sprinkles) – like a pizza paddle.
Being an old baker from years of Boy Scouts, and filling many a Dutch oven with cakes, pies, cookies, and cobblers, I loved giving this bread making demonstration to guests who came.
Back in the day – like Pre-COVID, missionaries actually made, cooked and served their wonderful bread to the Nauvoo guests. But, sadly, this tradition and cooking method actually died in the pandemic. So sad! So when I gave this cooking demonstration, I warned the folks that I would be happy to teach them the skill of bread making +but they would “have to use their imagination” relative to the hot tasty bread. I still had a lot of takers for the demo, however.
I could speak and teach emphatically on this subject of bread making. I grew up with a mother and grandmother who made bread several times each week – and have a wife who is one of the greatest baker of breads and rolls of every variation. It was always such a treat to come home (even when I was older) just in time to get some of Mom’s delicious bread as she took it out of the oven. [And I note that she made the weekly sacrament bread for over 30 years – in two different wards!]
I guess this bread-making skill is kind of a dying art. Maybe that’s why the people were so interested in it.
Above: Elder Kevin Hunt teaching bread making at the Family Living Center
I always told the young ladies on the tour that if they really wanted to impress the boys, they should learn to make bread. I told them that all guys (young and old) absolutely love hot home-made bread. I said, “Your bread is the way to win their hearts” (after their stomachs are first filled with their yummy bread). I hope that I made some of the ladies believers. Maybe their husbands will thank me later!
EMMA SMITH MADE SCONES
Another of my favorite Nauvoo food talks was in the Mansion House – owned by Joseph and Emma Smith. It was fun to tell our guests that Emma often cooked scones in the Mansion House. Yes, folks, Emma cooked those wonderful fried balls of dough – with honey. Yumm!
Scones often became Emma’s “go-to meal” as Joseph sometimes gave her little notice of a meal – probably to feed a crowd. And often she probably lacked resources (flour, etc.) to make other “better” foods. Her guests loved her scones.
One guy (likely a highfaluting guest) was especially impressed. He said something like, “These are wonderful! What do you call them?” She smiled slyly and said, “I call them ‘CANDIDATES”. And then the guy asked her, “Why do you call them “CANDIDATES”? I am sure that she enjoyed digging him with the answer, “Because they are puffed up and full of air!” (Zing!)
Emma Smith was born July 10 (1804). As Sister Hunt and I were in Nauvoo, a great-granddaughter of Emma staged an annual small gathering in honor of Emma’s birthday. She staged this at Emma’s gravesite. And a major feature (steeped in tradition) was serving Emma’s famous scones.
On one July 10, Lou and I were serving at nearby Joseph’s Red Brick Store. Knowing of the Emma event, I told Lou and all of the young sisters that I would man the store (giving all the tours) and encouraged them to attend the Emma event. (I still got a good deal out of this arrangement, however. As ever, my wonderful wife brought back some of the delicious scones for me. Yum!)
Emma’s scone recipe is pretty simple … but still very tasty:
And here is another Emma recipe: (She must have been a great cook!)
PIONEER COOKING
Most women of the Nauvoo pioneer era cooked directly on a fire and generally using Dutch ovens and other cast iron pots. This is evidenced by the following fireplaces.
Above: Pioneer kitchen and cooking as shown in the restored Benjamin Bird Cabin behind the Browning home
Above: Cooking fireplace at the Nauvoo Homestead of Joseph and Emma Smith (built 1826 by James Smith prior to the arrival of the Latter-day Saints)
I personally love the cooking arrangements in the very original Sarah Granger Kimball home. They had two fireplaces – back to back. One was for heat in the parlor room. The other was their main cooking fire – located right in the entryway room. And in the wall between the two fireplaces, they had another hidden oven. It was not a bustle oven but it operated on the same principle.
Above: The Sarah Granger Kimball cooking fireplace with the hidden oven (in the center of the photo) used for baking. The area below could be used to store firewood or coals.
MY FAMOUS DUTCH OVEN STEW
My Dutch oven stew did not originate in Nauvoo but it does have a long and yummy heritage. I remember when and where I was lucky enough to acquire this recipe.
Back about 1980, I was a professional with the Boy Scouts. I often had duties up at Camp Kiesel – located up Ogden Canyon – about 20 miles east of Ogden, Utah. I had duties of helping for big events held up there. Camp Kiesel was blessed with Cook Muriel. Muriel was one of the greatest camp cooks that I have ever met (or dined from). She often had to cook for a hundred or two for weekend meals. One of her best meals for a crowd was her stew – made with plenty of fabulous biscuits. She gave me the recipe and of course, I named it “Muriel’s Stew”. I loved it – and made it many times.
Sadly, however, I somehow lost the recipe over time and it was forgotten. Then later I was reading in some of my past personal journals and there it was. I had recorded the recipe in the journal. Wow! (Sometimes I impress even myself!)
Above: Muriel’s Camp Kiesel Stew recipe
Anyway, on two occasions in Nauvoo, I staged and hosted Dutch oven dinners for some missionary groups. Muriel’s stew was the perfect meal to cook. (I had a large collection of Dutch ovens at home – but in Nauvoo, I didn’t have even one. I had to buy another 14” oven – just for these Nauvoo occasions.)
One such dinner was for our Brigham District. And the other event was for about 40 people – a reunion gathering comprised mostly of couples who were with us at the Provo, Utah MTC – where we gathered to learn and prepare for our Nauvoo missions. I think that the missionaries were impressed with Muriel’s stew – as I had been over the years.
This was not a pioneer era Nauvoo recipe, but Emma and Lucius Scovil probably would have liked it (but they would have had to create their own cream soups). I cooked the stew twice in Nauvoo – and the recipe was already 50 or more years old when I made it in Nauvoo. It has stood the test of time. If Muriel had been serving in Nauvoo she probably would have included her recipe in the Niddy Noddy. I know I would have if I had lived in the day of the Niddy Noddy. Anyway, thanks, Muriel, for the great heritage recipe.
And may the spirit and heritage of the Nauvoo Niddy Noddy live on! We can’t get enough of that great Nauvoo food.
Heber C. Kimball was one of the original Apostles called in the modern dispensation. He was called to this office in 1835 through the Prophet, Joseph Smith. He was a devoted friend to Brigham Young. The two families lived near each other in New York before either joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He helped to construct the Kirtland Temple.
Heber was part of the original missioanry group called to Great Britain and he presided over the missionary team. He served many years as a missionary and was very successful in his labors.
Later he was called to be a counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency and he served faithfully in this role from 1847 through his death in 1868.
In between his many missionary assignments, he built a beautiful brick home at 9th and Munson Streets in Nauvoo. He did not long live in it before he headed west with his large family.
The home of Heber C. and Vilate Kimball has been beautifully restored and is open each day for public tours. The home was restored through the efforts of his great-grandson, Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball and is one of the most beautiful of all restored homes in Nauvoo. His home stands today as a lasting tribute and testement to his commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Heber C. Kimball
In 1975, I (Kevin Hunt) was a “young missionary” and was privileged to serve in Nauvoo as a site guide. I was privileged to know Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball, the visionary who made possible the restoration of the Heber C. Kimball home a reality.
On my first day in Nauvoo, I remember that Dr. Kimball took me and a few other missionaries who were new to Nauvoo on a tour of the Heber C. Kimball home. He had lovingly and carefully furnished the home with the best that he could find – and I heard him twll about the home in great detail. He shared with us much of what is included below – and this material was a part of our tours of that day.
And it is interesting that I later returned to Nauvoo as a site guide (as a “senior couple” wiht my wife in 2024 and 2025. It was a great privilege and honor to once again present tours of the Kimball home to our guests who came to Nauvoo. Ind it was interesting for me to note that the home looked very much like the 1975 home in which I had taken tours. It felt “like home” as I looked around and noted that very few things had changed over those 50 years. And that is pretty amazing!
I enjoyed sharing stories of Heber C. Kimball, and his wife, Vilate Murray Kimball. I loved telling of his missioanry adventures, his challenges and his success. I have come to love this great Apostle and am happy to share with you and the world more about him.
Kevin
HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME SCRIPT 1975
Created by Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball (Who bought and restored the structure)
HEBER C. KIMBALL VINTAGE PHOTOS
Above Undated vintage photos (Left) Front of House and (Right) Back side
Above: (Left) Unknown Date and (Right) Photo taken 1975
HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME PHOTOS – 1975
Note: Much of Heber’s home and furnishings look very much in 2025 as they did in 1975
Above: All photos are of the front/living room – different sides of the room
Above: (Left) Upstairs Famiiy Room, (Center) Dining Room, and (Right) unfinished – not restored room in upper 3rd floor of the Kimball Home
Above: (Left) Music Room of Kimball Home, and (Right) Kimball back yard structures
Below: Bust and memorial to Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball – the visionary who restored the home of
Heber C. Kimball, his great-grandfather
Above: J. LeRoy Kimball bust and plaques (presently in the Nauvoo Facilities Maintenance Offices)
HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME PHOTOS – 2025
Above: (Left) Cement plaque (in center) placed by Heber. Says, “HCK 1843” and historic plaque located near the main entry door
Above: Large portrait of Heber C. Kimball in modern parlor of his home
Above: Floor plan drawing of the Heber C. Kimball Home
Above and Below: Various upstairs bedrooms
Above: (Left) The Kimball dining room and (Right) close-up of the plaque in left photo. This is one of the few remaining original “Temple Plates” commissioned by Lucius Scovil while in England on mission.
OUTSIDE VIEWS OF HEBER C. KIMBALL BACK YARD 2025
Above: Back side view of Heber C. Kimball Home -o 2025
Above: View of back side of Wilford Woodruff home – photo taken looking diagonally from the
backyard of Heber C. Kimball (Photo 2025 by Kevin V. Hunt)
IMAGES OF CHURCH HISTORY BY BRITISH IMMIGRANT ARTIST FREDERICK PIERCY
AS SHOWN ON HALL WALL DISPLAY IN HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME
Above: Keokuk Camp (around 1853) Drawing by emigrant artist Piercy
The Nauvoo Heber C. Kimball home is a very beautiful home. It is well worth a stop for you and your family. A must stop on your Nauvoo trail!
Most of the books that I create are geared to a broad audience. I write with the hope that “the world” might enjoy them.
Over the past two months, I have been working on a project which admittedly has a more limited marketing group. But, while it has a specific focus, some of the rest of you might find it interesting.
As with all of my books, this one can be purchased by anyone on lulu.com. But I am happy to share it with you in a free PDF format version so that you can take a sneak peak if desired. We are happy to share it with you:
The book focuses specifically upon our own Hunt family (Hunt being defined as Hunts, Belchers, and all our family) and their Nauvoo associations. Over the years, our Lord has provided wonderful opportunities for our family members to visit and to feel the marvelous power and strength of the place. Individually, each person who came or went to Nauvoo had special feelings … testimony of the Savior working with and through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the power, strength, sacrifices and testimony of our own ancestors, and the quiet peace and joy that comes from just being and feeling in Nauvoo. Those feelings are very real to each of us. And collectively, we have together had those personal experiences amplified as we have enjoyed the special Nauvoo moments together. As Oliver Cowdery once wrote, “These were days never to be forgotten”. That describes our Nauvoo experiences.
I sincerely hope that those days will never be forgotten by any of the family who have been there and experienced Nauvoo.
In the book’s introduction, I wrote: ”This book is written or compiled with the hope that each family member might feel and remember the Nauvoo within us. It is a collective reminder of the beautiful times, experiences, and people that each of us felt and knew when we were there individually or with other family groups. The collective record can help us see the bigger picture of how Jesus has directed each of our lives, thoughts and feelings through the various opportunities to experience Nauvoo over many years.”
Expanding that paragraph to the full introduction, I wrote: “NAUVOO … NAUVOO THE BEAUTIFUL! Just the sound of Nauvoo brings a smile to anyone who has been there. It is a spirit. It is joy and happiness. It is remembering pioneer ancestors who lived there almost 200 years ago. Nauvoo is feeling the power of our ancestors and their commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the direction of Prophets of God. Nauvoo is a place of sacrifice, trauma and challenge, but it is also a beautiful place, a peaceful place.
Nauvoo is a place where Prophets have walked and taught. Nauvoo is a place where we can feel the presence of Jesus Christ whom we know has walked those quiet streets and preserved its history for our enjoyment and learning.
We rejoice and are grateful in knowing that Jesus brought our family many times to this special and sacred place. As we have walked the streets of Nauvoo, we have felt the quiet witness and power of the Holy Ghost. We’ve felt a burning within us helping us remember those of the past who have gone before us, and the special times that we have shared through various trips and with many different people. Nauvoo … such a magnificent place.
Nauvoo is a part of each of us. With that spirit of Nauvoo within us, we can each look back to the special moments, the remembered experiences, and the joy that we have all felt in Old … now new … Nauvoo. Nauvoo continues to touch our lives and hearts. And that is why we all want to keep returning there again, and again. We can all be grateful to God, our Father, to Jesus the Christ, and to the Holy Ghost for these special Nauvoo feelings and experiences
This book is written or compiled with the hope that each family member might feel and remember the Nauvoo within us. It is a collective reminder of the beautiful times, experiences, and people that each of us felt and knew when we were there individually or with other family groups.
The collective record can help us see the bigger picture of how Jesus has directed each of our lives, thoughts and feelings through the various opportunities to experience Nauvoo over many years.
The book title is “The Hunt Family in Nauvoo” and means the family of Kevin and Lou and posterity … but it also means all family on our combined Hunt and Belcher families. We have great Nauvoo heritage on many of our family lines. And in producing this book, the “I” will be my own viewpoint – garnered from years of my journaling, and the “we” will be anyone who was with me/us (“You’N’s”) at any given moment in Nauvoo.
As noted, this book is specifically dedicated to descendants (and ancestors) of Kevin and Lou Hunt and it comprises historical records of a multitude of trips made to the City Beautiful over many years. But while the book focuses upon our own family experiences, perhaps it can also bring joy to others who have or hope to have the Nauvoo experience as we have had.
We have all been grateful for our Nauvoo experiences – Us in Nauvoo … and Nauvoo in us!”
* * * * * * * * * * * *
As I began the book project, I thought of relatively recent times with family in Nauvoo – as Lou and I served an 18-month mission in Nauvoo and had the opportunity to welcome eight of our children and their families who came to visit us as we were there. I wanted to memorialize those visits for current and future enjoyment by family members.
But then I remembered the real reasons why Nauvoo is important and lives within each of us. It is literally “in our blood”. I remembered the literally 50 direct-line ancestors – combined from the ancestral family lines of Lou and me. I knew that the book needed to begin with them – so that our hearts might appropriately be turned to them.
I was reminded of the Lord’s promise given to Joseph Smith through the ancient American Prophet, Moroni in his repeated visits on September 21 and 22, 1823. This is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 2: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.” That is what Nauvoo is about – promises (faith, testimony, and heritage) made to us from our ancestors … and us being drawn to them (to Nauvoo and their lives beyond – but built upon the Nauvoo foundation. That is what Nauvoo is about. And so the book got it’s start.
The book begins with a brief history of our many Nauvoo ancestors and focuses mostly on their Nauvoo experiences of their lifetimes of pioneer Church and family service.
Here are just a few of those great Nauvoo ancestors … and more are in the book.
Next, in chronological sequence, I have a section in the book about my own 1975 experiences as a young missionary in Nauvoo.
Above: Elder Craig Shaltes and Elder Kevin Hunt – young missionaries in Nauvoo 1975
As you may recall, I spent the final six months of my young mission (in 1975) serving in Nauvoo. I served as a site missionary in the historical sites – just as I would later as a senior missionary. Great and wonderful are those early experiences. So fabulous! I could have included much more (if space were available) but I have my journals of the day and have included much of my Nauvoo time in my 20-volume autobiography. (Anyone want to read it?)
The parents of my wife – Lou, Elder Everett H. and Sister Verna Belcher served in Nauvoo for two and a half years soon after my own mission there (from 1979 to 1981).
Screenshot
Above: Sister Verna and Elder E.H. Belcher in Nauvoo about 1980
The book includes condensed versions of the journal letters that Grandma Verna wrote while serving – and which she faithfully sent out to family members. Again, there could have been over 100 pages included but with space restraints, Lou and I extracted out the snippets that tell of Elder Belcher’s development of the now-famous Nauvoo Brick. It is so great to have their first-hand account of those brick pioneering days! And speaking of his bricks, there is a book section that talks in more detail of the brick development.
Above: The original “Nauvoo Brick” as created by Elder E.H. Belcher while a missionary in Nauvoo
Sister Hunt and I visited the Belchers as they served in Nauvoo. And later, we visited there with my own folks in celebration of our joint anniversaries (same day, but 25 years apart).
Above: Sister Verna Belcher with daughter, Lou Dene, and granddaughter, Jackie Hunt in Nauvoo 1980
Our family had the supreme opportunity and blessing to twice be a part of the casts of the Nauvoo “City of Joseph” stage productions in 1996 and 1997. We took our nine children there to participate. The first year we all went on the Amtrak train. What great times! This book includes my full journal writing and photos of those two grand pageant experiences.
In 2002, our eldest daughter, Jackie, had the grand privilege of attending a BYU semester in Nauvoo. A section of the book is dedicated to her experiences. A section also reminisces a visit that Lou and I made to see her there – along with our daughter, Kaylea, and my Nauvoo mission companion Craig Shaltes and his wife. Together we even got to vacuum almost every inch of the majestic and newly rebuilt Nauvoo Temple.
Sadly, after this, we had several years of no Nauvoo visits. It was so exciting to later go back to our beloved Nauvoo beginning in 2023. We spent a glorious few days with our daughter, Jenae, and her family. Of course, this experience also has its own book section.
And then to our great joy and happiness, Sister Lou and I were called in 2024 to serve an 18-month “senior couple” mission to Nauvoo. Wow! Who gets to go back to serve in the mission of their youth? It was so amazing and fabulous. A few sections of the book are dedicated to our mission experience.
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt serving on their mission in Nauvoo
But again, there is much more written about those times. I maintained my practice of writing daily journal entries – and have entries for every day in Nauvoo. I wrote blog articles almost weekly about our experiences and these generally included much historical research. And as you might know, I also compiled some 20 different books while there as a missionary. So, there is much more material that documents those special times.
