Church Historic Site Guide Missionary in Nauvoo, Illinois. Author, Blogger, Speaker, Historian, Scouting Veteran, Camp director, Family Historian and researcher.
Markers, Monuments, and the dash … Well, here is more of the dash! We will take up where we left off. Hopefully, you have already read Part 1 of this 2-Part blog article. There were just too many photos for one blog article.
THE NAUVOO PIONEER CEMETERY
After Jackie and family headed back to Arizona, I made my own visit to the Nauvoo Pioneer Cemetery. And Lou didn’t want to chance it with the chiggers and decided to let me have my own cemetery experience.
I went to the cemetery – located only about two miles east on Parley Street – just up the hill from my own Simeon Dunn historical home – also on Parley Street. I parked and did the overland trek up a hill and into the woods. I scoured the cemetery and tried to see all the gravestones that were somehow still standing and legible. Many, or most of the gravestones were too badly aged to be readable. There were really only a very few stones that I could read.
One of the first headstones I saw was that of Edward Partridge, the first Bishop in the Restored Church
I was pleased to find the graves of Lury Scovill and three of her children. We have taught about her as we have served in her own Scovil Bakery home.
I also found the graves of James and Hannah Webb – the parents of five brothers who were the Webb Blacksmiths here in old Nauvoo.
THE NAUVOO CEMETERY
I have thought for years that only the Pioneer Cemetery held graves of early Mormon settlers. I knew that there was a Nauvoo Cemetery but didn’t think that it contained graves of the Mormon settlers. Then on one of my tours, I was talking with a brother who said that he descended from Seymour Brunson. Together, we found a photo of his grave on Findagrave.com. I analyzed the photo of the grave and knew (from my recent visit to the Pioneer Cemetery) that it was not there. I told him that it had to be in the Nauvoo Cemetery.
I later did some more research and learned that early Mormons were buried in this cemetery – beginning in 1841. I again made my own trip (with cootie precautions) to the Nauvoo Cemetery – located a mile or two from downtown Nauvoo – on the road to Ft. Madison.
Upon arrival, I first found myself in the Catholic section of the cemetery. I didn’t see the sign until after I had explored most of the gravestones.
I continued to seek the Seymour Brunson grave site. I knew that the stone was quite large and could not be hidden. I continued my search and found a section – located at the south and then west of the cemetery – where early Saints were buried.
I did find the Seymour grave – and later did more research on him. It was at his funeral that his friend, the Prophet Joseph, preached. And it was in this sermon that Joseph first preached about the new principle of Baptism for the Dead.
I was surprised and pleased to find the grave of James White. He was the river trapper man lived in the village of Commerce before the Mormons came to the area – and who owned the home (built in 1823) that he sold to Joseph Smith – and which we know today as the Joseph Smith Homestead. (So, the building that was the first Nauvoo home to Joseph and Emma is fully 200 years old – and is still in great shape! Wow!)
I found the grave of a Laura Clark. I found this interesting because it showed that she was the daughter of Timothy Baldwin Clark. I recognized that name – as that of my 4th great grandfather. (I later checked my Ancestral Quest family database, and this confirmed my thought that she was a sister to my 3rd great grandfather, Ezra Thompson Clark. My program also told me that “ Laura CLARK-3303 is the 3rd great-grand aunt of Kevin Von HUNT-1. Their common ancestors are Timothy BALDWIN CLARK-3292 and Mary Polly KEELER-3293.” I also noted in my file that her husband was Morris Phelps. It was great to find one of my own people in the Nauvoo Cemetery. So great!
A few days after finding the Laura Clark gravestone, I found myself serving at the Seventies Hall. Upstairs in this Hall, there is an index of all of the members of the 15 or so Seventies Quorums of Nauvoo. I was helping a brother in the index. He found a couple of his men listed there. Then he said that he wanted to find a guy named Phelps. Then he was quick to add, “but not the famous W.W. Phelps”. I recalled my Nauvoo Cemetery visit and the Laura stone. I said, “By any chance was this, Morris Phelps?” He was surprised that I knew his guy. I then showed him my photo of the Laura Clark Phelps gravestone. This guy was excited – and so was I. Another one of those Nauvoo Miracles (of which I recently posted). (As a side note, Morris Charles Phelps lived 30 beyond Laura and was buried in Montpelier, Idaho.)
THE GRAVES OF JOSEPH, HYRUM, EMMA AND THE SMITH FAMILY
The graves of the Prophet Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma are all located in the Smith Family Cemetery located behind and just west of Joseph Smith’s Homestead. This is a beautiful, sacred spot. The Smith Family Cemetery is open to the public at all times.
In addition of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma, about 20 Smith family members are buried in the cemetery. A sign in the cemetery denotes the many Smith members who are buried there – including Joseph Smith, Sr., Lucy Mack Smith, Samuel Smith, Don Carlos Smith – and many more..
The gravestones of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma have changed many times – and somewhat dramatically over many years. The current stones might be the ones that will remain there until the resurrection.
Graves of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma as seen in 1975
When I was here in Nauvoo 50 years ago, I took photos of the Smith gravestones.
This photo marks the spots of others of the Smith family. Those markers do not exist today – but they are noted on the sign.
JULIA MURDOCK SMITH
A Sister Missionary in the visitors’ center, knowing of my visits to local cemeteries, asked me what I knew about the burial place of Julia Murdock Smith – the adopted twin daughter of Joseph Smith. Together we found the grave site of Julia. I learned that after the death of Joseph, she later married a man named Elisha Dixon and for a time they helped to manage the Mansion House. They then moved to Galveston, Texas. After a short time, this husband died in a bizarre steamboat fire. She later married John J. Middleton. Tradition is that this man abandoned Julia.
Julia returned to Nauvoo and lived with and took care of Emma Smith until Emma’s death in 1879. Julia did not go west with the Saints, and it is not known if she joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ with her other Smith family members. Later in Nauvoo, with few church alternatives, she joined the local Catholic Church. She died a year after Emma in Nauvoo. She is buried in the Catholic section of the Nauvoo Cemetery. We found her headstone and it gave an interesting history – a bit more “dash” than most gravestones.
I learned that later, her Murdock brothers had done her LDS Temple work on behalf of Julia.
JENETTA RICHARDS GRAVE
Jenetta Richards became the first person in England to be confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A year after her baptism she married Willard Richards who was ordained an Apostle while on his mission.
When you are a property owner already, why get a cemetery plot? That may have been the thinking of Sister Jenetta Richards, wife of the Apostle Willard Richards.
When Jenetta died on July 9, 1845, she was only 27 years old when she passed away. Jenetta was buried about 20 feet SW of the Richards home on White Street. Gray stones with inscriptions were placed both above and below the casket.
In 1868, an excavation was being made near the home of the Richards and they found Janetta’s tombstone and coffin. It was moved to the SW corner of the lot. In the early 1900’s the coffin was moved again to it’s present location which is part of an old burying ground. Years later, the family returned and placed a nice headstone there where it is easily accessible. business).
Today, Jenetta’s grave is located just a few feet west of the current Highway 96 (on Durphy Street) that passes through Nauvoo. The Williard Richards home has since been turned in to a bed and breakfast place and the grave is about 50 yards east of the B&B.
MONUMENTS TO THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH, HYRUM AND BRIGHAM
One of the great monuments at the river’s edge on Parley Street (the point of departure for the Saints) is a statue of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. This beautiful statue depicts Joseph pointing the way West to Brigham. The statues speak to me (and probably other viewers) of the bond between the two prophets as well as the ongoing leadership of Brigham and his role to lead the Saints to the West and the Rocky Mountains.
In this statue set, Joseph and Brigham are standing, looking west, with Joseph Smith raising his left hand westward, while Brigham holds the map of the Great Basin and the route to the Rockies. As already noted in this blog article, Joseph had prophesied earlier that the Saints would go to the Rocky Mountains.
With this statue is a plaque that reads:
EYES WESTWARD
“To Your Tents O Israel”
“On the anniversary of the 200th year celebration of the birth of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, this monument of His prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young has been erected.
“In Nauvoo the saints heard the rallying ancient cry, “To your tents, O Israel”, in sublime faith and trust, such as history scarcely records, they obeyed, ready to follow their leader where ever he might direct their pilgrim feet. The scenes of wagons, impossible to fully comprehend the hardships those sweet early saints endured.
“The first wagons left Nauvoo on February 4, 1846. This early departure, brought on by increased mobocracy subjected them to gale-force winds, torrential rain, snow, subfreezing temperatures, and axle-deep mud. Most of the Saints were poorly prepared for this epic journey. Many were city dwellers from the eastern United States and England, skilled in many crafts, but unaccustomed to the feeding and harnessing of horses, oxen and mules, driving wagons and herding livestock. Through much work, sacrifice and prayer and under the inspiration of Heaven and their inspired leaders, these faithful Saints completed their journey west and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847.”
“To those early pioneers whom we love, honor and cherish; may your names be forever remembered.”
I love all of the monuments to Joseph Smith, the Lord’s Prophet, but the one of Joseph and Hyrum on their horses – located in front of the Temple – is truly wonderful and inspiring. Entitled, “The Last Ride”, this scene depicts the departure of Joseph and Hyrum as they were leaving the Temple Site and going willingly toward their martyrdom fate.
Joseph and Hyrum in Sunset – Copyright by Kevin and Lou Hunt 2024
“The Brothers” statue of the Smith brothers – Joseph and Hyrum – in front of the Carthage Jail is also magnificent and inspiring. (I should have included this in my blog article, “Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph” but didn’t. I have since updated that blog to include this photo.
Joseph and Hyrum Statues at Carthage – 2002
The artist, Dee Jay Bawden sculpted the statue of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum that graces the plaza leading to the jail and the visitors center. Also, with “The Brothers” statue, six large historical monuments or tablets carved by artist, Jeff L. Anderson – five of which are on the plaza.
Statements on Plaques by Jackie Hunt – 2002
1935 Plaque – State of Illinois
OTHER HISTORICAL MARKERS ALONG THE WAY
By now, I was really into my ongoing discovery of interesting plaques and markers of various kinds. This “dash hunting” was really growing on me. (just like a tree … it keeps growing!) I searched all over Nauvoo and the surrounding area for more markers and monuments.
PARLEY STREET PLAQUES BY THE RIVER
I went to the end of Parley Street – to the place where the Saints headed out across the ice or the river toward Salt Lake City and other western opportunities. At this location, I found a number of different markers (besides the statues of Joseph and Brigham.)
A Plaque on the “Trail of Hope”
MEMORIAL TO ALL WHO “DIED BEFORE THEIR JOURNEY’S END”
There is a beautiful memorial pavilion dedicated to the many pioneers who died en route from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley. This is a circular “monument” that lists the names of hundreds of known people who “died before their journey’s end”. I found the names of Thomas Hancock and others of my ancestor families.
A SURPRISE MONUMENT DEDICATED TO ONE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE PIONEER NAUVOO ERA
All around Nauvoo, there are monuments to many of the pioneers of the “modern” pioneer era of 1839 to 1946 and any monument is appropriate and wonderful. I was pleasantly surprised to find a monument to another great American leader. This was in honor of Moroni – General of the Nephite nation Army. (And was his Zarahemla any relation to the modern-day Zarahemla across the Mississippi? I don’t know … but that is an interesting study for another day.)
Moroni is one of my all-time greatest heroes, so I was pleased to see him remembered appropriately in a plaque under the giant flagpole at the site.
THE NAUVOO MONUMENT TO WOMEN MEMORIAL GARDEN
Truly one of the greatest monuments (or a collection of monuments) in Nauvoo is the Nauvoo Monument to Women Memorial Garden.
I have always loved this collection of many monuments to women – all displayed together in the Memorial Garden. They are all beautiful individually, and together, they show the life cycles or stages in the lives of women.
When on duty serving recently at the Visitors’ Center, I took a stroll out through the Memorial Garden. It was a beautiful morning, and I felt the Spirit as I walked and reflected upon the statues. The surrounding greenery and flowers were most wonderful. It was a quiet, peaceful, and beautiful spot. And the weather of the day made it even stunning. (Sister Hunt and I have lamented that the surrounding greenery is so lush and big that it actually hides the garden – and sadly, few people realize that it is even there.)
I really like the statue of the mother and child – since my wife and daughters depicted this scene in the “City of Joseph” pageant years ago.
I have also loved the statue of the grandma making a quilt. This reminds me of my own grandma, Augusta Wilcox Hunt, my own mother Alura, and Aunt Winona – all of whom were dedicated and generous quilt makers.
And my Aunt Leonie and Uncle Allen have memorialized Grandma Augusta and her quilts in one of their best songs (and though written to Grandma Augusta, all of the words apply also to my mom, Alura.) I have included just a bit of the song. (And Allen sent me his lyrics to this and other of their songs just a couple of days before his recent death.)
Written by Allen Hunt
Nov. 1991
Grandmothers Quilts
What could she do to give them her love
Her children who’ve gone from the farm
Make each a quilt to comfort and warm
And be there instead of her arms
Long after she’s gone to Grampa
And the fingers that sew have grown still
Children of children will rest through the night
Warm under Grandmothers quilts.
While out in the garden, I noticed another plaque that I had not previously seen or acknowledged. I was surprised to learn that this monument had been in Nauvoo since 1933. I thought at first that the current plaque might just be a “memorial” to the original plaque. 1933 … Wow! That was before any Restoration occurred in Nauvoo. Seeing the plaque got me interested in searching deeper. The history was surprising and interesting.
I learned that the original 1933 monument was erected on the banks of the Mississippi River – adjacent to Joseph’s Red brick Store. I also read one article which stated that the statue had been moved to the Nauvoo Temple site in 1953. I saw no evidence of this statue at the Temple site when I was here as a missionary in 1975. I was really baffled by all of this.
This is what I found:
The First Relief Society Monument
“In the midst of the Great Depression, Apostle George Albert Smith suggested that a monument be placed in Nauvoo in memory of the Relief Society. He and General Relief Society President Louise Robison asked Frederick Smith, president of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (RLDS) and grandson of Joseph and Emma, for permission to place the monument on RLDS property where Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store once stood. Frederick Smith approved, and the dedication took place on July 26, 1933.” (https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-15001/)
I also wanted to see what the statue looked like back in 1933. At first, I could find no image of the original 1933 statue. It took some research effort, but I finally found a photo of the original statue. It was interesting that I found the photo on an E-Bay postcard (and of course, I bought the beautiful card)
Seeing the monument photo drove me back to the Visitors’ Center. Sister Hunt and I returned to the Center – and there it was … The whole monument was still there – and still in its original form.
I read the plaque on the monument and that brought up another question. It mentioned that the name of the Relief Society in 1933 was the “National Women’s Relief Society”. I had never heard of this title. More research … I found that the organization was incorporated under this name in 1892, and the name stuck until it was changed in 1945 to the current “Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”. All very interesting!
I learned that the plaque was moved once again to the site of the Monument to Women Memorial Garden in 1988.” The current Monument to Women Memorial Garden was dedicated in 1978. President Spencer W. Kimball offered the dedicatory prayer. At the dedication of the Women’s Garden, the General Relief Society Presidency spoke on the beauty of the sculptures saying: “The deeply significant figures are not only a pleasure to the eye, they are an enduring statement about women, a vision of the divine potential of the daughters of God, which we want to share with the world.”
The Monument to Women has additional history and background information that is interesting. Here is the link for a more detailed look:
Though not traditional markers or monuments, museums are just that … rather large plaques. I have recently discovered four local museums. I was surprised and pleased with what I found in each one.
One is a small little place in Nauvoo – in the former historic “Weld Home”. This is operated by the local historical society. This place had many displays about people and places of old Nauvoo. My focus was old homes and structures of Nauvoo, and I found much good information – and many good photos of the pioneer homes of the Saints.
Another local museum features “The Tomb of Joseph”. This place has a very interesting history – both pioneer and modern. The “Tomb” was discovered by a new owner of what would become the local Zion’s Mercantile store. (Such a great place!). After he purchased the property, the new owner, Brian Christiansen, found a “gold mine” buried under his building. This museum documents the many burials of the Prophet, Joseph and has much good information – including some to feed my historic structure interests.
See tombofjoseph.com for more interesting details.
And there is a new museum that is building down on Mulholland street (the main drag in Nauvoo). This “Martyrdom Museum” is just beginning its adventure, but it is a growing thing and there is promise of great things to come (summer of 2025) per owner, Brian Stuztman (whom I met on one of my site tours). I will look forward to watching the growth and progress of this new museum.
The fourth museum was also a surprise. Upon arrival at the Carthage Jail, we were informed that we would have nearly an hour before we could get a tour for our group. With time on our hands, I noticed the KibbE Hancock Heritage Museum (for Hancock County – not for my ancestors). I went in and saw how great it was – and went and dragged Lou, Jackie, and family in to check out the place. Talk about fabulous! This place had displays on many subjects – including Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and more. And they had a few panels (with old building photos) of Nauvoo.
Sister Hunt and I were astounded by this wonderful museum and thoroughly enjoyed our visit there. (see kibbe.wordpress.com) Our host was amiable and wonderful. I do not remember his name, but he is the president of the local historical society. I highly recommend this great place to all – and especially those delayed and waiting for the Carthage tour.
Each one of these museums is unique and are a collection of fine “markers” and a lot of “dash”.
MANY OTHER NAUVOO PLAQUES TO FORMER CITIZENS
As you all know, Sister Hunt and I serve “Nauvoo Historic Site Guide” missionaries. In this role, we present daily “tours” of the thirty or so restored homes. These homes all represent and tell the “story” (a detailed and spirited “dash”) of the man and his family who built (or had built) and lived in the various homes. Each one is a special monument to be recognized and celebrated.
In addition to these restored homes, there is other evidence of other great Saints who lived in old Nauvoo. It has been fun to seek and find these hidden plaques and monuments. I have found them all over.
I share these hidden treasures with you without explanation or editorializing – since each one kind of tells its own story (as designed to do so …
There are also some foundations of other homes that once were. It may seem strange, but I see these foundations also as monuments to the people – even in their current devastated state. They are evidence that a family did actually live there, had a house, and lived and were a part of the Nauvoo covenant community.
THE ELDER E.H. BELCHER BRICK KILN AT THE BRICKYARD
Foundation of former Levi Ward Hancock Home in Nauvoo
In a previous blog, I showed the sign that introduces the Martyrdom Trail – the trail of doom taken by Joseph and Hyrum to their death in Carthage. This trail sign is a monument itself, but certainly the trail, with its emotional traditions, is even more so. The sign is on Nauvoo’s Main Street and is an invitation to all to see and experience the trail – the bigger picture.
OTHER HISTORIC PLAQUES FOUND EVERYWHERE ON THE TRAIL
As if the above is not enough, there are a plethora of other plaques out there. They appear randomly all over – on the highway, in Nauvoo, and all around. They are all interesting … and they help to paint more of the picture – “the dash” – enlarging the story of old Nauvoo.
MARKERS, MONUMENTS AND THE DASH … ALL VERY INTERESTING AND FUN
Well, it has been quite the ride! I hope that you have all enjoyed it as I have. We do truly have a great heritage, and it is so great that many folks and organizations have been willing to create markers and monuments to help us remember special people and times from Old Nauvoo. We can all be grateful for the efforts of many who have helped to capture life as it was, and the people who made us what we are. It is all very interesting … and fun to and experience … if we just take the time to stop and “smell the roses” – or in this case, stop, read and learn from the signs, the plaques and the monuments out on the trail and to learn more of our history. It’s all out there on the trail! Stop and more fully enjoy the ride … and “the dash” in between.
Enjoying the history and reflective moments on the trail … Elder Kevin Hunt
It is Pageant time in Nauvoo, and it is truly an exciting time to be here. There is so much energy – so much fun – so much to do. Everywhere in town we see and feel that energy. It is all around us and the pageant lifts and excites everyone.
(FYI: This proved to be a rather long blog (so much good stuff) but at least with the bold bullet headlines, you can pick and choose what you want to read. You have been warned! Kevin]
There are presently two different pageants running simultaneously in Nauvoo over a three-week period. “The Nauvoo Pageant” is staged on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights and the “British Pageant” runs on Wednesday and Friday nights of each of the three weeks.
The Nauvoo Pageant – 2024
The Nauvoo Pageant talks of the building of the city of Nauvoo under the influence of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. The British Pageant, with the theme title of “Let Truth Prevail” shows missionaries going to preach the restored Gospel in England and through all of the British Isles.
Missionaries here in Nauvoo love the pageants because they draw hoards of guests from all over the country. And that is why we are serving here in Nauvoo … we want to share the Lord’s Gospel message with many people. The pageants are a focus and dream for months before they actually happen. We look forward to the folks coming. (I do admit, however, that there is a bit of trepidation – as we anticipate crowds beyond what we can usually handle on our individual tours.)
HISTORY OF PAGEANTS IN NAUVOO
The original Nauvoo pageant, an outdoor musical staged by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was called “The City of Joseph”. This historic musical of Nauvoo premiered in the summer of 1976 and was staged each summer until 2004. As the title indicates, the show testified of the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph and the “covenant community” created in Nauvoo by him and members of the Church from the years 1839 through his death in 1844.
The purpose of the “City of Joseph” pageant was “to reach out to non-members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – to teach them about the faith and to build the testimony of those participating, similar to that which occurred with the pageants at the Hill Cumorah and Manti, Utah,” (BYU Studies Quarterly Volume 53) … seeking to inspire the audience with the nostalgia and memories of former days in “Old Nauvoo”.
The ”City of Joseph” pageant was replaced in 2005 with the new “Nauvoo Pageant” – titled, “A Tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith”. Like its predecessor, it “celebrates the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the city of Nauvoo. The pageant’s purpose is to honor the prophetic leadership and mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and to commemorate the construction of the original Nauvoo Temple. The pageant also emphasizes the joy of early Latter-day Saints as they learned to love and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through their faith. The pageant helps visitors see and feel the sacrifice and faith of the early “pioneers” who came to Nauvoo and built a city from a swamp.
The ”British Pageant”, titled, “Truth Will Prevail”. made its debut in Chorley, England in 2013 and is performed there every four years (except when expanded for COVID). The pageant was first performed in Nauvoo the following year – in 2014. It has been performed annually in Nauvoo ever since. The British Pageant is captured in the words, “I go because my Master calls” as it portrays the departure of faithful Saints as they left their native lands to answer God’s call to gather to Nauvoo. The British Pageant invites all to enjoy the blessings that come from seeking and following God’s truth.
The two shows complement each other. Many of the same characters appear in both shows – like Joseph Smith, Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, “Twizzleton” Turley (a fictitious name?) and others – the same men who built Nauvoo, “The City of Joseph” and who were the Apostles who were sent to preach the Restored Gospel in England. The show depicts the beginning of preaching in England and then shows those same missionaries returning to Nauvoo with their English converts, full of the fire of conversion. The Pageant explores the beginnings of the Church in the British Isles and the impact of the British members’ abiding faith and deep love for one another and the Savior.” (by Christine Rappleye writing for “The Church News” 25 July 2023).
Both Pageants teach important gospel doctrines including the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the divinity of the Book of Mormon, the ordinances and hope of the Temple, the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith.
THE CASTS OF THE “NAUVOO PAGEANTS”
The casts of the pageants are a combination of seasoned actors and family cast members. The main “core actors” take the stage through the whole summer season. Five “ensemble family casts” serve on a rotating schedule during the season. Each ensemble family cast can include over 600 volunteers from the United States, Canada and England. (And it is fun to hear the true “Brits” mixed together and speaking with the “Yanks”!)
Parley P. Pratt, an early Apostle and a “core actor” in the Nauvoo Pageant, narrates the show each night. I love his opening line: “When you’re here, we’re here”. “The “British Pageant” is narrated by a “core actor” character named Arthur Ashton.
TRUTHS TAUGHT AND QUOTES FROM THE PAGEANTS:
Each night, missionaries and others distribute a “Nauvoo Neighbor” newspaper version of a pageant program, entitled, “PAGEANT TONIGHT”. This wonderful publication shares wonderful quotes from the shows – on various Gospel themes:
Families: “So, this was the grand panorama. The blessings of the Restoration … were for the whole of God’s family, from our fathers before us to our children after.”
Life After Death: “How consoling to those of us called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that they shall rise again to dwell in immortal glory.”
Prophets: “Like our parents and grandparents, we knew our Bibles. We knew that if God opened the heavens again, He would speak to us through a prophet.”
Community: “We who were many were becoming one.”
The Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon: “In them together is the fulness of the gospel. In the mouth of two witnesses” and “What kind of book is it? My good man, it is the most correct of any book on earth!”
The Spirit of God: “But I’ve had a feelin’. And it’s not a feelin’ I conjured up m’self. I can’t quite explain it, but I know it’s true.”
Divine Authority: “Go on as the disciples of old and bless the sick in the name of Jesus Christ, healing them by the power of God, through the priesthood you bear”.
Temples: “Well this building is somewhat different, Robert, Because it’s a temple, and a temple is for making covenants with God.”
PRESENTATION OF HISTORICAL VIGNETTES BY PAGEANT CAST MEMBERS
While the “core actors” have been captured here in Nauvoo – as they participate in the show casts, they also take time to present great little vignettes to help people feel more of the special people and events of Old Nauvoo. Often these vignettes also combine with the talents of the “Nauvoo Bagpipe Band” and the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries.
BIRTHDAY PARTY HELD IN HONOR OF EMMA SMITH
On Wednesday, July 10th, Sister Hunt and I found ourselves serving at Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store. Soon after we got going for the day, I learned that a “birthday party” was being staged that morning in the Smith Family Cemetery located between Joseph Smith’s Homestead and his Red Brick Store. I sent Sister Hunt and the young sisters over to participate in it. The performing missionaries and the Bagpipe Band were also there. Sister Hunt later reported that they sang “Happy Birthday” with bagpipe accompaniment. They also sang a song that was in Emma’s first hymnal: “Guide us, O Thou Great Jehovah”. And they had doughnuts. (Sister Hunt said that is why the guys from the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries showed up just at the right moment!) It sounded like a fun activity.
LETTERS OF JOSEPH AND EMMA
The Pageant cast and leaders have created a new little program that featured Joseph and Emma Smith – and mother Lucy Mack Smith. The Homestead and Mansion House (where we were serving for the day) were closed for about an hour and a half to accommodate the program that was held on the lawn north of the Mansion House. Joseph and Emma made their grand entrance with an exit from their Mansion House – and again were introduced by the Nauvoo Bagpipe Band. This group really has a way of making events even more special and wonderful.
Sister Hunt and I quickly ate our lunch after the sites closed. We then went over to view the program. The program was entitled, “The Letters of Joseph and Emma” and the characters quoted many of their beautiful and loving letters written to each other. I loved the Joseph and Emma characters. They both looked so authentic in their roles. Joseph was particularly impressive – and he sings very well. It was a very fun event (lasting about a half hour) – so fun to view and to enjoy. It was a very beautiful production.
THE PAGEANT BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER
As missionaries, we have noted that the pageant has been a major force in bringing families and youth groups together. We have witnessed many families who have come together from all parts of the country to be united for the pageant experience. It has been great to witness the reunions, the camaraderie, and just the fun of folks enjoying being together. The family connections have added much to the total pageant experience for many.
And youth groups have come in throngs (and many buses) to join the pageant experience. It is so great to see these young people as they have traveled together from all over – Texas, Indiana, Nebraska, Las Vegas, and other places – to enjoy the pageant – and all of our wonderful historic sites available to them here in Nauvoo. Like their leaders, we know that their testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith as the Lord’s prophet, will be indelibly impacted by these experiences. What a blessing to these young people!
ELDER AND SISTER HUNT HOSTED THEIR OWN PAGEANT VISITORS
Though they planned their trip before Sister Hunt and I were called to Nauvoo, they planned their trip (from their Tempe, Arizona home) so that they could participate in both of the Nauvoo pageants. It was such great fun to have them here with us for almost a week.
The Simeon Dunn home where we reside is nice, but also rather small – and not really conducive to a family of visitors. It is nice for the two of us but there is not a lot of room for others. We made it work, however. Conveniently, there is a giant rag rug (in the greatest of Old Nauvoo style) that has been folded on a table in the corner. We dragged this out and swept it off and spread it on the floor of the home cellar. The rug must have been made just for the home. It filled the concrete floor perfectly. And we were able to line up four air mattresses on it to accommodate the four grandchildren.
Then a large air mattress completely filled every inch of our free space in our living room. This is where Jackie and her man spent their nights. We had to be creative in scheduling use of the single bathroom – located upstairs in our bedroom.
Somehow, it all worked out very well. The tight togetherness brought us closer! The family ate with us (or we ate with them). We headed off each morning to serve in our various historic sites and the family also headed off on their own schedule to experience all that is available to families here in Nauvoo. They had a grand time – and were actually quite worn out each night because of their exhaustive schedule. And as Jackie noted, “It was all FREE!” She marveled that the Church has put together so much – and all centered around families. She thought it was one of the greatest possible vacation destinations ever.
We were able make arrangements to take the family on a private tour of Joseph’s Red Brick Store. (And I documented this in my recent blog on “Miracles”). Even with our tight service schedule, we still had a lot of time to spend with the family. We even got to take a fun “field trip” with them on our P-day. (More on this in a future blog post!)
And besides the Arizona family, their two cousins came at the same time with their Kyle, Texas youth group. (Their trip was also scheduled before our mission call.) The group came on three buses timed, of course, to be here for pageant. So, we were able to connect with them and enjoyed activities and tours together.
We attended both pageants together (with all of the grands) and this was wonderful. We also participated in the Country Fair each of the nights.
COUNTRY FAIR FUN
It is hard to describe the immense possibilities of fun and excitement afforded by the Country Fair that accompanies the pageants each night. The event features a plethora of great activities that pioneer families may have done back in the day. There were many fun games – like stilt walking, log sawing, sack races, and more.
The round dancing event drew young and old together for good old-fashioned country dancing. Our 15-year old grandson even participated as partner to his 19-year old sister. And I think that he had fun – in spite of himself. And games of skill and strength … wow! What a selection: stickball, tug-of-war, relay and sack races, a handcart pull, graces and hoops, horseshoes, log sawing, stick pulling, and more.
The children’s activities were also fun. Our ladies had fun weaving rags and braiding headbands and such.
And a real favorite of ours was the pioneer photo booth. As a seasoned “fact checker”, I found the photo – with the pioneer handcart a little ahead of its time but super fun. Somehow, we managed to corner the family all together at the same time and location to catch a photo of all of us together.
Able and happy workers helped us all to don wonderful pioneer costumes and to stage our best photo op. They even hit the button on our cell phone cameras. Such fun!
STANDING RESOLUTE AT THE BRITISH PAGEANT
Not to break the surprise for those who choose to come next year, but all of the Nauvoo missionaries (young and old) get to participate in the finale of the British Pageant. We missionaries had a difficult role. We came in on cue, as the cast began to sing, “Come, Come, Ye Saints” and stood “resolute” on risers on both sides of the stage (as the worldwide missionary effort – beginning in England as portrayed in the pageant was introduced).
Ours was a hard role and we had to have two or three practices to get it down. We came in singing “Called to Serve” and joined in singing for two more songs – “Then Say What is Truth”, and “Redeemer of Israel”. Our role was to “stand resolute” as silent witnesses to the united cast phrase of “Truth Will Prevail”.
THE HUNT FAMILY IN THE “CITY OF JOSEPH” CAST
The “City of Joseph” Pageant began in 1976 – the year after I was there as a missionary. I had heard of this pageant for many years and lamented that I/we had not been able to be a part of the show. And for years, I had the dream that someday I could go there to be in the cast with the whole family. The dream was always there but I did not see any way that we would ever be able to do it (on our constant mode of lack of resource for such an adventure. Having money was never a part of our family situation.) I did not think time and resources would ever come together at the same time to give us the opportunity. Finally, in late 1995 I told the family that “next summer is our year to go be in the pageant”. We did not know how it would be possible, but we went forward in faith, trusting that things would come together.
We got accepted to be in the 1996 show. We knew that it would be a major project to take us and nine children the 1,500 or so miles from our Mesa, Arizona home to Nauvoo, Illinois. We learned that it would take our every effort and focus to get there. It took a full year to get there. We laid out our plan of everything that we needed to do, and began to work on that plan.
GETTING OUR COSTUME PARTS TOGETHER
We learned – with a bit of shock – that we would have to put together our own costumes. Wow! For eleven people … that was a major challenge. We had been in the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant for many years and this pageant had always supplied the many and various costumes for us. I guess we had been spoiled.
So, we had to have period pioneer clothing for all of us. And we had to adhere in everything to a set standard that the pageant staff sent to us. And we had to send in splotches of every material that we wanted to use. And we had to use (or be in compliance) with various costume styles and patterns. This became a lengthy and challenging project – that seemed to get bigger and bigger.
(And incidentally, times have changed … Sister Hunt stood aghast as we recently visited the “new” pageant building – located way east of town. There were rows and rows of glorious costumes of all kinds – just waiting for cast members to get into them.)
The boys and I had to have kind of baggy pants and shirts with specific collar styles. The ladies needed frilly skirts with pantaloons. And the list of accessory items seemed especially formidable. We needed scarves, hats, special socks, aprons, suspenders, knickers for the boys, half jackets for the ladies, bonnets, boots, vests, shoes, and much more. We made regular trips to thrift stores, garage sales, and everywhere else we thought might possibly have our desired or needed items. And one by one, we found all of the needed accessories.
MAKING THE TRANSPORTATION DECISION
We looked at various options for our transportation. Finally, we decided that we wanted to take the Amtrak train back to Nauvoo. We found a “1 plus 2” rate. This meant that for each paying adult, we could take two kids for free. Lou and I were, of course, adults, and Jackie – who was over age 16 counted as an adult. We recruited Lou’s widowed father to go with us as the fourth adult (but after his fare was paid, he decided that he could not make the trip with us … and his fare money was lost). This all proved to be a great deal for our large family.
FINDING HOUSING FOR OUR LARGE CLAN
There were some options … we could have tented in the state park. We could have found a commercial place to stay. (But that was before AirBandB was a thing – and the internet was just coming into its own.) Another alternative was to stay in Camp Nauvoo – a camp owned by then Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ. This ultimately proved to be the best option and we chose this plan. The pageant had rented out the whole camp for use of the cast members. There was to be a large kitchen and a cafeteria, and folks could rent cabins or bring RV’s. Having no RV, we chose the cabins. And we were lucy enough (highly blessed) to obtain a large “cabin” that had sufficient bunkbeds for the eleven of us.
In order to stay in the cabin, we needed to come up with about $80 per each of us. This would include all food for the three weeks as well the cabin itself. We began to save our pennies (lots of them) to be able to take this trip. It would take a lot of effort and faith, but again, we went forward – not knowing how it would all come together.
FINANCING THE TRIP
I noted that financing a pageant trip was always the problem. How to get all of the funds needed? We had been out of a job (again) and this was not the best time to make such a financial commitment. And in our circumstances, we did hold back a bit.
It was Christmas, 1995 … That was a very challenging time – but many good friends, neighbors – and even people whom we did not know came forth with help so that we had a glorious Christmas (way beyond just the gifts). One special gift was very much unplanned. My sister, Lesa, and husband Charlie came to our home and somehow left us an old truck that had belonged to Charlie’s father (delivering the truck in the middle of the night with some special way of us finding the keys later).
The truck was so “vintage” that it was actually a genuine albatross. A couple of years before, the government had banned the use of “Regular” gasoline, and all cars were to use the new “Unleaded” gas. The truck used “Regular” gas. (Regular gas was still available for a while, but it was very challenging to obtain it.)
Anyway, I rejoiced when we were given this great gift. I knew that it had come in answer to our prayers. I am not exactly sure why Lesa and Charlie had given us the truck, or what they thought we could do with it – but it was amazing and so wonderful for us. I told the family that this gift was the key – the opportunity – for us to go to Nauvoo. We recognized it as the needed manna from heaven to help us make the journey. The plan was for us to sell the vehicle. And we tried for months to sell the truck – and no buyer came forth. This became a greater test of faith for us, but we somehow knew that we would sell it to finance our trip. Ultimately, we did sell the truck – but the sale came in the Lord’s own time – which was literally the day after our trip was complete and we were back home. (Another major test – the timing – but it did somehow all work out … and we were very grateful for this great blessing.)
I don’t know what Lesa and Charlie thought of us selling their gift but to us it had come as a major miracle, and we rejoiced in it.
But still additional funds were needed. We gave each child the task of somehow earning the $80 for their own share of the Camp Nauvoo experience. Some of the children worked and were able to save much of their own money. We needed something for the rest of the children. We decided that we could paint address numbers on curbs. So, we spent a great many nights over many months going out together (whoever could on a given night) painting curbs. I think we painted half of the curbs in town!
THINGS BEGAN TO COME TOGETHER FOR OUR PLANNED TRIP
It was definitely a major stretch and surely a giant leap of faith, but somehow it all came together. Lou and the girls were in a constant mode of sewing the many costumes. As noted, we scrounged everywhere trying to find just the right accessory items needed for everyone – and somehow – one item at a time – we did find the items. We packed these items into a large plastic trunk. We were able to make our train reservations when the time came (and the window was a very small one). Miracle after miracle happened and things fell into place.
We had to take all of our costumes and we bought a large moving wardrobe box – with the bar – to hold the dresses. We had to take all of our own bedding to go on the metal cots at Camp Nauvoo … so this meant sleeping bags and blankets, pillows, etc. Each person had to have their own suitcase(s). We were to be gone for three weeks. (And incidentally, I had recently been given a new job, but I made the needed time off a matter of my pre-hire contract – so we were able to be gone for the needed time – taken as “unpaid leave”.)
With all of this “stuff” that we had to take, we almost needed to rent a U-Haul to get us to the train station. In the end, we came up with 25 pieces of luggage! Wow! So unbelievable – even now. It was good that we had the family 15-passenger van – and a large borrowed trailer.
Packing everything was a major miracle that Lou and all of us pulled together. Jenae was a major force in this effort. She and Lou stayed up nearly all night the night before our departure – sorting and folding everything.
The day of departure arrived, and it was time for our departure. I had to work that day, so the final arrangements were left to Lou. And as ever, she did an amazing job.
A MAJOR LAST-MINUTE CHALLENGE AND A MIRACLE FOR KEITH AND ALL OF US
In the week prior to going to Nauvoo, our son, Keith, had been up to Utah where his grandfather had property that was bordered by a stream. And all along this stream, there was poison ivy. And the ten days or so before our Utah trip, Keith was also at Camp Geronimo in Arizona and there tromped through more poison ivy. Keith showed no reaction to the poison ivy until a week or so after the exposures to it. But, somehow it got into his bloodstream and surfaced on the day that we were to leave on the train for Nauvoo. It broke out in its fury in the form of a pussy rash that completely covered his body. And his head swelled up like a pumpkin – to the point that his eyes were swollen, and he could not even see out of them. We took him to the doctor two hours before we were to leave on our trip. The doctor examined him and said that we absolutely could not take him on our planned Nauvoo trip (because there would be no doctors en route on the train). He was emphatic as he said that his breathing could shut down completely.
We were devastated. We had worked tirelessly for over a year to prepare for this trip. We had collected and created our extensive costume collection for the whole family. We had worked at various tasks to earn money for our trip. It had been an exhausting but wonderful preparation for the trip. And now suddenly, we were told that we could not go. A priesthood blessing was given by our bishop, friend and long-time neighbor, Richard Hale (as I was still at work) and Keith was miraculously healed – sufficient that the doctor finally allowed him to make the trip – with strict instructions for emergency medical attention if his condition worsened at any time en route.
THE TRAIN TRIP TO NAUVOO
Going on the train meant that we had to board it at Flagstaff, Arizona to go east. Our journey started as our neighbor, Richard Hale, drove our big van with all of us to Phoenix. We thought that we were to go to the Greyhound station in West Phoenix to catch a bus to Flagstaff. We got there and found a sign that said that the station had recently closed and that we were to meet a shuttle bus (operated by Arizona Native Americans) from the airport. So, we were now a bit pressed for time, but we rushed over there and arrived just in time.
As already noted, we had 25 pieces of luggage for our crowd. This included all of our costumes, sleeping bags and bedding for all of us for the three weeks, regular clothes, food chests for two days of travel on the train – for our crowd, etc. So, Brother Hale helped us get all of that loaded onto the bus and we were soon off on the charter connection. We enjoyed the bus trip up north to Flagstaff.
Upon arrival in Flagstaff, the Indian bus line took us to a bus station – which was across the street from the train station. He was kind enough to take us also to the train station. We secured use of a giant old wagon on which we put all of our stuff. The train folks assured us that we could leave the whole trailer in an open bin of the station – until our departure the next morning.
Another guy in our ward had a cousin in Flagstaff who owned a motel. When Scott told his cousin of our service trip, he offered to give us two rooms in his motel for free for the night. (Another great “tender mercy” of the Lord). The hotel “The Pony Soldier” was located down the road about two miles. (And our kids ranged in age from 1 1/2 to 17). We had arranged for two taxis to come for us. We learned that 5 was the maximum number of people to be in a taxi so that is why we had two. And learning that there were 11 of us, they almost made us take a third taxi but, the folks decided that the baby could sit on mom’s lap.
We had a grand time there in the hotel that night. This was a first for us and the kids loved it.
Next morning early, the two taxi cabs returned to take us to the train station. We were told that Flagstaff “law” would only allow any train to stop for a total of six minutes (so as not to hold up traffic – or whatever). And if this was not met, the train conductor would be arrested and a new conductor would have to be sent to Flagstaff from New Mexico. (True statement!) We were told that the off-coming folks would have three minutes to disembark and us on-going passengers (more than just our crowd) would have only three minutes to get on the train with all of our stuff. We were told that we could just go in as fast as possible, drop our stuff and then go upstairs – and then in a little while, we could return downstairs to the luggage area to organize and store our stuff properly.
We lined up all of our 25 items on the sidewalk and put with each person assigned to one – or multiple items – to the kids whom we thought could best handle that part of the stuff. One of the children was to take the baby and others were to have one or more items to be in charge of. The children were all very psyched up and ready for the challenge. When the train stopped our adrenaline was high. The folks coming off just kind of took their time and the second that they were off, we blew the whistle (not really) and the signal was “Run!” And it was really crazy. (There were multiple cars so groups could pick whichever one they thought best – so there were a lot of people lined up on the sidewalk by different cars.)
We somehow managed to get all of the stuff and us into the train – and then it was off – full steam ahead. We went upstairs and found the seats to be giant recliners – like the ultimate in movie theaters or the first-class section of a big airplane. Wow! We found seats all in the same area – another miracle. And after a little while, we were able to go down to get our stuff put together.
The ride was absolutely fabulous. The kids had a grand time going to the dining car (which we could not afford) or to the “recreation room” at the other end of the train. Our nine-year old son was then into balloon tying (and was excellent at it) and he went up and down the train making balloon creations for young and old).
The train went 72 MPH in the daytime and 90 MPH at night. And we had to spend a night on the train. We wished that we had known that the A/C would be blasting full blast, or we would have planned and packed better so as to have blankets with us for the ride. We drove through New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas City and then got off at Fort Madison, Iowa – located up-river about 15 miles from Nauvoo.
OUR UNIQUE HUNT FAMILY LOOK
As we prepared for our trip, we thought it would be fun to show up on stage (at the opening practice) in family look-alike t-shirts. This was long before computers and modern-day graphics programs, but we created a great design and put this on shirts for all of us. They were great!
OUR NAUVOO ADVENTURE BEGINS
As we arrived in Iowa, we really wished that we had our big family van. We had to rent a car and could not afford to rent a big van. So, we rented a little car. And somehow, we got all eleven of us in the car. (We left our collection of stuff at the train station – with the promise that we would be back for it soon. And we then didn’t even know how we would get back for the stuff). Then we were like Nephi and “went forth with faith”. We drove in our squished condition to Keokuk, Iowa (because from my Nauvoo mission experience), I wanted to enter Nauvoo from the South. We went to a fast food joint to eat. Some folks there – maybe store employees – were shocked as our large crowd came pouring out of the car and into the place. We were afraid that they were going to report us to authorities or something for child abuse or whatever. So, we quickly got our food and headed out – across the river and up-river to Nauvoo the beautiful.
We drove to the Camp Nauvoo campground where we were to stay. This campground – owned then by the RLDS church and rented to our church – had places for RV’s, tents, etc. We had saved up enough money to rent a single cabin – with bunk beds – for our crowd. The place also had a dining hall. It was much like a Scout camp or similar (and we had plenty of experience with that scenario).
We checked in and got our assigned cabin. We then walked around looking for someone who might have a truck and who could help us. We knew absolutely no one. But, we found a couple of trucks and their owners – and talked to the folks. It was an instant connection – just as it was with everyone in the pageant – and the guys – new friends and brothers – were more than willing to assist us. (Yet another major tender mercy of the Lord.)
I left my wife and most of the kids at the campground and I headed off with my new friends back to Ft. Madison. We loaded all of the stuff into their vehicles and returned back to Nauvoo.
MISSING OUR ACCESSORY TRUNK
We got all of the stuff to the cabin and began to take inventory. To our shock and horror, our main large trunk – that held most of our accessory items (which we had so painstaking worked to buy and accumulate) was “missing in action”. We did not know what to do. We knelt and prayed as a family.
I went to a pay phone (that was long before cell phones) – and after getting a large supply of quarters – began to make phone calls to the train company – and everyone else – to try to locate our trunk. I was on the phone literally for about two hours through this process. With the passage of time, I learned that our trunk had not made it off from our original Indian contract bus that we had taken from Phoenix to Flagstaff. But, it gets better (or worse) … The trunk was not discovered by the bus line, and it had remained on the bus. And after our departure, it remained on the bus undiscovered and was touring all over Arizona – and had been for three days.
The folks (with my many calls) finally located the trunk out in the middle of no-where Arizona somewhere. They then made the necessary arrangements to get the trunk back to Flagstaff and onto the train. So, we had to wait another three or four days for it to catch up with us. Luckily, we were just in show practices at that time and didn’t yet need the costume items.
So, can you see the Lord’s hand in all of this? We certainly did … and with grateful hearts, we gave thanks to the Lord for all of his many tender mercies in our behalf. We were ready to hit it with the show!
We auditioned for – or were cast – in a number of scenes. It was fun to be in so many of the great scenes.
THE HUNT FAMILY IN THE OPENING PAGEANT SCENE
Most folks who know me, know that I have a propensity for journal writing. It has been my practice to write a daily entry in my personal journal for fifty plus years. I now create and maintain my journal volumes on the computer but the first 101 volumes of my journal were hand-written. As I worked to maintain my journal writing habit, I had learned to take the journal with me wherever I went so that I could take advantage of precious writing moments whenever and wherever I might have a few spare minutes to write. Such was the case when we were in Nauvoo. I took it with me to the stage set so that when we were not busy rehearsing, I could write in it.
On one occasion, I was busy writing when the director of our show, “The City of Joseph”, held a “think session” with his directing staff. He was not comfortable with the show opening and was brainstorming with many of the cast about what they could do for the opening. There was a lot of discussion. Then suddenly he looked over at me writing in my journal and he later said it was as if he had a vision on the spot. He said excitedly, “There it is!” He had seen me with my journal beginning the show – on a blanket surrounded by my wife and nine children – and reading from my journal as if I was reading them the show story. He had us enter as a family – coming from all directions, and me holding the journal book high. We then sat on the ground as if at a picnic and I took out my journal and began to read. The director and everyone else loved it! It was a big hit. We were cast in this role and we did this grand family entry for both of the summers (1996 and 1997) that we were in the “City of Joseph” pageant cast. We all enjoyed this special opening role as we performed it each night.
FOOD AND BOARD AT CAMP NAUVOO
We got all of our stuff into the cabin at the Camp Nauvoo. We lived in a single room – with 11 bunkbeds. We had to have a large table for the seven women to do their hair and other “girl stuff”.
We ate in the large dining hall with all of the rest of the cast who were staying also at the camp. This was a great place and we had many good times there – along with the food. We took turns with other cast members in the preparation of the food, clean-up, and other functions. We helped re-roof the structure as a service to the camp for letting us stay there. The place worked out well for us and our large gang.
With three very cute teenage girls, we always had a few extra guys hanging around and wanting to eat with us. The arrangement was mutually agreeable to all parties.
THE HUNT FAMILY GETS CAST IN THE PRODUCTION
There were 400 or more cast members in the production. Each family was given specific roles in the show. For some key roles, an audition was needed. Some other scenes were just assigned. Sometimes it was just being in the right place at the right time when more people were needed.
Anyway, we ended up cast in many scenes. Some were with the whole family and other times it was just two or three family members.
HELPING TO “STEADY THE ARK”
One of the great scenes of the Nauvoo pageant was a giant work scene. All over the stage families were demonstrating work, crafts and all that helped the Saints build Nauvoo. One of the props for the scene was a giant water wheel – about 20 feet tall. As we progressed through the scene, this water wheel began to topple. I and a few others who were doing our things close by, ran over to “help steady the ark” and to keep it from falling.
A while later – after we had finished the practice for this scene, a newspaper writer and photographer came up to me. She said, “I got a picture of you holding up that water wheel so now I have to get your name so that it can be in the newspaper with the photo. I provided her my name and then she asked what had brought us to Nauvoo. I told her that we had many ancestors who had lived in Nauvoo. I told her about being in Nauvoo on a mission. She was kind of bored with all of that. And then as a stroke of inspiration, I began to tell her that my in-laws had served a mission to Nauvoo. She politely asked who my in-laws were – though she was not really interested in hearing the answer. I told her that my father-in-law was EH Belcher and that he had built the original brick yard for modern Nauvoo guests. As I told her the name of E H Belcher, she just about sky-rocketed off of the stage. She said, “You’ve got to be kidding!”
She then told us how EH Belcher had converted her to the Church. We had heard this story but not knowing the lady – and not being in Nauvoo when the baptism occurred, we had never paid a whole lot of attention to it. Now the story made sense. This reporter – then not a member of the LDS Church – lived across the river in Keokuk, Iowa. And frequently on weekends, she found her way to Nauvoo to hang out – having felt great peace there. And one of her favorite places to go was to the brickyard – manned by EH Blecher. And over many months, and at his prompting – after giving her a Book of Mormon and a brick, etc. – had decided to join the church. And “Gramps” had baptized her in the Mississippi River. That had been about 15 years prior to our Nauvoo experience.
And now suddenly she could not get enough of us. She then interviewed us extensively. She wanted to hear every detail of our family, our Nauvoo experiences and our pioneer ancestors who were there. She took copious notes. She did not even publish her water wheel photo but instead featured our family and created a 2-page spread that got published as the front page and more – in three local county newspapers. So, our family became missionaries to all of those people.
2024 Note: As Sister Hunt and I returned to Nauvoo as Senior Missionaries, we wondered what had become of our friend, Cecelia – the news reporter of long ago. We knew that she had lived back then in Keokuk but really had no idea where she might be all of these years later. Then we had a “miracle meeting” with a couple of “FM” (Facilities Maintenance) workers from here in Nauvoo. We found out that they attend local wards. We asked one brother if he knew Cecelia. He did not – but looked in his stake directory to see if she might live in the local area. And there she was … living across the river in Montrose, Iowa.
We have tried on a few occasions to connect with Cecelia, but we still have not managed the task. But, sometime, we believe that we will suddenly come face to face with her. We know that “Gramps Belcher” would like us to find and talk to her. We know that it will happen
BECOMING ACQUAINTED WITH THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH
The Hunt Family with Joseph Smith at his Mansion House
One of the greatest blessings of being in the “City of Joseph” Pageant was the beautiful opportunity to become personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith – the Prophet of the Restoration. We lived with him in his “covenant community” and even though a hundred and fifty years after his time, we felt we knew him. We felt his power and influence as God’s Prophet. It seemed that we were consecrating our efforts for him and our pioneer ancestors. It was a glorious time.
One of my favorite scenes was an intimate one with the Prophet. This was “Men on the Fence”. A few of my pageant brothers and I were talking with Joseph. He told us the story of some poor brother whose house had burned down. We all felt sorry for the man. Then Brother Joseph said, “I feel sorry in the amount of $5!” (with an implied hint that we all likewise “feel sorry”). All of the men chuckled (almost lost it in their character role) as I put my debit card into the hat. It was a great moment!
POETIC INSPIRATION FOR THE MOMENT
Often in spiritual situations, I receive inspiration and pen some lines for the occasion. This was one of those times. I wrote a cast song – and presented it to the show director for his future use:
THE THREAT OF RAIN AND TORNADO AND THE NIGHTLY MIRACLE
Nauvoo is a place that is absolutely green and beautiful with its lush grass and trees. Of course, all of this beauty is dependent upon frequent rains to maintain the look and feel. And so it was a natural thing to also be challenged by the rain at times. There were times that we got dumped on.
We remember many (not just one time) when it would be raining for a couple of hours before a scheduled performance. As a cast, we would meet in the Nauvoo chapel on the hill above the stage for a nightly devotional. And sometimes it would rain outside through this devotional. And then as the devotional ended and the chapel doors opened, the rain would miraculously stop – and the show would go on. And on one occasion, there was a tornado watch within just a couple of miles from us.
Even today, Nauvoo insiders (even “non-members” of the Church) say, “We don’t know what it is with the Mormons … The pageant never gets rained out!” And it’s true!
We all remember one rain night with the “City of Joseph”. The night had again happened as described above. This was the final night of the show, and this meant that we needed to “strike the set” (take everything down) after the show. This made for a very long evening. Anyway, on this occasion, the skies were cloudy and there was a threat of rain but it held off.
“Old Blue” Semi Trailer – Still in use in 2024!
We finished our tasks – which included putting all of the tech stuff lights, sound systems, etc.) into “Old Blue” the church’s semi-trailer that goes around to all of the pageants. (We became good friends with “Old Blue” as it came to all of the Mesa Pageants that we were a part of. It was like an old friend.) Anyway, we completed our strike and literally, the second after the doors of Old Blue were shut, there was an absolute deluge of rain. We all got a free bath that night! (But we rejoiced in the Lord for this great blessing and miracle that we experienced together!)
SHEDDING THE PAGEANT FUZZ
Many or most of the pageant men took advantage of the opportunity to show their manhood by growing a pageant beard. That is, of course, every man’s dream. (Though many women – including my mother – can be vocal about the evils of such …) And I was no exception! I love growing beards and I must say, I can grow a pretty good one. It has often been the envy of many a brother who has seen the beards. It was great fun to grow a pageant beard.
But sadly, all good things must end … And that was the case with the pageant. Even this glorious and wonderful event had to come to a close. And after the pageant ended, it was time to get back to reality – to the “here and now”. As I had done many times after cast service in the Arizona Temple Easter “Jesus the Christ” Pageant, I hosted a “beard shaving party” for the true men of the “City of Joseph” cast. Many men loved this idea, and they joined us for the grand event.
We gathered to a central place at our Camp Nauvoo and at the specified time – late at night after the final show – and after “striking the set” (taking down everything and putting it all away). I provided many treats for the occasion and others brought goodies, too. It was party time!
We all hammed it up! We would let the women shave off parts of the beard and we would all go for the same look – and with each new look, we would take more photos. This proceeded until the beard was fully cut off – exposing a new shade of whiteness under the intense tan of the upper face – gained from long practices in the sun. We each had to tweak our own face a bit more – with a closer razor to fully take the remaining fuzz off.
It was a guy thing … And we all played it to the hilt and loved every manhood moment of it!
THE PAGEANT WAS LIKE A 3-WEEK YOUTH CONFERENCE
Words cannot adequately express the joy of each pageant experience – and especially in a summary reading such as this. Suffice it to say that there was some kind of activity going on every minute. There was never a dull moment. There were classes, activities, programs, and events for each person, family, and age group.
Suffice it to say, it was like a giant EFY experience that went for three weeks. The only difference was that it included all youth but also siblings, and parents – and new friends – all participating and enjoying every minute of it.
GRATITUDE TO THE LORD FOR GREAT BLESSINGS IN PAGEANT PARTICIPATION
Our pageant experience was truly one of the greatest experiences that we ever had with our children and family. We all still talk of it (even 27/28) years later. Doing this was one of the best things that we ever did for our family.
As we returned from our 1996 pageant experience, I reflected upon the many blessings that we had experienced from the Lord and through our pageant journey. Though tired, I took the much late night time to recount those blessings in a journal entry – written on the day of our return to reality – August 12, 1996
SO MANY MEMORIES TO SHARE
This has become a rather large or long blog article, and I could go on forever expounding on the glorious events of those special pageant days. I have just touched on some of the highlights of our experiences but there is so much more. I cannot specifically mention all of the great times (as Book of Mormon writers said, “I cannot include even a hundredth part of what happened”. I recorded some 81 pages of journal writing about our 1996 experience (July 24 to August 12, 1996).
I have included a link here to my full journal writings of that time. And so, the really interested person (and especially my children and posterity) can see and experience with us all of the gory details. (And if you read something you should not – meaning some personal opinions of the writer, … act as if you have never read them.)
RETURNING FOR THE 1997 “CITY OF JOSEPH” CAST EXPERIENCE
We had so much fun in 1996 that we decided to do it all again in 1997. That too, was a grand and glorious experience. While some of the memories shared above also apply to 1997, there were many more different and fun times.
In 1997 we could not afford to take the train again. Sadly, we had to resort to driving. Our 15-passenger van was literally packed to the gills. I don’t think we could have put another sock into the mix. In a stroke of genius, we bagged use of suitcases (literally). They were just too big and bulky. We resorted to the use of large garbage bags for everything – since they were “fluid” and “squishable” and we could compress them into every available inch and corner.
The trip (both directions) was long and arduous … but so worth every effort.
A special part of the 1997 pageant experience was that we were joined in the cast by my long-time missionary companion and friend, Elder Shaltes, and his family. At our urging, they applied for and became a part of the cast. They made the trek from their Sacramento, California home. It was super great hanging out with them reliving old experiences and enjoying new fun times together.
The Shaltes Family
(Elders) Hunt and Shaltes in front of “The Red Barn” Home where they had lived as missionaries together 22 years previously
Again, I journaled the entire experience and will include the link here. There is some extraneous stuff in the entries leading up to departure day, but much of it talks of the preparations needed to make the trip. To avoid all of this, you can, to use a printing term, (John Taylor Print Shop), and just “cut to the chase” and go direct to the entry beginning July 23. (Same reading and forgetting rules as noted for 1996!)
Each pageant experience was wonderful and glorious and though we would have loved to have returned year after year, we had to face reality. Time and money would not always realign, it was hard to get off work for the required time, plus our kids’ school years began earlier and earlier (early August) so we had to be grateful for the two pageant experiences we had, and move on … to let some other families have the same experiences.
REVISITING “CAMP NAUVOO” AS SENIOR MISSIONARIES
I have noted that our family were privileged to be housed in a large “bunkhouse” room at Camp Nauvoo when we were here in Nauvoo in the “City of Joseph” pageant. We had a grand time with the many other pageant families. We became friends with many with whom we shared time and memories for many years. Those were great times. The journal entries detail many of those great times (at the dining hall, doing service, teens hanging out at the “water bubbler”, activities, and just being and sharing together).
Still holding to those memories of long ago, it was fun to go with Sister Hunt’s brother, Brad and Kerry, to revisit Camp Nauvoo. Going back to the place was so fun. It was great to relive those memories. We walked the camp, visited the room where the 11 of us bunked, and of course, took a plethora of photos to share with the family.
SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS OF PAGEANT PARTICIPATION
Our family had the opportunity to serve in the cast of the Mesa Arizona Temple, “Jesus the Christ” pageant 12 times (over 20 years). This pageant cemented in our children their testimonies of our Lord, Jesus Christ as we walked and lived in the life of Jesus. These were glorious experiences, and they had a life-long profound effect upon the children.
Likewise, participating twice in the Nauvoo pageant had a deep and abiding influence on the children – relative to Joseph Smith – as the Lord’s prophet. Being in the pageant brought special feelings of the Prophet to each of the children.
Our daughter, Jenae, summed it up as she was on her mission and was studying about Jesus and Joseph. She talked of her testimony of both as she wrote her mother and me: “I think a big part of that testimony was because of our experiences in both the Nauvoo and the Easter “Jesus the Christ” pageants. I decided that those were the best experiences that you gave all of us – as those two subjects are so important in the Gospel and our testimonies. It was probably one of the greatest preparations for serving a mission and in helping us develop a testimony of these teachings for ourselves.”
“I continue to learn that my testimony is strengthened because I have experienced for myself a small portion of Joseph Smith’s life and Christ’s life through both pageants. My testimony of them is more solid because I got to experience their lives somewhat. So, thank you for taking the time, money and effort to allow us to participate in both pageants.”
Our daughter, Kaylea, years later, also expressed her feelings and memories of pageant participation – along with how the pageant strengthened her testimony of the Restored Gospel.
“Being in the Nauvoo pageant for two years gave me some of the most memorable times of my life. It was a pivotal time in my life when I was building my own testimony of the church. Being able to walk the same streets that our Prophet walked and learning about all the pioneers was so special. I grew to love the Prophet Joseph Smith and all the sacrifices he made to bring the church back for us all. My testimony really grew so much! Being in the pageant almost made me feel like I was back in time. Being all dressed up in time period clothes was so fun!! And I made so many friends. There is a special spirit in Nauvoo that you just can’t feel anywhere. I’m so grateful my Dad made sure we had that opportunity to be in the pageant. It really made me understand and appreciate how the church was restored and all the sacrifices the saints made for us. I will never forgot my time in Nauvoo and the memories I made there. It will always hold a very special place in my heart.”
Being Pageant participants – and the adventures getting there and back – and being on stage were some of our greatest times. They were definitely fun times. But, beyond the fun times and the adventure or it all, it was also a time filled with the Spirit – the Holy Ghost. We felt His Spirit with us in all that we did – in our travels, in our activities, the practices, the associationj with others of the pageant “covenant community” and in our witness through our performances. We felt the Lord’s guidance and protection in our preparations, the trips, and in the performances.
Being in the Nauvoo Pageant was one of the greatest blessings that we ever experienced as a family. We had also served a dozen times (over 20 years) in the “Jesus The Christ” Easter Pageant at the Mesa, Arizona Temple. The Easter Pageant cemented in the children, a love for and an abiding testimony in our Lord Jesus Christ. And being in the Nauvoo Pageant solidified in each of them a burning testimony of the Joseph Smith as the Lord’s Prophet of the Restoration. Together, these various pageant experiences had a great impact upon our children and their testimonies of today.
We have been able to witness the pageants several times this year and we can readily see why the Church stages these performances – for both the cast participants as well as the thousands of visitors who see the performances through each season. It is definitely worth coming and doing!
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NAUVOO PAGEANTS IN 2025
Sadly, all good things must end – and the 2024 Pageants will soon be history. But now, we can look forward to the possibility of experiencing the Nauvoo Pageants again in 2025.
The pageants next year – 2025 – will be staged from JULY 8 THROUGH AUGUST 2ND. Mark your calendars and start planning time and finances so that you might be able to make the trip. Sister Hunt and I would be happy to welcome you here in beautiful Nauvoo. And remember that the pageants are staged on alternate nights – so plan to attend both.
Happy to be on stage on the wonderful and historic trail of Old Nauvoo. 9
It’s not just Sister Hunt and me. It is a thing with all of the Nauvoo Missionaries – no matter what kind of missionary he/she may be. We all find ourselves REJOICING IN NAUVOO MIRACLES. And it is definitely a very real thing for us here in Nauvoo. We all experience them every day. It is amazing and wonderful. We know that these miracles are guided and orchestrated by a higher power – one greater than any of us. And the results come off better than any of us could possibly have imagined– even if we thought hard about them.
In my first blog, written after we got here to Nauvoo, I commented on the amazing church meetings of our missionary “ward”. We have nearly 300 missionaries serving here together in various roles and support functions. It is so great to attend each Sunday – and to feel of the strength and power of each person in the vast audience. Each one contributes their own skills and talents – for our “covenant community” and it is wonderful how everything comes together.
In a recent Sacrament meeting, our Mission President (Mission Leader), President Daniel S. Mehr was conducting. He noted a recent interview that he had held with a “YSM” (Young Sister Missionary). They talked about Nauvoo Miracles. I guess she had at first, been skeptical of the concept, but has come to be a believer. He then invited each of us, as we partook of the Sacrament that day, to ponder the Nauvoo Miracles that we have each experienced, and to thank our Savior for those miracles. I did that, and it was a great experience. It was special to reflect – and to acknowledge the true source of those many miracles – the influence of The Spirit and the work of Christ (or the Godhead) in our behalf.
Almost no day passes but what we do feel of Their love and Their guidance in creating these miracles, or making them come to pass for us. Many of those miracles involve PEOPLE and our connections with them. And the connections are just so fun. We are always amazed and grateful in our moments of surprise and wonder.
In that same sacrament meeting, a NPM (Nauvoo Performing Missionary), Elder Josh Call, inspired me as he said, “The Lord is very willing to bless the lives of those who are willing to bless the lives of others.” Maybe that is why we have been so great blessed in our connections with so many people here. Or maybe better, that can be an ongoing goal for us.
ALREADY RECOUNTED MANY MIRACLES IN BLOGS
In my many previous blogs, I think that I have already recorded many Nauvoo Miracles. We have felt the Nauvoo Miracles before we arrived – in our preparation and travels to get here. And we have certainly experienced them since our arrival. I acknowledge the Lord in all of these miracles. I try to be grateful each day – and to recognize that these special blessings – or miracles come to us froma God who loves us..
I had an interesting conversation with a friend a month or so ago. He said that he likes my blogs because they are positive (and I didn’t say it – but probably because I write about the miracles). He has traveled the world, but he says that he is too “literal” and often cannot enjoy the beauty and wonder of the moment because he gets side-tracked to start over-analyzing things – thinking to himself, “I don’t think this is the right place” or “I don’t think it could happened like that.” Funny that he admitted that he has this problem and recognizes the effects of such a behavior. This look at the world keeps him from seeing the miracles around him.
THE MIRACLE OF JUST BEING IN NAUVOO
Just being here in Nauvoo is a miracle. When we were preparing our mission application paperwork, we ultimately removed all preferences and said that we would go wherever needed and for as long as needed. We had not even thought about being sent to Nauvoo. But it was exciting when we received our mission calls to serve in Nauvoo as site guides. As already noted, Sister Hunt’s parents had served here for two and a half years (and I have written about them). And I had served in Nauvoo for the last six months of my mission (another Nauvoo miracle) a hundred years (or half of that) ago.
And how cool is that – to get to come back to serve in my original mission – and with my own companion? Who gets that opportunity? I feel so blessed!
This has proved to be a special miracle and one which I have often been able to talk about while here (though not in the script). As people hear the story, they too, think it a miracle to be back here.
LEARNING FROM THE BEST – MY DAD – THE ULTIMATE PEOPLE CONNECTOR
In our work in the tours, we get to meet a plethora of people. They come from all over the country (and even the world). (And as a sidenote … I log each night the number of people we hosted on our own personal tours that day. And thus far – in just 3 months, we have personally taken through 5,917 people! Unbelievable!) As we greet people, we tell them we are from Maricopa, Arizona … and then we are quick to add “And, that is the TOWN of Maricopa and NOT the Maricopa County and their election woes that you have heard about”. (And it is funny how many people have heard of those woes … and Sheriff Arpaio and his pink underwear … we see it in their reactions). We then ask them where they are from – as a way to develop a common bond or connection with them.
This is a trait that I actually learned from a lifetime of being with my dad, Russel F. Hunt. He was the absolute ultimate best at making such connections with people. It was almost a joke in our family. We teased him saying that he could take off in a car going anywhere, and within minutes, he would find someone with whom he had common ground or connections – and could even find a place to stay anytime – using those same skills. He was truly the master connector. I have been grateful for his training as I have been here in Nauvoo.
NAUVOO RESTORATION – A WITNESS OF THEN AND NOW
One Nauvoo Miracle about me returning to my former mission is that I have been able
to see history in action. In my Blog #9 I shared a link https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bRVa8rnQdY9YmBRA8AVDuAS5NeXgwsGA/edit#slide=id.p10 (that I have also printed in a book). In these presentations, I shared a multitude of photos taken 100 years ago (50) when I was here in 1974. And now back on the mission all of those years later, I share in the presentation/book, what various homes looked like then and today – comparing the two eras. This is a rare Nauvoo Miracle that few other folks could create.
THREE HUNT COUSINS
At the MTC, we were surprised to learn that there were three Hunt couples reporting there at the same time. We all reported on April 1st – no joke! We had not known each other previously, but a check on “Relatives” proved that we are all 3rd cousins – all from different sons of a common 3rd great grandfather. It has been so fun to associate at the MTC and since.
It has been fun to share our “cousins” story with many visitors. We hear all of the time from visitors, “Oh, so, you’re one of the other Hunts”. Evidently, they have seen our cousins as they have been teamsters with the folks on their rides. Some have already heard our story from the cousins, and some get to hear it from us.
DUNN FAMILY VISITORS
As you already know, Sister Hunt and I live in the historic home first owned by Simeon A. Dunn. He built the first 2-story home in Nauvoo and even the Prophet Joseph enjoyed the view with him from the 2nd story. Anyway, the home is original on the outside, but we have modern guts inside. (Glad we have indoor plumbing and electricity.)
Anyway, we’re finding that being a Dunn family descendant is quite the thing. I guess years ago, per some of our visitors, the Church invited Dunn family members to contribute to the restoration of their ancestral home – and many did.
Now all of these years later, the Dunn family members have spread the word – the tradition of the Nauvoo home. And when any Dunnite gets here, they all want to check out the family home.
We can always spot a Dunn descendant. They drive up to the front of the house and they sit there in awe in their vehicles. Some will snap a quick shot out of the front car window. They are a dead giveaway. On such occasions, we always hurry outside and invite the folks in to see the house. The folks are always in awe of a rather small and plain-looking living room and kitchen. In this room, we do point out the boarded-up area where the fireplace would have existed.
We take them up the stairs to the rather normal – L-shaped bedroom (complete with a “dressing area” – where we have a rack with our many Nauvoo costumes). The three old dressers – with mirrors – are kind of unique but are likely not “of the period”. The bathroom is just like any other. But, with all of these “unique features”, the folks are just in awe and act so excited and grateful to see their Dunn home.
We then take our guests down into the cellar. Here it gets a bit more interesting. The whole basement has been plastered so it does not look at all 1845’ish. We do show them the original limestone fireplace foundation and they all think that this is so cool. Then our final “Wow” is the stairs that exit up from the basement to the world above (and I think I’ve shared a photo of this in a previous blog). The steps are the original limestone – as are the rocks that line the sides. Folks always get a kick out of getting a photo of themselves coming up out of the cellar (with the photo being taken from up top, and looking down).
And then, our final act is to invite them to sign the Dunn family book. This becomes a ceremonial treat as they sign their name – just as many Dunns have been doing – since 1982. I always get a laugh at their entries – as they each try to explain how “great” they are (meaning how many generations down they are from the legendary Simeon A. Dunn). Then most folks want a “real” photo out front with the sign (without fear that they will be discovered out on our lawn).
In the short time that we have been in the Dunn home, we have had seven or so different families who have met the above qualifications and with whom we have shared the home. Being the Nauvoo Miracle for these folks is always fun as we experience how overjoyed they are with the experience and the home.
COMPLETION OF BOOKS ABOUT MY GRANDPARENTS
My grandparents, Ray V. and Augusta Wilcox Hunt were married on June 25, 1924. A few months ago I realized that we would be celebrating (June 25, 2024) their 100th wedding anniversary. I realized then that I wanted to create a commemorative book on their lives and the great family legacy which they built.
Before my mission, I was able to create much of the book (which turned into two large volumes). I tried to finish the books before the mission but it just didn’t happen. There was too much to do.
Along with everything else, I was able to complete the writing and editing of the two books. I was able to publish them for all of my family to enjoy. This was a Nauvoo Miracle for me.
I was pleased recently, when my Aunt Mary Ann wrote me and had me order 6 copies of each of the books.
MY TALLAHASSEE MISSION HOME
A couple of years I created a rather extensive autobiography (of 21 volumes so far). In those books, I tried to recreate my whole life with all of the details that I could put together. I found photos of much of my lifetime. I was sad then that I could not locate any photos of the mission home of my young mission. I served in Tallahassee, Florida. I knew the mission home well. I was an office elder missionary so we were at the mission home with President Spencer H. Osborn frequently. I helped mow his yard. I played with the President at his favorite game of ping-pong in his garage. We often attended special gatherings there to welcome new missionaries and to hear departing missionaries share their final mission testimonies. I looked through all of my “stuff” and files and could not find the desired photo. It has been lamentable, ever since.
Then just a couple of weeks ago, Sister Hunt and I were serving in the Scovil Bakery for the day. A family – parents and married daughter came for a tour. As ever, we asked them where they were from. I was elated when they said that they were from Tallahassee. We talked of the new temple that is set for dedication in December of this year. We talked of the several wards in “Tally” – well beyond just the one or two wards when I was there. We talked of my mission president Osborn and the mom of the family said that she had been a teenager in the Tallahassee stake when President Libbert was the stake president, and her own father was a counselor to him.
I then told the folks, the Long family, that I had one mission regret – that I did not get a photo of our Mission Home. I was not prepared for their response. They said, “Well, we bought the home after the Church decided to sell it (after the mission was closed). And we LIVE IN IT,” they said! Wow! I was in shock. Talk about a Nauvoo Miracle!
The mom did not have a photo, but her daughter did. She quickly pulled up the desired photo on her phone. She sent it to me on my phone immediately. I was so happy! What an amazing miracle!
NEWMAN BRICK YARD MEMORIES AND MORE AT THE SCOVIL BAKERY
Just moments before the meeting with the Tallahassee folks, Sister Hunt got her own surprise miracle. She has been collecting information – anything and everything – about the brickyard that her father created when a missionary here in Nauvoo. She wanted to know what his place looked like – and which is no longer there.
A Newman couple came in and somehow the subject of the brickyard came up in the conversation. They told us that they had both – individually before their marriage – been to the brickyard. Each of them had specific memories of the Belcher brickyard that they shared with us. The lady thought that she might have some photos. She promised to go home to seek photos. Another Nauvoo miracle.
And that same day, we had a visit from some Hunt family members. had fun tgalking with them.
He said where he was from, and I said, “So, who is your grandfather?” Again, I got that funny stare … He said that his grandfather is Edward Hunt. I said, “Is that Edward Loren Hunt?” He said, “Yes”. Then I said, “Okay, then who is your father.” When he said, “Jay”, I then knew his genealogy. His father and my grandfather were “distant cousins”. My grandfather’s dad was the oldest of 15 children and Edward was the youngest of the 15.
Then to the surprise of this Bryce Hunt, I told him that I used to go deer hunting for many years with his father – and his older brother and sister – at the annual traditional HUNTing expedition at the old Hunt hunting grounds (where six generations of our family hunted). This guy was the youngest of the family so I never knew him at the Hunt camp. So, this Bryce and I are first cousins – twice removed. Another Nauvoo Miracle.
NOT WAITING ON THESE NAUVOO WOMEN
Sister Hunt and I work with about 75 different YSM’s (Young Sister Missionaries) here in Nauvoo. They live in various places – usually with 6-8 sisters (a district) in one house. I am sure that they have plenty of sleeping area but with that number of women, no number of bathrooms – and current bushes (for all of those curling irons) could ever be enough.
We talked of the miracle of these Sisters all getting work on time. We start at each site at 9:00 AM and are supposed to arrive at the site by 8:45. Most of these sisters have a car for the district. So, one companionship asre the drivers and they have to drop off two other sets – at some other places. And somehow, they are always on time. Wow!
Having a wife and six daughters, I have come to know and sympathize with the trauma of the guy who sings, the country song, “Waiting on a Woman”. I can attest to that. I have much experience in that area. I can only imagine what a true miracle this really is for these Sisters here in Nauvoo.
MUCH NEEDED COMPUTER HELP
With all of my writing and typing, I literally and completely wore out a computer. Many of the keys would not even work. This was traumatic – since the old computer was not all that old. But, I guess thousands of documents took its toll.
I ordered a new computer and this was exciting. Then came a new problem, however. I know how to use and abuse a computer – with a hundred files open simultaneously … but Iam not and have never been a “tech guy”.
Here in Nauvoo, there is a team of computer “tech guys” who have expressed willingness to help any of the mjissionaries with their computer needs. Wow! I was so happy with Elder Mills offered to assist me. He has spent a few hours trying to get the new system set up and all of my 130,000 files (over 20 years) and 30,000 photos backed up – on a large storage drive – as well where they need to be on the new computer.
Talk about a Nauvoo Miracle. This is a special miracle in my behalf and I am so grateful for his expertise and assistance. Thanks, Elder Mills!
A MESA CONNECTION TO THE LOCAL OWNER OF ANNIE’S CUSTARD SHOP
It was a summer evening, and we needed a treat. We usually go for ice cream bricks at the Red Front, but on this occasion, we decided to try Annie’s Custard – located across the street from Red. We got to talking to the proprietor of the place and learned that she is from Mesa, Arizona. Further conversation proved that she is a granddaughter of Oakley Ray – the patriarch of the great family – of a dozen children and 88 or so grandchildren. We talked of how all of the family men wore a bolo tie to Oakley’s funeral. (I think he was age 101!) We talked of Delwyn Ray – (whom Sister Hunt and I have both known for many years). He and his wife are her aunt and uncle. So fun!
Like so many shop owners here in Nauvoo, she felt “driven” of the Spirit to open up a shop here. That is the story told by many of these folks here.
UNPLANNED BRICKYARD VISIT
Some Nauvoo Miracles happened on June 6th as we were serving at the Orson Hyde Home. I have already written much of that day in previous blogs (the Field family descendants and Mary – “The Last Leaf”.) I quote from the journal entry for that date: “Lou lost her white hair piece somewhere in our travels today. She wanted to go to try to find it. We headed out. We got detoured, however, as we passed the old Belcher Brickyard and saw several cars there.
We decided to stop to see what was happening there. We found Elder Bundy – the site coordinator – there giving a demonstration to one of the mission districts. We almost left – since they are not our district, but Sister Bundy came running out and invited us in. We loved hearing some details of how they create the Belcher brick in the current brick making center. This was all great material.
We were glad that we “happened” to go by the brick yard at just the right time. This proved to be a “blessing.”
MORE MIRACLES THAT BEGAN AT THE RED BRICK STORE
Our first visitors on a day at Joseph’s Red Brick Store were the Watsons from Thomasville, Georgia. This is near Tifton – one of my mission areas. We loved the Suth’an accent of the folks (a couple and their adult son.) We talked about Tifton, Georgis where I served. I asked them if they know Blaine Pearce. He was a teen when I was there – and I think (per my journals of the day) that he and I were pretty good friends. I know that he and his family went with me on a picnic and spent most of the day together on the day that I was transferred from Tifton to Birmingham (50 years ago last week – where did that time go?)
The Watsons did, in fact, know Blaine Pearce, recently released as stake president – and a currently a member of the planning committee for the new Tallahassee Temple. And they had his contact information – which they shared with me.
I wrote text and e-mail messages to this Blaine. He soon responded – expressing that he was glad I had written to him. After a few days, Blaine and I (and his mother – whom I also knew) were able to connect over a video conference call. We talked for over an hour. It was such fun to connect with Blaine and to talk of our lives (and other ward members) over the past 50 years. Another Nauvoo Miracle!
Then as our Jackie and family were here, we arranged for us to stage an “after hours” tour just for them and us at the Red Brick Store. They showed up at the appointed hour as we were closing the place. We ushered in Jackie and family. I was closing the door and a youngish couple came running to join us. I could not shut the door on them. I welcomed them in and told them about our private tour we were going to have with our children. They acted as if that did not matter. They really wanted the tour – so I told them we would “adopt them into our family”. They thought this could be great.
They joined us for our best tour as we gave many extra details we do not give to everyone who comes. This Miller couple really ate it all up. They were excited about everything.
After the tour – as Sister Hunt and the family cleaned up the store’s “upper room”, I went outside as promised to share with and point out to them- the many historic properties which recently came to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Community of Christ. They were in awe.
As we talked, somehow the Hancock family came up in conversation. He was the one who mentioned them as his ancestors. I then shook his hand and said, “Hey, we are cousins”. This really caught him by surprise. We then talked of our common family connection. I was able to share with him a lot of information about Thomas Hancock – who died along the way to the Salt Lake Valley. I talked of the Hancock connection to Yelrome (the Morley Settlement). He was very happy about all of this information. It was so fun to have this connection with these special folks.
The Millers also joined us for our next family tour at the Lyon Drug Store (since we were on the subject of “stores” in Nauvoo).
We had three people who came from the country of India. They were not on our tour, but we talked extensively outside before their tour. The guy is the pioneer but has been a member for over 20 years. He went on a mission. The couple spoke very good English. They are looking forward to the construction of a newly announced temple that will be near them. After their tour, she stood by the sign for the place and her husband did a video taping of her essentially talking back the tour that she had just experienced. A very cool experience for me to watch. Great folks!
We took through a very large group of about 37 people. I began their tour outside – because a Spanish tour was going on inside. In the Red Brick Store tour, we talk about Joseph Smith’s prophesy called, “The Standard of Truth”. As I present this, I alwayslook for one or more former missionaries who might have recited the Standard – on their missions – and then I invite them to stand up and recite the Standard “with GUSTO”. On this tour, I very surprised when about 20 people on the tour knew the Standard and they all recited it together. They were absolutely magnificent.
We ended the day with a small group of only 6 people. One couple on the tour were named Robison. They were on their way home from a mission in Richmond, Virginia. They descend from Lewis Robison from the Nauvoo era. I had done a lot of research on this guy – as he is an ancestor of Brother Tyler Wright of our Pacana Park Ward. I shared this information with him – including photos of the existing beautiful structure. They were fascinated with all of this information.
GRATEFUL FOR UNPLANNED CONNECTION MIRACLES
My Aunt Mary Ann wrote me a note. She asked us to look for a young Sister Rivas. She said that this sister is from the country of Spain, but was a recent friend to Mary Ann’s family. I told her that with the number of Young Sister Missionaries, I did not know when we might find her.
The day after her note to me, we thought that we were to work at the John Taylor Print Shop. We reported there for duty and got ourselves all set up for the day. Then two young sister missionaries came in and were surprised to find us there. W learned from them that our assignment for the day was to change at the last minute to be elsewhere.
We were surprised that one of the sisters was this Sister Rivas that we were supposed to locate. Had we not been there by mistake, it would have been a while before we would meet her. Interesting. we took a photo and I shipped it off to aunt Mary Ann.
FROM ONE WRITER TO ANOTHER
On a personal note: As a writer, I do my best to write and to share good (or better) material for audiences to read and to enjoy. This has long been my goal and ambition. I love writing and hope that I am having a positive impact through my writing.
A couple of weeks ago, we were serving at the John Taylor Home and Print Shop. John Taylor was the editor of the local “Nauvoo Neighbor” newspaper and the “Times and Seasons” church magazine. I have been in awe of his writing prowess. I have idolized the writing efforts and expertise of John Taylor. John knew the Prophet, Joseph Smith, intimately and personally. I enjoyed reading to visitors about Joseph’s confidence in John’s writing.
He said, “I believe you can do more good in the editorial department than preaching. You can write for thousands to read; while you can preach to but a few at a time.”
I do not think that my writing is my full mission, but love that it can be a major part of my mission ministry. I liked the acknowledgement of the writing function by Joseph Smith.
THE PALMERS OF MESA, ARIZONA
Thirty years ago, we lived in the Mesa 20th Ward in west Mesa around Westwood High school. We knew David and Kathy Palmer and their large family well. We then had eight (of nine children) and they had 10. We had much in common. Over the years, we have seen the Palmers at various sports and other activities – even after we moved from Mesa (a different house) and then to Maricopa – where we now live.
The Palmers are currently serving as Nauvoo Temple missionaries – where he is a sealer. We had heard before our Nauvoo arrival (from their son-in-law – our dermatologist) that we were all to be in Nauvoo together. We were anxious to connect with them again. It took a couple of weeks before we first connected with them, but now we see them everywhere – and it is so fun. Their daughter (who is the age of one of ours) was here with her family and they came to the missionary Country Fair (that I talked of in my last blog). I had forgotten who her husband is, but when I saw him, we both knew we had shared Scouting experiences together in that old ward.
Sister Palmer had not known or had forgotten, that we have a family connection that goes back almost a hundred years. Our families both lived in the little town of Fairview, Utah. My mother, as a child, was friends to her two older sisters, Carolyn Biggs and Anita Farnsworth (now both in their 90’s) . And in fact, her father, Max Cox, was the 4th grade school teacher to my mother. And then somehow her family and my mother all ended up in Mesa, Arizona.
SACRAMENT ADMINISTRATION
Helping to administer the Sacrament is always a great opportunity for any Priesthood man. Sacrament administration is typically a function (at least nowadays) is generally a role completed by young Aaronic Priesthood brethren.
Two weeks in a row, I was able to assist in passing the sacrament. The first was in our Missionary “Ward”. The second was in the newly formed “Nauvoo Visitors’ Branch” (which holds meetings at the Nauvoo Stake Center. And in both situations, I was invited to pass the sacrament to the presiding authority and others on the stand. This was a great honor. I thought of the words of Joseph Smith who once said, “It was my privilege to administer the emblems of the Lord’s sascrifice.”
And speaking of the Nauvoo Visitors’ Branch … This branch was started as a service to the many folks who find themselves in Nauvoo over a Sunday. And it is an effort to keep the Nauvoo Ward meetings and ward somewhat normalized. And so, a branch just for visitors was formed. It meets at 8 AM – before the other two wards in the chapel. It is interesting that the branch only has three official members – and they are the Branch presidency. Branch leaders never know how many people to expect for their meetings. One week they had 200 people in attendance. And another Sunday, they had 450 people.
In preparing the sacrament for the visitors, we (senior missionaries) prepare 16 sacrament trays. Half of those are set up on a table in the cultural hall (with one central blessing on the bread and water).
SPECIAL INSIGHTS OF THE HOLY GHOST
Yesterday when we were at the Temple City Tour, – in the home of William Weeks, the Temple, architect, I was reading the Temple vision quote by Joseph Smith. He said that he had “seen in vision the splendid appearance of building illuminated”. As Lou and I talked to a couple of missionaries, I was impressed of the Spirit to realize Joseph never saw the Temple completed. And in those days, the people had only lighting by candle power. And that power would not have been sufficient to have illuminated the outside of the building. The Temple would not have been lit up and illuminated until after 2002 when the Temple was restored in our day. I realized that this was a great miracle – for him – and for us as we now ponder that thought. Wow! This was amazing and wonderful.
THE LORD ORCHESTRATES MANY PEOPLE FOR US TO CONNECT WITH – OFTEN DAILY
Sister Hunt (and all of our children who learn of the situations) are amazed at the many people whom the Lord puts in our paths for us to connect with through our tours. These are such fun connections. And it is interesting to see the circumstances under which the connections are orchestrated. Many come after some kind of “random” incident that involves changes in schedules or planned circumstances.
A FamilySearch Connection at the Orson Hyde Home
We had a group come to us – as parents of Elder Call, a Nauvoo Performing Missionary – at the Orson Hyde home. I learned that Brother Call works for FamilySearch. Before I came on this mission, I served a two-and-a-half year service mission writing and editing blogs and doing fact-checking for FamilySearch. (I was one of the two first ever missionaries (that we know of) that were called as fact checking missionaries.
When I learned that Brother Call works for FamilySearch, I asked him if he knows Paul Nauta. Paul is one of the greatest of men and it was my privilege to participate in weekly spiritual devotionals with Paul. Brother Call, did know Paul and is a good friend to him. Together we called Paul and showed Brother Call and me there thinking of him.
Tiffany – Friend and former roommate of our Marinda
Marinda told ahead of time that Tiffany, her former Snow College Roommate and friend was coming to Nauvoo and wanted to see us. We did not know how or when we would connect. The moment came as we were giving a tour at the Joseph Smith Homestead. Tiffany and her husband, Dave, “happened” to find us as we made an exit with our group from the Joseph Smith Homestead. She and her children joined our group. Then at the end of the tour, her husband joined us. We got photos and reminisced about old times – when they came to visit us in Arizona – even before they were married.
Jane Manning Actor
Again, at the Homestead/Mansion House tour, we had special guests. A lady “of color” was a part of our group as we told the story of Jane Manning – the free black woman who came against all odds to Nauvoo – some 800 miles from Connecticut where she was baptized – to be with the Saints in Nauvoo. Our guest had been an actress who had many times portrayed Jane in drama productions. She was able to give us great insight into Jane and her special story.
Joseph’s Own Desk
In the Mansion House parlor, we happily point out the beautiful desk that once personally belonged to the Prophet Joseph Smith. He had this desk at his home in Kirtland and it somehow survived through many moves and trauma between Ohio, Missouri, and Nauvoo. That is a miracle in itself.
This amazing desk (where Joseph likely received and recorded scripture) has been on display for years in the Mansion House. A few years ago, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints borrowed the desk from the Community of Christ organization. Our craftsmen carefully took the desk apart and part by part, they created an exact duplication of the desk. The duplicated copy was placed in the newly restored Joseph and Emma Smith home in Kirtland.
And then on March 5th of this year, the original desk (in the Mansion House) transferred ownership from the Community of Christ to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. So now, our Church has both the original and the duplicated desk.
And I just learned that Levi Ward Hancock my great uncle (actually several greats) – was the builder of the original desk. (Levi was a brother to Clarissa Hancock Alger, my ancestor). How cool is that?
We were talking about the desk in a tour last week and a family on the tour had just been to Kirtland. They saw the duplicated desk and heard the same story that we have been telling – including the part that Levi Ward Hancock played in it.
Heath – A great missionary friend of our Rusty
Rusty wrote us saying that Heath and family were coming to Nauvoo and that they wanted to see us. Heath and Rusty were missionary companions in Brazil. And after Heath and family moved to Arizona, we have had many wonderful gatherings at our home – and that of Rusty – where Heath and family have been present. Heath has been almost like an additional son to me and his kids as if they were my grandchildren.
Heath and family did make it to town and managed to find us as we served at the Lyon Drug store. It was so great seeing them.
Windsor P. Lyon Home in 1975
Lyon Drug Store – After Restoration – 2024
And speaking of the Lyon Drug Store, I had just been reading in my journal of times on my original youth mission. I was elated there to read that my first night spent in Nauvoo – after my transfer here – was actually in the Lyon Drug Store – before its restoration to its current glory.
Enterprise Visitor was Home Teacher to Uncle Dale
We seem to get a lot of visitors from the Southern Utah city of Enterprise, Utah – where my grandparents raised their 13 children – out on the farm homestead on the Beryl desert (17 miles north of Enterprise). Enterprise is a rather small community and usually folks there are all related rather closely. And so, with each introduction wherein an Enterprise resident comes forth, I immediately want to do “Relatives Around Me” to learn our connection. And they always come through! We always have a close degree of cousin relationship.
I met one such cousin at the Pendleton School House – outside – before the tour. I asked this “cousin” if he knew my dad’s sister, Evaline, and husband Marvin Bracken. I was pleased to learn that Marvin was his 3rd grade school teacher. (And this connection came at the Pendleton School House!)
At a sacrament meeting, I ended up sitting by a brother Schill – who is from Enterprise and who is in the local stake presidency. He knew Marv and Evaline – who still live near the old Hunt family farm – and who now attend church in the nearby village of New Castle.
A Young Sister Missionary, Sister Chambers and I learned that we are 2nd cousins once removed.
Another brother – whom I also met at the Mansion House, was a home teacher to my Uncle Dale – may dad’s younger brother. He replied that he had been the home teacher to Uncle Dale for quite some time. We shared memories of Dale (now deceased).
Photo of Stoddard Tin Shop on my Mission
In the Stoddard Tin Shop, there has been displayed a really bad photo of the place 50 years ago – before restoration on the building. The photo is included in our tour. I looked in my slides of 1974 and I found a much better photo of the ruins of the former tin shop.
THE BLACK FAMILY FROM MORGAN, UTAH – AND TERRY ALLEN
At the Blacksmith Shop, I met the Black family from the town of Morgan, Utah. I served Morgan County and Stake when I was a newlywed professional with the Boy Scouts of America (in the Ogden Lake Bonneville Council). He told me about the death of Milan Mecham a Scouting friend from those former times. I had reconnected with Milan not too long before his death
I asked Brother Black if he knew Terry Allen – the former Morgan High school principal. And of course, he did. I could not resist telling the story of my early association with Terry. And I invite interested parties to check out an article which I wrote about Terry – and included in one of my Scouting books. Here is the link:
I did not know the brother Hansen who came to participate in the many activities at the Family Living Center. I found him milling around watching a bigger group. We talked and I learned that he is from the Arizona city of Lake Havasu City (the modern home of the London Bridge).
I said, I have a cousin who lives in lake Havasu. I mentioned that I did not know if my cousin attends church. I have not seen or talked to Sue Ann in years. He looked her up in his ward directory (he is on the high council). He quickly located her and learned that she is there – and even in his ward. He made a note and promised to visit her.
On another occasion at the Family Living Center, we were surprised when Jan and Jenna (mother and daughter) came in. Jan’s deceased husband was my son’s Scoutmaster – and long a family friend. Jenna walked in and saw me in the entry waiting to greet new guests. She was only a little girl when I last saw her, but she immediately recognized me. She ran and gave me a big hug. Later in the day, she returned with her mother, Jan.
And on still another Family Life Occasion, Sister Hunt was meeting and greeting visitors. A large family came in – with their 13 children. Bonnie and Spencer were very surprised to see Sister Hunt. They all recognized each other immediately. Sister Hunt brought the family to me as I was teaching rope making. I helped her family make rope as we renewed memories and caught up on the here and now.
A lady came to the Center – and was watching my rope making demonstration. The lady kept looking at me. Finally, she came up and asked if we are the parents of Jenae in O’Fallon, Illinois. She recognized us from when we have made a few visits to that town with our children – and attended church there. We all had good conversation.
Two different families came and recognized us from Maricopa. Both knew our daughter, Marinda and had been in current or former wards with her and Mike. We met these folks – in two unrelated groups the same day.
At the Family Living Center, there is a display of the former Belcher brickyard. The former learning center at the Brickyard kind of died an ignominious death during COVID – but the tour still talks of the brick yard and the process of making bricks. Sister Hunt has had several opportunities to share memories of her father and how he created the first tourist brick yard – and the famous Nauvoo brick – that is still given out to all who want it – at the Family Living Center and at the Visitors’ Center. The people always are amazed at Elder Belcher’s story – and kept alive by his missionary daughter today. They say, “That is so cool that you get to continue his legacy.” It is a pretty special Nauvoo Miracle.
ALLRED FRIENDS FROM IDAHO FALLS
I talked with Elder Wilson, a fellow Senior Missionary who is from Shelley, Idaho. I asked if he knows my son-in-law – who is now in Idaho Falls. This Elder Wilson was the high school teacher of our son-in-law and knows his grandfather, Merlyn Jolley, a long-time Shelley resident – and with whom we have shared many great family events.
At the home of Williams Weeks – the architect of the Nauvoo Temple, some folks came looking for us. We had a name mix-up but finally figured out the connection. It was the sister (and husband, Bro. Atkin) of our Lana’s father-in-Law, Delwin Allred – also from Idaho Falls. I guess they had heard that we were here, and family told them to be sure to find us. They did … and we had a good visit together. Always so fun!
We have met at least two other visitor families who know our son-in-law. A popular guy in those parts!
“CITY OF JOSEPH” FRIENDS AND PAST PARTICIPANTS
We have met many new friends who were also cast members in the former “City of Joseph” pageant. This show was last performed in 2003 – and the “Nauvoo Pageant” and “British Pageants” are now performed.
We met Elder and Sister Sanders – new site missionaries. We shared a couple of years in the former pageant casts. They remembered our Hunt family opening scene in the 1996 and 1997 pageants.
We took our daughter, Jackie, to the stage of the drama and dance program staged nightly by the “Sunset on the Mississippi” Nauvoo Performing Missionaries. On this particular evening, the show for the night got cancelled because of rain (a couple of hours earlier). We by-passed the notification sign to take Jackie up to see the remains of the former stage (now kind of hidden under the new stage). As we were showing her the stage, a family came up and heard us talking. She noticed our missionary name tags. She asked if Kaylea might be our daughter. She said that she is a sister to Blaine – a young man whom our Kaylea was totally twitterpated with when they were both teens. (We still don’t know how she connected Kaylea with us.)
Red Brick Store Connection
The guest at the Red Brick Store did not know us. He saw only my Hunt nametag. And of course, there are thousands of Hunts in the world. After the tour, he said, “This is a long shot, but do you know a Porter Hunt?” I said, “Yes, I have a nephew Porter. We talked more and learned that my nephew is a former classmate and friend to this guy. Wow!
Mesa 10th Ward Friends
Our family was a member of the Mesa, Arizona 10th Ward for many years. We have found two or three couples who were from the old ward – but long after my time. We learned that these couples know my niece, Shar, as well as my long-time friend, Scott, their former Bishop.
PEOPLE FROM TEMPE WHO KNOW JACKIE
We were at the Heber C. Kimball home and were chatting after the tour with a family. They had said that they are from Prescott, Arizona. Anyone from Arizona gets our attention but we don’t know many folks in Prescott – located north of us about 3 hours. Then the lady said something like, “Well, it is not nearly as hot here as where I grew up!” I asked her where that was and she said, “Tempe, Arizona”. I then brought up my son-in-law, Michael – since his family is a “died in the wool” long-time Tempe family with very deep roots in Tempe They were surprised to learn that our Michael is the Bishop of his ward and that he was formerly a counselor to her parents – now serving a mission of their own.
TEXAS FRIENDS OF KAYLEA
The Kyle, Texas stake recently brought their stake youth to Nauvoo. And the group included our grandkids, Brodey and Lucy. We ended up finding many adults whom we had met on previous trips to Texas for ordinations, mission farewells, etc. We quickly took selfies and sent them on to Kaylea – who is the Texas resident photographer and who loves such photo connections.
LADY DOING TEMPLE SEALINGS WITH US FROM PACANA PARK WARD
We were in the Temple doing a sealing session. We needed one more Sister to help with the process. A lady was brought in to join us in our sealing session. She kept looking at us. We talked after the session and learned that we are in the same Pacana Park ward back home in Maricopa. We were both kind of new to the ward so we didn’t know each other – but it was unique that we are in the same ward.
Under another circumstance, a lady heard that we were from Maricopa. She said, “I have a cousin from there.” She said the cousin’s name and we were both surprised that the lady is the wife of a brother in our current Bishopric. She quickly sent off a selfie of us together to her cousin.
A CHANCE MEETING WITH PROGENY OF MY DAD’S LONG-TIME FRIEND
We were assigned on a Sunday afternoon to serve at the 70’s Hall. This is the starting place for a 3-site tour. The tours begin at the 70’s Hall and then moves to the Blacksmith Shop and then finally to the Brigham Young home. Normally, a couple of missionary couples would rotate to all three buildings in our turns.
On this Sunday, however, they had an extra couple there. This was a rare occasion. We decided that two couples would remain at the 70’s Hall and one would go to the Brigham Young home. Sister Hunt and I said that we would walk the two or three blocks to the Brigham home. (I have expressed my love of Brigham on other occasions.)
We got there to Brigham’s home and were sitting casually in the little missionary waiting room. We had our sign changed to “open” but the sign saying that the tour starts at the 70’s Hall still was permanently in place and visible to visitors.
We saw a car driving by slowly – trying to figure out if they might get a tour. I went out and flagged them down. They came in and we had a wonderful visit and tour.
At the beginning of the tour, I used one of my dad’s tactics. If he found someone with a surname of someone he knew, he would always say, “Who is your father?” This has become a long-time family joke – and yes, I definitely take after him in starting conversations with these words. (But now, at my age, I often have to start with “Who is your Grandfather?” or even a few times with a young-un, “Who is your great grandfather?” (Wow … could this be possible?)
Anyway, this guy named Godard came in. I don’t think that there are many Godard people in the world. I first asked him where he was from. And then when he said, “Gilbert, Arizona”, I pressed further. I asked his name. When he said, “Craig Godard”, my heart took a leap. I then asked the “golden question” of “So, who is your father?”
He looked at me as if I was from Mars. I could see his reaction written all over his face, “What does that have to do with the price of eggs?” People always have a weird reaction when I ask them this – as if “Why would you ask me that dumb question?” I got all of those reactions from him on this occasion. He did finally say that his father is Jerry Godard.
I could not believe it. I knew that Jerry and my father had been friends forever. They had been friends for so many years that I had forgotten even how they were connected.
After he told me his father’s name, I said, “I am so happy that you came in here today. Our fathers were best friends forever. He still looked at me as if I was totally off of my rocker. He had doubt written all over his face. Only then did he believe me and divulged his first name.
He finally gave in and began to talk to me. I told him of how we were in the same neighborhood years before – when his siblings and I were teenagers. He was the little kid brother – but I knew his teen brother, Randy and sister, Debbie who were close to my age. I told him the story of the birth of my sister. (And we determined that he was born just a few months before my sister was born.)
Anyway, on August 27, 1964, my sister, Laurie (now deceased) was born. On that occasion, my father was in Salt Lake City for an all-church softball tournament. He was up there with our champion team from our old Mesa 10th ward. (And he missed Laurie’s birth!) And in anticipation of him being gone for the big event, he asked his friends Jerry and Pam Godard to take mother to the hospital if the birth came while he was gone. And that is what happened! They did come and they took mother to the hospital. I told this Craig, “So you were then only a couple of months old, so you probably went with them in arms to the hospital.” Now Craig was in total awe and amazement.
But it got better! I then related to him a story of his older brother. I told him that I have written the “History of Scouting in the Church”. I told him how I went to the Church History Department and announced to personnel that “I would like to write the history of Scouting in the Church.” They said, “That is great … No one has ever done that. We will help you do it.” And for the next two days, the entire staff of the department was literally at my every command. They really gave me great service and a whole lot of material.
I went home and wrote the book. And a couple of years later, a new guy went to the Historical Department and said my exact words. They said to him, “Well, we cannot help you. We gave all of our information to a guy in Arizona.” Somehow this guy tracked me down and called me in Arizona. He told me his story and we realized that we had been friends as teenagers. (Our families used to do many things together before the Godard family moved to California.)
Craig and I got a big laugh at this. It was a fun story to share with him.
We talked of our fathers to try to figure out where they knew each other. We talked of military service, mission and more. Finally, we realized that his father, Jerry and my father had both grown up together on the Beryl Desert – north of Enterprise and that they had been friends literally through all of their lives. And it was interesting that both lived to age 90 and they died within a week of each other.
I gave the Brigham tour and Craig was so fascinated with everything. Then at the end of the tour we were to part. I was surprised when he grabbed me and gave me a big hug as if we had been brothers forever.
JACKIE AND FAMILY HERE SAME WEEK AS TEXAS GRANDS
The first week of Pageant, we found ourselves with parts of families of two our daughters here in Nauvoo at the same time. Jackie came from Tempe, Arizona with her man and four children. Also Brodey and Lucy were both here from Texas with their stake youth group. By “coincidence” (Nauvoo Miracle),all of the above showed up here in Nauvoo at the same time. The Texas grands stayed in a local hotel/inn. Jackie and family hung out here in our Dunn home with us. (And they were part of the welcoming committee when Dunnites came to visit us and walked through their dormitory quarters in the basement – on the way to the fireplace and cellar exit.)
We were able to get all ten of us together on a few occasions and of course, we sent photos off to the Texas momma. It was so fun to have so many of us here together. (More about our time with them later – in a future blog.)
The unique thing is that both of these trips were organized and planned long before we even received our mission call to Nauvoo. Another Nauvoo series of miracles! So amazing!
LADY IN AWE AT JOSEPH SMITH HOMESTEAD AND MANSION HOUSE
We took through a lovely lady on our tour of the Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House. We loved her comment at the end of the tour. She pointed to both Lou and me and said that Sister Hunt and I, during our tour, looked just like Joseph and Emma and she told us how amazing that experience had been for her. We were happy that we were a part of a miracle for her (and a humbling miracle for us).
FUN AT THE RISER BOOT SHOP
Two different guests came (today – June 15th) to the Riser Boot Shop where we were working. They were both descendants of Benjamin F. Johnson – an ancestor of our son-in-law, Michael. We talked of our excursion yesterday to Ramus, Illinois. (More about this in a future blog post.) (And at the Temple City Tour the next day, a YSM also descended from the same Johnson line.)
Another great miracle: We were just ready to start our tour. We had introduced ourselves and the husband looked at Sister Hunt. He said, “Are you the Sister Belcher who served a mission in Melbourne, Australia?” It was my wife’s turn to be surprised. He then introduced himself as “Elder White” who had served with her. Even his wife got excited and said, Both of the Whites stood and gave Sister Hunt hugs. “We have been to your home in Mesa,” they said. They recounted details that we had long forgotten. Sister Hunt remembered Elder White when he had black hair – and now suddenly he finds himself with gray (almost white) hair. Anyway, the two of them had served simultaneously in the same area on the island of Tasmania.
The wife stood – and Elder White followed suit and gave Sister Hunt a big hunt as if they were long-lost friends. Then Sister Hunt and Elder White had discussion about their missions in the ZAMM (Zion Australia Melbourne Mission). Such great fun! Another special Nauvoo Miracle.
Another family came there and announced that they were from Snowflake, Arizona. I asked if they knew Allan and Meryl Hunt Adams (who have lived there forever). They said that they know the Adams well. I told them that Allan was my first missionary district leader in Florida. They found this interesting. And then at the end of the tour, the lady told me that she had texted Meryl and she said, “Yes, Elder Adams remembers you well.” This made my day!
PHOTOS OF THE PAST FROM JACKIE
When our Jackie was here, she talked of photos that she took when she was in Nauvoo as a student in the BYU Nauvoo semester program in 2002. She sent them to us on her return home. She sent photos of her Grandpa Belcher’s brickyard – as well cemetery photos taken at the town of Ramus – where we had ancestors living. Both photo sets gave new perspectives that we had not known previously.
Well, I could keep going for a long time. I could think I am done (for this article) and then more miracles come along. We truly do receive special Nauvoo Miracles often – and generally every day. We stand in awe of these miracles and rejoice in them. We recognize that the miracles come from a loving Father who keeps arranging these miracles for us. He makes life good for all of us.
DAILY REMINDERS OF GOD IN OUR LIVES
Anyone who knows me knows that I stand in constant amazement of fabulous sunsets. I see them as daily reminders of God’s love for me and those around us. Each sunset in Nauvoo is a miracle of wonder and awe.
Wow! There are truly Nauvoo Miracles for us and others here in Nauvoo. It is beautiful to know and feel the Lord’s miracles that he stages for us. We stand in awe. We rejoice in the Nauvoo Miracles – and we are grateful.
At this season in Nauvoo, there are plenty of opportunities for patriotic, cultural and country fair good times. And it is so fun to be a part of all of it!
Where to begin?
The 4th of July is exciting and fun – no matter where it is celebrated. And that day back in 1776 is certainly worth celebrating. On that day, the United States was born. It took a while to develop, but that is when it really started. A new nation! A nation of freedom and hope. It all began with 13 Colonies of folks wanting religious and other freedoms not then enjoyed under British rule. We can all be grateful for those gallant men and women who made the decision to make the break from their mother country. It truly is a moment that should be celebrated again and again. Independence Day! Hoorah!
THE BEGINNING OF A FOUNDATION FOR THE GOSPEL RESTORATION
July 4th – our Independence day was a pre-curser to the establishment of the Constitution of the United States that would come later (in 1789) after the ensuing Revolutionary War which cemented the “Spirit of God – the Spirit of Freedom” (Alma 61:15) in the creation of the true land of the free and the home of the brave.
The Doctrine and Covenants speaks frequently of the cause of Freedom. In D&C Section 98 the Lord himself teaches “that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me. Therefore, I, the Lord, justify you, and your brethren of my church, in befriending that law which is the constitutional law of the Land.” (D&C 98:4,5)
A few verses later, the Lord teaches us to live “according to the laws and constitution of the people, which I have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles”.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND THE FORMATION OF THE FUTURE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR THE COMING FORTH OF THE BOOK OF MORMON AND THE GOSPEL RESTORATION
Nephi recorded: ”And I beheld the Spirit of the Lord, that it was upon the Gentiles, and they did prosper and obtain the land for their inheritance … And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord: and the power of the Lord was with them. And I beheld that their mother gentiles were gathered together upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them. And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath of God was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle. And I Nephi beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all other nations.” (1 Nephi 13:15-19).
I like to remember that it was Moroni (and not Betsey Ross) who created the first American flag: “And it came to pass that he rent his coat: and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it – “In memory of our god, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children – and he fastened it upon the end of a pole…. (And he called it the Title of Liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of /Christians remain to possess the land.” (Alma 46: 12-13). Moroni went throughout the land to establish the “Covenant of Freedom” (Alma 46:15) “And it came to pass also, that he caused the Title of Liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted the standard of liberty among the Nephites”. (Alma 46:36).
And so, with that background, it is appropriate that we gather wherever and however we can, in celebration of the “Covenant of Freedom” that God established for us.
A REUNION OF THE ELDERS AND SISTERS OF OUR MTC GROUP
It had been three months (could that be?) since the 13 couples of us had gathered at the Provo MTC in preparation for our missions to Nauvoo. (April 1st … no joke!) Those were glorious times and we forged friendships that will remain with us forever. And so, naturally, we are drawn again to each other and the bond that continues to pull us together.
The day was July 3rd – and the beginning of our celebrations of freedoms now evident throughout our Nauvoo.
The location for our gathering was a surprise. I had not known that it existed. (There are all kinds of such hidden places here in Nauvoo – and we seem to move from one to the other.) Remember Elder Jones? Well, he and Sister Jones (and another couple) decided that we should stage a regular reunion of our MTC group. Their announcement said that we would meet at “The Kimball Barn”. I thought, … “hmmm … where is that?” I asked Sister Jones and she said that it was behind the Hiram and Sarah Granger Kimball home.
We arrived at the spot and Wow! I could not believe this place. Being a long-time party planner and caterer, this place really caught my attention. It was magnificent. The barn was majestic and beautiful.
Inside, there were at least a dozen tables – with room for three times that many. I marveled at the grand party scene. The food began to roll in as each couple came with their best picnic pot-luck contributions. We set up a large table to hold the goods.
It was kind of a muggy night and the place seemed to capture the mugginess inside. We decided that it might be a bit cooler outside. And Voila! There were another dozen picnic tables out there. We all circled around the food table and we all took more than we needed (at least I know that I did). And talk about great food! It was amazing.
It was also great fun visiting with our MTC friends. We didn’t talk much about the MTC but there was much to talk about otherwise. Eight of the couples are now “Nauvoo Teamsters” and they provided the rest of us with many fun details of the horses and oxen that they drive around Nauvoo. Elder Jones kind of surprised us with his energy and enthusiasm. He was like the “Energizer Bunny” with his joy of the occasion as he kind of took charge and led the laughs.
WE EXPERIENCED THE TRUE 4TH ON TEMPLE HILL
No 4th of July celebration is complete without the traditional overload of fireworks. And this year was no exception – but we actually experienced it on July 3rd – the eve before the 4th). Nauvoo has the perfect and natural place for the best seats for viewing the fireworks. This is on Temple Hill – located just to the west and in front of the Temple. We went directly to the spot from our MTC gathering held earlier that night.
We parked in a nearby Temple parking lot and walked to the Temple and then across the street. In my arms, I carried the new camp chairs given to us for Mothers and Father’s Day by our Lana. (And she never does anything simple or basic. No, these chairs were the greatest and best (and thus, a bit of overload in the carry)! Thanks, Lana!
We joined hundreds of other people on the Temple Hill. Everyone had brought their own camp chairs or blankets on which to enjoy the show. There was plenty of room for everyone – and then some. We found a spot that was good for us. We recognized a lot of our Nauvoo visitors and fellow missionaries around us.
(And I note that tonight I had purposely left my two pocket knives – one a Hunt/Stoddard “Old Timer” and the other my trusty BSA carving knife … on my dresser at home. I thought of a July 4th event 25 or more years ago in Payson, Arizona – when I had my BSA knife in my pants as I sat on the grass and it slipped out onto the grass. We returned later but could not find it. I was so sad! I had carried this knife for some 20 or so years and it meant a great deal to me. After that knife loss, my boys, knowing what it meant to me, bought me another just like it – and I have had it with me almost constantly since. I did not want to lose another knife on this occasion.)
Imagine my joy as I heard the bagpipes piping nearby. This group is so fabulous. I have long belonged to the bagpipe loving society so this was heaven for me. I relished in the music that the group was putting forth. The Nauvoo Brass Band then took a turn and they played many of our traditional patriotic songs. They were great, as always!
I enjoyed watching the crowd around us. Sometimes “people watching” is one of the best aspects of such a gathering. (One of my favorite activities wherever I go.) Anticipation was high with everyone as we all sat in our spots enjoying the wonderful evening. And God did one of his magic tricks for us.
The sunset that evening was spectacular. Wow! This was so amazing. I took photos of each stage of the sunset – over a period of many minutes. I was grateful for this wonder in front of me. A sunset over the Nauvoo Mississippi River, with band accompaniment … it doesn’t get much better than this! I took in and loved every moment of the total scene.
Then came the fireworks! They started off with a bang. We all adjusted our chairs a bit to the southwest and sat back to enjoy the show.
The show was not anything like the one staged annually in Idaho Falls (as we have experienced a couple of times with Lana and family) but for little Nauvoo, it was fairly decent. I know that it was a stretch for the community, and I was grateful for the efforts made for all of us (most of us not even being from the local community). We enjoyed 20 minutes of pop and bang and then the expansion of bright colors. Somehow, all of this made me proud again to be an American (in spite of national challenges going on around us). I was happy to be a part of the grand scene. And how cool to be seeing the show in Nauvoo and right there on the footstool of the Temple! Way too much fun! (Who’da thunk it a year ago …?)
A MISSION-WIDE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
At least once a month (or maybe every 6 weeks), the mission stages a dinner to welcome new missionaries and to say good-bye to some going home. That is what we experienced on the eve of the 4th of July. The event was held at the local Nauvoo Stake Center – because this place has room for the 200 or so missionaries (including the “YSM’s” (Young Sister Missionaries) as well as the Senior Missionary couples.
Sister Hunt had years before made us some very patriotic matching vests in the best of red, white and blue. And she had added these to our “wagon” when we came to Nauvoo. Luckily, I rediscovered these in a hidden drawer just a couple of days before the event. We really looked the part – and we caught the attention of many as we made our entry to the hall. It was fun to stand out in our personal celebration of the day.
The party organizers were genius in their preparations. They had set up seven round tables and each one accepted food as it arrived. They knew what they wanted on each table – to make sure that everyone would get the same options – no matter what table they went to. Sister Hunt had made some family baked beans (a recipe made famous by her mother – Grandma Verna Belcher). And I had made a plethora of my own famous banana chocolate chip cookies – for the occasion. We were directed to the table needing our goods.
A missionary Elder welcomed the group, and we had a prayer of gratitude for the food before us.
My journal records the details of the event:
The food – including pulled pork – was all fabulous. I loved Lou’s beans. And there were several desserts – which included the cookies that I made. The cookies seemed to be a hit. They were all gone. We came home with quite a big quantity of beans – so this is good.
After the meal, many missionaries staged several musical numbers. Elder and Sister Williams (him on the piano) led us in singing our National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”, and then “America” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”. (And Lou and I could hardly refrain from singing the camp song, “I wear my Pink Pajamas” to this tune.)
Two young sisters did a great performance of the song, “Sisters”. We all enjoyed their hilarious song.
A string band played several numbers. With them was a musical group known as “The Hart Family”. The band reminded me of the string band of Enterprise, Utah – that always played at the 24th of July celebrations that we often went to in my youth. I loved the music.
President Daniel Mehr was the final speaker and as ever, he did a great job. He talked of being a General Authority Seventy and eating in the cafeteria in the Church Office Building. He talked of an occasion when then Elder Russell M. Nelson was present. Someone asked him his view of the world trauma of the moment. He replied, “I am not worried about this. This is the Lord’s World and He will take care of it.” He talked of Joseph Smith and how he was a lover and promoter of freedom of religion to all. He surprised me when he referred to the trauma in today’s world. He compared it to the “Kingmen” and “Freemen” in The Book of Mormon. I could understand who is Kingmen and who is the Freemen. The society similarities of then and now are really scary. He said that we should be zealous to defend and protect the family. He said that he is doing his best to prepare his children and grandchildren to be worthy and ready to marry our children and grandchildren (pointing to all of us).
In all, it was a very fun evening.
PREPARING FOR THE COMING PAGEANT
After the above, Lou and I went to the stage where the Nauvoo pageants will be staged. All of the missionaries have a part at the ending of the British Pageant shows – each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the next three weeks. The Senior Missionaries are to go forward at the finale of the show – and are to “stand resolute” as the show ends. This should be fun.
EVENING PERFORMANCES OF THE NAUVOO BRASS BAND AND THE PRODUCTION OF “SUNSET ON THE MISSISSIPPI”
Most weekday evenings (not on Sundays), we offer some great entertainment for our Nauvoo guests. The excitement begins with a special concert by the Nauvoo Brass Band. It is so fun to sit there in the beauty of the evening – atop of the stage that we knew so long ago when we were in the “City of Joseph” pageant cast. I love the energy – and the sounds – that the Brass Band puts forth. I can’t get enough of them.
Then comes a drama production of song and dance staged by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries (“NSM”). This production is “Sunset on the Mississippi”.
This is the “modern” version of a program that has been traditional here in Nauvoo for decades. Forty-five years ago my in-laws, Elder and Sister Belcher, were cast (as Senior Missionaries) in the stage production of the “Night on the Prairie” – then held in and around the Cultural Hall. The family cherishes the photo of the folks engaged in the stage fun (though they were not known for dramatic acting before their Nauvoo debut).
Anyway, back to the here and now … The current production is staged by these marvelous young performing missionaries. They are full of energy, and they show it well in their fancy and colorful period costumes. The girls look beautiful in their ruffled dresses and pantaloons. The guys are decked out in colorful shirts and vests – and the traditional Nauvoo caps.
The production is just so fun! It is something that everyone needs to experience when in Nauvoo. And this year, we got to experience it with our granddaughter, Brianna, as she came to Nauvoo with her O’Fallon, Illinois Young Women group.
It just keeps getting better!
EXPERIENCING THE “COUNTRY FAIR” WITH THE NAUVOO PAGEANTS
It’s Pageant Time here in Nauvoo …! It is the time long anticipated by every missionary here in Nauvoo. This is such a grand time – with the Nauvoo spirit and energy everywhere. It is such a great thing to experience. We are all looking forward to it. You can be sure that I will give many more pageant details as we really experience it. I promise to make a full report in a future blog post.
I can speak from experience, however, when I talk about the “Country Fair” that is staged each night between the “Sunset” program and the actual pageant. We got to experience it last summer with Jenae and girls and with the set-up that we have seen on the fields around us, we can be assured that 2024 pageant comers will surely get the same experience this year. And this year, we will get to experience it again as Jackie and her family will be here for several pageant days. They are to arrive soon, and we can’t wait to have them. It will be fun to be a part of the Country Fair activities with them – just as we did last year with Jenae and her girls. It is just so fun. We could not believe that so many great activities could be packed into such a small space and time.
Last year, I wrote of the experience in my personal journal:
“We then went to participate in the “Country Fair”. This was an absolutely fabulous event. There were 20 or 30 different stations – each manned by a cast family (many for the “Gold Cast” who come here for just a week (and then more come in). Some of my favorite events included handcart rides, May Pole dancing, Scottish dances (with bagpipes). I looked on-line for a list of the traditional Nauvoo “Country Fair” events – for future reference. Other events included stickball, stilts, Tug-O-war, Graces and hoops, sack races, log sawing, parlor games, wood branding, rag rugs, round dancing, quilting, stick pull, arm wrestling, a “Cousins” tent (to see who is related to who via Family/search), a puppet show, children’s games, and crafts. It was amazing. They could have handled 1,000 or so people. As it was, there was a small crowd there today – so there was no waiting in long lines.”
MISSIONARIES GOT A SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE COMING “COUNTRY FAIR” EVENTS
There is never a dull moment for missionaries serving (like us) in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission (which included Nauvoo and the Carthage Jail). There is some kind of an activity, training, performance, or devotional going on all of the time. And we look for any and all opportunities to party and celebrate.
The Country Fair will be staged every night for three weeks – as noted above – but many of us missionaries will have other support functions to fulfill as the Fair happens. And so, pageant organizers let us participate in our own such event – ahead of the real thing. But, it became the real thing for us. Again, my journal tells the story:
“This evening we had a fun mission event. Elder Davies, who is over the pageant somehow, staged a “Country Fair” – similar to the fair that they have each night of the pageant. He had a band composed of many missionaries. They played music for folks to dance to. It was mostly female dances – since the young sisters cannot dance with guys as missionaries. They had a lot of refreshments. Lou mixed up two bags of chocolate chip cookies to take.
Elder Davies asked if I would help him (or I volunteered before he asked). I agreed to help run the stick pulling event. This has long been a favorite activity for me. (And Joseph Smith loved doing this!) I was not very busy for the first while but then I called some people over to participate. I pitted Elder Brian Reed against a big Tongan sister.
The sister beat him. He was really embarrassed – saying that “I’ve never been beat before.” I got several sister missionaries out there on the tarp – competing against each other.
The highlight of the evening was getting the Mission President, Mehr, out on the tarp. He took on several of the young sisters. This was a surprise to all. I also got a match between Pres. and Sister Mehr. Everyone got a kick out of the competitions with the President.
PIONEER GAMES AND CRAFTS AT THE FAMILY LIVING CENTER AND AT PIONEER PASTTIMES
About once a week, Sister Hunt and I get the chance to serve at the Family Living Center. This is program area that is housed in a giant timber and wood building (just my style). This is a fun place and everyone who comes there likes the many activities. The place has demonstration centers for the following pioneer activities:
Wool carding
Cooking
Candle Making
Weaving
Bread Making
Packing the Wagon to go West
Rope Making
Barrel Making
Pottery Making
Brick Making
When Elder Belcher saved the badly deteriorated Coolidge home, he set up many of these demonstrations in the building. Thus, this is another area of his ongoing legacy. It is amazing all that he started, and which still is in place today.
We joined another Senior couple and two young sisters. I enjoy helping or inspiring kids to “pack” the wagon for the trip west. I have also volunteered to do bread making – since I did not know anything about any of the rest of the areas (but I am learning. I now know barrel making. The young sisters were able to do most of the demonstrations – since they have been to the place before. I also love doing the rope making demonstration – partly because so many people love the activity – and are so fascinated with the mechanics of the rope making machine.
The other day, a rope making visitor said to me, “How long have you been doing this?” (meaning the rope making function). I said, “I have been a Boy Scout for 60 years”. She and others around her all got a chuckle out of this.
Lou is often privileged to do teaching about her father’s brick yard and brick making. She loves doing this and the people all seem very interested in it. She enjoys sharing with the folks the tale of how her father started the brick yard and designed the small brick that is still given out as souvenirs to visitors. It has been a great blessing and opportunity for her to do this teaching – in honor of her parents.
A ”Sister” station that is staged by the missionaries in the Family Living Center is known as the “Pioneer Pastimes Pavilion”. This large tent ramada is located about a block south of the Family Living Center. It is fun to go there (except when it is really hot) and to enjoy the walk down through the beautiful lanes en route.
On the way, we can often see the Performing Missionaries teaching prairie dances to curious on-lookers. It is fun to see the NPM’s get the visitors up and dancing with them.
The missionary job at the Pavilion is to engage the folks – mainly the young children and teens – in the many pioneer game options. We can offer them dress-up costumes where the kids (and adults too) can dress in authentic pioneer costumes. It is so fun to watch the kids get into this action.
We have hoops, stilts, “climbing monkeys”, various marble games, roping the horse or sheep, playing house, and more. This is the place for families to come after a long day of dragging the kids into the various restored homes. They suddenly lose their tiredness, and they have a great time – even engaging their reluctant parents in the activities with them.
FUN SHOWS AT THE CULTURAL HALL
There are about 30 homes or shops that we give tours in here in Nauvoo. A couple of weeks ago, the scheduler asked us what places we had not been to, and which we would like to “learn”. The Cultural Hall was one of the few places that we had not previously been to. So, it was fun to be assigned recently to the place.
We had actually been to the Cultural Hall for a zone meeting a week or so before. On that occasion, we gathered there with about 20 couples from the “Hyrum Zone”. Elder Hurst (a teamster) is our new Zone Leader – after the recent departure of Elder Thomas. It was fun to be in this Cultural Hall. We thought of Grandma Verna being there and doing acting in the “night on the prairie” program. Elder Hurst had created a great PowerPoint presentation about the contributions of the Prophet Joseph Smith. I enjoyed this program a lot.
The Cultural Hall actually almost feels like a mini Salt Lake Tabernacle – with its oak look benches and pillars.
Anyway, we looked forward to our assignment to the Cultural Hall. On our day of the assignment, we arrived and checked the site book to figure out how to turn on the lights on each of the three floors. This can sometimes be a bit tricky. Remember that the Saints did not have electricity when they were here – though they would have loved it. And now, 180 years later, great effort is expended to try to maintain the original look and feel of the pioneer places. This means that the electrical or light switch is often located down at foot level and the plug is generally painted to match exactly the color of the wood around it. And each place has its own quirks – and every place is different.
We did not know when assigned, but much of the job of the missionaries assigned there is to be host to folks who come to experience the many shows staged there each day by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries. That is what we did – and it proved to be great fun. It also meant that we were able to view the many programs ourselves. This was so great. These young performing missionaries have energy deluxe. And they have such enthusiasm during their song and dance routines.
In the Cultural Hall, we were privileged to hear several performances of the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries. They performed two different programs – two times each. Each performance was fabulous! The did programs entitled, “Hymns of Zion” and “Nauvoo Singers”. I thoroughly enjoyed each performance. I love the energy of the young people.
The groups performed: “Nearer My God to Thee”, “In Our Lovely Deseret” (which was fabulous). They sang “Laura’s Nauvoo” (supposedly written by a non-member), “Praise to the Man” (by W.W. Phelps), “The Morning Breaks”, (by Parley P Pratt), and O My Father (by Eliza R. Snow). They sang these words to four or so different tunes.
A youth group from Indiana came en masse – a group of about 20 youth and an adult couple. It was fun to interact with this group. They even got up on stage (in a slow period) and did their own song and dance routine. This was their big moment.
In the mid-afternoon, the Performers came to present their last performance of the day. Literally, no one was there to hear their show. They went on with the show and Lou and I sat alone as the audience and enjoyed our personal concert – with just us there to hear them. They were amazing and wonderful.
P-DAY ACTIVIITES FOR ELDER AND SISTER HUNT
Like any missionary serving anywhere in the world, we also look forward to our own P-day each week. Here we are assigned a specific day of the week for a month. And then we switch to a new day for the next month. Sister Hunt and I have just been assigned to Saturdays for the month of July.
On our P-days, we do our weekly laundry (though we have a washer and dryer in our place – so we can do it any time that we get the urge). We clean our place. I also spend several hours each P-day writing blogs and posting photos to them.
We also try to find some unique activities that are new to us. Often, this might include going to a new home or site that we have not yet experienced. And later in the day, we generally drive the 12-mile trip down the river (on the picturesque and wonderful Mississippi Great River Highway). We go to Keokuk – our newest town of any significance.
In Keokuk, we generally go to the Aldi store. We there get fruit, vegetables and snack items for our lunch. We usually have to go to the Dollar Tree Store for cheap incidentals. We then go to Walmart. It is always nice to restock our wagon there. We get gas at a station by Walmart. We are pleased that the gas on the Iowa side of the river is about 75 Cents a gallon cheaper than that on the Illinois side. And our last stop is generally at the Dairy Queen. Several weeks ago, we discovered their “Pecan Mudslide Sundae”. This celestial delicacy is soft ice cream topped with both hot fudge and caramel toppings – as well as toasted pecans. Wow! Talk about fabulous! We now have the car trained to pull over there each week at the appropriate time.
AN UNPLANNED VISIT AND RIDE AT THE OXEN RIDE
Yesterday (July 6th) was our first Saturday P-day. I got up and made computer reservations for us to go on the “wagon ride”. Then I later realized that I should have signed up for the “carriage ride”. We were headed to the rides before I realized that I had made a mistake. We headed toward Main Street and Hotchkiss streets – where the ride was to be. And that is where I realized my mistake.
We kept going on Main Street, and I noticed the ox ride space up ahead. In all of my years of coming to Nauvoo, I have never seen this ride location – nor have we taken the ox ride. We decided to go for the oxen ride.
We pulled in and got out of the car. We were immediately greeted by our former Acacia Ward neighbor from Mesa, Arizona. She and her group somehow knew that Lou and I are in Nauvoo and they were going to go looking for us. We visited for a few minutes and then took a photo. It was interesting to see how the Lord puts these people and our connections with them together – (like today) since going for the oxen ride was definitely not in our plans – and with it being our P-day, we would not have normally been out in the sites. These little “Nauvoo miracles” happen all of the time – and we are grateful for them.
Elder and Sister Doug Mills were there at the ox ride. They took us on the ride and gave us a great story as we did so. Sister Mills said that “This is the most authentic thing here in Nauvoo!”
The oxen were amazing – and huge. I learned a lot of new facts about oxen and how the pioneers walked beside them all of the way. It was all very interesting.
First, … the question of “what is the difference in a cow (steer) and an ox?” My teamster Cousin Brad explained it for me. He said that “an ox is a cow on a mission – with an occupation”.
Oxen are very big and strong. They weigh about 2,000 pounds. And together, they can pull their combined weight – so 4,000 pounds. We learned that oxen on wagons have to have horns. The horns are needed to hold the wooden yoke up. Without horns, the yoke would slip down onto their faces.
Oxen are always “yoked together” in pairs. (Sounds like a good lesson about us and Jesus and us and fellow laborers in the Kingdom!) And often these pairs remain and work together. And in so doing, one becomes the “right ox” and the other the “left ox”. And I guess they get “befuddled” when they are moved to the other side.
Oxen get to know just five commends:
“Step Up” is the command to move forward.
“Gee” means to go to the right.
“Haw” means to go to the left.
“Whoa” means to stop.
And “Back” means to back-up.
We learned that one does not “drive” oxen – as one would with a bridled horse. They are “led” by walking beside them. So, there was not even a seat on the ox driven wagon. We learned that the oxen loved and listened to the children – so the children were good at leading them.
Hearing this, I thought of the old Primary song favorite, “Pioneer Children”:
“Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked, and walked,
“Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked, and walked,
They washed at streams and worked and played
Sundas they camped and read and prayed
Week after week, they sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked”
I guess the pioneer children walked and walked alongside of their family oxen – leading them across the plains – and walking some 1,400 miles.
As we got to the oxen, Elder and Sister Mills introduced us to Dan and Duke. They seemed formidable and scary. But the Mills convinced us that we could “become friends” with the oxen. We posed with them – for the sake of posterity.
After the short ride around the muddy track, I was drawn to the plaques that lined the walkway around the oxen yard. These were informative and interesting
A CARRIAGE RIDE AND A VISIT WITH COUSIN BRAD
We also then went to the “carriage ride” – starting at the station at the northeast corner of the visitors’ center parking lot. We were greeted there by “Cousin” Brad. I like this guy. He and I have a connection. We visited for a while.
I had not heard of the commemoration event, but Elder Brad told me that he had been privileged to be a part of a 180th Anniversary commemoration of the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum as they were viewed by the Saints in the Mansion House (some 10,000 of them). He said that the original pioneer “Nauvoo Brass Band” had played at the original services for Joseph and did again on this commemorative experience. Brad shared with me his feelings that he posted on his Facebook account. I loved it. Another of those “Nauvoo Miracles” that I introduced above.
He wrote, and I quote (with his permission): “180 years ago today on June 29, 1844 Joseph and Hyrum Smith lay in state in the Mansion House. The Nauvoo brass Band played and my great, great grandfather and his family along with 10,000 grieving latter-day Saints filed through to bid their final farewell to the Prophet Joseph and his faithful brother, Hyrum.
“Today I had the privilege of driving the bandwagon and stopping in front of the Mansion House while the Nauvoo Brass Band played in honor of Joseph and Hyrum – just like they did 180 years ago. It was most powerful. They played “Praise to the Man”. They also played another song called, “Emma’s Lullaby”.
“Here is a quote from my Grandpa Dudley Leavitt’s history: “Later as the bodies lay in state, the Leavitt family all passed to take their last look at Joseph smith and his brother Hyrum. I was so impressed by the calm majesty of their faces that even after I was an old man, I of a surety that here was a prophet of the living God.” No hardship could shake the faith of Dudley.”
We did not have reservations for the carriage ride, but Elder Hurst said that he would try to get us on the carriage. He and Elder White were on the carriage and Elder Hurst was voice. He did a great job of storytelling. They took us north of the station – up through “Joseph Creek” and beyond.
We made one stop at the top of the hill to let the horses rest for a few minutes. Elder Hurst showed us a well built in honor of King Follett (that was his real first name). He died in a well accident when rocks fell down upon him as he was digging a well. The Prophet Joseph preached King’s funeral sermon (later named “The King Follett Discourse”.
On our Carriage Ride, we saw pastured horses en route. Elder Hurst pointed out that even in the pasture, the horses stand in pairs – with their partners on the trail. This was very interesting.
We drove near my old “Red Barn” environs (the barn and the white home) where I lived as a young missionary – and this was fun. We really enjoyed this p-day ride out through the beautiful woods and through the river.
THE MORNING HORSE RITUAL
There are many hidden Nauvoo experiences that don’t appear on the schedule or brochures. You just kind of happen to hear about them – and then you go and get a wonderful experience. And then you think, “Too bad everyone doesn’t know about this.”
That is the way the morning horse feeding ritual is … We just happened to hear about it last year when we were in Nauvoo with Jenae and family.
The big event of each day is the feeding of the horses. We wanted to be there for this. At night, the horses are left in a large field. Then in the morning, they let them out and herd them down to feeding stalls for grain. They know where to go and they kind of run down to the feeding area. Each horse has a name, and workers know the horses by name. Some missionaries stand at the gate, and he calls out the name of each horse as it arrives. Then Elders guide them to their selected places for their grain.
The Elders said that there is an “Alpha Male” (“Matt” – the only gray horse) that rules the roost with an iron fist. And if any other horse tries to get ahead of them, he bites them.
There are some 18 missionary Elders who serve with the horses. Their wives serve with them (as tour guides) and some work in other restored homes. These guys all wore plain colored Western shirts. Many of the men here wear the same style of pants with suspenders. It was great to talk to many of the Elders as we watched the horse operation. I told many of them of my youth missionary experience in Nauvoo 48 years ago.
After the horses ate their grain, they put 12 of the horses on “P-Day” (Pasture Day). They use 14 horses each day. They pull the carriage ride, the wagon ride and the carriage that carries the “Nauvoo Brass Band”. They have utilized the ancient “Red Barn” that I knew as a missionary. They have stations or areas for each horse and at these, they have the individual harnesses for each horse.
One Elder says that most of the horses have hand spans (extended horizontally) of 17 to 18” above the withers. Most normal horses have spans of 14 to 15”. The horses are magnificent and beautiful. The whole operation was amazing and interesting to watch.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well folks, there you have it. Patriotic … we go all out celebrate whenever and wherever we can. Cultural events: They are all around us. The NPM’s (Nauvoo Performing Missionaries) add energy wherever they go. It is so great to hear them – and the Nauvoo Band perform. And with all of this combined, Nauvoo really is a very fun place to hang out. It is very exciting to be a part of all of these experiences.
REMEMBERING JOSEPH
As another P-day activity, we went to the Visitors’ Center. I had also made reservations for us to see the “Remembering Joseph” production staged by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries. This production was fabulous. I loved it. They quoted many people who had memories of Joseph. Again, I got to hear Elder Smith sing “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”. He is so wonderful singing this song. The whole production was amazing, and I was touched tenderly by the Spirit.
Well, there you have it … patriotic moments, cultural events and country fair fun … all in week!
Elder and Sister Hunt on the “Nauvoo Trail” … and it just keeps getting better!
Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of God’s wonders around us in Beautiful Nauvoo. Everywhere we look, we see magnificence. I stand in awe and amazement of God’s natural wonders so evident everywhere here in Nauvoo.
But, to put it in perspective for this Arizona Desert Rat boy, let me first say that some time ago, I wrote a blog article about the Arizona flora and fauna so I will here copy a link to that article – just so that the reader can properly contract the two very different, but both very beautiful places:
Rather than use a lot of words – as I am prone to do on some blogs, I will let the Nauvoo natural beauties speak for themselves. Enjoy!
How is that for bauty and wonder … we see it all over Nauvoo and it is magnificent indeed.
With all of the above, I can see all of you making plane reservations or making application to serve inj Nauvoo.
I am in awe of everything around me and express my gratitude to God for these beauties. It’s a rough life to experience all of this beauty, but someone has to do it! We are glad it is us!
It is appropriate to take a few moments to remember the Prophet Joseph Smith. June 27, (2024) marked the 180th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and his brother, Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch. They were brutally murdered on that date in 1844 at the Carthage Jail. The Carthage Jail is an Illinois Historic Site located in a sleepy little village located about 25 miles from Nauvoo, Illinois.
On this date, Sister Hunt and I had the privilege of going to Carthage from Nauvoo – for a special program held to honor the memory of Joseph and Hyrum. We gathered with a plethora of Nauvoo missionaries and many other visitors on the grounds of the old Carthage Jail to experience a commemorative program entitled, “Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph”.
We had been to the jail previously, but the Spirit really touched our hearts on this special occasion.
Upon our arrival, the Nauvoo Brass band was there playing the prelude – and did so through the program. They were fabulous. As ever, their music was inspiring and wonderful.
The program began with the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries singing, “I Saw a Pillar of Light”.
Sister Rebecca Mehr (Mission Leader) talked. She spoke of the “safety of gathering”. She talked of our legacy of togetherness. We were experiencing that on this evening.
Brother Joseph Monsen talked. He is the historian who helped implement the tours in the Joseph Smith properties that were just acquired by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from the Community of Christ. He testified that God is present in our lives. He talked of W.W. Phelps who left the church and harassed Joseph Smith and then repented and asked Joseph for forgiveness. Joseph told W.W., “Friends at first are friends again at last: and forgave him for the major trauma and persecution that he caused to Joseph and the church. He noted that W.W. Phelps later wrote the song, “Praise to the Man” which includes the lyrics, “Millions Shall Know Bother Joseph Again”. He noted that this commemoration tonight is a spiritual event and that the death of Joseph and Hyrum was a “spiritual triumph”. “Their strength is in how they lived”, he added.
He issued three challenges: 1) Let us overcome the world with love, 2) Remember the Wayfaring Man, and 3) Carry the Gospel to the world. He invited us all “gain our eternal heritage given us by Joseph and Hyrum”.
The Performing Missionaries gave a magnificent rendition of “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”., the song that brought peace and solace to Joseph and Hyrum as their deaths approached. The Performing Missionaries had some tremendous soloists. One Elder Smith was absolutely fabulous, and he brought the Spirit of Joseph and Hyrum in a wonderful and penetrating way to me.
President Daniel S. Mehr, the Mission Leader for the Illinois Historic Sites Mission talked.
I love hearing Presiden Mehr speak. He talked of how President Russel M. Nelson (our current Prophet) loves each of us. He said that he (Pres. Mehr) loves everyone – and offered a group hug to all of us. He said that we should do three things: walk the streets, shake hands, and to love the people. He said that we (in the group) had all known each other for millennia. He talked of “Nauvoo Miracles’. And he shared some stories of those miracles, as the missionaries have experienced them. He said that Joseph and Hyrum “suffered righteously”. He assured us that God knows that we love Him.
After the talks, the Choir sang another stirring rendition of “Praise to the Man”. This song was amazing. This is definitely a song that can penetrate the soul in memory of God’s Prophet.
In the benediction, the Elder talked of gratitude for this “hallowed and sacred ground”. We all felt that we were on hallowed and sacred ground through the program tonight. It was wonderful and we were blessed to have been a part of it.
LIKE A LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER
After bidding good-bye to his wife and children on the morning of June 24, 1844, Joseph and Hyrum headed to Carthage. Joseph said, “I am going like a lamb to the slaughter, but I am calm as a summer’s morning: I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me – he was murdered in cold blood”.
Photo: Joseph and Hyrum on the Way to Carthage @ Kevin and Lou Hunt
As he and Hyrum stopped before the Temple (then only one story high), they looked back on their beloved Nauvoo. Joseph said, “This is the most beautiful place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them.”.
Joseph and Hyrum headed off to Carthage. They rode their horses past Joseph’s farm – located two or three miles east of town. Memories were stirred as Joseph recalled special family moments working and relaxing on his farm. “Joseph stopped and gazed upon his land. As they rode away Joseph looked back over and over again. The men escorting him to Carthage told him to be moving on. Joseph said, “If some of you had got such a farm and knew you would not see it any more, you would want to take a good look at it for the last time.” (History of the Church 6: 558 – Quoted by Scot Facer Proctor, in the “Meridian” LDS magazine. June 27, 2014)
A SIGN IN NAUVOO MARKS THE REMINDER OF THE CARTHAGE TRAIL
We had driven past this spot countless times before – since it is on Nauvoo’s Main Street and near the Visitors’ Center, but until just a few days ago, we had not seen the sign. I stopped (in the middle of the quiet road) to check it out. I was amazed to find that it was a sign erected by an Eagle Scout to commemorate the “Martyrdom Trail” (road) that took Joseph and Hyrum to their martyrdom. How cool is that – that an Eagle Scout erected this plaque as a reminder to us all.
The ”Martyrdom Trail” is a back-roads dirt road that winds the 23 miles from Nauvoo to Carthage. There are other ways to get there, but the vintage road is more authentic and thus, more of a reminder of the road that Joseph and Hyrum actually took. The trail takes a ziz-zag path down country roads, over bridges, and through overgrown fields. It is not a trek for the faint of heart – taking about 8 hours for experienced hikers.
THE HUNT FAMILY EXPERIENCED THE MARTYRDOM TRAIL
I have previously noted that Sister Hunt and I went to Nauvoo and for two summers participated in the “City of Joseph” pageant with our nine children. In those days, pageant leaders staged a plethora of enjoyable activities for cast members for those rare moments when they were not on stage practicing or performing. They had hat-making and other classes for the ladies and girls. Tween boys could work on Scout merit badges.
Many of the cast members wanted to take the optional hike on the Martyrdom Trail. My three sons and even some of the girls opted to make the journey.
On August 4, 1997, I recorded in my journal:
“Today a bunch of cast members walked or biked the “Martyrdom Trail” which Joseph and Hyrum rode on horseback from Nauvoo to Carthage. … It was a special experience for us to make the trek today and to think of Joseph and Hyrum as we went. A group of about 80 of us met at the Visitors’ Center at 7:30 AM. K.C., and Rusty borrowed bikes to ride. They rode the whole 23 miles. They did a great job. There were about 30 bikers. The hiking group included Jenae, Kaylea, Keith, and I (and most of the Shaltes family and others). The hikers followed the bikers south on Main Street. We then went east on Parley Street until we reached other country roads. We hiked the 3 or so miles up to the Pioneer Cemetery. Here a brother recounted interesting historical facts of the Trail, Joseph, and Hyrum.
“There were several drivers recruited also. Jackie was among these. I volunteered for her services. She enjoyed this. Just past the cemetery (near the Joseph Smith farm) we hikers got into vehicles and rode for a few miles. As we stopped, we saw K.C. and Rusty at a farmhouse getting drinks out back. We got out and hiked another couple of miles beside tall corn fields and soybean crops. There were many large trees along the road. The weather was perfect for the walk. Some of the roads were a bit muddy from last night’s storm. We got back in the vehicles and rode another few miles.
“We stopped about a mile from Carthage and rested in the shade of a large tree (near the jail). We hiked the last mile into the jail. We all (hikers, bikers, and drivers) all met at the jail. Some folks went on a tour. We didn’t – since we were just there yesterday. We ate watermelon and drank punch out on the lawn. It was, in all, a great experience. We also earned a very classy Scout patch in the process.
Jenae and Kaylea did not finish the full walk. They walked back to the campground from the Nauvoo Cemetery (but they probably walked almost as far as the rest of us)”.
THE MARTYRDOM TRAIL TODAY
It was June 26th, and the eve of the 180th anniversary of the deaths of our beloved Joseph and Hyrum (and two days after they would have taken their trip of doom). I decided that I wanted to again experience the “Martyrdom Trail” – all of these years later – and as a current Nauvoo missionary. My wife is loyal to me, so she supported me in the cause (fearing that alone, I might be eaten by bears or otherwise get lost out in the wilderness!) I was happy to have her company.
We got home from our assigned site of the day. We changed out of our pioneer costumes and grabbed a quick bite of food. And then we were on our way – out on the trail.
So, we had seen this trail plaque on Main Street near the Visitors’ Center. And I received a map of the Trail at the Visitors’ Center – via Elder Tolman who was on duty there.
We headed upward and east on Parley Street and drove past the old pioneer cemetery. We soon turned south on a street called “900 East”. We followed a “zig-zag” on many roads with many turns and this went through many country roads, turns and corners. This was not the exact route that Joseph and Hyrum took – since some of their trail is now under corn or soybean fields. But, the roads that we took, are as close as possible to the original – and we were able to get a sense of what Joseph and Hyrum may have experienced.
The Eagle Scout had done a great job in placing markers along the full trail.
It took us few markers to get in the groove and to know what they looked like but once we got onto them, they were extremely helpful.
There was a marker at every turn. And some of the markers confirmed that we were going the right way – even through some very interesting fields. In these areas, it was easy to imagine the real trail that Joseph and Hyrum would have traveled on their horses. Some of these stretches of “road” (pasture paths) were interesting indeed. My wife, of course, was in a panic as we traversed some of these country paths (and that is what some were). She feared that we would get lost, stuck in mud, or whatever else it is that women imagine. But, in spite of the terrain, and her reaction to it, I was happy to have her along for moral support (just as Joseph and Hyrum found support in each other – and appreciated others who travelled with them).
We took photos of nearly every one of the 23 markers along the way. We saw a lot of corn, maize, soybeans, and other fields that folks now farm.
We had a little more excitement near the beginning of our trek than we had originally planned.
We were way out in the middle of nowhere – about a half mile east of 900 East – on 2200 North when I looked off at the side of the road. We were in horror as we saw that a guy, Stan, had driven off of the road down into a ditch. He was pulling a 14’ utility flat trailer on the small car – and the trailer started jack-knifing down a hill on the gravel covered road. This pushed his whole vehicle down into a ditch at the side of the road.
We stopped to help the guy. He was in a bad way. When we found this guy, Stan, he was really muddled and confused – and angry about his predicament. We decided later that he was probably in shock over his situation. His phone had died as he was trying to call a towing company – so he was in a bad predicament – especially being stranded out in the middle of nowhere and with little hope of any vehicle coming along to help him.
I got on the phone and looked for a towing service who could come to assist the guy. I first called Morgan Squires of the Red Front Café – to see if she knew of a local towing company and she did not. I then turned to Google and looked for a local towing company – starting with a search for Carthage. I found a “5-Star” rated company called Newberry, Inc. and located in Keokuk. I talked to a guy named T.J.. I think that he was the company boss. He reminded us of Brad Belcher (my wife’s brother who owns a towing company in Heber City, Utah.). This T.J. says that normally he has a worker who does most of the calls – but I guess he was super tired from a full night of calls – so this left the boss to come himself to our rescue. The tow guy said that it would be about 45 minutes before he could get to our remote location. He had a hard time figuring out where we were, but I gave him pretty good Boy Scout directions. He came right at his promised time. The guy was super impressive and efficient.
As he was driving to us, Lou and I brought this Stan into our car and got him calmed down. Lou gave him some cold water. We talked to him and assured him that things would be okay. He kept saying that his wife “would kill him” for doing what he did. He was from Chicago. We used our phone to contact his wife. She at first did not want to answer her phone – since it was an unknown number – but Lou texted the woman and got her attention – so that she responded back.
The driver, T.J., arrived and assessed the situation. He knew just what to do. He positioned his truck at the right angle so as to pull the other vehicle up to the left and out of the hole or ditch where it was held. He hooked up his cables and controlled these through a plethora of different knobs that moved the cables in various directions. It was fascinating to watch (and video) how the vehicle slowly moved up and out of the ditch. And gratefully, here was little damage to his car – in spite of what it had been through.
Lou remained in contact with the wife of Stan via text messages and kept her informed of the progress. She sent several photos that showed the predicament of Stan. The lady was grateful for all of our help.
We all – Lou, Stan, and I all marveled about the fact that we came upon this Stan. He was really in a bad way – stuck in a ditch – with his car and trailer deeply imbedded in the underbrush, with him having no phone for outside contact (including contacting a towing company), and it being near dark, and the fact that there literally was no one else on the road, and no farm houses or other people for miles around. It truly was a miracle that the Lord staged in his behalf.
T.J. took only about 15 minutes to get Stan’s “ox out of the mire” and we soon were on our way. And by a miracle, Stan’s vehicle was still drivable and he continued on his way toward Chicago.
Sister Hunt and I continued down the country paths with the hope that they would eventually get us to Carthage. With our delay of over an hour, we were in a race against the sun.
Darkness was approaching fast. I was afraid that we would not get to Carthage before we ran out of light – and that would have added much excitement on those country roads with no lights, inability to see street signs, small marker signs, etc. We were blessed to get to our Carthage destination just as the light totally disappeared. We were greatly blessed and helped on our way.
We were glad that we were instruments in His hands to serve and help as we did. I knew that Joseph would have so helped in similar circumstances. But, knowing Joseph, he probably would have given the guy his horse.
As we got almost to Carthage, we drove through a cemetery (on both side of a road) and I thought this to be the most beautiful cemetery that I have ever seen. It had rolling hills, green grass and trees everywhere, and a small lake. It was amazing.
As I drove down the Martyrdom Trail, I thought very much of Joseph and Hyrum and tried to imagine the thoughts of their heavy hearts as they headed to Carthage and their coming doom – fully knowing of the coming consequences. I was glad that we could make this special trek on the eve of the 180th anniversary of their martyrdom. It was really a wonderful, spiritual experience that I was grateful for.
We turned on the final road that took us right up to the gates of the Carthage jail complex.
We drove into the parking lot. It was dark and right at 9 PM. (And I noted that my research had shown that it was near midnight when Joseph and Hyrum arrived in Carthage on their horses.) That would have been quite the horse ride for a single day. And as we took the driven route, I can only imagine that pain and reflection and apprehension that Joseph and Hyrum must have experienced on horseback – with each additional mile along that lonely road. My heart went out to them as I thought of their pain and sorrow in anticipation of their coming fate. But, in reflection, I am very grateful to them for the legacy of faith that they passed on to us – even today – many generations down the line. I was drawn to them in greater love and admiration.
Sister Hunt was very relieved that we had made the trek safely and without incident (to us) at our destination. She was glad that we were done with the country roads.
The Martyrdom Trail (1996)
THE FACTS OF THE MARTYRDOM
John Taylor and Willard Richards were with Joseph and Hyrum on their day of martyrdom. John Taylor had a beautiful singing voice and sang, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” and even repeated it at the request of the brethren.
John Taylor later announced to the world the sad news of the Martyrdom. This is now recorded in D&C 135, verses 1-2:
“To seal the testimony of this book and The Book of Mormon, we announce the martyrdom of Joseph Smith the Prophet and Hyrum Smith, the Patriarch. They were shot in Carthage jail on the 27th of June 1844, at about five o’clock p.m., by an armed mob – painted black – of from 150 to 200 persons. Hyrum was shot first and fell calmly, exclaiming: “I am a dead man!
Photo of Hyrum’s Blood on Floor (1975) even 130 years after the martyrdom
Joseph leaped from the window, and was shot dead in the attempt, exclaiming, “O Lord my God!” They were both shot after they were dead, in a brutal manner, and both received four balls.
Door to room where the martyrdom room where Joseph and Hyrum died
“John Taylor and Willard Richards, two of the Twelve, were the only persons in the room at the time: the former was wounded in a savage manner with four balls, but has since recovered; the latter, through the providence of God, escaped, without even a hole in his robe.”
“Hyrum lay dead on this floor. John had rolled under the bed after being hit with four balls, one of which struck him in the chest at the heart but was miraculously stopped by his pocket watch. The watch stopped at 16 minutes, 26 seconds after 5 o’clock. Joseph tried to escape through the window on the left. He was hit four times, once in the collar bone, once in the breast, and twice in the back. He leaped or fell from the window crying aloud, “Oh Lord, my God.!” (By Scot Facer Proctor: https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-14541/)
LUCY MACK SMITH, MOTHER OF JOSEPH AND HYRUM RECOUINTS THE SADNESS AND TRAUMA OF THE SCENE:
“After the corpses were washed and dressed in their burial clothes, we were allowed to see them. I had for a long time braced every nerve, roused every energy of my soul and called upon God to strengthen me, but when I entered the room and saw my murdered sons extended both at once before my eyes and heard the sobs and groans of my family…it was too much: I sank back, crying to the Lord in the agony of my soul, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken this family!’ A voice replied, I have taken them to myself, that they might have rest’…I then thought upon the promise which I had received in Missouri, that in five years Joseph should have power over all his enemies. The time had elapsed, and the promise was fulfilled.” (Lucy Mack Smith, mother of Joseph and Hyrum, June 29, 1844, Nauvoo Illinois – and this was quoted by Joseph Monsen at the commemoration event.)
PROPHETS WHO KNEW THE PROPHET JOSEPH TESTIFY OF HIM
The Prophet Joseph is best described by those who knew him best. These would be some of his chief Apostles (and who later also became prophets themselves).
BRIGHAM YOUNG WAS NAUVOO PRESIDENT OF THE QUORUM OF 12, 2ND PROPHET AND PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH:
On numerous occasions Brigham Young testified:
“I feel like shouting Hallelujah, all the time, when I think that I ever knew Joseph Smith, the Prophet whom the Lord raised up and ordained, and to whom he gave keys and power to build up the Kingdom of God on earth and sustain it” (DBY, 456).
Brigham also said, “I can truly say, that I invariably found him to be all that any people could require a true prophet to be, and that a better man could not be, though he had his weaknesses; and what man has ever lived upon this earth who had none?” (Brigham Young to David P. Smith, 1 June 1853, BYP).
JOHN TAYLOR – 3RD PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH – TESTIFIED OF JOSEPH:
Following his martyrdom, John Taylor said of Joseph: “Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!” (D&C 135:3)
On the 10th Anniversary of the death of Joseph Smith, John Taylor testified again of Joseph: “I was [blessed] to be associated with Brother Joseph … I have been with him under all kinds of circumstances – when the thick clouds of darkness gathered around, … when the forces of [the] earth rallied against him, and in times of prosperity … I have also been with him in private council, so that I have had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with his feelings, ideas, views, with his morality, with his truthfulness, with his integrity. And I know that he was a good man; that he was an honest man … that he was a prophet of the Lord, that he lived in that capacity and maintained this integrity.”
WILFORD WOODRUFF, 4TH PRESIDENT OF THE CHURCH
“I bear my testimony that in the early spring of 1844, in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith called the Twelve Apostles together and he delivered unto them the ordinances of the church and kingdom of God; and all the keys and powers that God had bestowed upon him, he sealed upon our heads, and he told us that we must round up our shoulders and bear off this kingdom, or we would be damned. I am the only man now living in the flesh who heard that testimony from his mouth, and I know that it was true by the power of God manifest to him. At that meeting he stood on his feet for about three hours and taught us the things of the kingdom. His face was as clear as amber, and he was covered with a power that I had never seen in any man in the flesh before.
I bear testimony that Joseph Smith was the author of the endowments as received by the Latter-day Saints. I received my own endowments under his hands and direction, and I know they are true principles. I not only received my own endowments under his hands, but I bear my testimony that Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, George A. Smith, John Taylor and other brethren received their endowments under the hands and direction of the Prophet Joseph; and also my wife Phoebe, Bathsheba Smith, Leonora Taylor, Mary Smith and others whose names I cannot recall now.
The Prophet Joseph laid down his life for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ, and he will be crowned as a martyr in the presence of God and the Lamb. In all his testimonies to us the power of God was visibly manifest with the Prophet Joseph.
This is my testimony, spoken by myself into a talking machine on this the 19th day of March 1897, in the 91st year of my age. Wilford Woodruff.
LORENZO SNOW – FIFTH PRESIDEN OF THE CHURCH:
“A word or two about Joseph Smith. Perhaps there are very few men now living who were so well acquainted with Joseph Smith the Prophet as I was. I was with him oftentimes. I visited him in his family, sat at his table, associated with him under various circumstances, and had private interviews with him for counsel. I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God; I know that he was an honorable man, a moral man, and that he had the respect of those who were acquainted with him. The Lord has shown me most clearly and completely that he was a Prophet of God, and that he held the Holy Priesthood and the authority to baptize people for the remission of their sins and to lay hands upon them for the reception of the Holy Ghost, that they might receive a knowledge themselves in relation to these things” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1900, 61).
JOSEPH F SMITH – LAST MODERN-DAY PROPHET TO HAVE KNOWN JOSEPH SMITH TESTIFIED:
JOSEPH F. SMITH TESTIFIES OF JOSEPH SMITH (His Uncle)
“As a child I knew the Prophet Joseph Smith. As a child I have listened to him preach the gospel that God had committed to his charge. . . . I have retained the witness of the Spirit that I was imbued with, as a child, and that I received from my sainted mother, the firm belief that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God; that he was inspired as no other man in his generation, or for centuries before, had been inspired; that he had been chosen of God to lay the foundations of God’s Kingdom as well as of God’s Church; that by the power of God he was enabled to bring forth the record of the ancient inhabitants of this [the American] continent, to revive and to reveal to the world the doctrine of Jesus Christ. . . . As a child I was impressed, deeply, with the thought, and firmly with the belief, in my soul that the revelations that had been given to and through Joseph the Prophet, as contained in this book, the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, were the word of God, as were the words of the ancient disciples when they bore record of the Father and of the Son” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed. [1939], 493).
JOSEPH F. SMITH PURCHASED THE CARTHAGE JAIL FOR THE CHURCH
Joseph F. Smith was the son of Hyrum Smith and nephew of the Prophet Joseph. It was under his leadership that the Church purchased the Carthage Jail on November 3, 1903, for $4,000. This was the first historic site purchased by the Church.
PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH VISITS THE CARTHAGE JAIL
There were many times in the life of Joseph F. when his had the chance to stop at Carthage Jail, but every time he chose to avoid it, knowing his emotions were too fragile to handle what was there.
In 1906, President Smith visited the jail on his way home from a European tour. A man named Charles W. Nibley convinced Joseph F. that it was time to face Carthage. Both men knew this would be a very challenging experience for Joseph F. and were tentative about how the experience would go.
When the group with Joseph F. arrived at Carthage, they all proceeded to walk up the steps to the jail and as they turned right into the room where all the bullets came, seeing the bullet holes, emotions were high. Then, the person leading the group pointed out the floor, and the group was told “that stain is the blood of Hyrum Smith.”
Joseph F. overcome with sadness, walked over and sat down on the blood stain. Joseph F. put hands over his face, and convulsively wept until they could see the water coming through his fingers.
Then, Joseph F. said “Charlie, take me out of here.”
Preston Nibley later recalled that President Smith said, “I despise this place. It harrows up my feelings to come here.” (Source: Cannon: Carthage Jail in Mormon Memory, “Long Shall His Blood . . . Stain Illinois”: Carthage Jail in by Brian Q. Cannon)
ANCESTRAL CONNECTIONS AND TESTIMONIES OF JOSEPH SMITH
We are blessed to have the testimonies of prophets and leaders who knew and heard the Prophet Joseph Smith. I am also blessed to have many of my own ancestors who personally knew the Prophet Joseph. There were many of them who lived in Nauvoo, many who knew him, and many who also heard him speak and then shared their testimonies of him with their posterity. I will share some of those stories here.
NATHAN CALHOUN CHENEY TELLS OF THE NAUVOO WHICH JOSEPH SMITH INSPIRED (From a letter written to friends October 17, 1841, from Nauvoo:
.”There are more inhabitants in the City of Nauvoo than there ever has been together before since the people called Mormons began to gather here. The people are very busy in building them houses to live in, the newcomers are building very good houses, mostly brick and frame houses, also the House of the Lord is being built. The House of the Lord is one hundred and twenty feet by eighty-eight feet on the ground, the House of the Lord is built by the tithing of the people, our tithing is one tenth. The City is divided into ten wards, so we work every tenth laboring day on the Temple, there is probably from fifty to seventy people to work every day on the House. We are building a large Hotel, [and] the Hotel is called the Nauvoo House. The Nauvoo House is in an ell and from each ell it is one hundred and twenty feet long by forty feet wide. The Nauvoo House is built by the Church, it is built by selling shares in the House. There are about the same number of hands to work on the Nauvoo House that there is on the Temple. The basement story to each house is nearly built, the walls of the temple are built of stone, the walls of the Nauvoo House are built with brick. There has a Company of men gone up into the north country after pine lumber. Our people are not so much engaged in cultivating the earth in Nauvoo as they are in building up a city,”
NATHAN CALHOUN CHENEY (3rd Great Grandfather) LETTER TO FATHER-IN-LAW ABOUT THE MARTYRDOM OF JOSEPH SMITH – WRITTEN JUNE 28, 1844
Mr. Charles Beebe
Sandusky, Cattaraugus County
New York
Nauvoo City, Illinois
June 28th 1844
“Kind Parents, Brothers, and Sisters in Freedom [New York]: As the day is gloomy and I do not feel like laboring, I think I will sit down and converse with you with the pen. We are all well as to bodily disease, in all probability, before you get this.
“You will hear that our enemies are trying to take our lives. I will inform you that in the fore part of April, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints cut off several people from their church for seeking to kill the Prophet and the Smith Family, together with forgery and making bogus money and gambling.
“… The Prophet knew all they wanted was to get him. He felt delicate about going [to Carthage], but after some reflection went, and Hyrum too. Upon his starting to go he came back three times to bid his family goodbye, but the last time he came back he bid his wife and children farewell. That was last Sunday.
“The Prophet and his guards were within two miles of Carthage. There he met a company going to Nauvoo. He found that the Governor had demanded the government arms that the Nauvoo Legion had. Brother Joseph came back with them and assisted in getting the arms.
“On Monday he went back again. The Marshal and his men were bound over to court, then they came home. Then this gang of murderers got a writ against Joseph and Hyrum for treason. They were taken and put in jail.
“The Governor sent on Wednesday sixty men – he said to guard the mob from the Mormons. These men never went on guard while they were here, but the Mormons were on guard all the time. The Governor and 160 men came to Nauvoo Thursday at 5 o’clock P. M. The Governor made a short and insulting speech to the Mormons, then immediately left with his troops. However, he said he had left a guard at Carthage so that the prisoners would not be hurt. He said that the prisoners would be here Saturday to have their trial.
“I can’t write further at present; my eyes drop on the paper so.
“Again, I commence to give you an account of the bloody murder: While the Governor was in Nauvoo, the mob came upon the jail and fired through the door and shot Hyrum through the head. Brother Joseph ran upstairs. The mob rushed after him. Joseph attempted to jump out of the window. The mob fired him through, and he fell to the ground. The mob ran him through with their bayonets a number of times, and then fired him through a number of times after they had stuck their bayonets through him. This murder you will have to put your own construction on.
“The corpses have just been brought into Nauvoo. The Governor passed through Carthage last night at twelve o’clock and sent a letter to Nauvoo. He said he would do all he could to bring the murderers to justice. He thinks it is the mob of Missouri that did the murder. There were from 100 to 200 men that rushed upon the jail. There was not a prisoner taken by the Governor’s militia mob. I will inform you that the Governor’s militia had bound themselves to destroy the Mormons and had assembled for that purpose before the Governor came out. And after he did come out, they were the Governor’s troops.”
EBENEZER WIGGINS HAD BUTTERMILK WITH THE PROPHET
Ebenezer and his wife, Eleanor, were old settlers of Illinois (there before the Mormons). … He arrived in Illinois before 1832. They settled in Hancock county. Land records indicate that they later owned a very prime piece of property in downtown Nauvoo. They owned a lot on the northeast corner of Main and Parley Street.
Ebenezer was baptized in 1841. His son, William James, one of two twins born in 1835, was baptized 1843. The rest of the family would have joined during this period. They were well born, prosperous people in Illinois, and well known for their kindness to those in need. Debts of the poor were often cancelled, and charity unselfishly given. The Prophet Joseph Smith often called at their home to visit and enjoy a glass of buttermilk with them. Their daughter, Ellener remembered many times sitting upon Joseph’s knee and listening to him talk.
EZRA T CLARK OFTEN HEARD THE PROPHET JOSEPH SPEAK AND GAVE HIM HIS LAST DOLLAR!
When the saints left Missouri to head north, the Clarks located in Iowa. The river and the distance from Nauvoo, however, proved no obstacle to a growing respect that Ezra had for Joseph Smith.
In Iowa, Ezra found companionship in the company of Edward Stevenson and Nathan Porter. Sometimes Ezra would go with Edward and Nathan across the Mississippi River to Nauvoo where they would go to the grove to hear the Prophet Joseph.
”Although it cost some trouble to go over the Mississippi River to Nauvoo, Nathan Porter, E. T. Clark, I, and others made it a point to go and hear the Prophet speak, for he always had something good and cheering for all who loved to hear words of inspiration and deep instruction. I used to be highly repaid for my trips over the river and could feel encouraging to go on with my work which was still hard,” Stevenson wrote of the time.
On still another occasion, Ezra rowed across the river to be at the ceremony laying the cornerstone of the Nauvoo Temple. It was during this occasion that Ezra gave the prophet his last dollar and Joseph would put his hand on the then teen-age boy and told him that his family would be blessed with means and that they would be among the nobility of the earth.
Ezra’s wife, Mary Stevenson Clark, records the impact of the prophet’s death on June 27, 1844. Ezra and Mary, though unmarried at the time, were among the mournful throng that went to meet the entourage bringing the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum. Mary said that such a vast procession of weeping Saints would never be forgotten.
It was the Prophet Joseph’s passing that signaled another major change in the church and the Clark family.
With the church in a state of transition from the loss of its leader, Sidney Rigdon and several others stepped forward to claim the right of leadership. A meeting was called in which Rigdon was given a forum, along with Brigham Young, to talk about the mantle of leadership.
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One of those people who had a similar experience was Ezra Thompson Clark. It was at this meeting that Ezra had an experience that would shape the rest of his life and separate him from the rest of his family. His testimony was recorded just months before he died, to be passed down to his posterity.
“Before I left Nauvoo, I heard the Prophet Joseph say he would give the Saints a key whereby they would never be led away or deceived, and that was: the Lord would never suffer the majority of this people to be led away or deceived by imposters, nor would he allow the records of this Church to fall into the hands of the enemy. I heard Joseph say this, and I also heard him say that he would roll the burden of the Apostleship upon the quorum of the Twelve. I heard Joseph preach many times; heard him, in the last sermon he ever delivered, bear testimony to the truth of the work that God had called him to; also, that the Lord had never suffered him to be slain by his enemies, because his work had not been done, until a short time ago. He had now laid the foundation of this work and rolled the burden of the priesthood upon the Twelve; and, having given them their washings and anointings, they would now bear off this work triumphantly, and it would roll on faster than ever before; and, if the Lord was willing to accept of him, he was willing to go.
“This he spoke to the people. I was one who heard his voice and know that he spoke like an angel from heaven. I never heard him speak with more power than then, and I heard him many times. I was satisfied. I knew him to be a prophet of God. I had heard him prophesy many times, and had seen his prophecies fulfilled, and had also shaken hands with him, and he had blessed me, and I had felt the influence and power of the Lord upon him and upon me, and I have never forgotten that blessing from that day to this, and I never shall. Two days later the Prophet was martyred, and two or three weeks later, when the saints held a conference, and Brigham Young arose as leader of the Church, I want to bear record that he spoke as Joseph used to speak; to all appearances, the same voice, the same gestures, the same stature. I bear this record to all the world, to my children and to my children’s children, and also bear record that this work is God’s work and that it will roll on as it has done from that day to this.
Clark’s reference of speaking as Joseph used to speak, the same voice, would suggest that Ezra too heard the hissing sound that accompanied every S that Joseph used to utter; only this time the sound was coming from Brigham young.
To one as well acquainted with Joseph as Ezra T. Clark, there would be no mistaking his voice and sound and gestures from that of Brigham Young.
But Ezra and Mary and their family remained steadfast to the church. Ezra’s love for the Prophet Joseph was manifest in several ways. He named a son Joseph Smith Clark, after the late prophet and then just months before he passed away, Ezra had his testimony recorded for his immediate family and for those that would follow.
Ezra was there to hear the Prophet Joseph speak through Brigham Young. It is a testimony that has whistled through time.
ELIZABETH STEVENS STEVENSON FILLED WITH PEACE AFTER HEARING JOSEPH SMITH PREACH:
After a brief illness, joseph [her husband] passed away at the age of 45. Now Elizabeth faced the responsibility of both mother and father to their family of seven. Fortunately, they were well provided for. Now, more than ever before, Elizabeth sensed the need for light and wisdom to guide her.
About this time, two Mormon missionaries, Jared Carter and Joseph Wood, came to this neighborhood to bring the gospel message of the Restored Church. The Prophet Joseph and his new Church were creating quite a stir, much curiosity and much opposition.
In a little school house near the Stevenson home Mormonism was first preached in Michigan. Elizabeth was deeply impressed. She investigated and studied. Shortly after, the Prophet Joseph himself, came to Pontiac. Elizabeth listened intently as he explained the principles of Mormonism. Her soul was filed with the spirit of peace. This was the truth and the light for which she was searching. In 1833 Elizabeth was baptized in a little lake on her own property which she permitted the Elders to use. How she wished her Joseph could have shared this experience with her.
The Prophet made frequent visits to this community. He was often a guest in Elizabeth’s home. He became her true friend, as well as her beloved prophet. “How proud we felt, partaking of our hospitality, and explaining the gospel plan to me and my children.”
… Ever on the move, the Saints were never allowed to remain in one place long at a time. Enemies of Mormonism were determined to destroy them. Eventually, they reached Nauvoo. Most of the Saints were destitute. Everyone tried to earn a little. Elizabeth’s two daughters worked in the homes of Gentiles. The Saints had no money to pay for help. Elizabeth was an excellent seamstress, and often sewed for Emma Smith, so again she was associated with the Prophet.”
Elizabeth’s daughter, Mary, wrote in her autobiography, “When we lived in Nauvoo, we often attended conference, also the Fourth of July celebrations. It was always an inspiring sight to see the Prophet Joseph in the parade. His beautiful black horse seemed to keep step with the music of the band. We also witnessed tragedy as we passed through the terrible experience of the assassination of the Prophet and his brother, Hyrum, 27 June 1844. My mother walked the dooryard in lamentation for her dear friend and leader. “
MARY STEVENSON CLARK (Daughter of Mary Stevens Stevenson) A LASTING TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH THE PROPHET:
“We lived in Missouri until the Saints were driven from there to Quincy, Illinois, and from there to Nauvoo. We moved over the Mississippi River to a town called Montrose in Iowa. We lived in a room adjoining Brigham Young’s. From there we moved to a settlement called Clarksville near a town called Charlestown. My brother Edward built a cabin, and we went to work as best we could. My sister and I worked for the gentiles for the Saints were too poor to hire us. My Mother was called upon to take care of the children of Sister Morris Phelps while she and her brother, John W. Clark, went to get her husband and others out of jail in Missouri, and she accomplished it for she was directed by the Spirit of the Lord. Mother took care and was a comfort to her children until they returned to their home.
“My sister Elisabeth and I were baptized when I was 12 years old, in Far West, Missouri by David Patten. I have always been taught to keep the Sabbath Day holy and have a testimony of the Gospel from childhood. That testimony I have heard from the Prophet Joseph Smith and others. It has always stayed with me, and I can truly say that I rejoice in the Gospel of Life and Salvation. It will continually be a joy in this life, also in the world to come if we will be obedient to keep the commandments of the Lord.
My Mother was very handy with a needle and used to help the Prophet’s wife and others of the Authorities, and so she was well acquainted and received much instruction and intelligence.
“When we lived seven miles west of Nauvoo, my husband’s Father (Timothy Baldwin Clark, father of Ezra T. Clark) had a good supply of animals, and we went often to attend Conferences and Fourth of July celebrations in Nauvoo and reviewed the Nauvoo Legion in their marching. It was a beautiful sight to see the Prophet Joseph on his prancing black horse that seemed to keep time with the music of the band. We would sometimes attend meetings in the Grove.
“We witnessed the laying of the cornerstone of the Temple and later attended the Conference held therein and received our Endowments there on New Year’s Day 1846.”
ANNA MARIA ROBINSON VISITED JOSEPH AND EMMA AT THE MANSION HOUSE:
A short sketch of the Life of Anna Maria Robinson who was a daughter of Joseph Lee and Maria Wood Robinson and was born 8 June 1838 in Boonville, New York. She was eight years old when they left Winter Quarters, Nebraska for Utah. They were one year crossing the plains by ox team. She visited many hours at the Mansion House, the home of Prophet Joseph Smith and his wife Emma. She sat on the Prophet’s lap many times.
She remembered how her father [Joseph Lee Robinson] wept, walked the floor, wrung his hands, and in anguish, cried aloud, “What will become of the Saints now that their leaders have been taken from them.” After the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Patriarch Hyrum Smith
JOSEPH LEE ROBINSON TESTIFIES OF THE POWER AND MAJESTY OF JOSEPH SMITH:
The family moved to Nauvoo in the fall of 1841. Joseph recorded the following about meeting the Prophet Joseph Smith: “We have long since believed and known that Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God, but now our eyes do see him, and our ears hear his voice. There is a power and majesty that attends his words that we never before beheld in any other man.”
ZERAH PULSIPHER MOVES TO NAUVOO AT DIRECTION OF THE PROPHET JOSEPH:
“After we had lived in this place near two years, Joseph requested the first Presidents of Seventies to come to Nauvoo; I being one of that number I immediately repaired to Nauvoo and located in its vicinity, made a farm, lived comfortably and assisted in building the Temple. But Missouri mobs were continually seeking the life of Brother Joseph. I think there had been some forty raisings against him without success.
“These mobbers finally came to the conclusion that the law could not reach him, but powder and ball could. Therefore, they organized a mob of about 200 men, put him in Carthage Jail with D. Richards, Hyrum Smith and John Taylor. The mobs came and broke the jail, shot
“Joseph and Hyrum and wounded John Taylor. (This being done it gave us a hard shock and caused much mourning) by shooting four balls into him. The fourth saved his life, striking his watch which was in his vest pocket. After Joseph had fell dead one of the ruffians made a move to take off his head but a singular light shown around him (Joseph) that struck the man with fear. They therefore flew in every direction and disappeared. Our brethren went and brought them home and buried the dead and restored the wounded.
“At this time the mob expected we should rise and give them battle; we thought best not to do it. We just kept still and continued our work on the Temple, finished it and got our end. But at that time most of the 12 were absent on missions. Sidney Rigden, who aspired for the Presidency came and called the church together and presented his claim for the Presidency. But the 12 soon came home and appeared on the stand at the day appointed for choosing. Sidney made his plea. Brigham Young began to speak and at that time I sat with my back towards the stand as did others.
“And when Brigham spoke he spoke with the voice of Joseph, and we turned around to see Brigham speaking in Joseph’s voice and behold Joseph’s mantle had fallen on him. The people understood it in the same way. Brigham stood at the head of the twelve therefore the Church turned to him.
MY OWN TESTIMONY AND WITNESS:
From Kevin V. Hunt
I’ve had a special privilege to become personally acquainted with the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph. For the last six months of my youth mission, I had the unique opportunity of serving in Nauvoo – The City of Joseph. I there felt the power of his spirit, his life and mission, as I walked the streets and lived each day in the beautiful town that he built and loved. I developed a great love for Joseph Smith as I saw firsthand the fruits of his labors and as I taught and testified of him to the many people who came to the visitor’s center and restored homes. From that experience I can testify that he was indeed a Prophet. I know that he was. And that testimony has grown even stronger as I now have returned to Nauvoo as a Senior site guide missionary with my wife – and as I now teach visitors as I did 49 years before. It is a glorious experience.
Having read, studied, pondered and prayed about Joseph Smith, his “First Vision” and subsequent visits from angelic messengers, I (Kevin Hunt) have felt the witness of the Holy Ghost relative to Joseph and the coming forth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our day. I know that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, did in reality come to earth and that they spoke as live and resurrected beings to Joseph Smith – giving him much guidance and instruction for our day. I have come to know that Joseph was indeed called of God and that the Church was restored once again to the earth through him. I know that Joseph became and was a prophet of God. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is indeed the Lord’s only true church here upon the earth. I know that The Book of Mormon is true and contains the fulness of the Lord’s Everlasting Gospel. I am and will forever be grateful for this knowledge and for the truths restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith and because of his visit from God and Christ.
And so, on this, the occasion of the 180th anniversary of the death of Joseph and Hyrum, I rejoice, as did Brigham Young, “that ever I knew the Prophet Joseph Smith.”
It is my hope that indeed, “Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again.”
True to the faith of our fathers … That is what I see in many of our visitors. In my last blog, I noted that we had been blessed with several busloads of youth coming to experience Nauvoo. And they just keep coming in droves. This week we hosted large groups from Indiana, Texas, and Kansas. Two of our grandchildren families are coming here to Nauvoo in coming weeks. Brianna came her ward Girls’ Camp group from O’Fallon, Illinois.
In July Brodey and Lucy are coming with their stake group from Lincoln, Texas. We are in great anticipation of their visits.
So, what is the draw? Why are all of these youth coming to Nauvoo? What is it that brings the youth (and their leaders) here?
I knew the answer, but at the Family Living Cener, I had occasion to talk with a Brother Travis Jacobsen. He was one of the leaders with the five buses of youth who came from one stake in Lewisville, Texas. I asked him, “Why did you bring all of these youth to Nauvoo?”
He said, “We had just experienced a stake boundary shake-up and we wanted the youth to bond to each other. We split them up so that everyone was mixed up (and not by ward boundaries).
Then he got to the real meat of why come to Nauvoo? He said, “And we wanted these high school youth to experience the lives of their ancestors who lived here. We tried to help the youth learn stories of their own people.” He didn’t say it, but we both knew: “We wanted them to feel the Spirit of Nauvoo and to help them gain testimonies of the great people and events of this place.”
MORE THAN A PRETTY PLACE, AND A PLACE FOR GREAT PHOTOS
Nauvoo is a gorgeous place – with its green everywhere. Nauvoo is a fun place to visit. There are so many great things to experience here. Nauvoo is a historical landmark, and it is fun to re-visit the days of the past. There are millions of opportunities for really cool photo ops. There is more than enough activity going on to keep everyone entertained.
Nauvoo is all of that, but so much more!
KEY MESSAGES IN NAUVOO
In all of our tours of the historic homes and shops in Nauvoo, we focus upon four “key messages”. These are:
“Cornerstone of Zion”
Prophetic Leadership”
“Temple City” and
“Covenant Community”.
The foundation laid by the early Saints here in Nauvoo really did lay the cornerstone of all future growth of the Church. Here our ancestors received and strengthened testimonies. They became the foundation – the cornerstone – of faith and fortitude for many generations – that continues even to today.
Here in Nauvoo, stalwart and now heroic people of faith and testimony lived their lives and based their everything around the prophetic leadership of prophets Joseph Smith, and Brigham Young and future prophets, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow.
The whole focus of everyone in Nauvoo was the construction of the Nauvoo Temple – the grand symbol of their religious convictions, their hopes for the future – both now and in eternity with their families. Our ancestors literally gave their all – their total heart and commitment to the Temple. They looked forward with great joy to the opportunity to receive their Temple Endowments, and to be sealed together as couples and as families.
The Temple was completed just days (literally) before their departure for the West. But, even in the rush of wagon making, and other preparations to leave, their greatest desire was to get to the Temple before they departed. They did not know when they would have another temple and they so much wanted the blessings that they knew awaited them in the Temple. They wanted the strength and power that they knew would come through their Temple covenants. It was these covenants that would carry them forward through the long journey west, their settlement of the western communities (from Canada to Mexico and California to Colorado and beyond), and the foundation of faith and legacy that they wanted to pass on to generations of their families.
And “Covenant Community” … Here the people were united in one cause .. and that was to lives dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ and their love for him and his Restored Gospel. Here in Nauvoo, church members 3worked and served together – all for the good of each other and their covenant brothers and sisters in the Gospel. And the other key messages noted above, all came together to bind our great ancestors together and eternally.
OUR ANCESTORS HOPE FOR US
In Nauvoo, we see fulfilment of the scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants wherein the Lord through the angel Moroni (on his first visit to Joseph Smith) said, “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.” (D&C 2:1-2)
Photo of William Coffin Rawson and Eliza Jane Cheney
It is so inspiring to see these many youth groups as they plan for their own times in the Nauvoo Temple. It is evident that these Temple trips are among the greatest of sacred adventures for these young people. It is great that they get to draw close to their own ancestors as they enter the Nauvoo Temple to complete ordinance work for them.
Yes, Nauvoo is the perfect setting for us to be drawn to our ancestors. Truly our hearts are easily turned to them. We are drawn to them, to their lives, their sacrifices as they gave their all for the Kingdom – and the hope of future freedom, joy and eternal family happiness. And they are drawn to us. They want us to know of their love, their hopes and dreams for us. They want us to be “true to the faith” to that cornerstone of Zion that they built for us.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be a part of the staff at a stake youth pioneer trek. It was great to be there with some of my own teenage children.
During this one particular activity, I found myself momentarily without a specific assignment. I found a quiet place to observe and contemplate the grand youth scene before my eyes.
In that reflective moment, I thought of my own pioneer ancestors. It was in that grand moment that I experienced a great personal revelation – given to me of the Holy Ghost. My eyes were opened, and I had a vision – just a flash – ever so briefly – of a similar grand moment then being experienced by those who had gone on before us. In this vision, I quickly saw a throng of thousands of people – whom I came to know were the ancestors of the kids on this trek. I saw them looking on in pride at their cherished sons and daughters – down the line of multiple generations past them. I saw their gratitude and pride in their faithful posterity as they watched the pioneer activities that were meant to draw us to them. It lasted for only a split second, but I knew that they were there.
MY CHALLENGES TO YOUTH IN THE WAINWRIGHT SHOP
One of my favorite places to serve (as a Nauvoo guide) is the wainwright shop – part of the Webb Blacksmith Shop. Often here, I get to teach youth and families about the westward trek of their ancestors. I teach them of the small wagon that was their lives and carried everything they had – to carry them through the pioneer trek of 4-5 months and beyond. I try to inspire the young people of the sacrifices of their own people and ancestors.
And in my final words to each group, (and seeing in their faces, that they have felt the spirit, power of testimony, and gratitude for their own ancestors), I offer an invitation to each group. I invite them to go home and to find the stories of some of their Nauvoo ancestors who made the pioneer trek – and walked that 1,400 miles from Nauvoo to the Great Salt Lake Valley (and beyond).
I say to them, “Here you are five or six generations down the line from these pioneer folks. I want you to think of them and what they did for you. I want you to think of what that means for you and how have their lives impacted yours? And what are you going to do about it as you remember them and what they did for you?” And then I just smile big at them and tell them how great it was to have them here in this special place as I point them to the open back door.
TRUE TO THE FAITH
The words of one of our great hymns comes to mind:
“True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command, soul, heart and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand”. (Hymns – #254, “True to the Faith”.
THESE GUYS REALLY ARE “TRUE TO THE FAITH”?
In my Blog #11, I introduced the amazing young men from Richfield, Utah – who were on my tour of the Browning home and gun shop. I mentioned how impressive the nine of them were – in Nauvoo in their white shirts and ties. I could not say enough good about them.
But wait …! Their story gets even better! After posting the article, I received a response back from one of the guys. (I had given them my card with instructions to let me know if I needed to make any changes, delete the blog information about them, etc.,) This is what the one young man wrote back to me:
“Hey, Elder Hunt … I am one of the young men you posted about in the Browning Building. I just wanted to let you know how special your blog was to us and how in-tune to the Spirit you were. We actually ALL have our mission calls and there are even more of us who weren’t on the tour! There are 12 of us good friends from Richfield and we made this video. Thanks for all you do and sacrifice. Good luck with the rest of your mission!”
(You may need to copy and paste the link to get it to open)
The video says it all … So, here is a full dozen of the greatest youth of the Church. The video was staged at the Manti Temple – located about an hour from their Richfield homes. I am sure that they didn’t go there just for a cool photo op. It is evident that they had all gone there for their Temple endowments (or maybe were returning from a previous such Temple excursion for more …). Anyway, I can just imagine these 12 great young men going to the Temple together.
These Ammonite Warriors are definitely showing that they are “True to the Faith”. How magnificent! I would have loved to have been in that Manti Temple session with those great men and their families who were there to support and cheer them on. And it would be great to follow them into their missions and to see the great things I know they will all accomplish. They will go forward in the strength and faith of their ancestors who will be rooting for them.
FRIENDSHIP AND BROTHERHOOD
The Temple experience was likely not the first such activity for these young Richfield men. They had probably often been there before – to do proxy baptisms for their ancestors. I asked and learned that they are not all in the same ward – but they have been friends and brothers. And without them telling me, I feel that their brotherhood has been building for an extended time. I knew that they have been brothers long before their special “To the Nations” photo op experience. I knew that they had been there at the Temple together before. These guys are not just casual acquaintances. They are true friends and brothers. They are committed to each other. And they are true in all things – to the faith of their fathers, mothers and ancestors. They have developed a special bond in the past – a brotherhood that has probably been going on and building for a long while. Can you picture these guys together in their Aaronic Priesthood gatherings? And going to Seminary, serving together? Can you see them in countless home evenings with strong and faithful parents? I can see all of that in these marvelous men.
What a tremendous thing for these young men to have each other – supporting and helping one another as they now head off to all parts of the world in their coming missionary service. They truly live the concept of “Covenant Community” in their love and brotherhood.
ANOTHER STORY OF THE COVENANT BOND
Our own son Rusty belonged to a group like these Richfield Ammonites when he was a teen in Mesa, Arizona. He was a part of a major brotherhood (of both young men and young women). There were a dozen or more in his group.
They did everything together. They had frequent gatherings, parties, and activities. They delighted in just doing and being good – and in helping each other do the same (part of that “covenant community” spirit). They rotated around to various houses. It was a great thrill when it was our turn to host them, and we loved having them come. They were just all great kids. I think that all of the boys went on missions, and I would guess that they have remained true and faithful in the ensuing years.
My wife and I talked then of how great it would be if every young man and young woman could have such a brotherhood bond and common source of support and strength.
Contrasted with this is our Larissa, the youngest of the nine children. We felt so sad for her. She literally had zero friends. There was no one to hang out with, no one to do activities with. She was stuck with the old folks (us) and that was not too great for her. Sad!
“HOORAH, HOORAH, HOORAH FOR ISRAEL”
And back to these Richfield guys … it is evident that they have had a tremendous and faithful back-support group that helped to make them great … amazing parents who taught them righteous principles, dedicated Priesthood leaders, advisors, and bishops, and seminary teachers. Their greatness was not achieved over night – but has come over a long period of sustained effort. Great job, all of you!
And then to the credit of these young men … they got it! They took it all in and lived it. They just did it – and did it together! Wow!
ANOTHER POWERHOUSE GROUP OF YOUNG MEN FROM OVER THE MOUNTAIN
It has been fully 20 years ago, but these Richfield greats brought back a memory of another such group of Ammonite warriors who come vividly to my mind. These guys were likely ancestral cousins who lived over the mountain from the Richfield guys – in the village of Enoch, Utah.
The day was August 1, 2004. We were on the way home from the funeral for Grandpa Belcher [“The Nauvoo Brickmaker”] In northern Utah.
The funeral was on Saturday morning, and we all needed to be home on Monday for school and jobs.
I later wrote to the Enoch Ward Bishop and told him our story:
“We stopped at chapels in Scipio, Fillmore, and Beaver but had not found a ward with the right timing – a sacrament meeting just ready to begin. We had just about given up on the idea. The family members – nearly filling the family’s 15-passenger van – with my wife, two of our married daughters and their husbands, our two teenage sons and three teen and pre-teen daughters – were kind of travel weary and bored with the idea of stopping at yet another chapel.
“But somehow I knew that we needed to press forward with the idea. I was in a bit of a panic as 11:00 AM was very close and I didn’t think that we could make it on to Cedar City – and be on time for a meeting. I said, “There has got to be a chapel around here where we can attend.” (And I recounted the story of how 25 years ago – when we were on our honeymoon and randomly stopped for a delightful sacrament meeting in the real old chapel also in the City of Enoch.)
“It was then that we saw your country chapel as we whizzed by on the freeway. Like a magnet, our van made the exit and went back north to your chapel. The very pregnant daughter reluctantly got into a dress and the others tried to fix their hair, straighten ties, etc. so that we would be as presentable as possible under the travel circumstances.
“I went inside and confirmed that a meeting was just starting. (I said, “They are singing the opening song. If we hurry, we can sneak in during the prayer and maybe no one will see us.” One of the teenagers said, “Oh, sure, dad!” We paraded in with our crowd of eleven and were grateful that the front rows were vacant and waiting for us. We were glad too, that not too many people seemed to notice our crowd coming in. (Maybe they thought that we were there for the baby blessing held in that meeting.)
“Anyway, we settled into the meeting and the teenagers were silently grumbling that we had to sit through a boring testimony meeting in a place and crowd where we knew no one. But, dutifully, they sat quietly and decided to endure the meeting.
“The meeting was typical. You had a several children and a couple of oldsters – just as in our ward – get up at the beginning of the meeting. To this point, the meeting was fulfilling the low expectations of the teenagers. Then, in the middle of the meeting, four of your Young Men grabbed the attention of all of us with their spirited testimonies.
++“The first young man was impressive. As a Young Men’s President myself, I thought, “It would be great to have a full quorum of young men like him.”
“I don’t remember the order but one after the other, these four boys (presumably all Priests – but one or two could have been Teachers) got up and bore stirring testimonies. One shared feelings of a recent trip to Nauvoo. It was more than just a “fun trip” for him. It was evident that he had been touched by the Spirit of the place – including a remembrance of and gratitude for his pioneer ancestors.
“Another young man talked about a recent birthday and how it was the greatest. We all braced to hear about his big birthday party with a million friends. But, instead, he talked of the privilege of going to the Temple with his grandparents to do baptisms for the dead.
‘Then a young man testified of the spiritual experience that he had just been a part of at EFY. And again, it was not the fun and games that were remembered. (Our 15 year old daughter had just been to EFY and we wondered if they were there the same week. She had shared special spiritual experiences with us about her EFY experience so it was really special to hear this young man likewise testify of how his life had been changed or touched by the experience.)
”A fourth young man bore fervent testimony of the Seminary program and said how he could not wait to start school again so that he could once again enjoy the blessings of Seminary.
“I marveled anew with each new young man and thought about what great young men they were. I thought “Wow! These guys are fabulous. They must really have a great program in this ward.”
“I was greatly touched by the young men, their lessons and their testimonies. I recorded in my journal later about the young men and their effect upon me. But, as the meeting ended, my family took a much needed break in your facilities, and after I talked to Shawn Hunt (father of the blessed baby) and found a family connection (to the dismay of waiting family members) – we again piled into our van – having done our Sunday duty for that travel day. We should have, but we didn’t then, talk about the experience in your ward. It was time to hit the road.
“Seven weeks went by, and I had about forgotten the Enoch experience. Then tonight, the same 11 family members were gathered for a special family home evening. The lesson, by the oldest missionary daughter and her new husband, was wonderful. She had just developed the lesson for a recent Relief Society lesson, and he had made a log and stick fort (surrounding a family home) to go with the lesson. Together they reworked the lesson to fit our own family of teenagers. They focused upon the people of Ammon and the spiritual strength of the 2,000 stripling warriors – and the fortifications that helped to make them successful.
“We talked of what great young men they were and the lessons of their parents. Jackie then got tears in her eyes as she then said, “I saw those same kind of guys when we visited that little town in Utah and went to sacrament meeting there after Grandpa’s funeral.” She then recounted the lessons taught by each of the four young men. I was then amazed as many other family members then expressed how great “they” were. We talked about the testimonies of the four Young Men. Their four subjects were all remembered, and we talked of the young men themselves, their subjects and their testimonies.
“I could not believe it. I have thought that the children were not hearing or remembering anything from your “usual” meetings – let alone from an unknown ward in a little Utah town. And yet, each one of the children recalled memories of that special meeting that we sneaked into and shared with you.
“The evening and our discussion were too great to keep to myself. I felt the need to share that experience with you all and jotted down the inspiration as it came – so that I could act upon it after the home evening. And now, at the hour of 11:00 PM (Arizona Time), I am acting upon that prompting. And across the miles, I am grateful for you and that Sunday in your ward.
“Thanks to you Young Men for being the Stripling Warriors of Enoch. Thanks to you, Bishop (and Young Men leaders), for being their leader – just as Helaman was. Thanks to you parents – both Moms and Dads – for raising such sons. The meeting was evidence that you are all covenant making and keeping people. We felt beyond that one meeting into your lives and hearts – even though we did not know any of you. But, even so, through the power of the Holy Ghost and the brotherhood of the Gospel, we related to you and the lessons that we learned that summer day as we passed through your ward. It is exciting to know that the Church is true wherever we go and that the Spirit can be felt wherever we are. Thanks, again.”
Brother Kevin V. Hunt and family
Now twenty years later, I have often thought of those four great Ammonite Warriors– wondering what became of them after that eventful day shared with them. Now they are all in their mid-thirties and I would like to know the rest of their life stories since that time.
GENERATIONS OF COMMITMENT IN THE MANTI TEMPLE
As I ponder the experiences of my young Richfield friends in the Manti Temple, I am reminded of generations of my own family commitment there.
Let’s start with my 2nd Great Grandfather, Hans Larsen.
The Manti Temple was under construction and Hans was about 77 years old and was living in Fairview, Utah – a little town located about 30 miles north of Manti. He would often get a Priesthood assignment to go work on the Temple.
He lived long before automobiles and he had no horse. He had a little wooden wheelbarrow and would put a blanket and a few tools and supplies in his cart.
He would walk the 30 miles to the Temple. He would work there for a couple of weeks and would then make the walking trip back home. And in a couple of months, he would get another Temple work assignment and he would do it all again. Sadly, Hans died at age 78 in 1884 – four years before the Temple was completed.
OUR KEITH NAMED FOR HANS LARSEN
I have been greatly blessed to have Hans Larsen as my 2nd great grandfather. He exhibited great faith as he came to America after joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his native Denmark. He came as a part of a wagon train west and settled in Sanpete County, Utah.
So great our heritage with Hans, I gave our son, Keith, his name. His middle name is Hansen – meaning in the Danish, literally, “Keith Son of Hans”. This was as Nephi wrote of his sons:
“Behold, my son …I have given unto you the name of our first parents … and this I have done that when you remember your name(s) ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works, and when ye remember their works, ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my son, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them.” (Helaman 5:6-7)
MANTI TEMPLE MARRIAGES AND FAITH
My parents were married in the Manti Temple. My wife and I got married on their 25th anniversary (in the Salt Lake Temple). Then 25 years later, our daughter, Jenae, and Paul, were married on our 25th anniversary. – in the Manti Temple. Paul had nearly died in a very major car accident just a couple of weeks before the planned marriage. He had to have a titanium rod inserted down alongside the whole of his badly fractured femur – and had other serious medical problems. So, on their wedding day, Paul was blessed to even be alive … He found himself walking on double wrist crutches. It took a lot of faith, but they went forward in their faith and their eternal marriage. One of my favorite photos of their wedding day shows Paul at the crest of Temple hill with his arms resting in his crutches and with his legs in the air.
And Paul was one who loved to dance. He was so sad that he was crippled on wedding day. But, with even more faith, he did dance – without the crutches!
WE SHARE A COVENANT MAKING MOMENT WITH A GRANDDAUGHTER
For several years, our daughter, Jenae and her husband and four children have lived in O’Fallon, Illinois (a St. Louis suburb). They are now in the midst of a military move to Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.
The oldest of these four grandchildren is their beautiful daughter, Katelyn. She has just received her mission call and will soon begin service in the Colorado Denver North Mission. She is working this summer at the BYU Aspen Grove family camp to earn money for her mission. And even though working there 1,400 or so miles away, she wanted to return home to receive her Temple endowments in the nearby St. Louis, Missouri Temple.
Such a wish was not really convenient in light of the move this month to Las Vegas. She had already begun working at the BYU Aspen Grove family camp. And this meant yet another flight home to St. Louis. And why did she want so badly to go to the St. Louis Temple? It was because she had previously made many trips to this temple with her ward youth – as well as with her parents. (Sister Hunt and I have even been there a few times with her for these special baptism experiences). And each time, Katelyn has had a handful of name cards that she has researched for her own family members. She has had powerful spiritual experiences and great joy as she has felt that “St. Louis is her home Temple”. What a great thought!
Nauvoo is only about three and a half hours from St. Louis and O’Fallon, so we received special permission from our mission leaders to travel there to join with the family for the Katelyn Temple experience. It was our great privilege to do so. We traveled there late on a Friday night – after our site guide work of the day. We were able to join with her, her parents and her other grandparents in the Temple the next day.
It was a special thrill for us to be in the Temple with Katelyn. And it was beautiful that it worked out for all of us to be there with her. Katelyn looked beautiful in her white clothes, and she looked radiantly happy and content. It was where she needed to be. And with us around her – and likely also with ancestors of both sides, it was truly a wonderful and special occasion.
PREVIOUS TEMPLE BAPTISMS WITH JENAE AND FAMILY IN NAUVOO
Last summer, before we knew that our mission be in Nauvoo, Sister Hunt and I had the great opportunity to go to Nauvoo with Jenae and the family. We had four glorious days together in Nauvoo. It had been a challenge to find a Nauvoo place that we could afford to stay at. And since it was during the time of the Nauvoo Pageant, possible places were “as scarce as hens’ teeth”. Then I remembered that years before, that I had pulled off the beautiful Mississippi road – and had visited a Scout Camp (Camp Eastman). It was then that my 60 years of Boy Scout experience proved very valuable.
I contacted the local Scout council and was able to make arrangements to rent out their lodge for the use of our family as we were in Nauvoo. The lodge was so beautiful and wonderful. It met all of our needs, and more.
Our first agenda items after getting to Nauvoo was a trip to the beautiful Nauvoo Temple. One daughter was too young to be in the Temple with us, but all of the rest of the children were able to be in the Temple with us and their parents. It was a glorious time, and we all had a wonderful experience. (And again, Katelyn had a fistful of family names who needed our work in their behalf.) We had a beautiful experience together.
UNIQUE TEMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR ELDER AND SISTER HUNT IN NAUVOO
We recently received a message from the administrative assistants in our Illinois Historic Sites Mission. We were told that the mission had been given a large number of names of direct ancestors of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Help was solicited to help complete the Temple work for these ancestors. Sister Hunt and I signed up to do work for a couple of people
On a Friday night, we made our visit to the beautiful Nauvoo Temple – located less than a mile from our current mission home. We were first sealed for two couples who had been married about the year 1450. We later went through endowment sessions for others. I personally went through for a brother Thakur Foliot who was born in the year 1130! Amazing! This was a great opportunity and blessing.
After the sessions, I was able to meet an Elder Lee Groberg. He and his wife have been Temple workers and were to leave for home the next morning. I asked him if he knew a Velma Groberg Hunt (my aunt who was married to my dad’s brother). It was his wife who said, “That is Aunt Velma, Lee.” Interesting that we shared the nephew relationship to the same Aunt Velma Hunt.
MEETING AN EXUBERANT YOUNG MAN IN THE LYON DRUG AND VARIETY STORE
Serving in the Lyon Drug Store was great fun for Sister Hunt and me. As we first walked into the place for our first assignment there, we almost heard, “Welcome to Walmart!” (Wait a minute … we were the old folks now … maybe it was our turn to extend the greeting!) This place was truly amazing. It had an inventory of anything and everything. We marveled at the many items and pondered, “How could they have had this technology, and these things way back then?”
We hosted a rather large group at the store. It was a busy time as the “customers” roamed around to check out everything. Such a fun place!
It was hard to manage the whole crowd. I was anxious to sneak a photo of Sister Hunt at the sales counter. I got the desired photo op, and realized that I had a “photo bomber”.
This was a young man of age ten or twelve. I then told the boy that I had found him in my photo at the store counter. I asked him if I could feature him in a coming blog article that I would write – with his photograph. “I said, “I promise not to say your name (a privacy thing). I had to laugh at his response. He said “No, please do!” And so, with his insistence and approval from his mother, I tell of this great young man- named “Carter”. I loved his enthusiasm for life. He, like others I have met in Nauvoo, radiated happiness and strength. (And I wondered who his ancestors were). I don’t know if my Carter friend was old enough to go to the Temple, but having met his mother, I am sure that she would get him there as soon as was age qualified to be there.
Carter’s mother had brought Carter to Nauvoo numerous times before this visit to the Lyon’s Drug Store. She had likely brought Carter to Nauvoo for more than just a routine visit to the local variety store – or for a fun photo-op.. I think he was feeling that Nauvoo Spirit.
A ”TENDER MOMENT” WITH ANOTHER GREAT AMMONITE WARRIOR IN THE MAKING
As tour guides, we meet all kinds of people, and we have wonderful experiences with many of them. We get the opportunity to look into the eyes of hopeful parents who have brought their families – and many of them teenagers – to experience the joy and possible testimony that Nauvoo might bring. They know well, the faith and strength of their ancestors who walked these same streets so long ago. The fire of the covenant burns strongly in the souls of many of these visitors.
On this day, Sister Hunt and I happened to be serving in the home of Apostle Orson Hyde. In our first group there was a young boy, Graden, who said that he was age 10. I liked this amazing boy from our first meeting the day before in another site. It was great to see these folks again. I had previously told this Graden that he looks just like my own very blonde grandson, Caleb. And on this occasion, I pulled up a photo of our Caleb (age 11) and showed it to Graeden. As he saw the photo, he got excited. He said, “He looks exactly like me!” It was a fun moment.
In the Orson Hyde home, we talk about the apostolic calling of Apostles to travel to the nations of the world as ambassadors for Christ. We talked of today’s Apostles who go out and serve and minister in all nations. As we talked of the role of Apostles, we taught Graeden and his family – the parents and his four brothers and a one little sister (also a very cute little blonde lady). We saw that Nauvoo hope and gratitude in the eyes of the parents.
As I introduced the topic of the Apostles, I asked the kids who their favorite Apostle is. The older brothers were kind of vague. Not being able to pin on one particular Apostle, they said, “I like them all.” Not so of Graden. Without hesitation, he quickly said, “I love Elder Neal A. Maxwell.” Wow! This kid certainly took Sister Hunt and me by surprise. Elder Maxwell was truly one of the all-time greatest Apostles, but he had departed the earth fully 20 years ago. How could this 10-year old boy have possibly known about Elder Maxwell. But, he really meant it. We were totally amazed. And we were quick to compliment the parents. It was evident that they have had many Gospel conversations, special home evenings and other great deliberate teaching moments with their children.
Several times through the presentation, this Graden continued to astound us. I was drawn to a similar child who was found in the Temple “both hearing them and asking them questions” (Luke 2:46). And like Joseph and Mary, the more we conversed with this Graden, the more we “were astonished at his understanding and answers”. This boy was truly amazing. (And it was fun to see the very quiet but proud parents as they too, sat in wonder of this special young men, their covenant son. We felt truly honored to be in the presence of this magnificent young man. We knew in our hearts that he will grow to be one of the greatest of Church men – a true leader.
As the family left our tour, I joked with the older brothers. “It must be a bit challenging for you guys to always be in the shadow of this amazing brother of yours!” (They smiled and nodded in agreement. I think that they too had realized his greatness.) I said, “He is like Nephi – full of strength and goodness. I hope that you guys will honor and sustain him – and not be like Nephi’s older brothers who did not want to be taught by their younger brother.”
I wished that I could see the future of this special lad – who looks “exactly like my own Caleb”. And who knows … maybe these handsome twins might end up as mission companions in some future year. They would make quite the team.
THE LEGACY OF FAITH IN OUR PIONEER FOREFATHERS
I have noted the desires and hopes of our pioneer ancestors to receive their own Temple endowments and to make other special covenants of Heavenly Father and Jesus. And I love to hear their stories of Temple fortitude and power. I am drawn to the story of faith and Temple power in the life of my 3rd great grandfather, Thomas Sirls Terry.
In his own words, Thomas said, “I had, in my youth, gone to all kinds of meetings but never before did any preaching come with such force to my understanding as did the remarks of the Mormon Preachers … I was convinced, through their preaching, and on the twelfth day of March, 1842, I was baptized under the hands of Joseph Newton. I was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.” …
“I thought I would see what the world was made of, but yet I had a greater motive to inspire me than all this, and this was that I had joined the Church of the Latter-Day Saints, and I was determined to gather to where the Saints were gathered.”
Thomas was a latecomer to Nauvoo, but he came in time to receive his Temple endowments in the Nauvoo Temple before heading west. Thomas Sirls Terry was later a captain of a hundred in a westward wagon train company. He records:
“When going to bed I heard a rap at my wagon. ‘Oh Captain, my daughter is dead.’ It was Brother James Stevenson; I dressed myself and went to his wagon. His daughter, Lucy, had passed to the other side. She was dead. I sent for Captain John Dustin who was Captain of the second ten. Brother Dustin was a man of great faith. We administered to her, but she did not revive. She did not come back to life. After some time we administered again, but of no use. She still laid in death’s arms.
“I spoke to Brother Dustin and asked him to stay with the family, that I would go out, but would come back soon. I went to my wagon and got my Temple clothes. I went off in the darkness a quarter of a mile, and dressed myself in my Temple clothes. I knelt down and asked my Heavenly Father in the name of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, that if it was His will that the spirit of the young sister return to its body.
“After I had returned I found Sister Lucy still dead, the family were all crying. I said to Brother Dustin, we will administer to her again. We placed our hands upon her head and I asked my Heavenly Father that her spirit might return to its body. Before we took our hands off her head her Spirit returned and she came to life. The time altogether was one hour. She came to the Valley and was married.
“We traveled on next day. Two days after Brother Jessie Murphy was taken very sick with a high fever. We blessed him and the next day he was up driving his team. We continued our journey till we got to Buffalo Creek, about one hundred and sixty miles east of Fort Laramie. Here we had a stampede. It was awful! Yes, it was a fearful thing. Forty wagons and three carriages were all jammed together. There were five who were very badly hurt. In this I was alone, while the Brothers looked after the wagons and teams.
“The first I administered to was Brother Pallard and his wife. I found them both dying on the ground. Sister Pallard was lying as if she were dead; she had been knocked down by the teams. I administered to them; they both got up. The next one was Brother Bratt who was from the South. I found him also very badly hurt. He had been knocked over. I blessed him and he got up and was alright. While I was administering to him I heard a sister call out ‘Oh, Captain Terry, come here.’ It was Sister Mousley. I went to her. Brother Martin Lincy was holding Whihelmina in his arms. When I got to her she had passed away, the blood was running a stream. Her face was cut fearfully her sister was lying by her with an injured spine. She could not get up. I administered to them both; Whihelmina come to, her sister got up. By that time the Brethren had the wagons separated and the camp formed.” (From Autobiography of Thomas Sirls Terry – Available as a “Memory” on FamilySearch)
A LEGACY OF FAITH
Wow! What a legacy we have been given by our faithful ancestors. And the questions are, “How can we be like them? How can we show our gratitude for their faith and sacrifice? What of their lives … What do they mean to us – (and us to them)?” I am so grateful for my own Nauvoo experiences that draw me to my people – and to the Prophets and the gospel that they patterned their lives after. I am strengthened by their testimonies, and their commitment to the Restored Gospel that they espoused. I am so grateful that they were “true to the faith”. I am grateful that they lived and built upon the Nauvoo “cornerstone of Zion”, that through their faith, they were a Temple building and Temple going family, and for the covenants that they have passed on to me and to us. They have given us a great heritage which I now am privileged to be a part of.
“The Faith of our fathers …” And their Nauvoo Spirit lives on inside of me and my family members. It is my hope that we can all “REMEMBER” them and their good works, as Nephi taught his sons. “True to the Faith” … a great motto for each of us.
Okay, confession time. In writing my blog articles, I don’t always write on the day that these great events happen. (But, I have a lot of practice with those 3×5” cards. I’ve got that system down! And my infamous cards have been so much a part of me, that a few years ago at a Mountain Man Rendezvous in Arizona – I was being inducted as a “true mountain man,” at a solemn campfire program, I was given the Mountain Man name of “3×5”.)
With the events of today, I didn’t have enough cards to cover the day. And the day was just too good. I just couldn’t wait. I had to write tonight – even though it was late. So much good in one day! Wow! Miracles, feeling the Spirit, connections, and a whole lot more. All in a day’s work …Where to begin?
SISTER HUNT VISITS HER FAVORITE PLACES
Sister Hunt has got the car trained. It just knows that she wants to go to this one special building – which actually houses two places in one.
One is the sewing room. She loves this place and the ladies therein. She looks for excuses to go there. One of the ladies wanted some scrap strips from the dresses they made for her. They didn’t divulge the plan, but I guess time will tell.
And Lou is literally in “7th Heaven” with the missionary “D.I.” (Deseret Industries Thrift Store). And the fact that the stuff is all free, makes it so much more of a thrill for her. She is always checking out the place to see what new stuff has been donated. And today, she was not disappointed. (We had better be careful or we’ll have to get a U-Haul for future.)
But, I must admit, however, that I did also this time find an item for me. I found a new black cap to add to my costume collection.
GATHERING FOR “HOMES OF THE APOSTLES”
Today we were assigned to a triple home tour. The tour is “Tours of the Apostles”. It includes tours to the Orson Hyde, Heber C. Kimball, and Wilford Woodruff homes. (And a cool thing is that all three of these places are all original buildings that have been here in Nauvoo for 180 years. The Kimball and Woodruff homes are Nauvoo brick, and the Hyde home is one of just sxi surviving wood frame homes.) The tour begins at the Hyde home and then we are to walk with the group two short blocks to the Kimball home, give that tour – and then walk to the Woodruff home. (Sister Hunt was there without me yesterday – as I was playing blacksmith) and she said that she and her companion of the day walked 5 miles by the pedometer. And she was super tired by the end of the day.)
The common denominator for these places is the fact that all of the men were among the earliest members of the Quorum of 12 Apostles – special witnesses of Christ in all the world. Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde were actually original members of the quorum.
We began with a gathering with two YSM’s (Young Sister Missionaries) at the Hyde home. We had prayer together and put together a plan for the day. There was actually a Sister team to be at the Woodruff home all day. One was a character actor who portrayed Phebe Woodruff in the first person. So, that meant that we could have a couple at each of the other two homes.
Sister Hunt and I headed to the Kimball home and the YSM’s remained at Orson Hyde. And we decided to make a switch at mid-day since the sisters needed to be off to another short event at the Visitors’ Center. And then we were off …
Each of the restored homes where we serve has a hidden little hideout room where we can study and relax as we await the next tour. We headed to this room. And the nice thing about these rooms is that they are each equipped with a modern current bush (unlike the rest of the “period” restored home). Sometimes I get a few rare minutes to work on some of my own projects. (The project of today is preparation of a PowerPoint slide show about Nauvoo Brickmaking and the role of Elder E. H. Belcher in keeping alive that art. – including his creation of the modern brickyard and the original and now famous “Nauvoo Brick”.) I got three or four slides completed today before the rush.
At one brief break in the action, Sister Hunt and I had opportunity to do a quick FaceTime video call with our granddaughter, Rosie, on the occasion of her 3rd birthday. Rosie and I have always had a special connection and I admit that she is one of my favorite grandchildren. (I love all 42 but Rosie is just so special.) Leaving Rosie for a year and a half at her young age, was a mission sacrifice that has ripped at my heart. Sister Hunt and I sang “Happy Birthday” to Rosie – as only we can do with our monotone duet. After our rendition, Rosie (so sweet) said, “Thank you”. It was fun to touch base with this family and to hear of their adventures and enjoyment of their new home.
HELPING OTHERS CONNECT WITH THEIR ANCESTORS
SNOW/ASHBY HOME IN NAUVOO (ASHBY ON LEFT SIDE)
Early this morning, I helped some folks find their ancestral home. An Ashby family member came through on a tour and said that their ancestor was Nathaniel Ashby. We talked of the Erastus Snow/Nathaniel Ashby Duplex and how one of the guys was the missionary and the other was his convert. (This is an original remaining structure from the Pioneer era.) These folks had done a drive by and knew of the home – and which side was Ashby.
When I learned what side his ancestor lived on, I said, “Well, you just might be in luck.” (I knew that a missionary couple has lived in the place – and knew that the Lowes – a missionary couple who had lived there – had to go home for medical reasons. I knew that their daughter and grandson were there today – packing up and leaving the home with he Lowe things. I told them of this couple and how their family was there today. I said, “I can’t make any promises, but if you just happened over there, the people might let you tour the home.”
I later talked to the Lowe daughter, and she said that the folks did indeed, come over and got to see the inside of the home. They took videos everywhere and thought this all so great. I was happy how this connection worked out.
THE KIMBALL HOME WAS THE START OF MODERN NAUVOO RESTORATION
DR. J. LEROY KIMBALL – THE NAUVOO RESTORATION VISIONARY
The year 1954 was great – and not just because that was when I hit the earth scene. In that year, Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball was a physician in Salt Lake City. He wanted a retreat from his medical practice. He had had his eye on the Heber C. Kimball home from earlier days of his medical school in Chicago. Anyway, in that year, he purchased the home of Heber – who was his great grandfather.
For six years, Dr. Kimball worked on his new place. By 1960, he had the place restored beautifully. He decided to stage an open house and dedication event before making the place his residence. He asked his uncle Spencer W. Kimball to come to dedicate the house. Dr. Kimball was quite surprised when 1,500 people came to the event. He never got to move into the home.
Then it dawned on Dr. Kimball – that Nauvoo was much bigger than just his family retreat. He realized that with that much interest, he should restore some of Nauvoo for people to visit and to learn of their own ancestors. At his own expense, he began to purchase other old pioneer homes and property in Nauvoo. He purchased the Wilford Woodruff Home and it opened to the public in 1966. He soon formed an organization called Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. (NRI). Soon this became the restoration entity for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the NRI agent, he purchased nearly 1,000 acres “on the flats” (below the hill) in Old Nauvoo. He began a rigorous plan to restore many of the old homes of Old Nauvoo – saving many original buildings and also recreating some buildings that had disappeared over time – and restoring them to their former glory.
Dr. Kimball was indeed the visionary who brought the old town back to life. And we are indebted to him for all that we can experience today.
I SERVED MY “YOUNG MISSION” UNDER DR. KIMBALL
I am sure that by now, you are well aware that I served the last six months of my mission here in Nauvoo (back in 1975 – a hundred years ago). I was then a “site guide” just as I am today. On my tours today, I mentioned the Nauvoo experience of my youth. In the tour of the Kimball home, (at his photo), we talk about Dr. Kimball – so it was natural to deviate a bit – to tell folks that I was here at that time – and that Dr. Kimball was my mission president. And the folks were all amazed and said, “That is so cool!” (And pretty cool that the Lord put all of this together when I received my second call to serve here! I acknowledge Him in this great opportunity.)
I had forgotten this fact, but as I gave a tour this morning, I had a flash of inspiration. It is taught that the Holy Ghost can “bring all things to our remembrance” and that is what He did for me today. I saw a flash back to the former time … I saw in my memory that I was actually given a tour of the Kimball home by J. LeRoy Kimball himself on my first day in Nauvoo. In the flash, I could see him standing there in front of us – wearing his usual hat and holding onto his cane. (And incidentally that cane is still in the home as one of the “artifacts”.) I saw in my mind, him proudly giving us missionaries the tour of he home he had worked so hard to restore.After the tour ended, I went to my digitized copy of my journal of that special day – May 10th, 1975. It said simply:My journal entries of that day were not as beefy as they are today – good but not full of details (especially in retrospect).
I also wrote home to my folks each week. I checked that weekly letter, and it did not mention the Kimball home tour with Dr. Kimball. So, I was grateful today for that flashback from the Spirit.
THE APOSTLES WERE ALL SOME OF THE GREATEST MISSIONARIES EVER
Each of these three Apostles were great missionaries. They went multiple times to serve in Great Britain.
Heber C Kimball was called as the first foreign missionary, and the leader of the rest of the Apostles serving in England. This was in 1837. Heber was called again to serve in 1839 – with Elder Woodruff (who had been recently ordained to the Apostleship).
The missionaries served well, and the Spirit accompanied them. Within just six years, some 4,600 British converts immigrated to Nauvoo. It was estimated that the immigrants made up 25% of the Nauvoo Population.
MISSIONARY SERVICE AND SACRIFICE FOR CHRIST
Heber C. Kimball and his long-time friend, Brigham Young (both original Apostles) were to depart and serve together in 1839 (just sixteen months after Heber returned from the first mission). Both were deathly sick with malaria. It was all that the two men could do to head off – since both of their families were also deathly sick.
Heber said of his mission, “It was with difficulty we got into the wagon and started down the hill about ten rods. It appeared to me as though my very inmost parts would melt within me, leaving my family in such a condition, as it were almost in the arms of death. It seemed to me as though I could not endure it.”
Heber also said, “I took my life in my hands and went forth: I could say I had left all for Christ and for the Gospel”
A SURPRISE BECAME A SACRED AND WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL
One of our tour groups of the day included a full dozen young people – and their Bennion “Ma and Pa” – all a part of a Church History tour. They were from Huntington, Utah. And they came in two full busses and a couple of vans.
I had shared the above information with the group. And after sharing the line of Heber’s feelings about the mission, I looked around and said to the group, “Could you guys make that sacrifice for Christ?” I asked the group if any of them might be “RM’s (returned missionaries) but was told that these were all youth – so I called them “Preemies”). The leader pointed to Boston Huntington (and it was obvious by his name that his family had been around Huntington for a while). She said, “Boston here will receive his mission call soon.” I focused for a moment upon Boston and asked about his coming mission call. He said that he had no idea when the call might come. He didn’t act as if it was eminent.
I then proceeded to tell the youth about the departure of Heber and Brigham (retelling a story that has become legendary in the Church). As they were in the wagon, and were so sick that they could hardly go forward, I told the group of how Heber said to Brigham, “This is pretty tough, aint it?” and on that occasion, the men rose up and swinging their hats, three times over their heads, says Heber, we cried, “hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Israel”.
I did the same thing for these young people. I swung my hat and said, “Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah for Israel”. The Spirit was strong.
And at that moment, we all got a surprise. Boston’s phone beeped. He looked down and saw that he had been given notice from the Church Missionary Deparment that his mission call was available for his viewing. Wow! How amazing and wonderful! We all basked in the greatness of the moment. There was some pressure for Boston to open the call, but Sister Hunt and I spoke from experience (having sent off 7 of our own missionary children) and said, “You have to wait to share the moment with your parents – or they would never forgive you.” (He later reported that he had texted his mom and they agreed that he will open the call on Friday after his return home.)
As the group headed for the Woodruff home, I congratulated Boston. His head was still spinning with what had just happened. He said, “I can’t believe it. This was so cool to get that notice in the Heber’s home.”
A FELLOW BROTHER WITH A SUTH’N MISSION EXPERIENCE
As I talked to the youth in the Kimball home, I noted that I had served my youth mission in Alabam, Flawda, and Jawja before being sent to Nauvoo on special assignment my last six months.
After the tour, a brother who had been on the tour came to me and said that he too, had served down Sawth – in South Carolina. We talked of how we both had to learn a new language for our missions.
My mind was drawn to my own patriarchal blessing received in my youth. In a paragraph about missionary service, it said I “would go to a foreign people and would learn their customs and ways.” On that occasion, my mother said, “Well, those folks are about as foreign as you can get.” I reminded her of that statement 25 years later when she received her own call to serve in Alabama. What goes around, comes around, I guess.
As the brother departed, I said, “Ya’ll come back now, Heah?” We both laughed … So true! That is what everyone said “down Sawth” – even as they kicked you off of their porches.
Then just a few minutes later when I had a few moments to catch my breath, I checked in on the family “WhatsApp” program to see what was happening with my large extended family. At that moment, our daughter, Kaylea, and family were traveling through Florida (returning from an extended vacation in the many “bigger than life” attractions in and around Orlando. (A rough life, but I guess someone had to do it!)
Kaylea posted a photo of a billboard they saw as they passed through my former Suth’n stompin’ grounds.
Seeing the photo made my day! With the photo, Kaylea wrote to her siblings: “Just drove by this sign. I could hear Dad saying it in that voice he’d use when he’d say it. Ha, Ha!”
SPECIAL YOUTH AT THE HYDE HOME
By our prior arrangement, Sister Hunt and I went back to the Hyde home so that the YSM’s could go do their assignment. And then we switched. We would remain in the Hyde home, and they would manage the Kimball home the rest of the afternoon.
We got a group who wanted to go to the Kimball home and after our part in the Hyde home, we walked them over to the Kimball home.
As we returned to the Hyde home, we found another “Ma and Pa” group (wearing a different T-shirt color) out front waiting for us to return. They were lined up in front of the Hyde home against the fence. That was such a beautiful picture – just waiting for the photo to be taken. I asked he group if I could take their photo and after the initial shock, they said that I could. They also said that I could blog about the photo. (and I later gave Brother Jensen, their leader, one of our mission cards and said that if any of the youth had a problem with me sharing their photo, to tell me and I would remove it.)
We brought the youth inside and told them about how Elder Hyde had – at the direction of Joseph Smith – gone to Jerusalem and had dedicated Israel for the gathering of Israel – and specifically, the return of the Jewish people to that chosen area. We told them that it was Orson Hyde who formally dedicated the Nauvoo Temple (May 1, 1846) – two months after the main body of the Saints had departed the town.
After the tour, I was talking to the “Pa” – a Brother Jensen. I said, “It seems as if you guys, and your group have had quite an experience here.” He shook his head around – as if dizzy – and said, “Yes … it has been like drinking from a fire hose.”
As I walked with the group, I asked the kids, “What has been the best thing you have done here in Nauvoo. A couple of kids immediately said, “Doing baptisms at the Temple”. (The Temple is always closed on Mondays, but the Temple leaders opened it up yesterday just for these youth!) That made my heart thump a bit.
It was appropriate for these Huntington youth to perform baptisms in the Nauvoo Temple since it was here in Nauvoo that the Prophet Joseph first revealed the doctrine and opportunity for worthy members to perform proxy baptisms for their deceased ancestors in the Temple.
Here in Nauvoo, Joseph received revelation relative to Baptism for the Dead. “On August 15, 1840, … Joseph Smith preached a sermon at the funeral for Seymour Brunson. Noticing a woman in attendance who had lost her son before he could be baptized, Joseph revealed that the Saints could now act for their friends who had departed this life” by being baptized in their behalf.” (“Baptism for the Dead” Gospel Study”) Later, in January 1841, Joseph received a revelation that baptisms for the dead were intended to be performed in temples. “For this ordinance belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me …” (D&C 124:30)
BIRTHDAY RECONNECT WITH A NAUVOO MISSIONARY COMPANION
ELDERS SHALTES AND HUNT 1975
When in Nauvoo, way back then, I was companions with Elder Craig Shaltes of Sacramento, California. We lived in the same “Red Barn” home. We did a lot together on the mission. We cooked together, we traveled together, we took a lot of photos together. We have been bac k to Nauvoo two times together since our mission . We have shared some really great times together through the years.
June 4th is Craig’s birthday, so I was able to connect with him on the phone for a short time. We were able to reminisce about especial times and memories shared. He has been reading my mission blogs and he has been able to relate to much of what I have written.
ANOTHER MIRACLE STAGED BY THE LORD
It was getting late in the afternoon. I was inside the Hyde home and looked out of the window toward the restored log cabin home of William Field. This place is “kitty corner” from the Hyde home. The place has kind of a unique wooden door knob. I saw a family outside looking at this cabin – hoping that they might get to go inside. (The place is supposed to be unlocked during tour times – for “self-guided tours”.) Seeing them about to depart, I went out and called to them (like a voice from heaven) and said that they could go in – and gave them instructions on how to work the unique door knob. They tried it again without success and I told them that I would come over to assist them.
I got the site key and headed over there. I was not prepared for the experience awaiting me.
There is the tradition (and it is detailed on the plaque on the outside of the cabin) of Mary Field Garner, daughter of William and Mary Harding) and who was the last remaining person alive who had known the Prophet Joseph Smith. And coincidentally, Sister Hunt had just taken a photo of this plaque a few minutes before, and we had read it and talked about it together.
We learned that Mary was known as “the last leaf” (so named by the church Historian office) – because of her being the final living connection to the Prophet Joseph. We had also heard of this Mary – because she is quoted on one of the plaques posted along the “Trail of Hope” on Parley Street.
In talking with the family (dad, mom and six children) I learned that the wife/mother was an actual descendant of Mary Field. And how cool was that?
Having a key to the kingdom, I was able to let the family into the cabin for a look around. They looked on in great awe and wonder. They had been to the home before but had not ever been able to see inside. We talked of the great miracle of how I had been directed over to them and what a special moment this was for them – and for me. We all rejoiced in the miracle for the family.
I then listened – again in great awe, as this mother taught her own children the family heritage of their ancestor and as her husband did a video of her presentation to the children. She proceeded to tell them how Mary Harding Field (the mother of young Mary) had been a widow – having recently lost her husband and two daughters to a dread disease.
THE MARY FIELD GARNER STORY AND TESTIMONY
Mary Field Garner was born in Herefordshire, England in 1836. Her family joined the church after hearing Elder Wilford Woodruff preach. They were baptized in 1840 and soon moved to the United States and Nauvoo. This mother taught her children that Mary had met Joseph Smith. She noted that Mary had long red, curly hair (just as one of her sons had the red hair).
Young Mary, age 8, attended the funeral of Joseph Smith after he was martyred.
We talked about Mary being present in the “West Grove” for many key events. I gave the family instructions on how to go to the grove. Sister Healy, the mother in our current scene, told her children how Mary (then age 8) was present in the grove when Brigham was transfigured to appear and speak as Joseph Smith. She taught her children that the mother Mary Harding was holding a baby in her lap. He was playing with a cup there in the grove. He dropped the cup and Mother Field stooped pick it up and when she arose up, she looked at the speaker and he had taken on the mantle of Joseph Smith. She saw and heard Brigham as Joseph. So there was no doubt in the minds of the Saints as to who would be their next president.” (Source: mchangroverheritage.wordpress.com)
Mary Field Garner (the last leaf daughter) herself wrote of her life and times in Nauvoo: “Here we lived in peace and happiness under the leadership and guidance of he Prophet Joseph Smith. Here he stood at the head of this dispensation, … We were very glad to attend church and listen to the Prophet Joseph and other leading brethren teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us. We marveled at the Joseph’s superior intelligence of he Gospel and he simple way he could explain it unto the Saints, so that the most unlearned member could know and understand the truth.”
