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The Nauvoo Home of Hiram and Sarah Granger Kimball

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Blog #85

By Kevin V. Hunt

One of my favorite places to serve as a site guide in Nauvoo was the home of Sarah Granger Kimball. I love the home because it is so authentic and beautiful. And it is a home that I think I could enjoy living in.

Sarah Melissa Granger – daughter of Oliver and Lydia Granger, of Kirtland came to visit Nauvoo. While in Nauvoo, she met Hiram Kimgall. Hiram had lived in the little village of Commece, Illinois even before the Latter-day Saints came to reside there. He owned a store and was heavily involved with real estate investments and transactions. He was not then a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He owned a beautiful home in Nauvoo.

Hiram must have been quite “taken” by Sarah for he followed her back to her home to Kirtland. Receiving her father’s permission, Hiram courted Sarah and won her heart. They were soon married. Hiram then took his new bride back to his home in Nauvoo and they moved into the beautiful home that he alrady had acquired.

Sarah made the home famous as she hosted a quiet meeting with her seamstress, Ann Cook. They talked of forming a “sewing society” to give Sisters opportunity to contribute to the Temple construction by helping create and maintain clothing for the Temple workers. That simple discussion in Sarah’s Parlor, ultimately led to the creation of the Women’s Relief Society in 1842.

The family lived in the home for several years – even beyond 1846 when most of the Saints left Nauvoo. They later did make it to Salt Lake City. Hiram had joined the Church while the famiy was in Nauvoo and in 1863, he accepted a mission call to serve in the South Pacific. He and other missionaries boarded a ship for their mission voyage.

Sadly, there ws an fre accident and ultimately blew up. Hiram lost his life in that accident.

As ever, Sarah remained true and faithful to the Gospel she had known since her teens. She later served for over 30 years on the General Relief Society Board and was the President of her local ward Relief Society.

The Kimball home was lived in almost continuously from the time that the Kimballs departed Nauvoo and so it was in excellent shape when the Church purchased it and began restoration. The home had been added upon in subsequent years and so these non-Nauvoo addtions had to be removed.

The home of Hiram and Sarah Kimball has been beautifully restored. Every detail of the place testifies of Sarah, her family, her faith and testimony.

Here are some things that Nauvoo guests can experience and learn as they visit the Hiram and Sarah Kimball home:

Hiram and Sarah Granger Kimball were great people and their home tells their story. Like all of the restored homes and shops of Nauvoo, their home tells of their lives, their faith, and their commitment.

Previously I published a blog about the Nauvoo home of Heber C. Kimball. This article about Sarah Granger Kimball is another in a series that features the homes and shops of old Nauvoo.

These two articles are a part – a snippet – of a grand book that I have in production. The book “Nauvoo Homes, Shops, and Experiences” will feature a multitude of historic photos (vintage photos from past eras, photos which I took on my “young mission” to Nauvoo, as well as photos from the present day in Nauvoo). The book will actually show and detail almost every room in each of the historic homes and shops of Nauvoo.

Watch for the book – nearly done – to make its debut!

Kevin

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The Heritage of the Nauvoo Niddy Noddy

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Blog #84

By Kevin V. Hunt

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.

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The Nauvoo Home of Apostle Heber C. Kimball

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Blog #83

By Kevin V. Hunt

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!

Kevin V. Hunt

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The Hunt Family in Nauvoo

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Blog #82

By Kevin V. Hunt

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:

Here is the PDF file link:  https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:80c2608a-daec-4459-9192-29f742a17325

And here is the lulu.com book link for anyone who wants to purchase it:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-hunt/the-hunt-family-in-nauvoo/hardcover/product-rm4dvjn.html?q=The+Hunt+family+in+Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

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! “

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The Nauvoo Monument to Women Memorial Garden

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Blog #81

By Kevin V. Hunt

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. 

“President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Ezra Taft Benson encouraged “the elect women of the kingdom of God” to be “wives and mothers of Zion“. Janath R. Cannon compared the memorial gardens to the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsemane, and Marian R. Boyer praised the monument’s two sculptors.

“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.”

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monument_to_Women_Memorial_Garden

Wikipedia continues:

“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.

Kevin V. Hunt

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THE HISTORIC NAUVOO HOUSE

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Blog #80

NAUVOO HOUSE

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:

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/joseph-smith-papers-original-book-of-mormon-manuscript

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].”

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/paper-summary/original-manuscript-of-the-book-of-mormon-circa-12-april-1828-circa-1-july-1829/1

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.