And while we served, we invited our children to come to visit us with their families. Thankfully, we were blessed with special resources that made it possible for us to assist many of them financially so that they could make the trips. And, as noted, eight of our children did come with their families. We had such great times with each one. We had just a small space where we lived in the pioneer home of Simeon A. Dunn, so we told the families that no two families could come together. So per our counsel, they came individually as they could. We had six families come within the last three months of our Nauvoo tenure (four of them within about 3 weeks right at the end). Those were busy and glorious times. Each of the families has their own sections of their times and experiences in Nauvoo.
So, with all of that, I “barely squeezed” all of this into the book of 800 pages (the maximum allowed by Lulu production standards). I titled the book, “The Hunt Family in Nauvoo … Us in Nauvoo and Nauvoo in Us”. It was great that many family members submitted their own photos, art, and narratives of their own impactful Nauvoo experiences. I stressed that “this is OUR Nauvoo Book … not just my own book.”
It ws so exciting to get this book published. I was so anxious to get the book shared with all of our families. It was such a thrill to be able to order a copy of the book for each family. I sent the book copies to the four out-of-town families and watched with joy the pending delivery status of the books as they progressed from Massachusetts to their homes. And we had multiple books delivered to our home so that we could distribute them to our local families.
Once the books arrived, we scheduled special and fancy meals individually with each family. And after the meal experiences, we happily presented the new books to each family. Of course they first thumbed to their own section – but then began to browse the experiences of their ancestors, and other family members through the years. It was a joy to see and feel their enthusiasm.
So, there you have it … “The Hunt Family in Nauvoo”. We were all blessed by our special times and experiences in Nauvoo. What a great family legacy and heritage. “Us in Nauvoo and Nauvoo in us! “
The nation recently stood by in absolute shock as a prominent woman was asked, “What is a Woman”. This woman could not (or refused to) answer the question.
It is unfortunate that we live in a world today where many people cannot answer that question. Gratefully, there is a place where women of the world are honored for their true virtues, lives, and contributions to home and society. That place is a 2-acre memorial garden dedicated to all women. It is located in Historic Nauvoo, in Illinois and was created and is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
GRATEFUL FOR GENERATIONS OF MOTHERS IN MY FAMILY
I have a deep sense of gratitude to the women in my life. I have been surrounded by great women. I am pleased to say that I have a wife, six daughters, and three special daughters-in-law.. So, I know a bit of this subject of the day. They have blessed my life … and the lives of their husbands and children. I am grateful too, for generations of mothers I have known. These include (among many others), my magnificent wife, Lou, my own angel mother, Alura, my paternal grandmother, Augusta Wilcox Hunt and others, And in our family records and histories, we have been honored by many generations of dedicated and faithful mothers. They have given us a great legacy and heritage.
Elder Russell M. Ballard (now deceased) – but a modern Apostle of Jesus Christ, shared these words of gratitude to women of the Church in a talk given at a General Church Conference held in April of 2010. His words still ring true!”
“And so, my dear young women, with all my heart I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. Model yourselves after them, not after celebrities whose standards are not the Lord’s standards and whose values may not reflect an eternal perspective. Look to your mother. Learn from her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness. Listen to her. She may not be a whiz at texting; she may not even have a Facebook page. But, when it comes to matters of the heart and the things of the Lord, she has a wealth of knowledge. As you approach the time for marriage and young motherhood, she will be your greatest source of wisdom. No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness – in this life and forever. … Teach your daughters to find joy in nurturing children. This is where their love and talents can have the greatest eternal significance.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/mothers-and-daughters?lang=eng
The Nauvoo Monument” “Circles of a Woman’s Life”
The Nauvoo Monument to Women Garden is officially known as “Circles of a Woman’s Life” The garden depicts in beautiful bronze sculptures – set in a magnificent green garden lined with Nauvoo bricks – the many roles in which women – wives, and mothers serve in their families and in the community.
LOCATION: Behind (South) and adjacent to the Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center
HISTORIC PHOTO:
Above: Early Postcard image of the Monument to Women (circa about 1978)
Above: Early photo of the Women’s Garden
CURRENT PHOTO(S):
Above: The Monument to Women garden as hidden from view on Young Street
Above: An inside view of the Memorial Garden (2025 photo by Kevin V Hunt)
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL: Bronze statues displayed on walkways of Nauvoo Brick and surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
RESTORATION STATUS: In original display but with natural growth of surrounding plants and trees.
TYPE OF TOUR: Self-guided. A peaceful place for contemplation and meditation.
HISTORY OF THE GARDEN:
The Original Relief Society Monument in Nauvoo
This monument to Women of the Relief Society actually began back in 1933. Then Apostle George Albert Smith and General Relief Society President, Louise Robinson wanted to place a monument to the women of the Relief Society – and the Nauvoo founding of the organization.
Originally the monument was placed on the grounds surrounding Joseph Smith’s red Brick Store. This monument was dedicated July 26, 1933. In 1952, the monument was moved to the Nauvoo Temple site. In 1988, it was moved to its current location in the Nauvoo Women’s Garden.
The Modern Monuments, Statues and Gardens:
During the 1970’s the LDS Church opposed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) because church leaders believed it undermined traditional moral values of all women and families – and especially those who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1973, General Relief Society President, Belle S. Spafford told then LDS Church President Spencer W. Kimball, that the original 1933 monument needed to be replaced with a statue to honor women (in contrast to the current world’s view of women). President Kimball later consulted with Sister Barbara B. Smith (the new General Relief Society President) about the monument. She envisioned a much grander monument garden.
Sister Smith commissioned sculptor Florence Hansen to make a model of a pioneer woman and child. Later, several artists presented their conceptions to Priesthood and Relief Society leaders on November 19, 1975.
Sculptor Dennis Smith proposed a 2-acre garden to feature statues representing the various phases of womanhood – in 12 different statues. Elder Mark E. Peterson suggested that Artist Smith create 11 statues and that Florence Hansen we given the opportunity to create the sculpture of the pioneer woman and child.
On February 4, 1975, the artists were contracted and set-apart for their sculpture work. The sculptures were created in the Smith’s basement studio in Alpine, Utah.
Later, Church leaders invited Sister Hansen to create a large statue of Joseph and Emma Smith. Scriptural verses were added on plaques with the completed sculptures.
Women of the world, Sisters of the Relief Society – were invited to donate funds for the creation of the statue garden.
In March 1978, Sister Barbara B. Smith and Edythe K. Watson traveled to Nauvoo to select a monument site. They chose the two-acre site behind (south) the Visitors’ Center.
Otis Hamilton managed site volunteers. Durrell Nelson designed the park and became its caretaker after its dedication.
Dedicatory Services of the Monument Gardens:
In March 1978, The Champaign Illinois Stake created an outdoor musical production of Because of Elizabeth to be performed at the garden’s dedication. The show had a cast of 240 stake members. Stake President Joseph R. Larsen was the assistant producer and Moana Bennett wrote the script for the play. Larry Bastian wrote and arranged the play’s music. Duane Hiatt wrote the lyrics for the music.
Dedicatory services began on June 27, 1978, the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum. Some 7,200 LDS women gathered for the event. Presidents Kimball and Barbara Smith gave opening remarks at an invitation-only banquet that was followed by tours of the new garden and the performance of Because of Elizabeth.
”Spencer W. Kimball dedicated the monument in ceremonies on June 28–30. On the first day of these ceremonies, around 2,500 women attended the dedicatory services in a large, yellow-striped tent. Kimball addressed these women and offered a dedicatory prayer. Bethine C. Church read a letter from United States first lady Rosalynn Carter. On the second day of dedication, apostle Bruce R. McConkie spoke on receiving revelation and having faith.
“Norma W. Matheson, wife of Utah governor Scott M. Matheson, extended greetings from the people of Utah. Ilana Rovner, assistant deputy to Illinois governor James R. Thompson, read a certificate of appreciation to the Relief Society and proclaimed that June 28, 1978, would be National Monument to Women Day in Illinois. Apostle L. Tom Perry also spoke at the services.”
“The Relief Society monument from 1933 is near the entrance and the Joseph and Emma Smith statue is placed just inside the garden. While most of the statues in this monument are life-sized, the central figure titled Woman is larger. Four statues surround Woman, depicting a woman reading, a woman praying, a woman sculpting, and a woman reaching out to help others.
“The next circle of statues depicts a woman’s influence in the family. The statue Courtship for Eternity is placed at the entrance, along with Joyful Moment, In the Family Circle, In Her Mother’s Footsteps, Preparing Her Son, and Teaching with Love. The final statue, Fulfillment, is slightly elevated from all the other statues and depicts an old woman binding a double wedding ring quilt.”
QUOTE ABOUT THE MONUMENTS:
On July 6, 1978, at a meeting of the Relief Society general board with Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the First Quorum of the Seventy and advisor to the Relief Society present, many expressed confidence that the dedicatory event had been a tremendous success. Elder Wirthlin said, “When you think of 7200 women and others who traveled [to Nauvoo] from far-distant parts of the earth, it’s remarkable that all arrived and came home safely, which indicates to me that the Lord was with us, that He wanted Nauvoo, I think, to be a great success, one that will help Relief Society, help the women of the Church and of the world.”
Joseph and Emma Smith
Woman
Above: Another view of the “Woman” Statue
Fulfillment
Teaching with Love
Joyful Moment
In Her Mother’s Footsteps
Preparing Her Son
Compassionate Woman
Woman and her Talents
Courtship for Eternity
Woman in Prayer
In the Family Circle
Woman of Learning
The Nauvoo Monument to Women Garden is open to the public and is available year-round. Guests can visit the gardens in the beauty of many seasons, can walk quietly, and can take time to ponder the roles and influence of special women in their lives. It is definitely a special and wonderful tribute to the generations of women who have made us who we are. Thanks to all of you amazing women in my life.
Recently my wife and I served as site guide missionaries in historic Nauvoo, I was constantly amazed at the interest with which our guests had in the historic Nauvoo House located across the street from the Joseph Smith properties.. Everyone seemed to want to know about it. Or they came with knoledge of the place and that knowledge wasn’t always correct. Seeing the Nauvoo House in person carried with it a certain mystique that captured the hearts of all who came. Other than the Nauvoo Temple (of 1846 and today), the Nauvoo House is perhaps the greatest Nauvoo Landmark (speaking of physical appearance and height).
In 1846, as the Saints departed for the West, the image of the Nauvoo House loomed prominent looking back on the Nauvoo scene from across the Mississippi River in Iowa. Still today the Nauvoo House remains prominent on the Nauvoo skyline.
Above: View of Nauvoo (2025) from across the Mississippi River at Montrose, Iowa. Photo shows the Nauvoo Temple at right, and Nauvoo House is the building at far right. (Joseph Smith’s Mansion House – in White) is just to the left of the Nauvoo House. (Photo by Kevin and Lou Hunt)
Joseph Smith received the Lord’s vision for the Nauvoo House in a revelation he received on January 19, 1841. This is the same revelation wherein the “House of the Lord”, the Nauvoo Temple, was introduced:
Doctrine and Covenants Section 124:
22 Let my servant George, and my servant Lyman, and my servant John Snider, and others, build a house unto my name, such a one as my servant Joseph shall show unto them, upon the place which he shall show unto them also.
23 And it shall be a house for boarding, a house that strangers may come from afar to lodge therein; therefore let it be a good house, worthy of all acceptation,that the weary traveler may find health and safety while he shall contemplate the word of the Lord and the cornerstone I have appointed for Zion.
24 … And it shall be holy, or the Lord your God will not dwell therein.
25 And again, verily I say unto you, let all my saints come from afar.
26 And send ye swift messengers, and say unto them: Come ye, with all your gold, and your silver, and …
56 And now I say unto you, as pertaining to my boarding house which I have commanded you to build for the boarding of strangers. Let it be built unto my name, and let my name be named upon it, and let my servant Joseph and his house have place therein, from generation to generation.
60 And let the name of that house be called Nauvoo House, and let it be a delightful habitation for man, and a resting-place for the weary traveler, that he may contemplate the glory of this, the cornerstone thereof.
Organization for Construction and Funding:
62 Behold, verily I say unto you, let my servant George Milles, and my servant Lyman Wight, and my servant John Snider, and my servant Peter Haws, organize themselves and appoint one of them to be a president over their quorum for the purpose of building this house.
63 And they shall form a constitution, whereby they may receive stock for the building of that house.
64 And they shall not receive less than fifty dollars for a share of stock in that house, and they shall be permitted to receive fifteen thousand dollars from any one man for stock in that house.
65 But they shall not be permitted to receive over fifteen thousand dollars stock from any one man.
66 And they shall not be permitted to receive under fifty dollars for a share of stock from any one man in that house.
69 And if any pay stock into their hands it shall be for stock in that house, for himself, and for his generation after him, from generation to generation, so long as he and his heirs shall hold that stock, and do not sell or convey the stock away out of their hands by their own free will and act, if you will do my will, saith the Lord your God.
72 Verily I say unto you, let my servant Joseph pay stock into their hands for the building of that house, as seemeth him good; ….
118 And again, verily I say unto you, let no man pay stock to the quorum of the Nauvoo House unless he shall be a believer in the Book of Mormon, and the revelations I have given unto you, saith the Lord your God.
The Nauvoo House Association with the above listed officers was incorporated February 27, 1841 by the Illinois State Legislature. With legal status, Church members began to make donations (of time and materials) for the construction of the Temple and the Nauvoo House. These donations were received and recorded in “The Book of the Law of the Lord” by Joseph Smith’s scribes at his Red Brick Store.
The incorporation act also declared that Joseph Smith “and his heirs would hold a suite of rooms in perpetual succession” in the house because it was to be built on his property, something which the revelation also allowed.
BUILDING DESIGN:
Architect Lucien Woodworth designed a building that would have two large wings, each 120 feet long, 40 feet wide, and rising to over 4 stories tall; it was anticipated to have about 75 rooms – enough to accommodate some 300 visitors. Estimated cost was $100,000.
CONSTRUCTION BEGAN:
Just as the Saints needed to construct the Temple to show their obedience to God, they felt that they were also under a divine mandate to build the Nauvoo House. Construction of the house also provided employment to many who converted to the Church in the British Isles and who then emigrated to Nauvoo.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL: Basement is made of limestone. Upper floors are made of brick.
LAYING THE CORNERSTONE OF THE NAUVOO HOUSE:
“The Saints gathered for conference after the cornerstone ceremony of the Nauvoo House (see Doctrine and Covenants 124:22–24) on Saturday, October 2, 1841. Joseph Smith had held in his possession, the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon from 1829 when the translation was complete up to the time of the Cornerstone laying.
The Prophet decided to place the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon in the southeast cornerstone during the celebration. Warren Foote later recalled, “I was standing very near the corner stone when Joseph Smith came up with the manuscript of the Book of Mormon and said that he wanted to put that in there, as he had had trouble enough with it.” https://rsc.byu.edu/joseph-smith-prophet-seer/nauvoo-temple-1841
Though the early Saints thought this action would preserve the manuscript, the opposite happened. Over time, the documents became badly faded, obscured or otherwise damaged.
Additional items placed in the cornerstone included a journal of Heber C. Kimball, eight coins, a Bible, a hymnbook compiled by Emma Smith for the Church, The Times and Seasons #35, a copy of the Nauvoo House Cherter, Lyman Wight’s Petition of Missouri Persecutions, a copy of the 1841 D&C Section 124 Revelation, and published editions of the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants.
Historian Robin Scott Jensen (of the “Joseph Smith Papers” project later said, “To be fair to them, they sealed the cornerstone and poured molten lead around the seams, so they felt that it was a preservation,”
Above: The Nauvoo House cornerstone in which the Book of Mormon manuscript was placed. (Currently held by the LDS Church in Nauvoo. The stone is about 3’ long and 1-2’ high.)
Above: The Nauvoo House cornerstone rock with the carved box which held the Book of Mormon and other historic documents. (Photo 2025 by Lou Dene Hunt)
Above: Carved lid/top of the Nauvoo House cornerstone. (Photo 2025 by Lou Dene Hunt)
WORK ON THE NAUVOO HOUSE:
The Prophet’s diligent efforts to fulfill the Lord’s commandment meant that he had to prioritize his actions, focusing on the most important first. Reorganizing the priesthood quorums and preparing the Twelve to succeed him were the most important steps as the Prophet’s ministry was about to end. In March, 1844, just three months before his death, Joseph suspended work on the Nauvoo House to focus people and resources upon the Temple construction.
Joseph said, “We need the Temple more than anything else.”
DEATH AND BURIAL OF JOSEPH SMITH:
The Prophet Joseph Smith and his faithful brother, Hyrum, were martyred by a mob on Thursday, June 27, 1844 in the jail at Carthage, Illinois.
Following their deaths, their bodies were viewed by some 12,000 Saints in the Mansion House on Saturday, June 29. A public funeral was preached that same evening in the Grove near the Temple. William W. Phelps preached the funeral sermon. Following the funeral, a mock funeral procession was made to the Nauvoo (Pioneer) Cemetery. It appeared that the coffins and bodies were transported and buried there. In reality, however, the coffins were filled with sand bags – and these were buried in the cemetery. Their bodies remained with Emma and were hidden by her in the Mansion House. There were reports that malicious men wanted to steal the bodies.
“About midnight on 29 June, long after the mourners had retired, the coffins containing the bodies were taken from the Mansion House by Dimick B. Huntington, Edward Hunter, William D. Huntington, William Marks, Jonathan H. Homes, Gilbert Goldsmith, Alpheus Cutler, Lorenzo D. Wasson, and Philip B. Lewis. These men were guarded by James Emmet with his musket. They carried the coffins through the Mansion House garden, around the pump, and to the Nauvoo House. John Fidoe and Joseph Pulling dug the graves. The bodies were interred in the uncompleted basement structure of the Nauvoo House. After the burial the ground was flattened and covered with chips of wood, stone, and other rubbish to camouflage the site. That evening a violent rainstorm removed any trace of the burial.”
See the Kevin Hunt book, (available on Lulu.com):
(Source: 1857 Deseret News Article)
Above: The site where the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum were first buried (per Nauvoo historian, Joseph Monsen. The Nauvoo House foundation wall (still intact) is shown looking west toward the Joseph Smith Homestead. (Photo by Kevin and Lou Dene Hunt 2024)
Above: Photo of the Nauvoo House, showing the original foundation extending north (originally 120 feet) from the SW corner of the building to the Bidamon structure. (Photo by Kevin Hunt 2024)
The bodies remained in the cellar of the Nauvoo House, where they were buried, until the fall, when they were removed by Dimick H. Huntington, William D. Huntington, Jonathan Holmes, and Gilbert Goldsmith, at Emmas request to the SE corner behind the Joseph Smith Homestead.