As the “last leaf on the tree,” she was the last person in the Church to give her testimony of the truth, who was personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith. “Toward the end of her life she bore this testimony: “It is said I am the only living witness to have actually seen and known the Prophet Joseph Smith, and I want to bear my testimony to the world and especially to every Latter-day Saint to the truthfulness of the Gospel as revealed through the Prophet Joseph, that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind, that Joseph Smith was a true and living prophet of God, that he was divinely called of God to establish his true Gospel on this earth in the last dispensation. (Source: mchangroverheritage.wordpress.com)
A MOTHER TEACHES HER CHILDREN OF THEIR ANCESTRAL HERITAGE
Sister Healy taught her children that Mother Mary had five children to provide for and was pregnant with another son who would be born four months later. We talked of how Mother Mary (Harding) was one of the “poorest of the poor” and had not been able to afford to leave with the main group of departing saints. In September 1846, a mob of about 1,000 marched through town, forcing them to leave. The family went across the river to Montrose, Iowa. They witnessed the “miracle of the quail” and with the quail, had enough food to eat.
The mob actually allowed the poor family to return to Nauvoo. They were still here when mobsters set fire to he Temple. She saw the beloved Temple on fire. This was in 1848. (The fire weakened the temple – with the guts burned out. Then in 1850, a tornado went through and took down most of the back end of the Temple. And with no support, the front tower ultimately tumbled and folks came from miles around and took away some of the Temple stones and used them in other projects – still evident today.)
Sister Healy taught her children about Mother Mary “having bread ready to bake when they were forced to leave, so she hung it on the wagon and baked it after they crossed the river.” (Same source as above.)
Wow! What a story … and how tender to watch Sister Healy share this special story with her children. We all felt a special joy in this moment that we had shared together.
THE FAMILY SEEKS NAUVOO ANCESTORS
Brother Healy told me how he and his family had been focusing in Nauvoo about learning of their own ancestors who were here. I asked him who else they were related to in Nauvoo. He then said, “Simeon A. Dunn”. I chuckled as he said this. I asked, “Were you able to see his home here?” He said, “We drove by his house and got some photos.”
I said, “Well, this gets better … and you are not going to believe this. My wife and I live in the Simeon Dunn home, and we can let you in to see it.” Brother Healy was totally dumbfounded. We were all kind of in shock. The family was delighted. I told them that my service at the Orson Hyde home would end at 5:00 PM and shortly thereafter, they could come to our home (located on the same street as the Field Cabin – but south a couple of blocks).
DUNN PROGENY VISIT THEIR DUNN ANCESTOR’S HOME
Shortly after Sister Hunt and I got home, the Healy family came to our door. We welcomed them into our home – as caretakers of their ancestor’s home.
The Dunn home is an original home from the pioneer era. The exterior of the building was restored a few years ago and it looks wonderful outside. The inside, however, is not original – but is a modern apartment made over to house Nauvoo missionary couples. We showed them our modern living room, small kitchen, and the upstairs bedroom.
I then took the family downstairs into the cellar. I showed them evidence of the original limestone fireplace. I then said, “Okay, are you ready for this?” I opened the latch of the exit up to the grassy world above. I invited the son (about age 8) to push up on the exterior doors. Following my directions, he was able to push the doors upward and out to rest on the wood uprights. The family was delighted. The kids were excited as they made their exit up the limestone stairs (shown in a previous blog with our bikes). Of course, Dad was quick to take some more photos of the activity.
THE DUNN FAMILY LOG OF DESCENDANTS
I then brought the family inside and showed them a special treasure. This is a log book in which Dunn family descendants have signed their names – since 1982 – as they have visited their ancestral home. There are pages and pages of individual lines of progeny – some showing their contact information – and some showing a long string of “greats” as they tried to explain their ancestral link.
I sat the book on the table and turned to the last entry in the book – made just a couple weeks earlier when we were visited by yet another family connection. I got out my pen and invited even the smallest of children to log their own names. I had to laugh at one young child as she said, “Our mom can’t sign the book because this was not her ancestor.” Her husband, however, wanted his wife listed with him and the six (of their 10) children.
Mom Healy continued to share with me their family stories. She said that Grandma Mary Field Garner had lived to age 107 and died in 1943. She said that there was a treasured family photo of her own grandfather shown in a photo with his great grandmother Mary Field Garner – that was taken in 1940. Later Sister Healy forwarded the classic photo to me to include here in this blog article.
Wow! We were all in awe as we thought in amazement and gratitude of the events of the past couple of hours. We knew that the Lord had orchestrated some special miracles in our behalf.
This photo made me think of a similar photo that I have with my mother and her own pioneer grandmother, Else Marie Pedersen Larsen. Mom was about six years old, and her grandmother was ninety-ish. I enjoy telling folks that my grandmother – truly with only one “great” – was a pioneer from Denmark at age 8. (My grandpa Larsen was age 53 when my mother was born – so that is how we get to the pioneer era so quickly. Else was born in 1846 and Grandpa Henry Larsen was born in 1879. I cherish that special photo of Mom and Elsie – my own special pioneer link.
Alura Larsen with grandmother, Elsie Larsen, Anna Larsen, Boyd (brother to Alura)
THE DAY KEEPS GOING WITH EVEN MORE SPECIAL EVENTS
Each week on Tuesday nights, our mission leaders stage a training for the 200 plus missionaries serving here. And so, after hosting our special company, Sister Hunt and I headed off to the meeting.
It was announced that 19 new Young Sister Missionaries (YSM’s) would arrive this Thursday. This is in addition to the 50 already here. We are kind of short-handed on site missionaries, so these ladies will be a great boost in helping to cover all of our bases.
First on the program was a great “dog and pony show” staged by Elder Davies and his team. They had a lot of energy as they invited all of us to participate in various way in the upcoming Nauvoo and British pageants. They taught us how to “stand resolutely” as a part of the cast of one of the pageants. Wow! This all sounds so fun and exciting. (July 9 to August 3rd … I can’t wait!)
We then heard testimony of a Brother Gary Boatright – via a “larger than life” video of him talking right to us from the Salt Lake City Historian’s office. His assigned topic of the evening was the Prophet Joseph Smith. He testified boldly. He said, “Joseph was “A man” … but he was also a “man called of God”. He said, “Yes, I am a follower of Joseph Smtih and the foundation he built. Joseph fulfilled the mandate of Christ as his Prophet.” He noted that after the Liberty Jail experience, Joseph KNEW without a doubt that he was indeed the Lord’s prophet. He said that Joseph was the man God called to reveal the mind of the lord to the Saints of the latter days.”
Brother Gary reminded us as missionaries, that we have also been called by a Prophet to be in Nauvoo at this special time because the Lord wants each of us to be here.”
“HOORAH, HOORAH, HOORAH, FOR ISRAEL”
When I was a young missionary, we had a few traditions that we followed as missionaries finished their service in Nauvoo and were to head home. One was a tie cutting ceremony.
I remember my own tie cutting ceremony. I tricked Brother Holliday who was conducting the solemn ceremony. I wrapped my tie twice around my neck. I wore a V-necked sweater, and the tied tie tip was just barely covered by the V-neck. And when Brother Holliday pulled it out for the cutting, the whole crowd burst into laughter as he felt pretty silly. I loved the moment. The other missionaries departing at the same time also got their ties snipped but their snipping was not as good as mine.
And then we all held hands (figuratively) and together and emotionally sang, “Old Nauvoo” – to the tune of Edelweiss. This reminded me of being at Scout camp at a final campfire program wherein we held hands and sang “Kumbaya” together. This was always a tear-jerking experience – and our “Old Nauvoo” singing was more of same.
Until tonight (June 4th) I was unaware of the current send-off tradition. After the training – as noted above, we all gathered out in the lobby of the visitors’ center. There were four departing couples. The mission president Mehr and his wife each ceremoniously hugged each of the departing missionaries.
One of the departees was my 3rd Cousin, Sister Thomas. We have enjoyed the whole “cousin” relationship. And her husband, Kim, has been our zone leader for our Heber Zone.
Then all of the missionaries formed a great horseshoe and with great gusto we raised and swung our hands in a circle (we were not in costume so none of us had our hats on) and we shouted the words, “Hoorah, Hoorah, Hoorah for Israel!”. Wow! What a moment. This was pretty powerful.
And then three of the four couples (the Lowes had flown home for an event – so they never go their last Hoorah.) All of the rest of us other missionaries also kind of lined up. Then all of the missionaries filed by them all and gave a multitude of hugs. I wondered how the folks survived all of that squeezing. We sang, “God be With You ‘Til we Meet Again.” Wow! Talk about heart-rending. It was a special and emotional time for the departees but also for the rest of us.
AND THEN “ALONG CAME JONES” …
This event is not spiritually drenched, but it was humorous as we heard it in first person by Elder Jones himself – after the above situation. Sister Hunt and I have felt a special connection with Elder and Sister Jones ever since we were together at the MTC. And it seems that Elder Jones always has an interesting tale to tell. Last week it was his kidney stones.
Today, his adventures continued. Knowing that he was to be assigned to labor at the dirty Blacksmith Shop, he and his wife had gone shopping at a thrift store (not our own mission DI shop). He “invested” in some cheap pants that he could get dirty at the forge. All went well until he made a visit to the lav and the “new” pants literally “blew a gasket” and burst the whole zipper out. He was caught “up a creek without a paddle” – as he was there for the day, and he had no car to go home for a change. (His wife had dropped him off at the beginning of the day.) Luckily, he was able to don a blacksmith’s apron that covered his now open condition. And under that cover – hiding his “open book”, he spent the rest of the day under the apron and feeling kind of vulnerable and foolish. Too bad his wife was not around. She has made enough aprons to outfit a whole army. Anyway, it made for a funny story which two or three of us couples enjoyed. Moral: “I guess you get what you pay for!”
THE EXCITEMENT CONTINUED AT HOME
Although it was late when we got home for the evening – our son, Rusty asked if we were still up. With all of my projects, it is a good thing that senior couples have more flexibility in their bedtimes than our young counterparts. (I could never get everything done, otherwise.) I assured Rusty that we were still up and would for a while. We staged a video call with the family for almost an hour. The kids were both anxious to share with us all of the awards and certificates that they were given in end-of-school recognition events. It was a bit sad that we missed those times – being on our mission. In the course of their lives, we have missed only a few such recognition ceremonies. Another of those mission sacrifices. Thank heaven for modern technology that still allows us to be with them. s to feel close – even though we are far apart.
POWERHOUSE YOUNG MEN VISIT NAUVOO
The day of June 4th – of which I have been writing, seemed to merge into the next day as the writing continued. I will thus include an incident that happened the next day as if It were in a single day. It is too good to wait, and I don’t want to lose it in the 3×5” cards.
Anyway, on this day, Sister Hunt and I found ourselves at the Jonathan Browning home and gunsmith shop. We were so busy that day. We took through about 400 people – with the help of one YSM couple. We were all on a fast-track mode rotating with rapid speed through the home – only to get back to the beginning in time to rush into the next tour. I hardly saw Sister Hunt all day – as we each took separate tours (usually we are together).
Our visitors of the day included a convoy of six full buses of youth from Texas around Dallas Ft. Worth, another Texas group of about 200 kids, a group from Sevier County, Utah, one from Las Vegas, and another from around Richfield, Utah. Wow! Talk about an invasion of great young people. They were all truly amazing.
I came out from the gate from my previous tour and straight ahead of me was a glorious sight. I stood with awe and amazement. It was a photo just waiting to be taken – nine great young men – all with trimmed hair, white shirts and ties. And that’s was another WOW. I asked these young men if I could take their photo and use it in a blog. They thought that was okay. They were a part of the Richfield group, and they were awaiting a guide for a Browning tour (and that was to be me!)
These guys were a powerhouse of goodness, strength and power. In seeing them, I was reminded of the scripture in Alma 53 (verses 19 to 21):
“And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity, but behold, this was not all – they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before Him.”
These magnificent young men were all of that and more. It just radiated in their faces and in their whole demeanor.
I could see these guys all entering the MTC together. Wow! What a source of current and future strength.
WOW … WHAT A DAY!
Can you believe that all of this happened in just one day? It was truly a wonderful day, and we very much felt the Spirit of God with us and knew He was directing our paths. It is amazing what the Lord can do – creating such miracles as we let Him act in our lives and as He stages these people and experiences on behalf of us and those around us.
I retired for the night way too late, but truly grateful to the Lord for this special and wonderful day. (All in a missionary day’s work!) Instead of writing this article, I should have been journal writing – but at least this writing can mostly substitute as a journal entry.
Since Sister Hunt and I have come to Nauvoo, we have had some special times at Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store, as well as at his Homestead and Mansion House – and other places.
March 5, 2024 proved to be a historic day that most of us had not anticipated. It was a glorious day. In a surprise announcement The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ together posted the news. On that date, all of the Joseph Smith properties in Nauvoo transferred from the latter to the former.
The Community of Christ Church (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ) is to be commended for their years of dedicated care of the Joseph Smith properties and we can be grateful for their service and management. Without their foresight and able management, these places would not be available to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the way that they are today.
The transaction included transfer of the Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House, the Nauvoo House, Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store, the Sidney Rigdon Home, as well as Nauvoo’s “First Hotel”, the Jonathan Wright, William Marks and Aaron Johnson homes. Tours under the new leadership began on March 25 – just three weeks later. Since that time, many people have come in droves to see the new sites.
It was exciting for Sister Hunt and I to see the timing of our mission call. We (or I) had been frustrated with some delays in the call process. But after we received our call to serve in Historic Nauvoo, it all made sense. We arrived in Nauvoo just three weeks after the property transfer. And how exciting is that? And additionally, I was called to be the “site coordinator” for these properties. It was all very wonderful.
Since our arrival, we have had a several opportunities to serve as guides at the Homestead and Mansion House (one tour) and Joseph’s Red Brick Store. Our guests have been so excited to see these new places.
For those who do not know, Joseph fund a ready-made log home when he came to Nauvoo in 1839. What is called the “Homestead” cabin was built about 1823 by a James White – who was a Mississippi River fur trader. Joseph bought this home in 1839. He made two additional additions to the Homestead – first in 1840 and again in 1842. He and Emma moved to the Mansion House in 1843. The Homestead was the headquarters of the Church until 1842 when Joseph opened his Red Brick Store.
The Red Brick Store was a special and sacred place. Joseph said of his upstairs office, Here “I kept my sacred writings, translated ancient records, and received revelations.”
In the Store, Joseph recorded Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants. He translated and published the ancient Book of Abraham (in the local “Times and Seasons” newspaper), organized the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, gave the first Temple endowments, and transferred Priesthood keys on to the 12 Apostles. So, the store was a very significant and sacred place in church history. (And it still is!) Pretty amazing and breath-taking in its scope.
THE JOHN WENTWORTH LETTER
John Wentworth was a Chicago newspaper publisher. He wrote to Joseph Smith asking what “The Mormons” believed. From his Red Brick Store, Joseph wrote back to Mr. Wentworth with 13 statements of our beliefs. We, of course, know them today as the “13 Articles of Faith”.
In our tour, we talk about the “Articles” and if there are children in the group, we invite them to share their favorite Article. They usually do better than the adults. It has been fun to watch the children recite them. On one occasion, three siblings stood together and sang a couple of the Article of Faith songs. So great!
We also talk about the “Standard of Truth”. This was also a part of the Wentworth letter. We also invite people young and old to recite this great standard and prophesy of missionary work going forth to the world. Many men and women have previously served missions and often recited the Standard at zone and other conferences. Often the folks can remember this from their missionary days. Even if they don’t recite it aloud, we can often see them mouthing the words along with us. (And The Standard is not just pretty words … it is Joseph’s prophesy about how missionary work will fill the whole earth. And as we look at what has happened since Joseph’s time – and everywhere in the world today, we see the exciting fulfilment of that special prophesy.)
One moment with The Standard was particularly memorable. I asked if anyone knew it and two teen brothers (about ages 13 and 16) stood flanking me and together they (and I) recited with great gusto:
”The Standard of Truth has been erected: no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”
Those boys were truly amazing! And talk about proud parents … (and it was the parents who had taught them the Standard so they were really proud that their efforts may have taken root a bit with the boys).
Whenever we have teens come in, and as we talk of “The Standard”, I try to get them to imagine themselves on their missions and standing as a mission or zone and reciting that together “with gusto”. I hope I have enlarged their visions a bit.
A TOUR DELAY PROVIDES AN UNPLANNED AFTERNOON CONCERT
The Red Brick Store has two parts – the downstairs and the “upper room”. Typically, there are two sets of missionaries serving at the Store together. One pair of missionaries can be downstairs with one group – while the other pair can be upstairs with another.
On this one occasion, there was a lady on the tour ahead of us. She was unable to climb the stairs, so the other pair of missionaries kept her downstairs to share with her the upstairs tour. This left Sister Hunt and I outside and waiting with a group for the folks ahead of us to finish up. A group of about 15 people gathered with us out there on the Red Brick steps and surrounds. So as to not get even further behind with the tours, I opted to gather the group and begin the first floor tour outside.
I had just gotten started when the sound of music rent the air. We looked up and coming toward us was the “Nauvoo Brass Band” doing their band thing in their very own carriage. And seeing us gathered outside, they had the teamster pull to a stop. They gave us our very own private concert right then and there. Talk about fabulous! And the energy of those folks … they were literally dancing and bobbing as they played their instruments. Amazing doesn’t adequately describe the scene. Maybe it should be “spectacular”.
It is so great having the band on the streets of Nauvoo. They give such an exciting and upbeat burst of energy with every stop that they make. And they give a couple of concerts each day – in the “park” (grassy area) in front of the Print Shop – and elsewhere. Such a fun missionary assignment!
A UNIQUE MEETING WITH 12 UNUSUAL BROTHERS
We never know who we will have on our tours. This one group really caught us by surprise. We looked outside and saw them coming. They came in three cars, and they piled out and moved en masse toward us. I wondered what had hit us! Here was a throng of very handsome “brothers” – all with dark hair and looking amazing and wonderful. They were so impressive. As I greeted them, we did the “where are you from thing” to get to know the folks.
They announced that they were a religious seminary group and that they were from Toronto, Canada. They said that they were touring all over to learn about other churches. I said, “That is great! What other churches have you already been to?” I had to laugh at their answer. They said, “We went to Palmyra and then to Kirtland!”
As noted, the guys said that they were from Toronto, Canada. I knew however, that they were not native to Toronto. The Spirit told me that they were from the country of Pakistan. I asked them if they were Pakistani and they admitted that they are. I told them that I love Pakistani people.
I felt such a connection to these guys. They looked so fabulous as they sat with us in the Red Brick Store. My heart and soul went out to these guys. I thought they must be royal princes of the best of Abraham. Not sure if they come from Abraham but when I mentioned him, they acted as if they claim him as their father.
These guys were sincerely interested in everything. One sage seemed a bit skeptical of things, but the other guys seemed to be loving everything that they heard. They were soaking it in.
It is hard to describe the feelings that I felt in the presence of these guys. They seemed like such great men.
After the tour, I was shaking hands with a couple of the guys – and one in particular. Sister Hunt put out her hand to shake and the man politely said that he could not shake hands – (a cultural thing for him). But, he crossed his arms over his chest – over his heart toward her and said, “Thank you so much!”
I took the group over to the cemetery that contains the graves of Joseph, Hyrum and Emma Smith and others. One guy noticed my bolo tie and wanted to know what this was. He really liked my explanation – that it has no significance to anything but that I like t collect them – and that they are kind of my “signature thing”.
The men were in awe and reverence. I then took them over to where the Joseph Smith homestead tour begins. There were sister missionaries there to greet them. I asked the men if it was okay for the ladies to take them on the tour and they said that it was.
I was kind of overcome with the Spirit after the special time I had just shared with all of these men of power and strength. Wow! I noted a special connection with one brother. He seemed really into the message and had listened and watched me intently as I presented new truths to him. I could tell that he was really feeling the Spirit in a good way. As I said farewell to this group, I shook hands with this one guy and as I did so, I said, “It was so great to have you here, brother.” He looked at me, and in a very natural way, we pulled each other into a great hug. Then, to my surprise, the long line of men behind him also wanted a hug from me.
One guy wanted to take a moment to teach me how to say “Hello” or “good day” in his native language – possibly Urdu? He had me say the words and then he had me practice them. Sad to say, my grasp of the “gift of tongues” was not that strong at that moment – but it was a fun bonding time.
And then they were off … I was still kind of choked up when I returned to the Red Brick Store and greeted my next group.
GREETED BY HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS, WE BECAME FAST FRIENDS
There is nothing like home made cinnamon rolls to help “make new friends and influence people” (as my friend “Sam” Carnegie would say. My wife honed in on that art many years ago – and she has been working her charm with them ever since (just like my own mother and grandmother before her).
It was late on a Sunday afternoon, and we were at the Joseph and Emma Homestead and Mansion House. Sister Hunt and other missionaries assigned there that afternoon were outside of the Bidamon Stable just visiting and basking in the beauty and wonder of the world around us – and feeling the influence of Joseph and Emma with us. This was as we had a few and rare moments between tours. (Actually, part of the team were giving tours.)
We were approached by a young family bearing gifts. Our mouths began to water – even before they got to us. Cinnamon rolls just seem to have a special aura around them. No one knew who these folks were, but they quickly caught our attention as we eyed the plates in their hands. I went over to greet them, and we became fast friends. They said that these cinnamon rolls had not sold in their restaurant and by their tradition, they were bringing them to share with missionaries. How grateful we were to be the recipients. Wow! I shared the goods with the other missionaries and we were all agog with the delectables before us.
MEET THE SQUIRE FAMILY OF DOWNTOWN NAUVOO …
We were greeted by Dad, Jordan, and Mom, Morgan Squire and three of their six children. Each one offered us a plate. Wow! You can come to our place any time, folks!
My wife and I enjoyed visiting with the Squire family. They shared with us their story (and with their permission, I share it here with ya’ll). They said that they operate the “Red Front” café or restaurant located in metropolitan downtown Nauvoo. We had already been to their place several times but had never met the visionaries behind the counter.
We were in awe and amazement as they shared with us their story. It was amazing, and inspiring …)
About five years ago, I guess they had been to Nauvoo on a family trip. And they had purchased a possible bed and breakfast location – here – just as an investment. They returned home to Salt Lake City, Utah.
Within a short time, the wife/mother kept having recurring spiritual promptings that they should move to Nauvoo to start a restaurant – and that they should do it NOW. She was stunned. They had no previous plans of doing such a thing. And further, they had never operated a restaurant. But, the thought and impressions kept coming. She could not get them to go away. The feelings pressed down on her and she could not shake them. She went to her husband and told him about her feelings. She thought and hoped he would say, “That is really a dumb idea” and would talk her out of it. Not so! He said, “Well, if the Lord has told you to do this, then we better go for it.” She was then in a state of shock … and it was time to act.
This situation reminded Lou and me of a similar occasion for us. We were living in Santa Barbara, California, where we had lived for two years. I had recently left the employ of the Boy Scouts of America. I had been a professional Scouter – for seven years but a change was a necessity. We were out of a job and had no money. We were just getting started on a trip to Utah. We were speeding along on the freeway east of Ventura, California on Highway #126 – heading east on our way up to Utah to see Lou’s folks and family for a short time.
As we were thus on the freeway – going through the lovely orange orchards, I suddenly turned to my wife and said, “You are going to think that I am crazy, but I just got the feeling that we are supposed to move to this town.” (And we didn’t know anyone there – nor had we ever been there). She surprised me as she said, “No, I don’t think you are crazy … I just got the same feeling!” Wow!
We made our trip to Utah and returned to our home in Santa Barbara and within a few days, moved 50 miles away to the town of Santa Paula, California. That move proved to be a wonderful blessing in our lives in many ways. (Three more children joined the four – and we had some wonderful friends – the Lazenby’s and others.) We were grateful that we heeded the workings of the Spirit with us. We remained in Santa Paula for five years before returning home to Arizona.
Anyway, back to the Squire family … Being united in the cause, they made the decision to move “right now” to Nauvoo. They began to make preparations to move. And they were surprised when a neighbor a few doors down from them came over to talk. The neighbor said, “God told us that we are supposed to buy your house.”
Sister Jordan objected and said, “But you have a house .. why would you want to buy our house?” The neighbor was just as surprised as were the Squire family – but acted on the inspiration. Soon the purchase was made. The Squire family packed up and headed off for Nauvoo in the moving van. They quickly found a Nauvoo home to live in, and within a month or so, they suddenly found themselves living in the little village of Nauvoo, Illinois (now bursting at the seams with about 1,000 people). And within a ridiculously short period of time – like within a month, they were moved in and had their new restaurant/café open for business. And they have been here doing business ever since. They do not know fully why the Lord directed them here, but trusting in Him, they have had success and great experiences here. (And our mission President says that this same feeling can be shared by many of the business owners of Nauvoo. He said that “there is a gathering here … and people are being told to come here– and they don’t know why. They just go for it and do it.”
This spirit reminds me of the scripture that was my family favorite as I was growing up: Proverbs 3:5-6 which states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Even through several bouts of unemployment and lingering uncertainty, we have gone forward in faith. That has been the modus operandi for our whole lives. And it seems to be working! And we now express our gratitude for the Lord’s bounties unto us. He has always provided us with “sufficient for our needs”.
A PLUG FOR THE LOCAL “RED FRONT” RESTAURANT
Okay, so there are not many options for eating in Nauvoo. We surely do not have a monopoly on eating establishments. But, that is not the only reason why I tout the Red Front restaurant or café here in downtown Nauvoo. They seriously, they have amazing food (and decent prices). We have loved it each time that we have gone there – and with every menu item we have tried.
Our favorite menu item is their ice cream “bricks”. Maybe it is just the Belcher Brick in our blood, but we really love this kind of brick. It comes in a plastic box about 4” square. And the ice cream brick inside – nearly fills up the box. They always have their mainstay of greet mint chocolate chip – to which Sister Hunt is addicted – but often have other exotic flavors – like French Silk, Lemon Raspberry, brownie dough, and more. And the crust on each one is truly amazing. We often feel a pull on the vehicle steering wheel nudging us to go there at nights. Sometimes we will share one brick. Oher times, we will each get our own favorite brick (depending upon flavors available). Occasionally, we will each eat our full brick, and sometimes, we each get our brick, eat part of it there, and then bring home half of it to freeze for another happy time.
When people ask for our food recommendations, we always are quick to sing the praises of The Red Front – owned and operated by Jordan and Morgan Squire. They are only open to 8:00 PM, however (later than most places in town … since most “roll up their sidewalks” earlier) so you’ll have to hurry … but they are sure worth going there. So, “Hats off, Squire family!”
AND A SIDENOTE ABOUT NAUVOO SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES
Anticipating Mother’s Day and Sister Hunt’s birthday (I think), our son, Rusty, asked what stores we have in Nauvoo. He was, indeed, quite shocked when we told him emphatically, “Dollar General”. That is seriously the Walmart of old Nauvoo. He never ordered from there … I guess the place did not meet his hopes or expectations.
ANOTHER UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER WITH THE SQUIRES
One day, Sister Hunt and I found ourselves serving (literally) in the restored “Scovil Bakery”. We were visited by the Sister missionary who coordinates the “cookies” for the bakery. She said that she would not be there, but said that a lady would be bringing in a large collection of cookies. She gave us instructions for getting them into large freezer boxes (there’s that “large” word again) located down in the limestone cellar of the place. She said that we would be visited by Jordan Squire with a large batch of the famous and now traditional Scovil Bakery molasses cookies. She said, “Large” but we learned a new meaning of the word that morning.
Baker Squire showed up as promised. We learned what “large” means. On that morning, she literally brought in about 4,000 cookies. Yes, that’s right!
For many years, the modern Scovill Bakery used to actually make these famous molasses cookies (in the native “bustle oven” of the place – so named because of the bustle on a woman’s posterior – that sticks out in the back) and would give them out to visitors. They became “legendary” and people came for the tour just so that they could get another of those pioneer delectables.
We learned that the “large” meant being innovative in how to get the five or six “large” crates of cookies downstairs. All stairs in Nauvoo are notoriously treacherous in their steepness, but the Scovil stairs redefine the word and description. One can hardly call them “stairs”. It is more like one of those old-fashioned fire station poles. Jordan just kept bringing the boxes from her car and I would carry them to the launching point for the so-called stairs. Lou would perch herself (literally and precariously) on one or two of the “steps” to receive the packed boxes. Probably not the best alternative, she would slide the boxes down to the cellar below. And then she would transfer the box contents into the two waiting freezer boxes. She would return up the pole (an interesting feat, in itself) with the empty box and I would return it to Jordan. Even with the challenges, we soon got all of the boxes downstairs, unloaded, and passed back up to me for Jordan.
Jordan told us the “Nauvoo” had contracted with her Red Front company to create some 50,000 cookies that were projected to be needed through the summer for the onslaught of visitors whom we hoped would come. The cookies are small … you could not make a meal of them … but they are at least a bite of that old-fashioned molasses goodness. And another engineering challenge is that they are all individually packaged in their own little plastic bag. 50,000! Wow. That really defines “large”. She said that the cookies were “all hands on deck” for her family. Talk about home evening activities … that was certainly one for everyone to be a part of. They probably wished that all six children had six or more hands each for the task at hand. And the poor kids are probably watching cookies being created, baked, and bagged, all through the night –every night. But, “progress is being made”, said Morgan. “The end is in sight! This makes about 41,000 cookies in the freezers below!” Wow!
After she left, I began to check out the system by which the cookies made it to the packed freezers. I decided that we were not being very smart. Even though this building is a restored structure, it still has the characteristic old limestone basement – and a cellar door going up out of it. And Voila! (Remember my blog about our bike riding?) Well, that was the case with this place, also. One needed only to unlatch the door down cellar, and pull the outside doors up and over. We could have easily saved ourself (and especially Sister Hunt) a lot of grief if we had used our noggins a bit more creatively. I later mentioned this option to the “Sister Cookie Coordinator” and she tried to fathom that scenario. I am not sure she was a believer, but she should be! It would sure be easier for those coming 10,000 more cookies!
Well, there you have it! Life in Nauvoo just keeps getting better and better. I think we will stick around a while! (And maybe get some more of those cinnamon rolls and molasses cookies…!)
In case you haven’t been to Old Nauvoo in a while, maybe it is time you came! I have personally noticed a lot of Restoration going on – especially the Restoration in Nauvoo from 1975 to 2024.
And first, I apologize for the space between the last blog article and this one. Actually, however, I have not been idle. I have actually been working on this blog for 50 years!
I have had the unique opportunity and blessing to experience historic Nauvoo at various times and in several different circumstances through the years.
My first Nauvoo experience happened in 1975 when I was serving on my “young mission”. I served in Nauvoo for the final 6 months of that mission. I loved the experience. It was truly wonderful and exciting in every way. I served then as a site guide in the eight restored homes.
My wife and I brought the nine children to Nauvoo and were cast members two different summers in the “City of Joseph” musical production. We found other opportunities to come to Nauvoo for many other excursions.
Then in 2024, my wife and I were assigned to Nauvoo for an 18-month “Senior Mission” for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And once again, we are historic site guides – just as I was in 1975. This time, there are over 30 restored homes and shops and we rotate through most of them.
During both missionary assignments, I have taken a multitude of photographs of many of the historic restored homes in Old Nauvoo. Being somewhat of a historian, this has been a great adventure! In this book/slide show, I am able to compare the homes as they existed in 1975 – and as they are now in 2024 – 49 years later. (Where did that time go? I couldn’t possibly be that old!)
When in Nauvoo as a young missionary, I maintained daily journal entries for each day of the mission. I also wrote extensive letters home to the folks each week. In an effort to add a bit of variety to the photos, I have included entries from that 1975 era (from the journals and letters) to show actual activities that I participated in at that time.
This has been a major effort and I hope that you will enjoy the PowerePoint presentation. The show really tells the story of Restoration here in Nauvoo.
Here is the link. (And you might want to copy and paste the link into your browser.) Look at the top of the PowerPoint presentation. ) Once you click on the presentation, look for the word “View” at the top. Then click on “Slide Show”. You will probably also want to click on “View” once more and then “Zoom”. Enlarge the view to 100% (or more if you are my age!). And then you are off and running! Sit back and enjoy the ride.
And you know by now, that I don’t let moss grow under my feet. (But in humid Nauvoo, that might be a trick!)
I have already also published the book or slide show on my lulu.com site where I publish my books. With this link, you can order your own full-color book. (Color costs a bit more … but it is truly worth it!) The book will be a very quality book that you can put on your coffee table (without the coffee) and enjoy for years!
On the Nauvoo Trail 