Blog #24
By Kevin V. Hunt
Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Dene Hunt are enjoying serving in Nauvoo homes and shops. We are pleased to be serving in Nauvoo as “Site Missionaries” in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission (that includes Nauvoo and Carthage). This is a great blessing and privilege.
As noted earlier, Sister Hunt’s parents, Elder E.H. and Sister Verna Belcher served in Nauvoo from 1979 to 1981. They spent their entire mission (18 months plus 2 6-month extensions) in the tiny Lucy Mack Smith home. They got to know that tour well. Also, while here, Elder Belcher built the Nauvoo Brickyard and created the now famous souvenir “Nauvoo Brick” that is still enjoyed by our guests today.
And you also know that I served in Nauvoo in 1975 for the final six months of my mission – also as a site missionary – just as today. There were then 8 sites that were open to the public and Elder Hunt knew each of these tours and took people through all of them.
Things are different today. There are over 30 restored homes and shops in Nauvoo, so visitors have a variety (and quantity) of places to see and experience.
Today Sister Hunt and I get rotated amongst the various homes – daily! We have the opportunity be in all of the 30 sites and have learned the scripts for each one. It is a great honor to serve in these sacred Pioneer homes and to share the lives and testimonies of faith of the early Saints who lived in Nauvoo from 1839 to 1846.
This presentation has been prepared to share with our family and friends. You often hear that “we are in this home (whatever one) today” with little comprehension of what that means. This document introduces the various homes and shops and tours that are available for guests to see and experience (and feel) here in Old Nauvoo.
We hope that you will enjoy this brief introduction to the many beautiful places here in Nauvoo. Perhaps it can help you enjoy Nauvoo from “a distance” until you have opportunity to come to Nauvoo to really experience Nauvoo for yourself. Come, and bring your families – and know and feel the full beauty, glory, and wonder that awaits you here.
Here is the link for you to connect to the presentation.
It is so great to be serving on the restored trail of Old Nauvoo …
Elder Kevin Hunt
On the Nauvoo Trail 