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Announcing Publication of the 2025 Mission History

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Blog #79

By Kevin V. Hunt

LINKS FOR THE 2025 MISSION HISTORY BOOK

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)

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:6f00030b-26ce-495e-9609-e8f2c42e4026

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)

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/illinois-historic-sites-mission-nauvoo-history-2025-standard-color/hardcover/product-nv678eq.html?q=Illinois+Historic+Sites&page=1&pageSize=4

Here is the link to purchase the DELUXE COLOR book version ($92) on lulu.com:  (Cut and paste into your browser)

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/illinois-historic-sites-mission-nauvoo-history-2025-deluxe-color/hardcover/product-nv67pwe.html?q=Illinois+Historic+Sites&page=1&pageSize=4

Here is the link to purchase the book in an “E-Book” version ($18) on lulu.com:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/illinois-historic-sites-mission-nauvoo-history-2025-ebook-version/ebook/product-q6wkp5q.html?q=Illinois+Historic+Sites&page=1&pageSize=4

Kevin V. Hunt

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Continuing Service in The Kingdom

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Blog #78

By Kevin V. Hunt 

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.

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And a Merry Christmas to All!

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Blog #77

By Kevin V. Hunt

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.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:26a58e97-063f-40e5-a232-a3515f72a5f0

Our love and best wishes to all of you … enjoy the Christmas trail!

Kevin and Lou Hunt

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Comprehensive Lists and Links to all 75 Published Blog Articles

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BLOG #76

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

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:a47065d0-9179-4bc0-8889-fd2849c49956

This is the link to purchase the book on lulu.com

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/our-nauvoo-mission-innauvoowithkevandlou-book-4/hardcover/product-84j7z9e.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

Here is the link to Blog Book #3 in a free PDF format:

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:3d6028dc-b1dd-4d76-aab1-43d590fa91f9

This is the link to purchase Book #3 on lulu.com

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-hunt/our-nauvoo-mission-in-nauvoo-with-kev-and-lou-volume-3/hardcover/product-e7wvgqp.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

Here is the link to Blog Book #2 in a free PDF format:

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:ff7514c7-f6cd-4ff5-950a-12badd2b84d8

This is the link to purchase Book #2 on lulu.com

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/our-nauvoo-mission-innauvoowithkevandlou-volume-2/hardcover/product-2mq6nke.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

Here is the link to Blog Book #1 in a free PDF format:

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:722baef4-8b6d-4eaa-984d-dd639c2cd22f

This is the link to purchase Book #1 on lulu.com

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/our-nauvoo-mission-innauvoowithkevandlou-volume-1/hardcover/product-dyzvm75.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

Above: Elder Hunt typing outside of the Lyon Drug Store in Nauvoo

Here is the list of the 75 blog articles:

BLOG #BLOG ARTICLE TITLEDATE PUBLISHEDPUBLISHED IN BOOK #
1THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ADVENTURE IN NAUVOO2024-04-031
2PRAISE TO THE MAN2024-01-041
3GETTING READY TO HEAD OUT ON THE MISSION2024-04-071
4THE MAGNIFICENT MISSION TRAINING CENTER – THE MTC2024-04-101
5MAKING THE MIRACLE TREK TO NAVUOO2024-04-181
6GETTING INTO THE MISSION SCENE IN NAUVOO2024-04-271
7SO MANY GREAT MOMENTS2024-05-061
8SPECIAL TIMES, PLACES, AND PEOPLE2024-05-171
9RESTORATION IN OLD NAUVOO 1975-20242024-05-151
10SPECIAL TIMES AT JOSEPH’S RED BRICK STORE IN OLD NAUVOO2024-06-021
11SO MUCH GOOD IN ONE DAY2024-06-071
12TRUE TO THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERS2025-06-201
13MILLIONS SHALL KNOW BROTHER JOSEPH2024-06-292
14IN AWE OF GOD’S BEAUTIFUL NAUVOO2024-07-032
15PATRIOTIC, CULTURAL, AND COUNTY FAIR FUN2024-07-122
16REJOICING IN NAUVOO MIRACLES2024-07-182
17IT’S PAGEANT TIME IN NAUVOO2024-07-312
18AMARKERS, MONUMENTS, … AND THE DASH2024-08-082
18BMARKERS, MONUMENMTS, … AND MORE OF THE DASH2024-08-082
19OUR COVENANT COMMUNITY OF NAUVOO MISSIONARIES2024-08-232
20NAUVOO HOMES, BRICKS, AND THE LEGACY OF ELDER E.H. BELCHER2024-09-132
21MY FULL CIRCLE OF MISSIONARY SERVICE IN OLD NAUVOO2024-09-212
22THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF THE LORD2025-09-262
23THE NAUVOO WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE2024-10-022
24SERVING IN NAUVOO HOMES AND SHOPS2024-10-082
25REFLECTIONS ON A LIFE MILESTONE2024-10-312
26MY NAUVOO ANCESTORS – PIONEERS OF HERITAGE, COVENANT, AND FAITH2024-11-112
27FALLING FOR FALL IN “BOO”-TIFUL NAUVOO2024-11-172
28A MISSION THANKSGIVING DAY OF GRATITUDE2024-11-283
29CONTINUING JOYFUL IN WINTER DAYS2024-12-133
30CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS ON HOLY GROUND2024-12-243
31MANY ARE CHILLED BUT FEW ARE FROZEN2025-01-133
32TRUTHS LEARNED FROM JOSEPH SMITH’S FIRST VISION2025-01-193
33FAMILY HISTORY HEIRLOOM RECORDS2025-01-243
34WRITING THE JOURNAL OF YOUR LIFE2025-01-313
35WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY2025-02-063
36COLLECTING RECORDS FOR YOUR FAMIY HISTORIES2025-02-163
37THE FIRE OF THE COVENANT2025-02-173
38COMPILING AND PUBLISHING YOUR FAMILY RECORDS2015-02-203
39RIDING IN A HORSE-DRAWN OPEN SLEIGH2025-02-233
40MIRACLES OF THE NAUVOO TEMPLE BRICK2025-03-093
41RECORDING HISTORY LIVE FROM NAUVOO3125-05-013
42OUR NAUVOO ANCESTORS – BELCHER ADDITION2025-03-223
43ANNOUNCING FAMILY HISTORY GUIDEBOOK2025-03-283
44FEBRUARY FUN TIMES IN OUR NAUVOO MISSION2025-03-30MISSION HISTORY
45JESUS WAS BORN FOR EASTER JOY2025-04-183
46THE TOMB OFJOSEPH2025-04-194
47WINTER COUSINS, BRICKS, AND SPRING FUN2025-05-043
48MARCHING IN THE MISSION2025-05-15MISSION HISTORY
49CELEBRATING MANY YEARS OF JOURNALLING2025-05-204
50MAKING NAUVOO HISTORY OLD AND NEW2025-06-014
51IN GRATITUDE TO SIMEON A. DUNN2025-06-154
52CONCENTRIC CIRCLES OF NAUVOO MIRACLES2025-06-294
53ANNOUNCING NEW NAUVOO PUBLICATIONS2025-07-084
54APRIL MISSION NEWS2025-07-21MISSION HISTORY
55A VISITOR’S VIEW OF OLD NAUVOO2025-08-074
56SAINTS IN MISSOURI BEFORE NAUVOO2025-08-18SEPARATE BOOK
57SAINTS IN NAUVOO WITH THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH2025-08-26SEPARATE BOOK
58SAINTS IN NAUVOO AFTER THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH2025-08-31SEPARATE BOOK
59SAINTS GO WESTWARD FROM NAUVOO2025-09-04SEPARATE BOOK
61LATTER-DAY SAINTS ON THE MOVE AND A LOT MORE BOOKS TOO2025-09-144
62A LOT OF WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE2025-09-154
63A MERRY MONTH OF MAY IN OLD NAUVOO2025-09-19MISSION HISTORY
64SAVING THE COOLIDGE HOUSE AND PIONEER CRAFTS2025-09-264
65WELCOMING GUESTS TO OLD NAUVOO2025-10-014
70A MISSION HIATUS, A WEDDING, AND A REUNION2025-11-024
67FINDING JOY IN OLD NAUVOO – JUNE MISSION HISTORY2025-10-11MISSION HISTORY
68SHARING THE LIGHT OF CHRIST THROUGH NAUVOO PERFORMANCES2025-10-284
71AUGUST MISSION NEWS2025-11-06MISSION HISTORY
60GREAT TIMES IN NAUVOO WITH OUR BRIGHAM DISTRICT2025-08-094
72AGOOD TIMES, MIRACLES, AND CONNECTIONS KEEP COMING2025-11-164
72BMORE GOOD TIMES, MIRACLES AND CONNECTIONS2025-11-194
73OUR MISSION IS WINDING DOWN – PREPARING TO DEPART NAUVOO2025-11-254
74REFLECTIONS OF OUR MISSION SERVED2025-12-014
75FAREWELL NAUVOO, OUR EXODUS WEST, AND OUR WELCOME HOME2025-12-054
69HOMECOMING MESSAGES FROM THE NAUVOO EXPERIENCE2025-10-284
76INNAVOOWITHKEVANDLOU – BLOG INDEX AND PUBLLISHED BOOKS2025-12-10N/A

Happy to share all of these articles with you. Check them out again!

It was so fun writing and documenting along the Nauvoo trail.

Kevin Hunt

Nauvoo, Historic Nauvoo, Senior Mission Couple, Historic Sites, Missionary, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintS