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Homecoming Messages from the Nauvoo Experience

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Blog #69

By Kevin V. Hunt

Well we are officially home from our mission. It has been a bit of a shock transitioning. We have spent days trying to get unpacked and settled back into our house – while also having a multitude of our family here with us. An adventure, for sure.

It was interesting that it took eight days after our arrival home to officially get released from the mission. Our stake got a new stake presidency the weekend after our return and they were obviously rather busy. We ultimately met with the new President.

This blog does not come in true chronological order (as I would desire) so there will ultimately be other blog articles that should be inserted here … but anyway …

Here are the homecoming talks that we presented in our Pacana Park Ward sacrament meeting on October 26th. We dressed in our Nauvoo pioneer costumes just for added effect.

This is what Sister Hunt said:

MISSION HOMECOMING TALK PRESENTED BY SISTER LOU HUNT IN THE PACANA PARK WARD ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2025

Good afternoon.  I’m happy to be with you today. it’s good to see so many  friends and family here. We were privileged to serve in the Nauvoo Illinois mission. Actually, the mission was called the Illinois Historic Sites Mission and it included Nauvoo and Carthage.

Above: The Nauvoo costumes worn at their mission homecoming sacrament meeting October 26, 2025

The Pioneer outfit that I’m wearing today was our missionary attire, which we wore every day, except if we were serving in the Visitors’ Center and wore Sunday dress or at the Brickyard where we wore work clothes as we created 150 bricks each time that we served there.

We had to learn 28 tours of homes and shops of the Pioneer Saints that lived in Nauvoo during 1839 to 1847. The Lucy Mack Smith home was our second home to give tours in our first week.   She is, of course, the mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  My parents served in this exact home 45 years earlier. They served for 2 and ½ years, retelling the Lucy Mack Smith story.

The first tour I gave in this home I was overcome with emotions and could not speak. Finally, my husband, Elder Hunt, stepped in and said, “I think I know why my wife can’t speak, her parents served here 45 years ago.” Elder Hunt ended up giving most of the tour.

Elder E.H. and Sister Verna Belcher serving their mission in the Lucy Mack Smith home in Nauvoo (1979 to 1981)

Above: Sister Verna Belcher as Lucy Mack Smith

Above: Sister Lou Hunt posing as her mother, Verna Belcher, 45 years before.

It was pouring rain that day and we had 2 separate groups each made up of 5 Mission Presidents and their wives. They were in Nauvoo to receive training.  They were wet from the rain and dressed in their nice Sunday clothes. Talk about feeling a little intimidated, I was!  I began sharing  the story of Lucy Mack Smith and was crying as I told her story and read her testimony. 

Lucy dedicated her life to remembering and honoring her sons Joseph and Hyrum. Just a few months after they were killed, she began working on a history of her family to stand as a testimony of Joseph’s prophetic calling. quoting her she said,

“…I shall leave the world to judge concerning what I have written as seemeth them good. But this much I will say, that the testimony which I have given, is true; and will stand for ever. And the same will be my testimony in the day of God Almighty…” {End of quote).

I apologized more than once for being overcome with emotion. One of the Mission Presidents thanked me for the spirit that he felt as I told Lucy’s story.  I thought to myself this is going to be a long day if I cry through every tour.

The restored homes and shops testify of the Saints that lived in them and of their faith in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Take for example the story of George C. Riser that we shared at the Riser Boot Shop.   Before he joined the church he said, “Up to this time I had many entreaties to join the various religious sects, but I did not understand that they were right.  My mind was not satisfied and I made up my mind to travel the world over to learn what I could & try and fill an aching void in my mind.”

Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou (on P-day) with grandsons at the Riser Boot Shop in Nauvoo

George Riser had a shoe shop in Ohio. He hired an apprentice to help in his shop.  Ebenezer Kerr was a Mormon but George said of him, “He was not as good of a Mormon as he was a shoe maker.”  Nevertheless Ebenezer became the means by which George eventually moved to Nauvoo and joined the church.

After hearing about the persecution of the church in Missouri, Riser was integrated enough to investigate further, he sold his business and relocated to Nauvoo where he heard the prophet Joseph Smith preach, convincing him of the truthfulness of the gospel.  He was also influenced by a miraculous healing of his young child, John, by the Prophet, George and his wife Christiana were baptized, cutting a hole in the frozen Mississippi river on December 12, 1842.

Above: George Riser (Nauvoo Pioneer) Photo

Can you imagine the faith of the Riser’s strong conviction in the Lord Jesus Christ to be baptized in the icy Mississippi river. What faith!

Telling and retelling the stories of these faithful Saints has strengthened my own testimony  The Saints were pushed out of their homes in Kirtland, Missouri, and Nauvoo. Such faith to keep pushing forward.   I tried to imagine if I could have kept going forward in the faith of the Gospel with so much persecution.

We had the privilege being a part of a reenactment of the Exodus of the Saints last February in the bitter cold, walking through town and following the Trail of Hope where the Saints left to go west into the unknown future – making their way across the frozen Mississippi river. When we arrived at the river it was frozen just as it was for the Saints in 1846.  I tried to imagine what it must have felt like. 

Above: Elder and Sister Hunt at frozen Mississippi River at Parley Street Crossing – February 1, 2025

The Saints were given a list of needed supplies to take on their trip west.  This was called the “Bill of Particulars”.   The list called for a wagon to be full of supplies – things like 1000 pounds of flour, 200 pounds of sugar, 1 bushel of beans, 20 pounds of soap, seeds to plant gardens, cooking utensils, pots, pans, etc..

The pioneer wagons were pulled by 2 or more oxen weighting 2000 pounds each and the weight of the wagon over-flowing with all needed supplies. Would I have the faith that the ice would hold as we crossed? I tried to imagine getting to the other side and wondering if I could ever get warm again. The Saints had such un-wavering faith to push forward. This experience strengthened my faith. The Saints did hard things and I also know I can do hard things, as I dedicate my life to the Lord and His restored Gospel. My trials seemed nothing compared to the early Saints.

The men were sent on missions to England and other faraway places. Many of the men were gone for 3 years. Leaving their wives and children to manage without them. Brigham Young held meetings in the 70’s Hall and from the pulpit he would call upon multitudes of men to serve missions without much notice.

We had 70 young Sisters serving in Nauvoo. I felt honored to witness the young Sisters getting called to a 6 month outbound mission from the same 70’s Hall. From outside the Hall we could hear the Sisters screaming with excitement to go and serve in whatever state they were called.  This was so great to see their excitement to serve.

Above: Nauvoo 70’s Hall – scene of “Outbound Mission Calls” for Young Sister Missionaries

There are many things to tell about Nauvoo. The “Nauvoo miracles”, as we called them happened daily. The following is one of them.

Our mission President, President  and Sister Mehr, whom we loved dearly – approached us last May 2024 – soon after our arrival in Nauvoo. They told us the church was going to change the design of the souvenir brick. They knew my father, Elder E. H. Belcher had created the first design and they wanted us to have the opportunity to create the next brick design and to carry on the family legacy.  My husband and I went to work taking pictures of the Temple and the statues located across the street from the Temple of Joseph and Hyrum riding horseback.

My daughter Kaylea and her husband JD helped us create 9 designs on the computer for the new brick. Our son Keith is an engineer. He was able to take the Temple design which the church finally picked, and put it into a CAD file that enabled the company in Quincy, to create the mold for the new brick. On March 9th, 2025 – on my Dad’s Birthday – we pulled the first new Temple brick out of the kiln. It was a miracle how it all came together.

Just about 2 weeks before finishing our mission the new Temple brick was made available to Nauvoo guests. We were so excited!  I feel honored that I was able to carry on my Mom and Dad’s legacy. God knows where we need to be!  President Mehr said “It was no accident that you were called to serve in Nauvoo at this time.”

Above: Sister Lou Hunt cleaning Nauvoo Mansion House of Joseph and Emma Smith

One of our mission tasks was to be the coordinators of the newly acquired Joseph Smith properties.  I felt honored to clean the homes of Joseph and Emma Smith each week during the winter months. I felt their spirits as I imagined Emma cooking over her fireplace. I imagined Joseph and Emma saying their last goodbyes as Joseph  headed to Carthage to be killed by mobs. Joseph Smith was a martyr who sealed his testimony with his own blood. He was a Prophet of God that I know to be true.  My testimony has been strengthened as we learned about the Saints and their sacrifices.  I feel honored for being given the privilege to serve in Nauvoo.  

Above: Elder and Sister Hunt at Nauvoo Temple

We loved going to the temple almost weekly. The temple is a beacon on the hill and can be seen from virtually every point in lower Nauvoo. It is the most amazing Temple!   I stood in constant amazement of this magnificent building – especially for that time period – and wondered how they could have created it.

Nauvoo is a special place with a special spirit. Everyone should take the opportunity to visit.  Another Nauvoo miracle for us was having our children come to visit Nauvoo as we were there.

The summer before our mission, we went to Nauvoo for several days with our daughter Jenae – then of St. Louis. 

After many beautiful experiences together, she said, “You guys have to get all of “the siblings” to Nauvoo.”  She suggested that we should somehow arrange trips with each of them and us over the next few years.”  We did not then know that we would be called a few months later to Nauvoo.

Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt in Nauvoo 2023 – Where we set a goal to get all of our children to Nauvoo with us

I feel grateful that my children and grandchildren took the opportunity to experience the spirit of Nauvoo. It was a blessing to be with them.  They now have a better understanding of the Saints and their sacrifices.  We had a family gathering yesterday and the family shared their experiences they felt in Nauvoo.  They each felt the spirit of their ancestors and of the Saints who lived in Nauvoo.  They also felt the power of the Restoration of the Gospel and of Joseph Smith as the Prophet of God.

My own testimony …

“NAUVOO MISSION EXPERIENCES AND MEMORIES”

By Kevin V. Hunt

MISSION HOMECOMING TALK PRESENTED IN THE PACANA PARK WARD SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2025

Greetings!  This is a grand experience to be here with you in our home ward.  It is a great blessing to have been able to serve a mission in Nauvoo and now to return home for a season.

Above: The gathered family of Kevin and Lou Hunt (19 posterity not pictured)

It is amazing and wonderful to be joined today by so many of our friends and family who have come to be with us.  Thank you for your support.  I felt each day that we were serving for our children and grandchildren.  We really did serve for them – for you – and I think that they felt special feelings and blessings because of our service.  We also felt of their support each day.  It was amazing to know and feel the power and faith of all of our children and grandchildren whom we knew were praying for us in their own family and personal prayers each day.  There is strength in family and God heard and answered your prayers.   He did bless us and we felt Him in our lives with you each day. Thank you!

As we met with Bishop Scoresby after our mission we talked of this meeting gathering today.  He said, “I don’t care what you talk about … just so that it is Christ-centered.”

Everyone whom we met in Nauvoo talked of the “special spirit” that is there.  It is real.  It is everywhere.  It is so special.  Even people not of our faith could feel it.  Many people commented on the Nauvoo Spirit.  That Nauvoo Spirit really was Jesus Christ and the entire Godhead strongly present and guiding everything that happened.  God the Father and Jesus Christ guided us and all of our guests – putting us together in special circumstances so that we could touch the hearts of those who came.   We rejoiced in the “Nauvoo Miracles” as we called them.  We experienced these miracles continuously and almost every day as we served.   We were able to share the Light of Christ with many people.  We know that Jesus Christ was with us.  We felt His presence as He and They directed the affairs and personalized faith promoting experiences that became the Nauvoo Miracles for us and all who came to be with us.  The Lord definitely brought us together with our guests.

As we were soon to depart the mission, our Mission President, President Daniel S. Mehr (who by the way with his wife was fabulous) had us stand in our Sunday meeting.  He talked of Sister Hunt and me and how the Lord had brought us specifically to Nauvoo at this time.  He noted that it was God who orchestrated everything for us – and for the benefit of others.  He mentioned how I had served for many months in Nauvoo as a part of my original youth mission.  And here I was back again … I mean how many missionaries get to return to serve again in their old mission.  Wow!  And this time with my own companion.  It was a great honor and blessing to serve together with her.  We made a good team – having God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost with us.

President Mehr also mentioned the Nauvoo heritage of Sister Hunt through her father, the Nauvoo Brickmaker.  He said that she was brought to Nauvoo to carry on the Belcher family heritage through the development of the new Nauvoo Temple Brick.  President Mehr said that our God loves to orchestrate such amazing and beautiful circumstances for the blessing of  us and all of His children.

Serving a mission in Nauvoo was the greatest possible missionary experience.  Everyone wants to go on a mission to Nauvoo.  We did not specify or request on our initial application a desire to serve in Nauvoo.    We were willing to serve anywhere and for as long as might be needed.  As I departed for the mission I spoke at this pulpit about my own mother and step-father.  They thought that they had all of the t’s crossed and I’s dotted to go to Nauvoo and they got called instead to teach institute in the bush of Toowoomba, Australia.  So, we serve where we are needed and called.  It soon became evident to us that  God knew us specifically and wanted us in Nauvoo.  He knew that we had talents and abilities that He could use to bless the lives of others.

I had been in Alabama, Flawda and Jawja but was called on special assignment with 20 other young Elders to Nauvoo.  I spent the last six months of my mission there.  Wow!  What a tremendous blessing.  Having previously served in Nauvoo “50 Years ago” (1975) was a blessing to me and our guests every day.  I was able to speak with the Spirit of the past and the current moment – bringing both together for the benefit of our guests.

I felt strongly the power of the Holy Ghost each and every day and knew that He was guiding and inspiring me through His divine guidance and as I received specific revelation on many projects that we were able to create together.  I received this revelation that guided my use of numerous Spiritual Gifts given to me of the Spirit.  I felt His guidance, power and strength as I wrote blog articles and many history books about Nauvoo and shared them with others.  I know that I was guided to write for the benefit of others.  I felt that I was an instrument in His hands through the Gifts that He gave to me.  I wrote way beyond my own capacities and I gratefully acknowledge Him in His direction.   What author – no matter how good they are can alone write 70 historic blogs and 20 full books in an 18-month period?  The Holy Ghost definitely guided my pen and my computer writing and I am thankful that I could become greater than myself through Him.

One of my first Nauvoo experiences with the Holy Ghost is very memorable.

As we were driving from the Utah MTC to Nauvoo, we received an e-mail message that gave us instruction that we were to serve in the Lucy Mack Smith home.  Seriously?  We thought that we would serve our full mission there (just as Lou’s parents did for two and a half years back in 1979-1981).   Elder and Sister Belcher did not get moved to other sites.  We thought this might be the case with us. We later learned that as “Site Missionaries” we would need to know all of the 28 tours of the Nauvoo’s historic homes and shops and that we would be moved around through them.  In every week, we served in six different homes and had to know the messages for each.

Anyway, for our first day and tours, we had prepared to teach about Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith.  We studied and felt that we were prepared to teach for her and her home.

Then came our first day to serve in the site.  We were excited and anxious for the opportunity.  And then at the last minute, we received a surprise call.  We were not to serve that day at the Lucy Mack Smith home, but instead, were to serve at the Jonathan Browning home and gun shop with Elder and Sister Turner.  We had been given no guidance, or shadow training by anyone.  (And I note that the system is now much better.  Each arriving missionary is given shadow guidance and training for several days before giving their own tours).  Such was not the case with us.  We were given nothing except the “Site Guide” and the Spirit. 

We reported for duty with no real advance preparation, practice or knowledge of Jonathan Browning and we had just a few minutes with the Turners.  They were soon off together with our first tour group of the day.  They were about half-way through their tour when another big group of guests came in the front door wanting a tour.  The Turners kind of went into a panic – trying to figure out what to do and how to handle both groups.

I surprised them as I said, “No worries … I’ve got this!”  They got this really shocked look on their faces, showing, “Yeah, how is that possible?” but they let me go for it.

Anyway, it was then that the Spirit took over.  The Browning home was one of the eight tours that I knew and presented as a young missionary.  And in that moment, that entire tour of 50 years ago was brought back to my remembrance by the Spirit.  The words flowed into my mind and I was able to present the whole tour.  (The 1975 and 2024 tours were almost identical per the scripts.)   It was an amazing miracle for me (and the Turners) and for our guests – though they did not know “the rest of the story”.  I acknowledged with gratitude the power of the Holy Ghost on that special occasion. Wow!

Above: Jonathan Browning – Gun Inventor

And speaking of Jonathan Browning …  he was very accomplished as an inventor and gunsmith.  Many guests came for his tour not realizing that this great man was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was special to share with them what Jonathan himself said:  “The greatest accomplishment of my life was joining the Church and having my posterity active and participating in it.”  I also enjoyed sharing with guests one of Browning’s life themes.  Even on his guns, he put a plate which said, “Holiness to the Lord … our Preservation” (from the Old Testament scripture in the book of Zephaniah).  And it was so much a part of his life that he put it on a gun no less … our preservation!

I often told people that I was doing exactly the same thing in 1975 as I now was doing in 2024 and 2025.  “I was then and now am a site missionary.”  I said that “we then had 8 home tours and now we have 28.”  I quipped that “the only difference was that back then I wore a white shirt and tie and I now wear (or wore) pioneer costumes every day.”  I loved the costume look and being able to more fully portray the lives of those faithful pioneers.

Above: Elders Craig Shaltes and Kevin Hunt in Nauvoo 1975

When a young buck missionary, I went around and took photos of all of the historic homes of Nauvoo.  I made an effort then to learn as much as possible about the homes that were still standing (a hundred and thirty years later). When I returned to Nauvoo in 2024, I did the same thing.  I returned to each of these places and again took photos. 

Above: Home of William Weeks Architect of the Nauvoo Temple – photo taken 1975

Above: Home of William Weeks as shown in 2025 after previous restoration

I was able to publish a book showing and comparing then and now and the effects of Nauvoo Restoration over the years.

One major change from then and now was the Temple.  When I was there previously, the Temple lot was there but was pretty sparse.  It had only a few stones around the outside perimeter of the Temple, the baptism font location and the spiral staircases.  We took people there and tried to help them envision the grand structure that had once stood there.  This took a lot of imagination on their parts.

Above: Nauvoo Temple Lot as seen in 1975

Now as I returned to Nauvoo, the grand and magnificent structure had been rebuilt.  It was rebuilt in 2002 under the direction of then President Gordon B. Hinckley.

In the tour of the home of William Weeks, the architect of the Nauvoo Temple, we told of Weeks and how he and the Prophet Joseph worked together on the Temple design.  Weeks, as an architect had some definite ideas – based on past experience and trends of the day.  Joseph’s vision for the Temple did not always match those of Weeks. 

Joseph felt strongly that the Temple should have round windows.  This did not meet with Weeks architectural views.  Joseph Said, “I wish you to carry out my designs.  I have seen in vision that glorious building illuminated and will have it built according to the pattern shown me.”  How cool!  Joseph taught Brother Weeks that he had a vision for the Temple and that it needed to be built according to the plan that Jesus Christ had shown to him.  (This was just as the Lord himself, a carpenter, had taught the Brother of Jared and Nephi how to build ships.)  And I loved sharing this with our guests.  The Temple was built with the round windows.

Above: Nauvoo Temple with Round Windows (shown at center)

And I loved the part about the illumination.  In Joseph’s time, the lighting of that day was by candles.  Candle power alone could scarcely have lit the inside and certainly could not have illuminated the exterior of the Temple. I think that Joseph saw our day … and well beyond his own day.  He did not even get to see the Temple construction finished – but it was built according to the vision he had seen.  And today it stands in grand illumination each night.

Above: The Nauvoo Temple Illuminated

Also in the Weeks tour we shared the story of how Weeks later in Salt Lake City took a turn away from the Church and lived the rest of his life in California.  His posterity grew up without the influence of the Church.  Around 1948 Weeks’ grandson, Leslie Griffiths, then a non-member, became friends with some missionaries.  One of the Elders was about to return home at the end of his mission.  The Weeks grandson said, “Wait …  I have something for you.”  He went up into his attic and returned with a large roll of paper – about 8” round and 3’ long.  These were the original plans for the Nauvoo Temple.  Following instruction by Leslie, the missionary accepted the challenge, took the papers and with them knocked on the door of the First Presidency in Salt Lake City.  One can only imagine their surprise at the gift presented by the Elder. 

And with Weeks’ original plans, the Church in 2002 was able to duplicate the new temple to be very much like the old.  The footprint and the exterior of the building are almost identical in size and material.  The inside, however, had to be changed dramatically to accommodate the modern systems of plumbing, electrical, elevators, etc.  This was all a great miracle as guided by the Lord Jesus Christ.  Truly a major “Nauvoo Miracle”.

Above: Nauvoo Temple on the Hill above the community

The Nauvoo Temple stands majestically today on a hill overlooking the community below.  It is visible almost everywhere on the lower area of town where our restored homes and shops are located.   The pioneer Saints were able to see the Temple and watch with front-row seats its construction.  And each man was asked to dedicate a tenth of his time for the construction.  Each of Nauvoo’s ten wards were assigned specific days for their members to work and donate to the construction.

I liked the words and teachings of one of our guests.  After leaving our tour this mother said that she planned next to take her children up to “touch the Temple”. What a great concept and guidance of the Spirit.  And that is a lesson for each of us … to touch the temple – but also to let it touch us.

As Sister Hunt said, it was a special blessing for us to be able to go to the Temple often. And it was truly amazing that we could drive to it within five minutes or less from our home. Wow!  This was a great blessing for us to be touched by the covenants made there with Jesus Christ.  My vision of the Temple was expanded within me and my understanding of it grew within my soul.

As with all Nauvoo missionaries, the Lord used and expanded our capabilities to bless the lives of others.  After each tour I wrote on one of my trusty 3×5” cards, the numbers in the tour – and sometimes special experiences and Nauvoo Miracles evident in the tours.  Then at the end of each day, I recorded in a spreadsheet the tour numbers and also recorded the numbers and thoughts in my personal journal.  This took me only a short time each day but at the end of the mission, I had a full record. And the record showed that just in the tours of Sister Hunt and me, we personally took through 19,625 guests.  Imagine that … 19,625 people.  Wow!  So unbelievable and wonderful.  I wish that we could see the end result of those connections.  Maybe someday we will.

With my affinity to family history and history in general, I was able to contribute to the Lord’s Nauvoo kingdom in special ways.  I created and presented 5 presentations on family history, journals, personal and family histories.

I composed books about our own Nauvoo ancestors.  In one book I detailed the lives of my own 32 direct-line ancestors who were in Nauvoo.  Another book detailed the 20 direct ancestors of Sister Hunt.  I often taught people how to use “Find My Relatives” and it was truly amazing how many third and fourth cousins that I connected with.  Perhaps you read in the “Church News” back in November of three of us Hunt cousins who all got to serve together in Nauvoo.

Above: Three Cousins – Elders and Sisters (L to R) Lou and Kevin Hunt, Sandy and Jake Hunt, and Tammy and Brad Hunt

We had unknown strangers to us approach us months later saying, “We remember reading about you in the “Church News”.

I also enlightened hundreds of guests – to their great joy – how to use the fun “Find My Nauvoo Relative” phone app.  I taught them how to find their Nauvoo pioneer relatives and the property that they owned so that they could go check out the property themselves. And I can do the same for any of you who might have the interest (even here away from Nauvoo).

We were appointed as the Mission historians.  Each month we created a comprehensive history of events, training meetings, and activities within the mission.  This newsletter was greatly enjoyed and appreciated by our fellow missionaries.  And at the end of last year and again at the end of this year we did and will create a composite of those monthly histories into a full year history to be made available and published for the missionaries.  And each annual history is submitted to the Church History Department for permanent storage in the records of heaven.  I am glad that our records will be a part of “The Book of the Law of the Lord” as we taught of in Joseph’s Red Brick Store.

In this role as Mission Historians, we were able to go with the Mission President and wife as they took the young sisters on what he called “Church History Immersion Trips”.  We went on multiple of these trips.  Sister Hunt was the photographer and I took copious notes everywhere.  I later was able to publish four books about the Church history sites in Missouri, Nauvoo, Iowa and westward.

I studied the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith and was able to compile books about his life, his ministry, and his many burial sites.  I was able to document historic monuments and markers in and around Nauvoo.  I was able to document the history of brick making in old Nauvoo connecting Elder Belcher brick making and then the miracles of the new Temple Brick development of which we were privileged to play a major role – along with our children, Kaylea and JD, and Keith.

While serving in the Stoddard Tin shop, we showed a very bad photo of the place before restoration.  I said, “I can do better than that!”  I opened up my Nauvoo mission slides from 1975 – and which grandson, Brodey and I had digitized just before our mission.  I found a much better photo of the Stoddard home and printed this and my photo was used by all other missionaries. 

With my experience with history, Nauvoo, and the Saints, I was able to help and serve others in ways that likely no other missionary could have.  We were where the Lord needed us and we were pleased to be the Nauvoo miracle for many others.  This was such a great experience and opportunity.

As I reflect back upon my writing, our mission in general (and today’s talk) , I feel like Mormon, the great historian and compiler of the Book of Mormon as he said in 3 Nephi 5:8: “And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous, nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book: yea, this book (and this talk) cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people [us and our mission] in the space of [eighteen months].”  And paraphrasing Mormon in verse 9, “But behold there are records which do contain all the proceedings of Elder and Sister Hunt while serving in Nauvoo as Site Missionaries.”

Being in and serving in Nauvoo was one of the greatest times of our lives.  It was so wonderful to be there and to experience the influence of Jesus Christ, God and the Holy Ghost each day through Their Nauvoo Miracles.  It was such a blessing to have had such a wonderful companion and being and serving there together. 

We felt the love of our Savior and were so grateful for the opportunity to serve in this sacred and holy place.  I felt the presence and feelings of many of the early prophets as well as our own special ancestors who likewise walked the streets, lived, and sacrificed in faith that we might enjoy the freedoms and joy of the Gospel in our lives.

 I like the words of the Prophet John Taylor as he testified of the Prophet Joseph Smith 10 years after the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum.  He said, “Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God.  I do not think it … I know it!”  One prophet testifying of another … I also testify of Joseph the Prophet and the work of our God in Nauvoo. I am also grateful to my own ancestors and the Nauvoo legacy of faith that they passed on to me and to our family.

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Sharing the Light of Christ Through Nauvoo Performances

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Blog # 68

Kevin V Hunt

Nauvoo comes alive each summer with the many Nauvoo Performing Missionaries and their many performances. The Nauvoo and British Pageants draw big crowds. It is so exciting to experience the energy, the faith, the testimony and the spirit that these many performers bring to Nauvoo.

This blog article highlights many of those performing groups.

Yes, these performances and performers do so much to share the Light of Christ here in Nauvoo. They add much to the spirit of old Nauvoo.

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Finding Joy in June in Old Nauvoo

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Blog # 67

Kevin V. Hunt

We continue to enjoy special moments, places and people here in historic Nauvoo. Sister Hunt and I are the mission historians and in this calling, we create a monthly newsletter of those special moments we all share here in Nauvoo. Then at the end of the years, all of these monthly histories get combined into the annual history for the mission.

This is our effort for June. (We are trying to catch up … but time is not now on our side!)

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Things are Winding Down but Still Much to Do!

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Blog #66

Kevin V Hunt

THINGS ARE WINDING DOWN BUT STILL MUCH TO DO

Sadly, things are beginning to wind down for us here in Nauvoo as our mission is rapidly coming to a close. We are down to “the last” of everything.  And it is a bit traumatic.

Our coming plans and schedule is as follows:

TIME WITH OUR FAMILY

Our children have long planned to come to Nauvoo “sometime while we are here” but for various reasons, many procrastinated their visits to the end.  We stand joyfully ready to welcome them – no matter when they come.  We live in kind of a small place that is not overly conducive to a bunch of guests.  So we told the family that they could not come at the same time as any of their siblings (though some wanted to) – simply because we did not have the space for them.

The children were obedient to the charge.  Beginning September 23rd and continuing to October 11th, we have or will have had four families here.  This with no overlap and with only two or three days when there as been no one here.

Lana and Spencer and four children (above) came from Idaho Falls, Idaho.  They arrived on the 23rd of September and we had great times with them.  They were with us until September 27th when they flew home.  Then Keith and Kayla and their 8 children came the next day in their BMW (Big Mormon Wagon) – on September 28th and they were here until Wednesday October 1st.  Talk about a houseful … that was it – with 8 children all in the basement of our place – until they saw a bug, however.  And that is another story!

Above: Keith and family at the brickyard demonstration at the Family Living Cenbter

Kaylea and JD will arrive tonight (October 4th) late.  We are to go pick them up at the Quad Cities airport in Moline (2 hours away!).  We are excited about their arrival and time to be with them.  We take them back to the airport on Wednesday – early morning on the 8th.  We will then wait around Moline for about four hours and then we’ll greet Rusty and Fabriza and their two kids that afternoon.  They will be here until Saturday October 11th late afternoon.  How great!

PACKING UP AND CLEANING UP

There is a lot of work in the above five words.  Packing … that has been an adventure!  We are going through all of our “stuff” and are slowly getting it packed up.  Having Keith and family here was a God-send.  They truly were a blessing to us.  They came in their big 15-passsenger van … and they traveled light this time.  This meant that they were able to take home about a dozen boxes of our “stuff”.  Wow!  This saved us having to rent a U-haul for the return trip.  (One of our MTC group friends had to do just that … their son brought the U-Haul to them from Montana to help them get home.)  We were beginning to panic about our limited space and our abundance of “stuff’.

Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt “stuff” sent home with Keith

We were packed to the gills when we came to Nauvoo from Arizona but with the passage of time and the normal accumulation of extraneous “stuff”, things seem to have multiplied.

We have taken a plethora of “stuff” back to the missionary D.I. room – where people take and give unwanted but still good “stuff” for the use of other missionaries.  Much of what we are returning is “stuff” that we originally “borrowed” from there.  And it was nice while it lasted!

Above: One load of stuff taken to the missionary D.I. operation

We have both also gone through our costume clothes.  We are keeping many of them for future reference (Rusty and Fabriza and Jackie) but there are many things that we are turning in for the future use of others.  I took a whole bunch of pants that are not too in with the current “period”.

Sister Hunt has been most diligent in collecting anything and everything to bag up.  This means that she puts a hundred items into a large plastic bag, uses the vacuum and sucks out all of the air and compresses everything down to a shriveled up mass that is way smaller than she started with.  We now have those bags sitting around everywhere. 

Above: Vacuum packed “stuff”

I have had to nail down my underwear and socks so that she does not get over-exuberant and I am left with nothing.

And then there is the cleaning …!  That has been an interesting activity.  The mission (from whom we rent our Simeon A. Dunn home from) has a long list of cleaning tasks to be done soon before departure of missionaries.  This includes cleaning behind the fridge and stove, pulling all furniture out from the wall and vacuuming and cleaning trim boards, washing windows, … and the list goes on … and on … and on.  We have been making great progress – since we got an early start – trying to finish it all before our family arrives.

FINAL ACTIVITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN

I talked about “the last of everything”.  That is what we have been participating in.

We were released from all of our various callings and assignments.  A special gathering was held for our Hyrum Zone and all of the zone and district leaders were released and new ones were put in place.  Out with the old and in with the new!

Above: Final reunion gathering September 12, 2025 of the MTC group who all came out together April 1, 2024 –

We attended a final reunion gathering of our 13 MTC couples that we came out with.  (The largest such MTC group that has come here while we have been here.)  We had a fun dinner at the Family Living Center, and of course took advantage of every possible “photo op”.

By Mission tradition, we got to take a “final surrey ride” with our mission President Mehr and his wife.  Elder and Sister Hart were with us for the excursion around old Nauvoo.  And there were many cheering well-wishers who greeted us (many copying my standard, “GREETINGS!”) as they waved with great gusto.  Such a fun activity.  And of course, the trip was “happy-sad”.  Can’t believe it is down to this!

On Friday the 26th, we attended the monthly welcome/farewell dinner for the mission.  We welcomed a couple of new senior couples.  Then they recognized about 30 of the young sisters who are leaving this month for their 6-month “outbound” missions elsewhere or to return home.  Then they called up the 26th of us (13 couples) who are leaving within a week or 10 days of our October 1st release date.

The Mission Executive Secretary scheduled an “exit interview” with us and President and Sister Mehr.  They came to our home for the visit.  And they arrived only about a half hour after Keith and his clan of 10 departed.  Talk about a scramble cleaning … that was it.  But, we made it, and the place looked pretty clean after the whirlwind.

Above: Final ride – on the surrey – with President Daniel and Sister Rebecca Mehr – Teamster Elder Brett White, Kevin and Lou Hunt. Sister Selena and Elder Kevin Hart, Sister Rebecca and President Daniel S. Mehr

Per another mission traditiion, we created a farewell card to distribute to our many friends that we have made here. We found a cheaper way to make these than some folks but we are happy with it.

