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