COMPLETION OF THE NAUVOO HOUSE
After the death of Joseph Smith, his widow, Emma retained title of ownership for the Nauvoo House.
in 1845, and following Joseph Smith’s death, Brigham Young directed efforts to continue constructing the Nauvoo House, a boarding house, with over 270 men working on it.
Brigham Young said, “The Lord commanded that the Nauvoo House be built and we have sent out men to fetch in the means to do it.”
He further stated, “there are sacred records deposited in the foundation of that house and it is our duty to build the house and cover up those records.”
On March 25, 1845, the committee reported that 2,377 stock certificates had been issued, 348 had been sold, 272 certificates were noted as “missing” and the trustees still held 1,773.
On April 7, 1845, the stockholders of the Nauvoo House Association met and George A. Smith and Amasa Lyman were appointed as the new trustees replacing Lyman Wight and George Snider.
That afternoon, the Church met in general conference and Brigham raised the subject of the Nauvoo House. He asked members to purchase one share of stock in the house. When Brigham asked who was willing to complete the Nauvoo House, “every hand was raised in the congregation.” The “Book of the Law of the Lord” was reopened at the Red Brick Store for additional stock purchases.
The project was in competition with the Nauvoo Temple for resources, often taking a backseat, and remained unfinished. The two-story shell was left with no roof.
As the Saints prepared to make the Exodus West, Brigham Young declared that he wanted to leave a group of men in Nauvoo to finish the Temple and perhaps also the Nauvoo House. He even pledged leaving all of his personal property to finish the two houses. He noted that completion of the buildings “would stand as monuments of the industry of this people”.
Nonetheless, The Nauvoo House remained unfinished. By October 1845, Willard Richards reported that the walls now approached “nearly the third story about the basement” but that may have been an exaggeration.
The Nauvoo House was never completed.
Development of the Nauvoo House following the exodus of the Saints west:
Beginning in 1867, Emma Smith and her second husband, Lewis C. Bidamon, took materials from the unfinished building and converted the unfinished, 3-story Nauvoo House into a smaller hotel which they called the Riverside Mansion. Bidamon tore down parts of the original structure (including the foundation) to use as materials for the Nauvoo House, and he and Emma lived in and managed the new, smaller hotel until Emma’s death.
Bidamon also used limestone from the original limestone foundation of the Nauvoo House and built a small structure to the north of the Nauvoo House. He reportedly used this Bidamon Structure as a horse stable.
Death of Emma Smith in the Nauvoo House
Emma Smith continued to live in the Nauvoo House until she died in her upstairs bedroom of the place on April 30, 1879. Emma’s funeral was held in the Nauvoo House in the large gathering room downstairs.
Excavation of the Nauvoo House and the finding of the Book of Mormon manuscript:
After the death of Emma Smith, in 1879, Bidamon excavated the Nauvoo House cornerstone. The cornerstone was opened by Lewis Bidamon in 1882. Within the cornerstone (giant rock), he found the Book of Mormon manuscript. This was some 40 years after the manuscript had been placed within the stone.
The documents had deteriorated substantially. Water had seeped into the hollowed-out cavity of the stone. And Bidamon gave away fragments of the manuscript as souvenirs to several visitors to Nauvoo as the years passed.
The book was widely scattered through the years. Of the nearly 500 pages placed in the Nauvoo House cornerstone, portions of 232 pages survive. The Church now possesses most of those fragments and leaves. Others are in private hands.
OWNERSHIP OF THE NAUVOO HOUSE FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF EMMA SMITH:
Following Emma Smith’s death in 1879, ownership of the Nauvoo House property passed to her husband, Lewis C. Bidamon. It remained in the Bidamon family until 1909. The Bidamon family subsequently sold the property to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now known as the Community of Christ) in 1909.
NAUVOO HOUSE PHOTOS:
Above: Nauvoo house from NW. Includes full view of the original limestone basement (north to south) with the brick structure on top.
LDS AND COMMUNITY OF CHRIST USE OF THE NAUVOO HOUSE:
For over a century, the Nauvoo House was owned and managed by the RLDS Church (later Community of Christ). The Nauvoo House was a part of their Joseph Smith Historic Site walking tour. The church used the facility as a hostel for youth and family gatherings. A large commercial kitchen was created in the basement of the structure and dining was in the large room on the first floor.
Above: Commercial Kitchen
Above: Dining area within the RLDS/CofC Nauvoo House.
Per the Community of Christ website, groups from 20 to 60 could be accommodated in twin bunk beds located on the second and third floors. Bathrooms were located on each floor. Overnight guests were responsible for providing their own sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels.
Also per the Community of Christ website, the minimum nightly rate was $360 for up to 20 people. For each guest beyond 20 there was an additional fee of $18 per person per night.
THE BIDAMON STRUCTURE:
Lewis and Emma (or just Lewis after the death of Emma) razed part of the uncompleted Nauvoo House and constructed the small building just north of and adjacent to the Nauvoo House. This was a limestone structure.
Above: Vintage photo with Bidamon structure on left and Nauvoo House on right. Note the orginal foundation or cellar wall which extgends between them.
In the mid-1970’s, the RLDS Church began using the small Bidamon structure as a visitor’s center as a part of their Joseph Smith Historic Site tour of the Joseph Smith properties. Within the structure folding chairs were set as a small theater to tell their story with a slide presentation.
The center (before the construction of the much larger brick visitors’ center) was the start of paid tours through the Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House. The tours were staged by young college interns, volunteers, and others.
Above: The Bidamon structure as it appeared in 1975. Photo by then Elder Kevin V. Hunt
Above: The Bidamon structure as it appeared in 2025.
It is interesting to note that the structure of 1975 differs from the 2025 version. Note that there has been added the entry and extended roof on the left side of the structure … and under this roof are “new” stairs which go down to a basement that was also not a part of the original structure.
Today the Bidamon Structure has been remodeled to house young missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The main floor is used as a staging area for missionaries as they await the arrival of guests wanting tours of the Smith properties.
Above: Bunk beds in the current Bidamon Structure. Photo taken in 2025 by Kevin V. Hunt.
THE NAUVOO HOUSE WAS PURCHASED BY THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS:
On March 5, 2024, the Nauvoo House and the Bidamon structure (stable), the Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House were sold by the Community of Christ to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The structure is no longer used as a boarding house and is not open for tours.
Today the structure is in a “holding pattern” while the Church determines its future fate, restoration, and public access (if any). The history of the Nauvoo House will evolve over time as new changes are approved and implemented by the Church History Department.
MODERN PRESERVATION OF THE BOOK OF MORMON MANUSCRIPT::
The historical significance of the original manuscript is documented in Book 5 of the Joseph Smith Papers (Project). See:
Robin Scott Jensen, one of the editors of the book said, “With the original manuscript of the Book of Mormon, we have the artifact that lay on the table and was being written upon by Oliver Cowdery or John Whitmer [or others, as Joseph dictated the text].”
In the Joseph Smith Papers, is the first complete photographic record of what remains of the original manuscript.
Above: Volume 5 of the Joseph Smith Papers Project – Photo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
“It is a deeply moving experience to look at these [manuscript] pages and see God’s hand moving His work forward.” —President Russell M. Nelson
President Nelson said in 2022 that “The original manuscript of the Book of Mormon is one of the most significant and sacred artifacts that the Church possesses.”
Above: Preserved images of the Book of Mormon fraqgments (Photo by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
“Church historians have taken great care — over more than a century — to gather even the most miniscule fragments of manuscript and preserved them from further damage,” he explained.
HISTORIC PHOTO:
Above: Painting of the “Nauvoo House” painted on canvas about 1865 by David Hyrum Smith, the youngest son of Joseph and Emma Smith
Above: David Hyrum Smith painting of the Nauvoo bend of the river – with the Nauvoo House located in the center of the painting.
CURRENT PHOTO(S):
LOCATION ON THE BANK OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER:
The Nauvoo House is located on the south end of Main Street at the Mississippi River. When the Saints arrived in Nauvoo, many of them came up-river and disembarked at the wharf that was located adjacent to the Nauvoo House. Thus it would be been the logical place for a structure such as the Nauvoo House for the greeting, welcoming, and housing of the immigrants who came from around the world.
The Nauvoo House was directly west of the Joseph Smith Homestead and just south of the Smith Mansion House. Joseph would frequently go out to the dock to welcome incoming immigrants.
NAUVOO HOUSE IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER PLAIN:
The Nauvoo House structure stands within a few feet of the mighty Mississippi River. And because of that location, it has been threatened by major flooding of the river. Major floods occurred in 1927, 1993, and 2008, and likely in other high-flood years.
In July 1993 and also in June of 2008, much sandbagging was required to protect the structure. Pumps were used during these floods to extract water and to protect the building.
RESTORATION STATUS: Never fully completed. Created under revised plan. Not currently open to the public.
TYPE OF TOUR: No inside tours currently available. Visitors may observe, walk around and photograph the exterior.
The Nauvoo House does indeed have a significant and interesting history – from the Lord’s vision for the building – as stated in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 124, to it being a burial ground for Joseph and Hyrum Smith, the Book of Mormon.manuscript hidden in the cornerstone to its many functions in modern times.
Over the past year, Sister Hunt and I worked each month to create a lasting history of events, people, sacred and special experiences in ouir Illinois Historic Sites Mission (in Nauvoo and Carthage, Illlinois). We are pleased now to announce the publication of the 2025 history which includes all of the monthly publications. The book – this one with 349 pages – has been completed and published.
LINKS FOR THE 2025 MISSION HISTORY BOOK
Many folks have expressed interest in obtaining a copy of the 2025 Mission History. I am pleased to report that the annual book – this one with 349 pages – has been completed
Here is the link to the FREE PDF file (in full color): (Cut and paste into your browser to open)
In addition, the book has been published on the lulu.com website. You can find the book doing a search for the word Nauvoo or Illinois Historic Sites or even by my name Kevin V Hunt. Some of the searches will pull up a great many other books which I have compiled (and some that are not mine). Feel free to browse the collections and options!
On Lulu you will find three options and you can be selective. One option is the standard E-Book for use on personal phones and devices. The other option is the full book in a printed beautiful hard-cover format. The standard color option ($42) is good and the Deluxe Color option ($92) is the ultimate available. Both are printed on premium coated paper.
Here is the link to purchase the BASIC COLOR book version ($42) on lulu.com: (Cut and paste into your browser)
THE MARICOPA ARIZONA STAKE PRESENTS AN ANNUAL NATIVITY EVENT
Reported by Kevin V. Hunt with photos taken and submitted by Lou Dene Hunt
Prepared as a historical record to be included as a part of the annual history for the Maricopa, Arizona Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – and to be forwarded to the Church Historical Department.
THE MARICOPA, ARIZONA STAKE ANNUAL “NATIVITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD” EVENT
On Saturday December 20th, 2025, the Maricopa, Arizona Stake created and staged its annual “Nativities Around the World” event for church members and for the entire Maricopa community. This was held at the LDS “Honeycutt Chapel” located across the street from the Maricopa High School from 5-8:00 pm that evening. The stake also collaborated with the neighboring Community of Hope church who staged live nativity scenes throughout the evening.
The weather that evening was perfect – a typical Arizona evening – pleasantly comfortable for such an event.
The entire chapel was organized to display a multitude of nativity sets and a many other activities designed to touch the hearts of all who came – and to instill in guests a spirit of joy, wonder, and thanksgiving for the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
REMEMBERING THE BIRTH OF THE BABY JESUS
Luke was one of the greatest historians of all time. And as an eyewitness of the Lord Jesus Christ, he recorded the lines that have become immortal in his witness and testimony of Jesus and His birth as the Son of God.
In his record, Luke teaches of how the Angel Gabriel (whom we know as Noah) came to both Joseph and Mary and told them of the coming divine birth of Jesus as the literal Son of God the Father – with Mary as his mortal mother.
In Luke 2, we find recorded in simple words, Luke’s record of our Lord’s humble birth. He writes:
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; … and so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:
Luke also recorded, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” The shepherds experienced “the glory of the Lord” who appeared unto the shepherds and testified, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. … And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. … And the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see the thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:4, 6-8, 16)
It is the Apostle Matthew who records the appearance of glorious star and how the wisemen from the East were led by that star to the young child, Jesus and his parents (long after the shepherds and the “Holy Family” had left the manger scene). “And, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. … And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, the presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:9-11)
ARTISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAVE CREATED NATIVITY SETS SHARING WITH ALL THE SACRED BIRTH OF JESUS AND THEIR FEELINGS AND TESTIMONY OF THAT SACRED BIRTH SETTING
From these few verses, we learn of the glorious birth of Jesus Christ, born the Son of God, his step-father, Joseph, his mother, Mary, the shepherds, the star and the coming of the wisemen. And from these verses, faithful men and women – artists from all over the world, and inspired of the Holy Ghost have worked to craft, create, and to inspire the world around them with nativity sets which have brought God’s children to an appreciation and awe of the humble birth of the Savior. These artists have been inspired to share their own testimonies and witness of the Savior through their various art mediums and the figures of those who were eyewitnesses of Christ’s birth. Each nativity is unique and different as the artist seeks to portray his/her view and testimony.
Above: Unique nativity sets shown at the “Nativities Around the World” event
Through these nativities we can receive our own inspiration and appreciation of this royal baby, whom we celebrate at the center of our worship at the Christmas season, and He who would later become the Savior of mankind through his Atonement made for us. And of course to also celebrate Jesus who also gave us the opportunity to be forgiven of sins, to be resurrected – to live again with Him and His Father after death. It is wonderful that these nativity scenes, can and do draw us to the Savior, reminding us of our Savior’s birth and mission.
THE ANNUAL MARICOPA, ARIZONA STAKE “NATIVITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD” EVENT
It Is in this spirit that the Maricopa, Arizona stake has for many years staged an event – a grand display of “Nativities From Around the World” to share with local church members and the community our faith, belief in and testimony of the Lord Jesus as our Savior and Redeemer.
THE BEGINNINGS OF THE ANNUAL EVENT
What has become a great annual community event had its beginnings through the inspiration of then Bishop Brian Hoffman and his wife Terrell. Bishop Hoffman envisioned a ward event to inspire and give hope to his ward members. For over a decade, the Hoffmans recruited various family and ward members to assist in staging the event – a display of beautiful nativity sets gathered from around the world.
Above: Terrell and Brian Hoffman, visionaries of the Maricopa Nativity event
The Nativity event grew each year and with each passing year, it became a Christmas mainstay for local members. And in time, the event was expanded to include the whole stake and community.
From the beginning the Hoffmans looked for ways to expand the event to include more of the Maricopa community. Bishop Hoffman and his team reached out to the neighboring Community of Hope Church – through Pastor Rusty Akers. Relationships were built with Pastor Rusty and his church who also annually staged their own “living nativity” event – complete with animals and dedicated actors who portrayed nativity and birth of Jesus.
And over time, the two churches collaborated to merge their two events together into one evening in December. And with this continued association, bonds have been built and together we have shown that we are all children of the same God and that we believe in the same Christ.
What started as a ward event has now become a grand event created under the direction of the Maricopa Stake. And with the Maricopa Stake now taking the lead, many more people can be a part of the staging team, the promotion, the contribution of nativity sets, and the participation in the special event.
THE 2025 “NATIVITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD” EVENT
For over a decade now, the Hoffmans have been the inspiration and the work-horses to make the event happen. Many people have rallied around them to stage the event.
Last year, Sister Danielle Yardley chaired the stake event and this year, as Stake Relief Society President, she has continued to lend inspiration, guidance, and support for the event.
Kevin and Lou Hunt, who recently returned from an 18-month mission as site guides in historic Nauvoo, became the coordinating chairs for the stake event.
Above: Brother Kevin Hunt and Sister Lou and – Stake Coordinators of the Nativity event
Together the Hunts planned ways to expand the planning and organizing team. Many who assisted in the past – including the Hoffmans and many others – continued to assist with their talents and abilities. The Hunts also expanded the circle with the addition of coordinators from each of the wards of the stake. These coordinators were each charged with the goal of recruiting 25 nativity sets to be displayed, getting donations of at least 10 dozen cookies from ward bakers, and recruiting 10 workers to serve as hosts at the event. These dedicated people greatly expanded the scope and capacity of resources for the event. With their help the event received greater emphasis and many more people were given the opportunity to serve, help, and to attend the event.
THE NATIVITY EVENT PLANNING COMMITTEE AND PLANNED PROGRAM FEATURES
The Hoffmans – and their entire family circle – came in force and in full support of the program. They lent their expertise and dedicated efforts to set up the facility to adequately display the nativities in a grand way. They guided a team of a multitude of volunteers, the Traek Malan family – and many others who assisted in the physical set-up of the Cultural Hall for the event.
The Hoffmans also created a beautiful and inspiring “White Room” in the Relief Society Room – which featured 40 plus nativities in white or soft blue or gold colors. The room featured a flowing “tree” of white lace and netting which extended from the ceiling down to and around the several tables that held the nativity displays.
Eric Goettl, the local seminary teacher – and a member of the Maricopa City Council assisted in bringing additional tables, easels, and other needed physical support items from various other chapels of the stake. He continued available through the evening to assist as needed.
Above: Lou and Kevin Hunt with Eric Goettl. Note that Brother Goettl taught Seminary to 3 of the Hunt children 25 plus years ago in Mesa, Arizona and has taught their grandchildren in Maricopa.
Sister Yardley worked with Sisters April Hardy and Cori Carpenter to update signs and computer logos for the 2025 event.
Sister Jennifer Ford, the stake Communications Specialist, worked diligently to spread the word – the message and the vision – of the Nativity event to the community. She posted various messages on social media, worked with local media to report the event, and worked to expand the reach of the event to other community churches and residents.
Sister Cori Carpenter, Stake Primary President, and her counselors and family members staged a beautiful children’s activity room.
Above: Sister Cori Carpenter in the Children’s Activity Room which she helped organize
Conner Judd recruited some local policemen to quietly serve as guarding “sentinels” for the event.
Sister Lorraine Crook, the stake Music Coordinator, worked tirelessly to invite and attract various musical choirs and groups to perform.
Above: Sisters Bethany Angiano and Lorraine Crook – Music Performance organizers
Many of the 85 different performers came from the community beyond just members of the stake. Sister Bethany Angiano managed the “Green Room” where performing groups and individuals gathered to prepare for their performances.
Above: Performers gather and prepare for their performance in the “Green Room”
New Bishop Jason Redd and his wife, Jaynan assisted with the performers also. Young Sienna Hunt (just age 14) was the stage manager. She recruited four other friends and together they reset the stage and microphones for each new performing group.
Above: The stage management crew – headed by Sienna Hunt – (left to right) Zach, Sienna, Jaz, Kamryn, and Ruby
Many young service missionaries came and together they performed several songs.
Above: LDS Service Missionaries serving in and around Maricopa sing at the Nativity Event.
The full Maricopa zone of full-time missionaries came in force and provided smiles, handshakes and welcoming hearts to all of the guests who came. Their presence and happy spirits added greatly to the feeling of the event.
Above: Full-time missionaries from the Arizona-Tempe Mission serving in Maricopa
Eric Chambers, as yet not a member – but a future member of the Church, and his wife Shaylene organized and hosted the wonderful “cookie room” where every guest joyfully enjoyed the buffet of delectable cookies brought by members of the stake. They created a beautiful ambiance which featured a large display banner of the Nativity scene.
Above: Eric Chambers (Left) and Shaylene (Right) hosted the cookie room for guests
Above: Eric and Shay Chambers (and her mother and their children) hosting the cookie event
Sister Yardley, and also Fabriza Hunt and Adriana Gleason welcomed folks who brought their individual – or full collections – of nativity sets to be displayed.
Above: Sisters Adriana Gleason and Fabriza Hunt welcome and organize incoming nativity sets
They worked with the set-up team to display the nativities on beautiful tablecloths and other draperies to create the special and sacred ambiance designed to capture the feeling and Spirit of the Lord’s birth through the displayed nativity sets. The cultural hall was amazing as the 175 nativities “from around the world” were so beautifully displayed.
A multitude of unnamed people came to volunteer in various functions. Many stood at various places throughout the building guiding, visiting, and welcoming the many visitors who came.
It is estimated that approximately 500 people from the stake and the community came to experience the Nativity event.
THE NATIVITY EVENT PROGRAM
At 4:00 PM, Sister Ford staged a “Meet the Press” event. President Addison Horst, Stake President was there to greet any press who might come. City Councilman Goettl was present. Event coordinators, Kevin and Lou Hunt were present.
Above: Sister Jennifer Ford, Kevin Hunt, Eric Goettl at the “Meet the Press” event
Sister Ford interviewed President Horst – and instructed him to “talk ‘Presidential’”. Within moments, she posted this interview to social media and invited the Maricopa world to come – right then – to enjoy and experience the “Nativities from Around the World”.
Above: Sister Jennifer Ford interviewing Stake President, Addison Horst about the stake’s Nativity event
At 5:00 PM, the Hunts stood in the chapel and welcomed all who had gathered for the event. They introduced Sister Yardley who gave the event invocation. President Horst then addressed the group introducing the Nativity event. He invited all to welcome the Savior and to recognize His birth, life, mission, Atonement and resurrection as the nativities – the symbols of Christ – were experienced through the events of the evening.
Above: Stake President Addison Horst welcomes guests to the Nativity event
THE QUIET AND BEAUTIFUL AMBIANCE OF THE NATIVITY SETTING
The Community of Hope Church (located adjacent to the “Honeycutt Chapel” – across the street from Maricopa High School) – staged continuous live nativity dramatizations through the evening.
Above: “Living Nativity” staged by the Community of Hope Church
A “tea light trail” was formed with white bags with small lights lined the sidewalk going from the LDS chapel over to the Community of Hope to help guide guests walking between the two churches – and many people from both congregations went back and forth to enjoy all of the program options.
Above: Tea Light Trail guided guests from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Honeycutt chapel next door to the Community of Hope Church.
The Nativity event was staged from 5:00 PM through 8:00 PM on the evening of December 20th and a variety of program activities continued through the evening.
Most incoming guests visited and were touched by the Spirit strongly present in the sacred “White Room”. Guests stood in awe and felt the witness of the Spirit through the special ambiance of this room. A random teen was heard in the hall as he expressed his feelings to those with him: “You have to go to that white room at the end of the hall. It is really special.”
Above: The sacred and special “White Nativity Room”
The Children’s Activity Room proved to be very popular through the evening. Guests – families of all ages – came to participate in various activities. Children could dress up in nativity costumes, color nativity pages, touch and feel “kid-friendly” nativity characters, and other activities. A large wood nativity scene helped guests live and feel the nativity scene.
Above: Stake Primary President Cori Carpenter (Right) with her counselor Alyssa Gehring (Center) and Alyssa’s husband, Seth, and their children – twins in dress-up costumes
The cookie room delighted guests through the evening. Chairs and tables were set to encourage guests to stay a while and to visit while dining on the multitude of cookie delights so abundantly offered on the large cookie buffet tables. Many young people (and many adults) were seen grabbing hands full of cookies for immediate and future enjoyment.
Above: The “Cookie Room” in its grandeur as set up by the Chambers and Sister Hunt
Above: Cookies were brought to the kitchen by stake members. And (Bottom) Sister Lou Hunt takes cookies to the cookie room for the Chambers to organize
Above: Many scenes from the “Nativities from Around the World” event held December 20, 2025 in the Maricopa, Arizona stake
The Cultural Hall was filled with the many tables and displays of the nativities. Ropes were strung in front of the display tables to protect the donated nativity sets. There were a multitude of Christmas trees that adorned the center of the room. A large wooden manger focused upon the Christ-child and the gifts that were brought to him. The hall was strung with a multitude of string lights that went back and forth across the room. Other potential lights were turned off. The curtains were partially opened to the chapel – and the musical presentations – with a rope between them – so that the spirit of the musical performances could be enjoyed and felt as the nativities were viewed. The music was also “piped” to the other rooms described above.
Guests could sit in the chapel to enjoy the many musical presentations. Many people did come and sit for multiple performances.
THE SCHEDULED PROGRAM OF THE EVENING
Above: Incoming guests could see the event schedule as they entered the chapel for the
Nativity event
A GRAND AND BEAUTIFUL EVENING
Everything and everyone came together to make a wonderful, beautiful and inspiring evening for all who came to experience the “Nativities from Around the World” event. It was indeed, a successful, sacred and special evening.
One brother, Miguel, who came to serve as a volunteer said, “I came to serve on the security team but I ended up having a very spiritual experience.”
Many LDS church members came as well as a multitude of guests who were not of our faith. We could see in their eyes and faces that they were – and did – feel the power and spirit of the place.
Above: Doug and Jennifer Brown – character actors from the Community of Hope Church “Living Nativity” came to view the LDS Nativity exhibits
There were a few “connections” (little miracles) as people visited together. One known example was Fisher Ormond, a missionary who had returned the day before from a mission to Brazil visiting friends who are from Brazil but who are here in America visiting family.
Above: Fisher Ormond (wearing white coat) visits and speaks Portugeus with visiting Brazilians Sergio and Antonia Marin (below far right) in their language
At the end of the evening, Rusty and Fabriza Hunt, Larissa Borgholthaus, Adriana Gleason, the full Hoffman clan and many others assisted in the process to “strike the set” and to help the multitude of nativity donors retrieve their special nativity sets.
All of the event props were carefully stored in two different closets located at the chapel – and which are reserved for the storage of the sacred props. The chapel and cultural hall was cleaned and all was left in good order by 10:00 PM that evening.
Through the special event, many people were able to experience with joy and gratitude – and to remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Hearts were touched and inspired.
The statistics:
About 500 people came to experience the event
85 performers shared their talents throught evening
About 225 nativity sets – of all kinds, origin, and artistic talent were displayed
A multitude of people served in various ways to make the evening a success
A special event was staged to inspire people of faith – from various churches – and in community cooperation together
PLANNING AHEAD FOR 2026
Even amidst the event set-up, Bishop Hoffman and Kevin Hunt got together and on the computer, they accessed the stake calendar. Together, and upon recommendation of Pastor Akers of the Community of Hope Church, set up the program for 2026. The day of Saturday, December 12, 2026 (12-12-26) was selected. The building was reserved and general program features (made available by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) were utilized to invite members to reserve the date and to plan to participate and attend.
Sister Hunt and I were happy for another opportunity to serve in the Lord’s Kingdom – and to recognize Him and Father for the divine birth of the baby Jesus – who later became our Savior and Redeemer.
Christmas is here and it is a beautiful season of the year. At this time we get to spend much time with family and friends. The shopping is mostly done. The plethora of school concerts and programs are now history. We are shifting from the fast lane into Christmas coasting at a bit lower speed.
The weather here in Arizona is absolutely amazing at this season. It is about 70 degrees each day. A rough life, but someone has to do it. (And it is times like this that makes June with 115 degrees almost bearable!)
We have enjoyed being home from our mission to Nauvoo but deep in our hearts, the joyful memories remain. We are enjoying time and experiences with the many grandchildren. We have 23 grands around us here whom we see often and it is so great to spend time with each of them.
We have spent much time working to get our home organized and in order. This has been a major feat but we have almost got it conquered. The place looks amazing.
We had the opportunity to chair a special event. This was the stake “Nativities from Around the World” event. This was held this past weekend. We had a fabulous team of folks to work with and the event came off wonderfully. We had about 500 people in attendance – plus another 85 people who were musicians who performed and shared their talents. We had some 220 nativity sets beautifully displayed for all who came. We believe that all felt the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost witnessing to them of the divinity and simple majesty of the Savior’s birth as the Son of God.
Our hope for all of you is that you have a joyous Christmas as you spend precious time with your families and friends. May the Spirit and Light of Christ, God His Father, and the Holy Ghost be with you all.
I am pleased to share with you my (35th or so) annual Christmas poem/hymn. This has long been my tradition. This is what came to me as inspiration of the Holy Ghost – whom I love and appreciate. it is great to work in tandem with Him.
Note from Kevin: As I served as a Site Missionary in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission from 2024 through 2025, I created a plethora of blogs on a variety of historic subjects. Through the mission I created 75 blog articles. Most of these blog articles were created from extensive history research about Nauvoo, the prophets, ancestors, and others who lived and served there. Many of the blog articles ultimately became books of their own and the 20 books compiled in Nauvoo are available as free PDF files (upon request to me by email or text). These are also available for purchase on lulu.com. (Find the books – and many others of mine – with a search on the word “Nauvoo” and even more with a search on my name)
The 75 blog articles have been published on lulu.com in four volumes (each of just under 800 pages).
Above: Elder Hunt as the “night writer”.
Some of the blog articles were created as monthly newsletters of the Illinois Historic Sites Mission – as Sister Hunt and I served as the Mission Historians. These articles are not included in the published books but they will be included in the official 2025 full year mission history when published in January of 2026.
Above: Elder Hunt typing blog articles when not busy giving tours at the Sarah Granger Kimball (original) home
Above: Elder Hunt typing above the Orson Hyde home between tours
There are a variety of ways that you can access the blog articles:
All of the blogs are and will continue to be available on the blogsite of:
InNauvooWithKevandLou.wordpress.com
If you see one or more articles that you like and want a copy, send me a text or e-message with your e-mail address and I will be happy to send one or many of them to you.
Blog articles on the blog site are in descending order by date of publication. Note that some of the articles were published out of chronological order but that order has been corrected in the published books.
Above: Elder Hunt writing at the Browning Home and Gun Shop (nice office) when not giving tours.
At the bottom of this article I have included an index of all the published blog articles. The index (in chronological order) includes the Blog #, the Blog Title, the Date the article was published on the blog site, and the book volumes in which the articles are published on lulu.com.
If the links do not work or do not appear to be active, simply copy the link address into your browser and hit enter and it should come up.
Here is the link to the Blog Book #4 in a free PDF format
Being in Nauvoo just kind of grows on you (at least it has grown on me and our family). After being there, experiencing that “special Nauvoo Spirit” it tugs at the heart strings. Everyone who comes to Nauvoo feels of that Spirit. We have all felt it and it is marvelous and wonderful. The Nauvoo Spirit within us brings a desire to stay in Nauvoo forever and to return again, and again.
Sadly Nauvoo trips to come to an end. But as they do, the memories linger forever in our hearts. We remember the restored homes and shops, but most importantly the feelings that we felt as we were there. We feel the burning of the Spirit as He witnesses to us of the power of Jesus Christ and His Restoration of the Gospel in our day. We see and feel that Restoration all around Nauvoo and it touches our hearts.
A FAREWELL SONG OF NAUVOO
When I was a young missionary in Nauvoo – a hundred years ago … actually just half of that … 50 years ago … We had a mission song (sung to the tune of “Edelweiss” that we sang together as missionaries departed our sacred and special Nauvoo society. A copy of the song was given to departing missionaries by the mission president, Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball. Dr. Kimball was the visionary who began the restoration efforts in Nauvoo (so the song mentions “Kimball’s Hand”).
Here is my copy of song and certificate:
Twenty five years later, our daughter, Jackie was privileged to experience a BYU Nauvoo semester (in Nauvoo, of course). They had a song which they sang together:
For almost 25 years, that was the farewell song that was lovingly and tenderly sung by departing missionaries.
Then as we served in 2024 a senior sister missionary composed a new song – sung to the tune of the old “Mormon” song, “The Gallant Ship”. (This song was composed by the great Latter-day song writer, even William W. Phelps, and was sung by foreign Saints as they prepared to leave their native lands for Nauvoo and the hymn even appeared in Emma Smith’s “Sacred Hymns” 1835 hymnbook. Here is a link to the old Mormon era favorite:
The new song was nice and had the potential to be “peppy” in the tradition of “The Gallant Ship”. However, many missionaries, including Sister Hunt and me, liked the song that our Jackie also sang (and which we sang at the beginning of our mission as missionaries departed).
Each of the songs captured much of the feeling and Spirit of Nauvoo and departing the special place. And our own feelings were the same as our Nauvoo departure time approached far too rapidly – and certainly as it came the actual departure time.
DEPARTURE OF OUR LAST FAMILY VISITORS
We survived having all of our family here for most of three weeks. It was exhausting but also wonderful. We know that the family members felt strongly the Spirit of Nauvoo. They loved hearing of the Prophet Joseph Smith, their own Nauvoo ancestors, and experiencing all of the special restored homes and shops. We know that each family member will forever carry special memories in their minds and hearts about their visit to Nauvoo. It was such a great blessing to have them in Nauvoo with us for the final weeks and days of our mission.
Our mission was actually scheduled to end on October 1st. That is when most our April 1st 2024 MTC group departed. We extended our mission by 13 days to accommodate our many families who wanted to come – planning their trips around their Arizona school fall breaks.
On Saturday October 11th, We dropped Rusty and family back at the Moline airport.
We did not want to travel on Sunday so we planned to leave on Monday, October 13th. Still, however, we did have to work furiously on Sunday (against our wishes). The Nauvoo ox was mired up to its knees and beyond.
SO MUCH TO DO IN SO LITTLE TIME
We got back late in the evening from the airport, but then we had to get in high gear. We had only about 26 hours before we would be heading home and leaving Nauvoo. We didn’t waste any time. Back at home, we got right into the tasks looming before us. Lou packed many items. This is a relentless job and has taken much effort.
I finalized my guest log in my Tours spreadsheet. I did laundry (two batches), Lou and I packed up a lot of stuff for the return trip home. I did more mission newsletter tasks.
OUR FINAL FAREWELL TO MISSION FRIENDS
OCTOBER 12TH – SUNDAY
Sunday, October 12th proved to be kind of a tear-jerker. It pulled at the heart strings.
We went to our final mission church meetings. This was super sad. We attended sacrament meeting and then Sunday school. Two young sisters spoke on the gathering of Israel. Our mission leader, President Daniel S. Mehr then talked.
President Mehr shared a story of when he was the mission leader in the West Indies Mission ten or more years ago. He talked of doing a mission tour – with the help of his assistants. He had to go to one place that required a boat ride across a very wide river – taken by a guy in a canoe. On the other side of the scarry ride he saw glorious missionaries in white shirts and ties. He said that a general authority later came to visit and took the same canoe ride. President Mehr said that he promised the general authority that there would be light at the other side.
President Mehr has established a tradition of asking those whose last Sunday it is in the mission to stand. We missed that activity for our MTC group when we were at the Nauvoo Visitors’ Branch (per our duty) last Sunday. The departing missionaries can be couples or young sister missionaries. I told Lou that if we were the only ones in this situation today that I would not want to stand. Nice thought for a crusty old “fart” but It did not work that way.
When the question was posed, we stood up and yes, we were the only ones standing. We stood for just a moment and then sat down after the oohs and aahs as people digested the fact that we are leaving. But President Mehr immediately told us to remain standing. We were obedient. And he had us remain standing for what seemed like a long time.
President Mehr had high praise for us. He called us “an amazing couple”. He talked of Sister Hunt’s “ancient Nauvoo history” through his father and the original Nauvoo brick. Then he talked of her involvement with the new Temple brick design. He then said, “And Elder Hunt served the last few months of his young mission in Nauvoo.”
He then talked of how God orchestrates these experiences and connections individually for each of us. He said, “The Lord knows every missionary and he enjoys making such things come together. We are His covenant children. [And referencing his previous story …] We have to cross the river to help others. God has fun creating these experiences and connections for His children.” He also said, “I can’t wait until I can be in His position to also have fun creating these experiences for my children.” President Mehr got emotional as he talked of Lou and me. I think that he appreciates and is kind of overwhelmed at what we have contributed to the mission.
After the meeting, several folks came and said, “that was a great tribute to you guys from the mission president”. People who talked to me included Elders Harford, Lowe, and Sanders – and others.
STILL THINKING OF THE GRANDKIDS
After the meetings, we went to the home of Elder and Sister Hampton. Lou had made excuse for us not taking our grandson Lucas there for a geode and then had a change of heart and asked Elder Hampton if we could get one for him and Marinda’s children. Elder Hampton loves to share and his wife is all for giving away as many geodes as possible so that they don’t have to take them all home. He gave us some nice geodes. And she gave us a couple of bagels that she had made. (Lou has tried several times to make bagels – but each time without success.)
TRYING TO EMPTY OUT THE HOUSE
Sister Torri Sanders told Lou that she would accept any and all refrigerator food that she wanted to give away. So, as we got home, Lou immediately packed up two or three boxes of stuff. She also had amassed a large pile of stuff to take to the missionary D.I. We made both deliveries in one trip. It was great to get rid of all of “that stuff”. It was good to see it depart our home – since it diminished what we still needed to take home or otherwise deal with.
Today was a situation of a truly mired ox. And we worked the ox … We were kind of in a pickle. Kind of … we were really in a jam. Rusty and family were here and we needed to have car space to take them to the airport yesterday – and we needed to leave on Monday. So, this meant that our ox was in deep. We really didn’t have a choice.
We both labored extensively all afternoon to deal with our stuff. I broke down a lot of unused boxes and took them – and a leaky air mattress – to the small hidden dumpster located on Main Street by the Pioneer Pastimes pavilion.
PACKING THE WAGON TO GO WEST
As I began our mission … and these blog article, I compared our loaded vehicle to that of the pioneers who departed Nauvoo for the west. I then included the “Bill of Particulars” which was a list of needed supplies. We went way and beyond the “Bill of Particulars”. We had so much stuff. (And we had already sent a dozen or so boxes of “stuff” home with our son Keith. And we had arrived in our wagon – packed to the gills. How did we acquire all that more “stuff”? … It was a combination of my new Dutch oven, all of the books that I wrote while Nauvoo, the normal life accumulation of “stuff” and of course the convenience and draw of the missionary “Deseret Industries” (“the D.I.”). Anyway, it all crept in on us and now we had to deal with it.
My major task of the afternoon was that of packing up the car for our departure for home. And this truly was a major task – and an intricate test of my packing abilities (that I learned from my father).
We had so much “stuff” and only our mini-van (pioneer wagon) to haul all of the stuff home. I had to use all of my best skills to accomplish the task. I began by putting Lou’s Bosch, her sewing machine, and a newly acquired mixer that she just got from the D.I. – onto the floor of the van – between the second and third row seats. I then put one of our two 4’ tables. I put this atop of a couple of shrunk bags of clothing – to make the table sit flat. On this table, I put a board painting that Jenae started a while ago – about Jesus and children. I put a couple of other poster size photos. I then put the second table on top of these items. I packed towels and other soft stuff around the kitchen items – to secure them tightly. My computer printer – in a large cardboard box came next.
Lou had packaged twenty or more of those vacuum bags – of various sizes – so I began to fit these in everywhere I could – based upon size and stuff around them. I worked at this task for a couple of hours and wore myself out (like Wilford Woodruff building his house, “I wearied myself working on my house today …”) I also worked up quite a sweat – which is quite unusual for me.
EXTRA-MILE SERVICE IN OUR BEHALF
Elder and Sister Ballard (Dan and Wendi) of our Brigham District came over to say goodbye to us. She offered to take our massive collection of food storage (canned food). She said that she would also offer the same cans to young sister missionaries. I helped her load the boxes into her car. (He has a bad back.) She also took several boxes or collections of D.I. “stuff” and said that she would deliver this “stuff” there for us. They were “angels of mercy” in our behalf. They saved us a lot of effort and stress over what to do with all of that “stuff’.
Above: Elder and Sister Jones with Elder and Sister Hunt on the night before Nauvoo departure
Elder Ivan and Sister Ramona Jones (whom we hardly knew) were kind enough to invite us over to their home for dinner that night (knowing that we would be packing and kind of “out of food”. Sister Jones made a wonderful meal for us. She cooked a pork roast, had a greet salad, yummy green beans, a “pickle flavored” pasta salad and best of all a sour cream and chocolate chip cake that was amazing. We had an enjoyable visit with them. Elder and Sister have known the Mehrs for many years – after serving together in a previous mission. Elder Jones is to be a new counselor to President Mehr – after the departure soon of Elder Preston.
STILL GOADING THE OX
[Visitors to the Nauvoo “Oxen Experience” learn that the Teamsters guide the ox by use of a “goad” – a long, pointed stick – to prod and guide the animal forward.” (AI must have learned that from the Teamsters!)]
Above: Elder and Sister Hallows (him with the ox goad)
After we got home, we got into our ox management again. We hit it hard and heavy.
I later made another garbage run – and even another DI run about 10:30 PM.
Lou worked extensively on the take-down of the kitchen. This involved a lot of work. She mopped the floors. She did a hundred tasks that she had on her mental (and physical) list of things that needed to be done. She also wearied herself.
I also spent much time vacuuming all of the floors of the place. I did the main floor, the upstairs bedroom, and then the whole downstairs – including the large rag carpet that is on the floor.
Together we accomplished a great deal. We worked hard to get done with everything. Then each of us had showers to get rid of the sweat and to recuperate and rejuvenate from the hard day. That ox gave us a work-out! The showers were wonderful.
And by 11 PM we declared that we had done all that we needed to do that night. It was nice to get to bed at that early hour – so as to be rested for the anticipated long day of travel the next day. And the place looked wonderful. We still had a few things to pack on the morrow – the stuff used overnight, for showers, etc. but we were almost completely done and ready!
D-DAY (DEPARTURE DAY) FROM OUR BELOVED NAUVOO
We awoke this morning at our usual time – me at 6:15 AM. I got up and got ready. I packed up my bathroom stuff. I then packed my 3-day suitcase for the trip.
I went to the car and continued to pack things in. The “stuff” just seems to multiply. [And by the way, the word “Stuff” is actually a Biblical term used by Jesus in his teachings. See Luke 17:31 – even back to the beginning of time … See Genesis 31:37] We were already tight but I managed to find tight spaces to put everything. We still had a stack that we left for Sister Ballard to take to the missionary D.I. for us. We also left another box of food for her. After I got all of the stuff in the car, we worked together to strap on the two bikes.
Lou did some more cleaning and got the place in good shape. Elder Burr came as the district leader to check us out of the place. This was his first such check-out as a new D.L.. Elder Cox (who lives across the street north) on his bike. We asked him to take a photo of us.
Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou with car packed and ready to leave the Nauvoo Simeon A. Dunn home heading home to Arizona
I had taken photos of the vehicle and the clean house and this one was of the packed car with the Dunn home in the back.
Above: We left a spotless Dunn home as we departed
We also took a selfie out front of the house- with the Dunn home sign behind us – and holding our “Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Dene Hunt” sign that has been in our front window through our mission.
Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou in final Nauvoo photo taken October 13, 2025
Elder and Sister McArthur (our neighbors to the south) came and brought us some snack candy for the road. We appreciated this gift. We later took them a half gallon of milk.
At this point, we were all ready to leave for Maricopa and home. I had wanted to leave about 8:00 but it was right at 10:00 AM when we pulled out. I posted several departure photos for the kids.
AND THEN THAT TERRIBLE MOMENT CAME …
A new post might begin, “Farewell Nauvoo … homeward bound”. We had a prayer of thanksgiving for the glorious mission that has been ours. I gave the prayer and got choked up somewhat in doing it. Sister Hunt noticed it and she felt the same way. It was very sad to be leaving. This mission had been such a joyful time. We were and are grateful for the blessing of being in beautiful Nauvoo.
And a side note: In our desert land of Arizona, we are not blessed to experience Fall and the changing leaves. We loved the new experience of Fall in Nauvoo in 2024. We had hoped to again see those changing leaves before we departed Nauvoo but such was not to be the case. The weather was fabulous and beautiful but that meant too that we missed the orange and red leaves. I guess we can’t have everything!
OUR NAUVOO EXODUS BEGINS
And with that, we were off. We drove south to Keokuk – along the river route that we have been on probably 75 times (at least) but this green highway never gets old. It is one of the prettiest drives I have ever been on.
We went to the Walmart gas station and filled our tank. We had to back-track a bit to get to 7th street where we needed to turn south. We got on the Highway 136 and drove on this highway for a hundred or so miles.
This was very much a country road – just a 2-lane road. The scenery of the green rolling hills, the fields, and the country farm homes – was all gorgeous. I loved the drive. We went 60 miles per hour – and I didn’t want to go faster than that with our load anyway.
We crossed through the north end of Missouri and kind of went straight across. We then crossed into Kansas. (So we went through 4 states today – Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.)
We talked along the way with our children Jackie, Kaylea, Rusty and Marinda. (We talked to Lana at the hotel). We also listened to some of the recent General Conference of the Church.
We continued through the day with the goal of ending up in Great Bend, Kansas. There were no rest stops except near the end of the day. We had plenty of munchies – mostly sweets – to eat all of the way.
We stopped for gas at Abilene, Kansas. We got gas for just $2.22 per gallon – for premium. Wow! It has been years since I have seen gas for that low of a price. We stopped there for dinner at Subway and got good sandwiches.
WE SPENT THE NIGHT IN METROPOLITAN GREAT BEND, KANSAS
We arrived at the Quality Inn in Great Bend. We got checked in and went to our room 120.
Above: Our car looked marvelous in the moonlight of the Quality Inn in Great Bend, Kansas
The room was very nice but was very much lacking adequate lighting. We made it one third of our way home. We plan to go right at 500 miles each of the three days. This equates to right at 8 hours per day.
I got onto my computer and typed my journal entry for the day. I was behind on my writing. I did not write while Rusty and Fabriza were with us. I wanted to type more but the lighting in the hotel was atrocious. There were very small lamps on each side of the bed but no large central light. I finally had to abandon the hope of getting caught up on the journals since I could not read my index cards of notes.
We were surprised to receive a message tonight from Sister Mehr:
“Elder and Sister Hunt, we miss you already! Thank you for your incredible service—your incredibly productive service! We have loved learning from you both and serving together in such a sacred experience—with so much fun as well!
“We are both so grateful to you for the plentiful histories, the great information, the delicious treats, and just your company. We love you and are privileged to call you friends!
“Drive safely, and please stay in touch!
Much love!”
OCTOBER 14TH – TUESDAY (The journal continues …)
Day 2 of our westward journey …
We went to bed last night at 11 PM. I awoke this morning at 4:30 AM and could not really get back to sleep. This was frustrating. I did get up at my now usual time of 6:15 AM. Lou decided to get her shower first so that she could “work on her hair and make-up”.
Lou listened to the news station morning and learned that there was intense local fog that was to last until 9 AM. So, this being the case, I was not in a hurry to get out of the door. We only planned to drive for eight hours today so we didn’t need to hurry.
I spent a while working on my journal and completed writing from two days of notes. This was good. I needed only to write from one more note card.
We went and ate breakfast at the hotel “mini kitchen”. They had a decent breakfast. I got a small pastry roll, a really nice crisp waffle, orange juice, a yogurt, and some sausage. Lou had sausage, eggs, and a bagel.
Last night we noticed a Walmart store located across the street from the Quality Inn hotel where we stayed. We decided to go there to buy some snack goodies for our trip. (Wouldn’t the real pioneers have loved that opportunity!) It was a good thing that we saw the store sign last night. This morning it was totally invisible in the fog. We bought some grapes, a bakery package of banana walnut bread (so yummy), Pringles chips, a carton of lemonade, and a package of “thin mints” (chocolate cookies with a greet mint layer – and I have never seen such a “thin mint”. The name said it all!) We enjoyed munching on all of these items through the day. It was a good thing that we had these items because on the road that we travelled, we hardly saw a store or food joint all day.
FOLLOWING THE MORMON BATTALION ON THE SANTA FE TRAIL
For nearly 40 years, I have been a member of the “modern” Mormon Battalion.
Above: Kevin Hunt as member of the “modern” Mormon Battalion
The original Battalion traveled directly through what is now our town of Maricopa, Arizona. And about eighteen miles west of Maricopa is where the Battalion spent their bleak Christmas of 1846.
Above: Mormon Battalion “Christmas Camp” site – Christmas 1846 near Maricopa, Arizona
Battalion members were quite destitute at that point. Their clothes were “thread-bare” and their diet scant at best. They were literally saved by the Pima-Maricopa Indians who cared for them with pumpkins, squash and the like.
For most of those 40 years local Boy Scouts camped and hiked at the “Christmas Camp”. Our dedicated Battalion group staged campfire programs virtually every weekend from October (when the heat finally subsided) through April (when the heat hit again). In these programs we shared the story, faith and sacrifice of the original Battalion.
Above: Wagon ruts along the Mormon Battalion Trail in Arizona
I did not have the time to help much on these programs but I did make a major personal commitment in another way. After the Scouts had experienced the above out on the trail, and after they achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, Battalion members went to their Eagle Courts of Honor and presented a classy bull skull neckerchief slide. I believe that I made about 150 or more of those presentations through the years.
Above: Scouter Kevin Hunt making presentation of buffalo skull neckerchief skull to new Eagle Scouts
Above: Mormon Battalion buffalo skull neckerchief slide presented to new Eagle Scouts
So it is obvious that I loved the Mormon Battalion. And being also an avid historian, I wanted to combine the two.
As I anticipated our return home, I realized that the most direct route might be to follow the route taken by those hearty soldiers of the U.S. Army of the West (in the Mexican-American War between Mexico and the United States). On one of our church history immersion trips with the young sister missionaries I had picked up a brochure with a map of the Battalion route. I looked at it and it was perfect. It was exactly where we needed to go.
Above: Route taken by the Mormon Battalion 1846 from Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas to California
The Battalion was mustered into service at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas – near our modern day Kansas City. Our first night hotel was carefully calculated along the Mormon Battalion trail just past Kansas City. I had to find just the right place to stay – to equalize out our travel days home. And another challenge was to find hotels along that route. They were kind of few and far between.
ALONG THE MORMON BATTALION TRAIL
I learned that the Battalion route almost exactly followed the historic Santa Fe Trail – that began westward from Independence. As we drove, I looked all along the way for signs or markers about the Battalion. I found one that commemorated the Santa Fe Trail.
The Journal for Tuesday, October 14 records: We left the town of Great Bend this morning heading for Santa Fe, New Mexico. The fog continued for another couple of hours. We were really on a remote road. We were almost the only folks on our side of the road. We only saw three or four other cars going our way. There were many more on the other side.
We drove through Kansas, then through a small corner of Oklahoma, and then into New Mexico. We followed the famed Santa Fe Trail. I had selected this route since it was also the approximate route of the Mormon Battalion. I hoped to find Battalion markers all along the way. In this I was disappointed, however. We did stop at many markers along the way but we did not find a single one about the Battalion. This was a major disappointment.
The drive was mostly quite bland – with little foliage or other excitement – other than some herds of cows. The countryside looked very much like the Indian reservation in northern Arizona – on our route up the Kaibab Mountain and into Utah. We missed the corn fields and other beautiful green rolling hills of Missouri as we had experienced yesterday.
We drove for right at 500 miles today – as we did yesterday – and as we will do again tomorrow. The Google maps said that the distance from Nauvoo to Maricopa is 1,501 miles. I was able to plan the trip so that we had three equal driving days – within minutes of each other.
I drove most of the way. I did have Lou drive for an hour so that I could take a nap. And this was wonderful.
Lou was in a major panic all day – stressed about traffic (or lack thereof … the threat of a break down out in the middle of nowhere), the rain, the fog, and more.
She clung to her phone and kept us on track with her navigation skills. I greatly appreciated her help but was a bit challenged by her OCD attention to obvious details, signs, and situations. She was a good navigator.
We had a one hour time change – so we got to our destination an hour earlier – but paid for it through a longer overall day.
President Oaks put out a message to all Church members of the world. He invited us to a special broadcast in which the new First Presidency would be announced. This was to be at 1:00 Pm (Utah time) and 2:00 PM our time. We had difficulty getting the broadcast so we didn’t actually get to hear it. This was a disappointment.
Above: New First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced October 14, 2025. President and Prophet Dallin H. Oaks (Center), Pres. Henry B. Eyring (left – 1st counselor, and Pres. D. Todd Christofferson – (right – 2nd Counselor)
Later we found the news that he had been ordained today as the 18th Prophet of this dispensation. The news did not say that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland would have been voice in the ordination but he is second to President Oaks in seniority. He will be the new President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (not just the “acting president” while President Oaks was in the Presidency with President Nelson). President Oaks picked as his counselors Elder Henry B. Eyring (who was 2nd counselor to Pres. Hinckley, 1st counselor to Pres. Monson, 2nd counselor to Pres. Nelson- and who will now again be 1st Counselor. He picked Elder D. Todd Christofferson as his new 2nd Counselor. Elder C. was kind of a surprise pick – though he will be great.
President Oaks is age 93 and Pres. Eyring is 92. Elder Holland is 84. None of these men are in good health. Many are showing signs of their advanced age. These brethren will likely all be gone within five years. Sad thought! Elder Christofferson is the “young buck” at age 80.
Along our way today we listened to several talks from General Conference. I liked the talk by Elder Uchtdorff about talents and Elder Rasband’s message about the “Family Proclamation”.
We experienced quite heavy fog as we were about an hour and a half from our Santa Fe destination. This was sad since the scenery along the way – possibly even mountains – looked gorgeous. We were sad that we could not see the beautiful country. I think that this was my first time through this country.
The fog lifted about 15 miles from Santa Fe and this was wonderful. By then, however, we had descended down into a less vegetated area. As we approached Santa Fe, I quickly noted what a beautiful city it is. I was impressed with the Spanish and South Western theme of the buildings, businesses, etc. The rolling hills and trees were all beautiful.
Above: The Inn at Santa Fe – the Inn where we spent the night en route home. A wonderful place!
We got checked into our hotel. We stayed in “The Inn at Santa Fe”. I soon learned to really like this place. It is decorated in a southwest theme. The room was quite nicely arranged. We got a room (#312) with a single queen bed but it is nicely furnished. And it had quite a bit more available light than we had last night.
As we headed toward Santa Fe, my taste buds were anticipating some great Santa Fe Mexican food. I figured that they would have the best. After we got checked into our room, we went to a little hole in the wall Mexican food place that Google recommended to us after we asked for “The best Mexican food near the Best Western Hotel in Santa Fe”) This place was called, “El Comal“. This was a little family run business that has been going since 1977. I got a combinacion plate with a tamale, a hard taco, cheese enchilada, and rice and beans. The tamale had been around a while and was not fresh. I am not into cheese so did not get into the enchilada. The other items were good. And the sopapilla was very impressive. It was about 8 inches long and was wonderful with honey. That made the meal.
Above: Elder Kevin and Lou Hunt eating Mexican food en route home from mission. Note the “Mormon Battalion” bolo tie worn by Elder Hunt
Back at the hotel room, we tried to find a TV show to watch but were disappointed with the lack in what we saw. Lou worked on her own journal for a while. I typed my entry for this past Sunday. I continued writing for today’s activities – even after Lou went to bed (10:30 Nauvoo time and 9:30 New Mexico time).
I got something in my right eye and this bothered me for several hours today. I tried eye drops, washing out my eye, using a damp cloth, etc. but nothing seemed to help.
JUST ONE MORE DAY HOME TO OUR MARICOPA
It was Wednesday, October 15, and I recorded: We awoke this morning at the beautiful Inn at Santa Fe. I loved this impressive place and its southwest theme décor. The goal for the day was to get home. Last night Lou said, “What hotel are we staying at tomorrow?” She wanted to get her GPS directions going. I said, “We are staying at the HuOnt hotel tomorrow.” She laughed and said, “Oh, yeah …”. So funny!
This morning we packed up our things and used a hotel cart to cart all of the stuff downstairs to the car.
We went to breakfast at the hotel. This was an amazing breakfast. I found one entrée interesting … beans with green chili on the side – perfect for Southwest Santa Fe. I was all over that one! Great stuff!
We were soon on our way. Today was our final travel day home. We got gas at a Love’s station in Albuquerque – $3.17 per gallon … the highest we have paid in many months. We traveled on I-25 south to Albuquerque and then west on the I-40 through New Mexico and then on into Arizona. We turned south on Highway 277 toward Payson.
WE FINALLY FOUND A MORMON BATTALION MARKER
All along our way, we continued to check out markers – hoping to find some about the Mormon Battalion. We found absolutely none. We found many markers about the Santa Fe Trail that we were following. Finally this morning we saw a large highway sign advertising a Battalion monument. We took the exit but could not find the monument. Lou got stressed as I drove on a couple of dirt roads (with our loaded car) in search of the monument. I then looked it up on Google and saw that it was in our area – and that it was 20 feet tall – with a wagon on the top of the monument. I recognized the monument – located about 100 yards – at least from the I-25 freeway. And there appeared to be no exit opportunity anywhere around.
Above: Mormon Battalion monument as we sped by on the I-25 freeway from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, New Mexico
There appeared to be no easy road to the monument so I had to settle for a zoom photo taken by Lou – and what I found on-line.
The original monument was located “32 miles north of Albuquerque on Highway 85.”[1] The 1996 monument is located “five miles northeast of San Felipe Pueblo, New Mexico […] near the dead end of a road reached via exit 257 on Interstate 25.”[2] It is located off a frontage road along the north side of Interstate 25.[3]
WELCOME TO ARIZONA
Getting closer to home!
GETTING A&W ROOT BEER FOR KEITH
We stopped in the lovely (not) town of Holbrook. We got gas again there. We stopped at the A&W Root Beer stand there. I think there are only a couple of A&W stands left in the whole state of Arizona and one of them is in metropolitan Holbrook. At least there is one positive thing about Holbrook. We bought a glass for Lou and me to share and also a gallon to give to Keith. He loves A&W root beer. It did taste pretty fabulous. It has been a long time since we have had A&W root beer.
The road 260 across the Mongollon Rim to Payson was beautiful, as ever. I love driving through the pine trees.
Above: The majestic Mongollon Rim near Payson, Arizona
At the town of Payson, we stopped at Walmart and did drink and drain. We then headed down the mountains from Payson toward home.
WE STOPPED EN ROUTE TO SEE JACKIE AND FAMILY
Jackie invited us to stop at her place for dinner on our way home. She made pulled pork sandwiches (on her homemade wheat buns), a cabbage salad, and chips. They greeted us with a large poster that said, “Nauvoo Busted”. (When we left for the mission their sign said, “Nauvoo or Bust”.)
We called Jackie to see if the family wanted to come outside for a photo with the sign. No answer … And then all three Bowles boys jumped up from hiding behind the 3’ wall in their front yard. They waved colorful banners. It was a fun surprise. It was great to see the family once again. We saw most of the family at Bryson and Annie’s wedding in June but Blake was not there. He had gone to EFY (or FSY) that week. Also, Michael was not there. So, we have not seen Blake or Michael since July of last year (2024) when they came to Nauvoo. Blake had grown quite a bit taller. He had just had a fresh new and very tight hair perm. They showed us a documentary about bee hives.
We then headed on home. By this time, it was dark. (It gets dark earlier than in Nauvoo. Arizona does not go on “daylight savings time”. Arizona is two hours “behind” Nauvoo. (So 7 PM in Nauvoo would be 5 PM in Arizona.)
We were kind of out of practice about roads to take home from Jackie’s. We got stuck in really stagnant traffic on the Highway #347. (Things have not changed!) The traffic was backed up totally from the I-10 freeway clear into Maricopa. This was long and frustrating. We certainly did not miss this horrible road while on our mission to Nauvoo (with the very quiet and mellow traffic).
We started to go to Keith’s house to deliver his root beer to him but as we were on the phone, our kids said that he was not at home. With this news, I “smelled a rat” thinking that the family might be gathered at our home. Kaylea (ready for the Zoom call) called to see what was taking us so long to get to our place. We soon found ourselves on a Zoom conference call with all of the out-of-town family members. The Zoom crowd included Kaylea and JD and family, Bryson and Annie, Lana and family, Dallin, and Jenae. It was fun to see them.
WE JOINED A WELCOME HOME PARADE
As we pulled onto our street from Porter – onto Iron Point Road, we noted the massive apartment complex which was completed on the corner as we were gone. When we left. The foundations for the structures were just being poured. These are visible over houses on our street to the east of us.
As we rounded the corner onto the little street just east of us, we soon discovered a plethora of our family members (in the dark). They were causing quite a stir with their noise and the signs that they were all carrying. I am sure that the neighbors were all wondering if they were about to have an invasion. It may have sounded that way. Each child had made his/her own sign – and these looked wonderful. Stuart and maybe others – took a video of the parade – and it was fun to see the fun that everyone was having. Excitement was at a high peak.
The parade followed us (or vice versa) to our own home on Plata Street. We happily greeted and hugged each family member. The assembled group included Keith and Kayla and their eight children, Marinda and Mike and their seven children, Larissa and Stu and their two boys, too. It was a joyous occasion to greet our loving family after being away from them for so long.
Above: Welcome home sign by Oliver
We greeted each family member with their own hug – and this was good for all. I tried to make sure that I greeted each one. Each of the children was proud of the signs that they had made. It was fun to see them all.
Above: Welcome Home signs by family
Kayla had made a large sign for the front of the house – and which was hung on the garage door. This was actually two long banner signs. The top sign said, “This is the Place” and the other said, “Welcome Home” (and it had a small house in between the words).
Above: Welcome home Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt
I liked others that were made by Larissa and that said, “Served with Love, Returning with Honor”. and “Nauvoo … forever in our hearts”.
Our neighbor, William Phelps heard all of the commotion and realized that we had arrived home. He surprised us both with a hug. Interesting reaction from him! We are grateful for his repair of our sprinkler head once when the pipe burst recently.
It was also interesting to see the yard. We didn’t see much in the back but we checked out the front. The central willow tree had grown to be enormous – even higher than the house. The Chinese Pistache tree is marvelous. It has done well.
We went inside the home and were kind of in awe of the place. It looked so huge after our small Dunn home in Nauvoo. We were pleased to see our three new couches that we bought and which were delivered in our absence.
We had sent our other couches home with Larissa and Stu – and their dogs, too. We have a new WIFI provider. Larissa and Stu cleaned the place and did a great job. (They lived here in our absence for over a year. They moved at the end of May and got into their own place that is near to us.)
All of the family members were anxious to help us unpack the car – so we let them go for it. I pulled the great amount of “stuff” from the car and gave it to each family member – who also formed a long chain to get the “stuff” into the house. I tried to find just the right size and weight of packages for each child. Little Elliot – age two – was particularly pleased with the small fry pan that I gave him to carry in. With all of the many helpers, we soon had the car unpacked.
Above: Elliot doing his part carrying small pan
Above: Car stuff piled in the living room (front view) How did we get all of this “stuff” into our wagon coming west from Nauvoo?
We were all amazed at the at the large quantity of “stuff” that we had packed into the car. Lou could not believe that I had fit it all in. There was a large stack of “stuff” on the kitchen table, another in the living room and another in our bedroom.
Above: More stuff piled in the bedroom
It was about 8 Pm when we arrived at our home. It was a school night so the families did not stay real long after the unpacking. It was great to have their help and it was really great to be home with them all once again.
TRYING TO GET SETTLED … AT LEAST FOR THE FIRST NIGHT HOME
We decided to make a late-night trip to Walmart to buy much needed supplies. It cost us $174. Lou noted that it was like “starting over” since we had to buy standard stuff – like Hunt’s Ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, paper plates, toilet paper, and much more.
While at the store we saw Scott Moore, the stake Executive Secretary. He surprised Lou when he said, “You guys must have just got home”. He had communicated with me previously about a possible time for us to be released from the Mission by President Weyroach. This president is to be released on Sunday and Scott does not know if he will release us or if the release will happen with the new president. It is a logistical thing for them – it really does not matter much to us.
In our mail today we received a reimbursement check from the Church for our expenses relative to our return trip home. It was based on a set formula for all missionaries and the mileage from the mission to home. Our mileage was 1,501 miles. Per the formula we were paid mileage at 22 cents per mile, and money for hotel stays and food en route. I think our actual expanses were about $500. I need to add up the receipts.
After I wrote the above paragraph, I added up the figures. We spent $196.30 on gas for the trip. This was 72.25 gallons. Dividing this figure into the 1,500 miles means that we averaged 20.76 miles per gallon – even with the very heavy load on our wagon – and going about 65 miles per hour much of the way. We spent only $90.32 new money on food and snacks. But we started the journey with many snacks which we already had. We spent $200 on hotels. So we spent a total of $487.22 for the entire trip. Not bad!
Above: Front bedroom full of stuff – no mattress even in sight
Our own bed mattress was buried really deep in the front bedroom. We looked at the room and decided it was not worth trying to un-bury it. It was just too much work. We therefore decided to sleep on the queen sized air mattress in our own bedroom. Lou set this up between the boards of our big bed frame (that had held Larissa and Stu’s own mattress) – and so the sideboards kind of held the air mattress in without it “wobbling” of bouncing with each turn. This actually worked quite well. It was actually quite comfortable!
THE MORNING AFTER – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16TH
At the end of the day, I recorded: We were kind of tired last night so I set the alarm to go off at 7:45 AM. We actually slept to 7:15 AM. This was good.
I went right to work on the house. I first cleaned all three toilets. I then began to go through many of the boxes, bags, and suitcases that were piled high. I dealt with a multitude of items. I put these things away and then took the next items and put them away. In the process I pulled out all of my western shirts that I had stored away in my “office” before we left. I got my own closet stuff all organized.
Above: “The “office/museum” room stuffed full
Above: The front bedroom full of stuff
I set up my computer on the desktop that folds down and opens on our new couch. The desk is between two recliner seats. It is a great place to do my computer work. I also set up a small folding table (same brown color as the new couches) and on this I put my computer printer. It will be nice to have this right next to me as I sit on the couch at my computer. Looks like a great “office”. (I have “my side” and Lou has “her side”. It is truly great!)
Above: New “Couch offices” for Kevin and Lou. Fabulous!
I worked on the switches that go to the overhead lights, the printer, and the computer and got them all in order and functioning well. I really love this new desk arrangement. It is glorious and wonderful. It will be very comfortable and efficient for me to work at. The two recliner seats are also amazing. They will recline about ten ways. We tested them out last night. I told Lou that she will have a lot of nice options as she sleeps through Hallmark movies each night. (She said, “You too!)
Above: The new living room arrangement
I worked at my tasks through the whole morning and until about 1:30 PM. Larissa was kind enough to come to help Lou work on her kitchen and getting it put back together.
Above: Kitchen mess awaiting organization
Most of our kitchen stuff (except for what we took to Nauvoo) had been packed in the front bedroom – around the sewing cabinet. It was nice to get this stuff out of that room. They worked for two or three hours on the project and made good progress – but there is still much more to do.
Larissa left for a while to get Oliver from his little pre-school. He attends this school – taught alternatively by Larissa’s friends. He goes two days each week and the ladies take turns being the teacher and hosting the activity. This seems to work well for all. Larissa fed Oliver and then they both came back to our place for more kitchen organization. I enjoyed visiting with Oliver – the guy with “the 4-year old brain” as he says. He is a fun and a funny little guy (in what he says).
We went to the nearby town of Ahwatukee to watch Sienna play volleyball. We were traumatized by traffic at the 347 at Queen Creek Road entrance to the I-10 freeway. It was really backed up. We opted to go clear around on Price Road and then north. This was likely a mistake. We did finally make it to the beautiful and fabulous Desert Vista High School where Sienna now attends. We were late in arriving and missed the first set which Sienna and her team played and lost. We got to watch the second set – which they won. Both of these games went to 25 points. The teams then had to play a final match – to 15 points. This was a tight set and either team could have won. Ultimately Sienna’s team won 17-15.
Momma Lou was traumatized over the prospect of another night on the 347 Highway back to Maricopa. I suggested that we stall for time – to let the “rush hour” finish its course and that we could go out to dinner. I took Lou to the Cracker Barrel restaurant at Chandler Heights at the I-10 freeway. We missed Cracker Barrel while on our mission – since the nearest such place was 75-100 miles from Nauvoo. It was great to be back there once again.
We did not know it was, but we learned that it was Thursday Turkey Dinner night. This was wonderful. Lou and I both got this meal. I got carrots and mashed potatoes with my turkey, dressing, and cranberry. A great meal.
Back at home, Lou continued to slave over her kitchen. She and Larissa had earlier washed everything down so that everything would be clean to go back into the drawers and cupboards. Lou put the stuff into those places. She still has a lot to do, however. So much stuff and so little space in which to put it all.
Lou also did a search for her waffle irons (plural). She needs them to prepare waffles for the Roller children whom we are to tend tomorrow night. Sadie maintains that mini-waffle making is a big part of the traditional activities that we stage for them when we are sitting them as their parents are out.
I sent out several thank you notes to folks who assisted last night in the welcome home gathering. We seriously have the best family! They made us feel special. It was great to be back home amongst them once again.
Lou finished her kitchen project by finding a home for everything from the counter.
Above: Our kitchen in renewed glory
She sat down to try out the new couch recliner. She tried it in various ways that it reclines. She said, “With this couch, I may never see another Hallmark Movie again!”
GETTING RIGHT BACK INTO OUR GRANDPA AND GRANDMA DUTIES
On Friday, less than two days home, we got right back into the grandparent duties. We went to the Pima Butte School and there met Larissa and Oliver as well as Marinda and Mike – with Sadie (who is off school on Fridays), Rosalie, Elliot, and Maylee. The occasion was honor roll certificates to achieving students of the first quarter. In the 9 AM gathering, Samuel (3rd grade) was recognized with the “Principal List” designation for getting straight A grades. We then stayed for the 9:30 gathering wherein Cali was recognized on the A/B list for getting all A’s and B’s. She got all A’s except for one B. We were proud of each of them.
Larissa came back and was here all afternoon. She and Lou put up a lot of Lou’s clothes that were packaged up in the vacuum bags. They brought many items out of the front bedroom. Larissa also brought us burritos for lunch. Oliver kept me entertained with his funny words. Such a funny boy.
The kids have been looking forward to tonight. Whenever we talked to Grant he mentioned that we were going to tend them on the 17th.
Marinda missed us as we were gone – since they have seldom been able to have a date night (without paying huge bucks for a sitter) in our absence. (We are often their sitters!) In Nauvoo, we talked of our coming home. She thought that we would want a few weeks or something before we would be up for tending. She was thrilled when I suggested the 17th – just two days after our return.
Larissa and Oliver left soon after 3:00 PM. She needed to go get Andy from school. Marinda brought the seven kids soon after 4:00 PM. The place was still in a trauma but they were able to make it through the maze. The kids were happy to be here.
Upon arrival, the kids went straight to the “kid’s room” to play with the toys. Lou and Larissa had found most of the toys and there were toys in both rooms. They had a grand time playing together. Elliot brought me a plethora of stuffed animals for me to tell him what animal they were.
These grandchildren – and particularly Sadie – have known the whole routine which we follow when we have them over here at our place. She listed the many things that we usually do with them. So, per the list, Lou made them mini-waffles.
The kids loved these. I think that Grant (age 6) ate 22 of them!
We sat Maylee in a toddler seat and perched her atop of the dining table. I fed her applesauce, the waffles, and a banana (all in small pieces) as she perched there. She seemed to love the food also.
Earlier in the day, I had pulled out the trolley bike. This is a “quadricycle” that has four wheels, seats 11 with 2 babies or toddlers, and has six spots for peddlers. Oliver watched as I sprayed it down with water. It had collected a lot of dust. It cleaned up nicely. The lights did not work but everything else was normal. It was ready for riding. The kids were super excited and anxious to get on board. Their family size worked well for the available seats.
Above: 7 Roller children on Kevin and Lou’s Quadricycle
Typically we would have taken a trek on the Quad to McDonald’s (located about a half mile north of us) but Lou’s hip has been sore (and we are out of shape – having not exercised at all while in Nauvoo) and she did not want to go on an extended ride. We chose instead to pedal over to the little HOA park (located a couple of blocks north of us). We had fun on this trek. It was nice to have some older kids to help with the pedaling.
The kids were all excited about going to the park and they got right into it. Even little Maylee (just barely a year old) climbed up the play structure.
As we were there, a lady and her son came and talked to us. Her boy had seen our apparatus and was excited to see some “friends” to play with. He came and blended in with the kids. His name is Justin and he is about age 4. The lady was friendly. She said her name is Shay. We went to introduce ourselves and without thinking otherwise, I said “We are Elder and Sister Hunt”. (It was dark, but we had our name tags on – since we have not yet been released. Shay said that she is a member of the church. She lives in a home across the street from the park). She said that she and her non-member husband, Eric, had just moved in recently. I pulled up the ward directory and she and the two kids were listed there. She said that her husband has taken the missionary lessons two or three times and that they had recently met with the missionaries (Elders) and that he has been to church with her.
Of course I saw this as a missionary opportunity and so we invited them to come to dinner (in a couple of weeks after our lives stabilize a bit). She acted excited with the invitation. I look forward to having them come. I hope that we can hit it off with the husband.
We came home and Lou changed a messy diaper of Elliot. After she had changed him, he stood up and gave her a kiss of thank you. This surprised and pleased Lou.
We loaded up all of the kids into our wagon. Two kids had to share one seatbelt. We drove over to McDonald’s (about a half mile away) and went inside for ice cream cones. We caused quite a scene with our crowd. I bought cones for everyone – including Maylee. The kids were all pleased with the large size of the cones. Elliot (age 2) got big happy eyes as I handed him the cone. He thought he was big stuff. This was a fun activity.
Back at home, I gathered the kids around on one of our new couches. I read to them.
Above: Kevin reading to Roller children (inserting all of their names while reding and then a “bump on the head” to each one at the end of each book – per our tradition)
We had found some great pop-up books at the Fudge Factory in Nauvoo (on sale for just 50 cents each) and I read these four books to them. I even managed to stay awake as I read. Sadie in her list of things that we do said that they try to keep Grandpa awake during reading (and she said that they were thinking of ways on how they might keep me awake). I inserted their names as I read and this pleased them. I also did the “bump on the head” after each book. It was fun to read to them again.
We then let them watch a movie (also on the list). I had climbed up into the mountain of stuff in the front bedroom and had been able to pull the living room rug out from against the back wall. Lou was pleased that we had it for the kids. They loved being able to stretch out on the floor and the couches.
They picked the Disney “Aladdin” movie to watch. The kids were glued to the movie – as usual – and were really into it. I had a bit of a nap on my new couch. This new couch desk is way too comfortable. I fear that I will have this sleeping problem many times in the future.
We were grateful for the help of Larissa in getting the TV operational – after returning home – and with new WIFI for the home. She worked with Kaylea (via phone) to get all of the movie connections set up for us.
Mike and Marinda arrived back at our home about 11:30 PM. They had a fun night out together. They first went to the Mesa Temple and did a few sealing ordinances. I had found just a few names for them to do. They were there with just one other couple. They then hurried off to the Hale Theater in Gilbert – and arrived less than 10 minutes before the show of “Singing in the Rain” began. They love going to this place and Mike’s parents had given them tickets to see a show. They did not have money to go out to eat but Lou had cooked pot pies for them and gave them the pot pies, Hawaiian rolls, and a fruit salad (and Alyicia’s cupcakes) as a take-out meal on their way to Gilbert.
While Lou was fixing Mike’s pants, he went to our washroom and hooked up the washer and dryer units. This made Lou very happy. They were stored in the garage most of the time while we were gone since Larissa and Stu had their own units. Mike found a lot of dust in the units.
So, with all of the above, it was about 12:30 PM (Arizona time) when the family was able to make their departure.
We had a great time with the kids. They got along well and had big smiles in every photo that Lou took of them through the night. We were happy that we could tend for the folks and that they got a night out. They have not had many of those as we have been away.
Fun to be back with the grandkids! We have all missed that association.
MORE GRAND TIMES WITH THE GRANDS
On Saturday, Sister Hunt and I arose early and drove back to Tempe (about 40 miles north of Maricopa). We joined Jackie and family for a “mud run” out in the town of Apache Junction. We took great photos but avoided the mud. We stayed until the afternoon and went to a basketball game starring Caleb. He is getting pretty good at this sports stuff.
From the mud bog, Lou and I and Jackie went to watch Caleb play in a basketball game. That boy is all about sports.
Above: Kevin and Lou with grandson Caleb – my younger “twin” as a basketball star
We got back in the afternoon in time to tend once again for Mike and Marinda. This time they went to the afternoon leadership session of our stake conference.
OUR FIRST MEETING WITH THE HOME SAINTS
Then in the evening, Lou and I went to the stake center (still wearing missionary nametags – since we have not been released yet).
Upon arrival, we saw Kirk Evans of the Hidden Valley Ward. We exchanged “Greetings!” (My trademark word of 50 years.) We also saw our Bishop Scoresby. He said, “It looks as if you are taking up where you left off.” (Whatever that means!) Larissa was there ahead of us and she saved a couple of seats for us. On our same row were Mark and Emily Leavitt – our 3rd cousins. She came over and said that she had to hug Aunt Lou and Uncle Kevin. She calls us that to her children. Mark came over and I greeted him as “brother/cousin”. I got a great hug out of him. Later, after the meeting, we were greeted by another cousin – Ken Barnum – and another hug. He said that he read all of my missionary blog articles and enjoyed them.
After the meeting we talked to Brother Tom Bogle of our Bishopric. He said that they have been talking already of places for us to serve as we now have returned. We talked of their missionary son, Karston, who is serving in Mexico. We talked to Brother and Sister Burgoyne for a while. Lyle Hamblin talked to me for a bit. It was really fun to see all of these people and they seemed happy to see us. Brother Burgoyne said how much of an impression we have made on them and “the stake” through our willingness to serve and the way that we have been totally committed in our callings. This was a great compliment. We were Activity Day Leaders to their one son and it sounds as if he really loved us. We had his little brother for just a short while and I guess he has been sad at times when his brother talks of the good times with us.
A while ago I discovered a gift card for the Coldstone Ice Cream place. I called the number and found that there is still a balance of $38 on it. We had earlier determined to go there after the meeting and we invited Larissa to go along with us – to help eat up the balance. She was happy to go with us. (Stu had remained home with the boys.) It was funny that we saw Mark and Emily there also.
As we walked in, a little Spanish girl saw me in my checkered blue suit and she asked, “Are you the President? [of the United States]?” I replied that “no, I am not the president but I am a missionary for our church”. Her father was “Manny” and he said that he is a “Christian” in nearby Casa Grande.
I ordered “apple pie viva Coldstone” and this turned out to be fabulous. It had apple slices, cinnamon, and graham crackers “pounded” into the French Vanilla ice cream. I had them add pecans. And Wow! This was amazing and wonderful. That might just have to be my next go-to ice cream (since I will miss the Turtle sundae in Keokuk!)
Back at home, I worked for quite a while on the mission news history. I worked to copy and paste large group photos onto the cover page as well as many representing the FM missionaries onto 3 FM pages. Still doing missionary tasks – even at home … but we do still have our nametags on. No release in sight!
A NEW STAKE PRESIDENCY
On our first Sunday home, we went to our stake conference. Again we saw some more friends. And we sustained a new stake presidency – with Addison Horst as the new stake president.
We went wearing our missionary nametags. We still have not been released. I am sure that the old and new stake presidencies have been rather busy. We are not in a rush. I am sure that it will happen all too soon.
Back at home, I worked again on the August mission news history. I worked on a couple of pages about the Hawaiian luau that we staged on August 8th. Between Lou and me, we had quite a few good photos of that busy night.
Lou worked to unpack vacuumed bags in the bedroom. She got rid of many of the bags. The bedroom now looks amazingly “open”. I appreciated her efforts.
CONTINUING THE QUEST TO GET UNPACKED
Over the next several days, Lou and I worked all day many days to put “stuff” away. We both worked really hard at the tasks – and we wore ourselves out. I set up our Nauvoo bench – with the bench that I found on-line in Tempe and which Michael picked up for me. This bench has some boxes at the bottom and these spaces will work great for my Nauvoo books. boxes. I barely had enough space for the many books.
Above: Hunt bedroom – with Nauvoo hats on the corner rack!
We also got our bedroom set up. Lou cleared the mattress in the front bedroom so we were able to move our own mattress back onto our frame in the bedroom. I was able to get the bedroom shelves and end tables out of the “office” and into the bedroom. It was very nice to get our bedroom back into operation. It has been a while.
We pulled “stuff” from the two front rooms. This “stuff” has been stored there – floor to ceiling in both rooms – as we were And Lou did a multitude of loads of washing laundry. Late in the day Lou pointed to two large vacuum bags. I had thought that I was done with “my stuff”. After she found the bags, I said, “I don’t want any more bags.”
On Monday I noted that we were both exhausted after the work of the day and I knew that Lou did not feel like cooking a meal for us. We decided to go out to eat – and we both wanted the relatively new “Slim Chickens” restaurant which is located across the tracks by McDonalds. We got a 7-piece meal and shared it. This was like the meal that we get at “Raising Canes” – but it was cheaper than Cane’s. We were able to eat for less than $20 for the two of us. The chicken, toast, and French fries were wonderful – as was the brownie. We shared all.
We then went to Walmart where we bought eight large pumpkins for our family event this Saturday. These were just $3.97 each and this price was even quite a bit less even than Superstition Ranch. Lou hand-picked the pumpkins – according to size and the size of the “stems”.
Back at home, I had computer issues on several fronts. I could not find the master file for the “Missouri, Nauvoo, and Westward” church history book. This was frustrating. I finally had to open the PowerPoint original master and saved it to a PDF file. I had promised the file to Cousin Bev. I also lost the journal entry from last night. It took a while but ultimately I found the file rather late at night. I was grateful that I finally found the file. Computers can be such fun at times!
SO MUCH TO BE DONE …
Tuesday found Lou doing still more of same. The stacks just do not seem to come down.
I spent the full day working on the back yard. There was so much to do back there. My first task was to take cut the large branches that came down from the willow tree in a big recent storm. I then took down the trampoline. This has springs that have come detached from the pad. It took a while – and effort to get this taken apart. I stacked the metal alongside of the side gate. We have had parts to two previous trampolines – and have had the parts all over the back yard. I decided to get rid of all of these parts – since we recently purchased a new tramp for use by the grandchildren.
I picked up trash all over the place. I organized the yard. I then used the blower machine to blow off dust and debris from everything.
Marinda came with her three youngest children and Larissa came with Oliver. They helped Lou remove stuff and deal with it They also helped Lou put sheets and blankets on all of the beds – to get them ready for company. They made major progress.
Marinda then helped me spray down everything. She operated the hose and nozzle as I used a brush broom to brush off water and bird stuff. She was very helpful and together we got the place looking great.
Above: Backyard family gathering place for the Kevin and Lou Hunt family
With this, the yard was finished. It looked truly beautiful. Lou was really surprised with all of the work accomplished and how good everything looked. She thought that the tasks would take two or three days to complete.
Mike came over later – with all of his marvelous tools, screws, etc. He set up the new trampoline. He seemed to know exactly what needed to be done and he got right into it. It was obvious that he had done this before. The kids also had fun helping him with tasks that they could do. And Mike was great to let them assist. Before long, the trampoline was completely set up – including the tall safety net. The new unit was wonderful. We look forward to making the new trampoline available for the grandkids. It is fun to get a new tramp – after having so many second hand tramps that were worn out before we got them.
That same night, we also met with our Bishop Scoresby. We had good conversation with him about Nauvoo. He invited us to have a joint Temple interview – and this worked well for us since as Lou said, “We know all about each other anyway.” We opted for the new option of an electronic recommend – available on the church app on our phones. This is in lieu of the paper recommends of the past. Wow! It will be interesting to see how this works.
THE UNPACKING FUN CONTINUES
Wednesday (home a week) still remained very busy.
While in the office I opened a bunch of boxes to see what was in them. I put some of them into rooms – like the pantry, our bedroom, etc. I also separated out many boxes that I opted to leave in the room since it is not pressing to have the junk in the way at the moment. I was able to put our heirloom trunk and then several more boxes on top of this. By doing this I was able to pull many boxes out of the main entry and it was great to get this space cleared up.
Above: Books complied or written by Kevin Hunt
I was also able to pull out the shelf unit that houses my many books. I first had to pull the books out of the shelves – in stacks around the office. I then moved the shelf unit to its position in the living room. I spent some time organizing the books by kind – journals, my autobiography and the family heritage books. It was nice to get these sorted and back on the shelves in the family room.
Larissa (and Oliver) was kind enough to come again to help us on our place. This is a big effort since often she does not feel well. She has been very dedicated to us and our unpacking cause. Oliver came today dressed as a cowboy – with a western shirt and hat. He loves the outfit but doesn’t want to be called a cowboy. I sang him part of the song, “And if You get an outfit, you can be a cowboy too!”
She and Loui tackled the “grandkid room” today. They were on a quest to sort through books that we have collected over time. They came up with 4 boxes of books that we really do not need. They are kid books but are kind of boring. They got shelves put in the right places to maximize space to put the books in.
Above: Hunt Grandkids “Hang-out Room”
Larissa also sorted through my Dr. Seuss book collection. She sorted them to see which ones I had duplicate copies. She came to me for a decision on which to keep. I have over 50 books in my Seuss collection. Love it! I think that I have every book that he wrote.
Lou was able to empty many boxes that have been stored in the front bedroom – as we were gone. The room looks presentable now for guests – Kaylea and family who will arrive tomorrow. I got the days mixed up and thought that they were coming today. The extra day helped us get further on our cleaning and sorting.
About 3 PM I received a text from Scott Moore (the Stake Executive Secretary – and now the first counselor in the stake presidency). He asked if we could come at 6 PM for our mission release with the new President Horst. Interesting that we had been home a week and were just now getting released. I am sure that he had been very busy with the new stake reorganization.
I worked on the mission history/news this afternoon for a while. I created a page of photos about the missionaries in the Nauvoo Grape Festival and 5K run. I then felt that I was finished with the issue. I printed a black and white copy so that I could proof it adequately. I read through the whole document and found several errors that needed to be corrected. I then asked Lou to proofread the package – but of course she has a lot on her mind with all of the house stuff.
THE OFFICIAL MISSION RELEASE … A SAD DAY!
We had not been in too much of a rush for our mission release … and the new stake presidency had been plenty busy. The appointment was made for Wednesday evening – a full week after our return.
Above: Last missionary photo of Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt – with nametags – before mission release October 22, 2025
Lou and I then dressed in our Sunday clothes to go meet with our new stake President Addison Horst. On the way to the meeting, I turned to Lou and said, “I have enjoyed working with you, Sister Hunt!” She said, “Why didn’t you tell me that earlier?” (“Women are from Venus and men are from Mars” as the old adage says!)
We went to the President’s office and had a very pleasant visit with him. He was intrigued as we talked about the mission. He thanked us sincerely for our service and expressed gratitude to Heavenly Father for the opportunity that we had to serve. Then came the moment that we had been dreading – the removal of our missionary nametags – which we have proudly worn for a year and a half. It has been a privilege and an honor to have had the name of Jesus Christ over our hearts.
Above: Missionary nametage of Sister Lou and Elder Kevin Hunt
While there we were also able to get our Temple recommends signed. President Horst met with me and Lou met with President Moore. We both opted for the “digital” recommends – so we can use our phones at the temple. After the interviews, the Presidents helped us figure out how to access the new recommends using Gospel “Tools”. We first did a sync that updated the system to reflect the new status change. We were then able to see my recommend with a scan code. All interesting technology.
I didn’t plan it such, but I suggested that we get a “selfie” photo before we left for the interview.
We then took another – without our nametags – as we got back to the parking lot. The one taken at home had a lot of light in it. The one at the chapel was pretty dark. An interesting contrast.
Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt just after missionary release October 22, 2025
We were expecting JD and Kaylea and their children to arrive the next day so we went to the front bedroom (the one that had all of the stuff earlier) and got the room finalized for their arrival.
Above: Front guest bedroom – from same view as before when it had all of the “stuff” piled high. Now ready for guests!
I was very tired as I tried to create my journal entry. I must have gone to sleep while pressing on the letter “A”. I got about ten pages of “A’s”. Funny, but sad, too.
The new recliner couch creates a wonderful place for late relaxation. They are probably too comfortable, however. They are way too conducive to sleep. Dangerous … especially when I have so much that I want to be doing.
I gave Lou the print-out of the August mission news but she had the same problem. She fell asleep mid page.
It had been a long day … but together we accomplished a great deal on the house.
PREPARING FOR HOMECOMING TALKS
Thursday morning the 23rd found both of us unable to sleep. I awoke this morning at 6:00 AM. I could not sleep. Then thoughts of my mind began flowing into my mind. I decided to get up to write the talk. I first prayed for specific guidance and revelation for the coming process. (And I soon learned that Lou had also awakened at an early hour with thoughts of her talk. I found her on the bed of the front bedroom writing away.)
I got some of my infamous 3×5” cards and jotted a few random thought as they came to me. The list was kind of a jumble of words to write about. I then began writing and felt inspiration of the Holy Ghost as I did so. I then typed out the entire talk. And then after the writing was complete, I looked back at my list. I had covered almost every item that I had listed previously. I was grateful for the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. So great to work in tandem with Him!
I proofed and re-read my talk about three times. I made minor changes as needed.
Lou wrote her talk on her phone. She said that she did not know how to print it. With a few clicks on her phone, I was able to receive her talk to my own phone. I read it and made minor grammatical corrections for her. I then printed it for her to review.
With all of the above, we could almost say that the unpacking and sorting was finished. That was not quite the case, however. Lou still had a stack of boxes along one wall in her front bedroom. And there are a multitude of boxes still stacked in “the office”. But all of this “stuff” can wait for another day. For now, the hallway is mostly clear (with just a stack of Nauvoo stuff remaining – as I await the new shelf to put it all on). There are only three or four boxes of stuff around the kitchen. So, the place is looking amazing.
It would be another three weeks or so before we got to the garage. We had it spotless before we left, but over time in our absence – and with the addition of more of our own “stuff” (suitcases and air mattresses), it had become horrible as it was filled with junk. It got so that we could hardly walk through a narrow passage to get to the garbage dumpsters.
Above: This is the clean garage after organizing. Nothing better than a clean garage!
It took us most of o full day working together to get the garage clean – but it was worth it. After we had cleaned it, I posed this photo to our family APP and said, “Major happiness is a clean garage!” We all got a laugh out of Keith’s comment (knowing of his garage) … He said, “A happiness I will never know!” Har, Har!
THE FAMILY GATHERS TO THE HOME FRONT FOR OUR OFFICIAL HOMECOMING
Joining our “Homecoming Parade” were Keith, Marinda, and Larissa – which included 17 of our 43 grandchildren. We had seen Jackie and family in the nearby town of Tempe as we were nearly home. We had just seen Lana in Nauvoo and so she decided that they could not manage another trip. We missed her. Jenae and Brianna flew down from Las Vegas. They stopped in to visit Jackie as she attended to her crossing guard duties. And BTW, Jackie is probably the world’s greatest crossing guard. She constantly wears new costumes (depending on holidays and themes around) for her and her little sloth shoulder friend.)
Above: Jenae and Brianna caught crossing guard Jackie on “Where’s Waldo” day.
Jenae’s man (the Lt. Colonel) drove down with their two sons late Saturday night.
Rusty had flown to Brazil – just a couple of days after he had been in Nauvoo. He went to help his in-laws fly from Brazil “to the states”. Then their departing plane out of Brazil had mechanical difficulties and they got stranded in a Brazilian hotel for four days. That would have been such fun! They finally made it back to Maricopa.
Then Kaylea and JD and Jett, Lucy, and Brodey all flew down from Salt Lake City.
Their oldest son flew down a couple of days later. They have a son on a mission in Washington. Kaylea and family spent several night with us at our home. We had cleared out the front bedroom enough for Kaylea and JD and a couple of the kids were in “the grandkid room”. Jenae and family spent sleeping hours (when they were not here with us) at the home of Larissa and Stu, too.
With all of this group here with us, it meant that we had all but 19 of the 64 of us here with us for the weekend festivities. Wow! This was wonderful and amazing.
I used my available resources to help the Stoddard family members feel involved and productive while here.
Jett worked on the trampoline. He used zip ties to strap the safety net to the tramp frame. We taught him some kitchen skills and he did great! He then spent the day reading one our teen church fiction books.
Lucy accepted the task of hanging up a bunch of the welcome home signs that the family members created. Brodey carried the 8 large pumpkins from the garage out to the backyard.
Lucy worked also to add the missionary photos and mission info on our missionary board. She added Sisters Katelyn and Abby. Later in the day I was able to get Bryson to answer his phone. He gave me information about Annie’s mission – the dates. She also sent me a better mission photo. The revised family missionary board looked great! (And above the board I hung Joseph Smith’s “Standard of Truth” which we always quoted in our tour of Joseph’s Red Brick Store in Nauvoo. And this large print showed up one day in the missionary D.I. – so I snagged it – and brought it home!)
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt family missionary board
JD had several on-line work calls. But in between the calls, he hung a plethora of photos, changes out the microwave oven, worked on plumbing projects, and helped us get a new but used (and very nice) refrigerator for the garage.
Above: New Kevin and Lou Hunt family photo board … photos obtained or taken by Kaylea and hung by J.D.
Kaylea decided that our previous large family photo was very much outdated. We last took a family photo eight years ago. The photo was taken the day before the wedding of Larissa and Stu. She worked all day to create a new photo. She used as a foundation the photo taken of the family at the wedding of Bryson and Annie. She worked to add into the photo Michael, Blake, Stu, and the three missionaries – who were all missing at the wedding. She did a pretty good job of this. She is very skilled at this photo “editing” function.
Above: Full family of Kevin and Lou Hunt
JD, Brodey, Jett, and I were able to wheel the player piano back into the living room from its 18-month plus position hidden away in my “office/museum”. Jenae and Lou helped manage the furniture dolly – getting it into place under the piano as the rest of us lifted it. The piano is a beast – super heavy.
Above: Hunt family player piano shown with the new television screen bought by Kevin and Lou upon mission return (and hung by JD)
Many of the grands enjoyed playing the piano later in the day. I particularly enjoyed watching the young kids Samuel, Sadie, and Grant play “The Entertainer” and “Christmas melodies” – using the only two music rolls readily available for us.
The rest of the week – and through Sunday – proved to be a fun and big family reunion. It was glorious having everyone here together. We just “hung out” and had a grand time. Of course the food logistics for such a crowd was a bit of a challenge but everyone pitched in to help.
OCTOBER 25TH – SATURDAY … WHAT A GREAT FAMILY DAY!
Lou and I talked about things to do in our planned gathering with the family. We composed a “Nauvoo Quiz” with the plan for families to do these together. But we never had occasion to do the quiz.
I helped pack up two or three boxes of food stuffs to take with us. Lou cooked bread “bones” for our traditional “spooky dinner”. She made some “mummy hot dogs”. She cooked hamburger to make into Shepherd’s Pie. These are her traditional foods for the “Spooky Dinner” that she stages for me each year for my birthday. (And I checked back in journals and found that back in 2010 the Spooky Dinner was already “traditional” so we must have been doing the event for two or three or more years before that.)
Conveniently, my own Halloween birthday coincided with our mission homecoming reunion so we decided to combine the two family events – while everyone was here. This made for a very fun weekend – and a fun early birthday for me.
Above: Hunt family food from the annual “Spooky Dinner” created by Lou for Kevin’s Halloween birthday
A SPECIAL AND WONDERFUL FAMILY NAUVOO DEVOTIONAL
A couple of months ago Lou and I planned what we thought would be a fun event weekend for the weekend following our return from our mission. We then sent out a flier with our plan so that the out-of-towners could plan ahead to possibly come to be with us and the rest of the family to be gathered.
The kids have been gathering and this was fun just being together.
We all first gathered to the Homestead Chapel – where Rusty and family attend. He is in the Bishopric so he was able to reserve use of this building. Upon arrival, several people helped haul stuff into the kitchen. We got together in the Relief Society room. We had to wait for Marinda and Jackie and their families. Jackie and family were late arriving because they went to the wrong Maricopa chapel. Marinda and Mike were busy trying to get out of the door with their seven children. We waited for them to arrive.
I knew that my brother Ray was coming to join with us but was very surprised when our brother, Kyle, also came (with him). It was fun to see him. He came to Arizona from North Dakota to attend his divorce court. He spent the day with us and he seemed very happy to be with us. And all of our kids seem to love him and they have fun teasing him. i noted that they had aged a bit during our mission
Above: Ray and Kyle Hunt (brothers to Kevin) had aged a bit while we were on our missions. (AI assisted but what to look forward to!)
Above: Kevin Hunt with brothers – Ray (Left) and Kyle (Center)
Some of the family had not arrived yet but we had quite a crowd together. I counted 39 of the 64 family members present. Fabriza’s Brazilian folks and Ray and Kyle were with us. So Great!
Our first event of the day was a little devotional service. We weren’t sure how this would go but it was actually WONDERFUL. Wow! We began with a Hunt family monotone rendition of the song, “Come, Come Ye Saints” (As only we can do it with our 10-part monotone voices!) . Lucy led the song – with accompaniment on the phone app by JD. Dallen gave the opening prayer.
I opened the meeting and just shared some fun facts of our mission. Lou then talked and she shared some fun things also. We then opened it up for any of the family members who desired to participate. I first called upon Jackie (as the oldest of the children) and she had some good words. Most of the adults talked of their experiences on Nauvoo. We were pleased that almost everyone in the room had been to Nauvoo while we were there. I am grateful that we had the means to help them all come.
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt remembering special Nauvoo moments with Jenae
Jenae talked of how she and Brianna had our own special Nauvoo time six months before our call to serve there. She told how Momma Lou and I were on the Parley street beach (on the Mississippi River) with her and Brianna. I guess we talked then about how great it would be if Lou and I could get to Nauvoo with each of the children. And it was a miracle that we got eight of our children to be there with us. That really is a “Nauvoo Miracle”. I think that each family had great experiences with us in Nauvoo. Such special moments together!
Almost all of the adults of the family stood and shared their feelings of what they saw and experienced. They all had special spiritual experiences. Even Keith shared positive thoughts to share. They all said how great it was to be there with Lou and I as their personal tour guides. They praised us in how we presented the history and tours for them.
Above: Grandsons at a Nauvoo devotional staged by Kevin and Lou Hunt for family
Lou and I felt good about our special gathering. The Spirit was strong and powerful with us.
Above: Kevin and Lou remembering special Nauvoo times with Jenae
Just as we were starting our meeting, Kaylea got a message from Bryson. He had taken Annie to the emergency room with some blood clotting. This was sad news with her pregnancy. We halted the meeting to have a group prayer for her. I called upon “Bishop” Michael to offer the prayer for all of us. We hope that things will work out in a positive way for her and them.
A “SPOOKY DINNER” IN CELEBRATION OF THE OLD MAN’S HALLOWEEN BIRTHDAY
After the meeting, Rusty led many of the men in setting up tables and chairs for a luncheon. Many people – including Lou – worked to finalize their food contributions. We all brought various “spooky items”. It was fun to see what everyone came up with. We had quite a variety. My favorite was a big pan of pulled pork that Rusty brought. He had a skull and bones crawling out of the pan. Very creative.
I was surprised to learn that Jenae had never been to one of our “Spooky dinners”. Larissa had not been since she was a teenager.
Fabriza’s parents arrived a few days ago with Rusty. Fabriza went today to get them. They joined us for our meal. Every one of our family members was excited to see them. It appears that they are kind of slowing down these days.
The large buffet meal spread was wonderful. The food was amazing. After we were done eating, everyone pitched in to help with the clean-up so the process did not take real long. We were soon done.
Above “Spooky Dinner” staged for Kevin Hunt 2025
Above: 23 Grandchildren of Kevin and Lou Hunt gathered at the Reunion and “Spooky Dinner” October 25, 2025
PUMPKIN CARVING AND COOKIE DECORATING
Jackie and Michael went back to Tempe. But all of the rest of the gang (including Kyle and Ray) showed up at our home with a plan to hang out for the afternoon. The family members just enjoyed a relaxed afternoon together.
JD installed the large new television that arrived today. We appreciated his efforts on our behalf. The unit seems much larger than the unit that we had before our mission. It is probably more than what we need but the grandkids should enjoy it when they come to be tended by us.
Late in the afternoon we staged a pumpkin carving event. Lou and I provided rather large pumpkins – enough for one for each family.
Each family was also given tools for carving. All of the families seemed to enjoy this activity together
Our next event was sugar cookie decorating. Each person was able to decorate a cookie as well as a cupcake.
I recruited Brodey as the commander of the quadricycle bike unit. On the given signal, most of the grandkids rushed out for rides. Brodey and Dallin rode in the front seat. And they filled up the rest of the seats with the cousins. There were more folks than the unit would hold at one time. The kids had fun riding and pushing the unit. Brodey took the kids around the “short block”.
I had stated in the promotional flier that we were doing “BYOP” food (meaning “Bring Your Own Pizza”). I had earlier had Jenae order Pizza Hut pizza for us, her, Brianna, Kyle and Ray. All of the others found their own pizza. JD ordered his pizza from Little Caesar’s and they waited all night for notice that their food was ready. The notice never came and they were frustrated as the rest of us ate.
Above: Hunt family at new “Moonlight Park” in Maricopa, Arizona
Marinda suggested that we go to a new park called “Moonlight Park” – in a new community that is ready to be built. This park proved to be a great place for our family gathering. We were there by ourselves (and the mosquitos) and this worked well. The kids were able to just run and chase as desired.
We all ate pizza and just had a grand time together. It was a good time.
Jenae and Brianna came home with us. Brianna and Lucy and Elsie put together a sleepover. Their plan was to hang out together in the grandkid room (where we have the “Murphy Bunk Beds” and the reading bench (that had a sleeping pad). Kaylea and JD and the other boys came a while after we got home. JD and the boys went on a food trek to McDonald’s and got dinner (since they had missed out on the pizza). Larissa came back over to just hang out with the family.
OUR OFFICIAL HOMECOMING TALK IN CHURCH
OCTOBER 26TH, a SUNDAY was also Keith’s birthday.
Lou and I both worked again this morning on our homecoming talks for church. Lou wanted several changes to her talk. I typed up these changes for her.
Jenae and family came over mid-morning. The men (Paul, Tanner and Trevor) had arrived about 3:00 in the morning from Las Vegas. Larissa and Stu came over too. She and Paul cooked breakfast for all of us (including Kaylea and family).
We left for church about 12:30 PM. Our sacrament meeting began at 1:00 PM in the Pacana Park Ward. We went (in Nauvoo pioneer costumes) with our family to present our mission homecoming talks.
We had nearly 50 people there with us – so we almost doubled the ward attendance for the day.
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt family present at their mission homecoming talks in Sacrament meeting – October 26, 2025
Our gathered group included:
My siblings – Lesa with Charlie (from Mesa), Kyle (here from North Dakota), and Ray (also from Mesa). Darcy and Laura are on their mission in Vancouver, Canada.
Jackie and Michael with Blake, Caleb, and Darren (Abby is on a mission in Texas)
Jenae and Paul with Tanner, Trevor, and Brianna (Katelyn is on a mission in Colorado)
Kaylea and JD with Dallin, Jett, Lucy, and Brodey. (Bryson is married to Annie and they were unable to come, and Joseph is on a mission in Yakima, Washington)
Rusty and Fabriza with Sienna and Lucas
Keith and Kayla with their 8 children: Easton, Elsie, Stetson, Jackson, Weston, Emerson, Eliza, Emerson and Everly
Marinda and Mike with their 7 children: Sadie, Cali, Samuel, Grant, Rosallie, Elliot, and Maylee
Larissa and Stu with Andy and Oliver
It was good to be back to the ward after being gone for 18 plus months. I told Brother Barnum, the new Elder’s Quorum president, “Cousin” Jeff Barnum, that we will not be inactive but that we have commitments the next four weeks.
Lou and I wore our yellow Nauvoo costumes – to help set the stage for our report.
Our talks went well. (And I reported them in full text in a previous blog article.)
A GIANT FAMILY PHOTO SESSION
After the meetings, we gathered our family out to the east side of the building. We had Kaylea take a plethora of photos of the big group and then family groups with Lou and me. Kaylea is a great photographer and always does a great job. It was fun being there with the group.
Above: Re-enactment of an old photo. Up: Then, and Down: Now 2025
THE WEEKEND REUNION CONTINUES AT OUR HOUSE
We then all headed to our home. We planned to serve dinner but while it was a preparing, we all just hung out together and enjoyed the time. It was fun to watch the cousins playing and talking together.
I decided to make some of my famous punch for the meal. It was fun to see the reaction of the grandchildren as they realized that I was making the punch that they have missed for 18 months. They all got SUPER excited. I let Jett be the man on the giant whisk to stir the pot. All of the kids would have liked this task.
Above: Grandkids from several families playing together in the “Grandkid Room”
We served Hawaiian Haystacks. This is rice served with chicken gravy and then covered with various things like coconut, green peppers, onions, green onions, almond slices, pineapple, Chow Mein noodles, black olives, tomatoes, etc. This is a good dish to serve when feeding a large crowd. I recruited several of the grandchildren to help Lou cut and prepare the toppings. They all loved this.
As noted, this was Keith’s birthday. So, for his occasion, Kayla made several large “fruit pizzas” for our dining enjoyment. This was wonderful. I love this crust covered with various kinds of fruit – and a cream topping of some kind.
Above: Fruit pizza created for Keith on his birthday
Above: Many grandkids on the Kevin and Lou Quadricycle
Most of the crowd stayed here at our place for most of the evening. It was a great activity together. We all had fun. And we have enjoyed the whole weekend. Great times with our family.
After the crowd left, JD helped me to copy all of the mission files from the “mission drive”. I did this because our links to the drive will end in a month or so from the end of our mission.
Once again, we (Kaylea and family and Lou and me) remained up until about 1:00 AM talking.
THE CREATION OF TWO NAUVOO MEMORY WALLS
Nauvoo was so wonderful for Sister Hunt (now just “Lou”) and me – and for our families that we want to keep hanging on to that special Spirit of Nauvoo for as long as we can. It is now and will forever be a part of us … deep in our hearts and souls. And we want our children and their children to remember Nauvoo also … the special times and adventures – and the Spirit that we all enjoyed together in Nauvoo.
We created a full memory wall displaying the grand times, places, and people which we experienced in Nauvoo.
Above: Kevin and Lou created a special and sacred Nauvoo Memory Wall (called “A Shrine” by some – displaying photos of special Nauvoo moments, Nauvoo history, and mementos collected during the mission.
And on another wall in the same dining area, we created a grand photo collage of 20 large frames and about ten smaller frames. The larger frames each have five 5×7” photos in them. These photos depict our children and grandchildren as they experienced the various homes and shops and special times in Nauvoo with us.
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt Nauvoo family memories wall featuring the Nauvoo Temple,
While we were in the mode of creating new memory walls after our return from Nauvoo, we also created a wall dedicated to Lou and I and our eternal marriage.
These photos are literally our Nauvoo scrapbook – just as all of Nauvoo is part of the Lord’s own scrapbook. The smaller frames capture some of the glorious flowers – the Lord’s creations which we saw blooming in Nauvoo. The centerpiece of the wall is a large print of the majestic Nauvoo Temple – reminding us of our sacred Temple covenants and the eternal nature of our own family through those covenants. We hope that this wall will draw the grandchildren to it each time that they come and that through the photos, they too will remember the Spirit, peace, beauty and testimony that they experienced in Nauvoo. We hope that the Nauvoo Spirit will live on in the minds and hearts of all of us.
HOMECOMING ACTIVITIES DONE AND REALITY SINKS IN
All of the fanfare was over. We survived the departure from our beloved Nauvoo. We survived the unexciting drive home along the lonely Santa Fe Trail. The parade ended. All of the kids went home. The unpacking of boxes was not finished but would continue seemingly without end for many days or weeks to come. The medical appointments (put off while we were healthy and happy in Nauvoo) were set up and follow-up appointments were also scheduled. We got into a mode of serving and helping our children and grandchildren. Sister Hunt returned to tutoring some of her grandchildren. We continued to go to all the special events involving the grandchildren. Christmas is upon us.
I finished writing the projected blogs about the mission. I finished the final monthly edition of the Mission history and the torch has been passed. I will still create the full annual 2025 history using monthly PDF files to be sent to me by the new guard for the final three months of the year.
My writing is not done, however. In the future I will publish a book of the final published blog articles. This will join volumes 1-3 that have already hit the press. I have an idea to publish a book showing all of the rooms of each of the Nauvoo homes and shops. We will see where that idea takes us. I want to create a book to memorialize the many Hunt family Nauvoo times, feelings and adventures over the past 50 years. The 2025 calendar year of journal entries will be published (at least for my current use). I might even publish a grand photo book of our beautiful Nauvoo. There is so much of God’s beauty there in the creation of Nauvoo. Somehow the Nauvoo vision will continue. So, stay tuned!
We have continued to keep in touch – at least at present – with the other dozen couples of our original MTC group. It is fun to her of their return to normal life adventures.
Life for us has begun to slow down – or to normalize somewhat.
Wish the rush of life and the return to “normalcy” (whatever that is), it almost seems as if we were never in Nauvoo. That has become a distant dream of the past. How could that be? And life just seems to move rapidly onward. But yet still in our minds, the distant Nauvoo memories will remain.
FAREWELL, NAUVOO, BUT NOT GOODBYE
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt … the Nauvoo memories remain …!
FAREWELL, NAUVOO
And yes, our physical time in Nauvoo has come to a close and it is “Farewell Nauvoo” (at least for the moment). Nauvoo will always be a part of us. It is too special to forget.
And we say, as does “The Gallant Ship”:
“I go devoted to his cause,
And to his will resign’d;
His presence will supply the loss
Of all I leave behind.
His promise cheers the sinking heart,
And lights the darkest cell,
To exil’d pilgrims grace imparts—
[To beautiful Nauvoo] farewell.”
And in the prose of “Farewell Nauvoo”
“And so, Nauvoo, I say Farewell to you:
With numb and aching heart,
One last Adieu.
As through my tears I look to homes beyond.
… this home I leave will shelter mem’ries clear
Of all that I hold dear, in Old Nauvoo.
Farewell Nauvoo, Farewell Nauvoo.”
The Nauvoo trail has taken a fork in the road … looking forward to the next adventure!
Kevin and Lou Hunt
Nauvoo, Historic Nauvoo, Senior Mission Couple, Historic Sites, Missionary, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintS
On the Nauvoo Trail 