And today (October 4th) we are scheduled for our last service shift in “the sites”.  I am pleased that the final shift will be in my favorite place – Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store (because of the many sacred and special things that occurred there – and which we get to share with our guests).  The day there will be interspersed with guests (who have decided to ditch General Conference to experience Nauvoo) and precious snippets of watching General Conference in the few moments when no one is with us.  I hope that this will not be our final tour … we plan to bring Kaylea and Rusty and families here for a tour next week.

Food …  we were able to send a bunch of our leftover food supply home with Keith and family for their future use.  This was good.  And we are now trying to clean out the fridge, freezer and cupboards with each meal.  We are making progress but we are a far cry from “Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard”. 

WRITING AND WRITING MORE

Those who know me know that I am never at a loss for words – especially the written word.  Thanks to all of you who have put up with me in this regard.

In these final weeks, there has been much to do as I have tried to finish up so many projects.  I completed books about Church History study and travel in church sites in Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Nebraska.  I was able to publish five new books on this subject.

President Mehr asked me to order two copies of all of the Nauvoo books. I received those and am looking forward to sharing them with him.

As the historians of the mission, we were delayed in getting the April history newsletter created (getting it through the many approval channels) so that set us back a bit.  We have just finished and got clearance to publish up through July – so major progress is being made.

And there is my own personal blogging.  You might have noted that these blogs have continued to come forth (even with the press of time and activity).  I hope that you all have enjoyed them.

And although our mission is ending, that doesn’t mean that the blogs will come to a sudden and abrupt end.  Not so!  There are still many mission blogs left in me so I will continue to pursue all that I need and want to record (for my own record and a final book – if for no other reason).  So, I will pursue this goal even posthumously (post mission) until those planned blogs are written.  So stay tuned!

I also project a few more books. I see on the horizon:

The Hunt Family in Nauvoo

InNauvoo blogging with Kevin and Lou – Volume #3

A Photo book of Beautiful Nauvoo

2025 Mission History

GETTING THE VEHICLE (OUR WAGON) TRIP READY

Just like the pioneers, there has been much to do in getting our wagon outfitted and trip ready for the long journey.  We got new tires installed on the front of the vehicle.  This necessitated an alignment.  We got a comprehensive oil change and fluid check.  We have taken precautions to ensure a safe return trip home.  Now we’ll pray for added safety and protection.

DEPARTURE AND THE TRIP HOME

Yes, and truly, “all good things must end”.  And such is the case with us.  Our official mission end date was to have been October 1st (since we entered the MTC on April 1st – 2024 … NO JOKE!).  But family wanted to come here during their Arizona fall break.  So, to accommodate them, we got en extension of a few days.  As noted, Rusty and family will leave late on the 11th.  We do not like to travel on Sundays so we asked for permission to remain here until the 13th – Monday.  We will leave beautiful Nauvoo that morning.

We are not going to be like Mike and Keith – who pretty much drove straight through.  (Keith drove for 27 hours full speed ahead coming here.)  That would not be the plan for us old folks.  We are going to take our time.  We are planning to drive along the old Mormon Battalion Trail route through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, etc.  We plan to take it in three days – with two hotel stays along the way.

If you are keeping track of dates … that means that we are projecting a late afternoon or early evening arrival back at our home in Maricopa, Arizona on October 15th. Woot, Woot!

GETTING THE HOME READY FOR OUR RETURN

Our Larissa and Stu have been zealous in getting the place cleaned and ready for us.  They stayed in our home for most of our mission (another great blessing … thank you) until they got in a panic and rented a home of their own.  Another blessing!

Larissa and Stu have dogs … and such are not us.  So, we let them keep our couches for their new place.  And we bought a new set of couches and they have arrived and are ready for us – and our family and guests!  (Come and enjoy them with us!)

We called Benjamin, our dedicated landscape guy and he came and did a thorough clean-up of our yard.  That was before an Arizona storm that took down a couple of major branches off the front yard willow tree.  We don’t know the status of those at present.

Mike made a routine visit to our home (thanks, Mike). And he noted that we have a healthy and hungry collection of termites! Are you kidding me?  That is just what we needed at this moment.  They had a friend in their ward who strives to eradicate such nuisances and they are scheduled to come to do their magic this week before we get home.

Larissa and Stu had their own WIFI company and they took that service with them.  This means that we had to get our own new service.  The new company is coming late this next week to do their install.  Got to have that WIFI and internet connection … can’t live without it.

When we  from our  home, we jam-packed all of our household goods and “stuff” into two of our front bedrooms.  These rooms are packed floor to ceiling.  So, one of our first tasks will be to unpack these rooms.  And paramount in that exercise will be to somehow have access enough to our own bed mattress – that is standing against the wall behind all of the packed “stuff”.  Should be exciting.  Maybe we will have to set up a tent in the back yard for the first couple of nights!  We have spent much of our lives in tents – in the many Scout camps throught he years.

RETURNING TO THE HOME AND GRANDKIDS SCENES

With the grandparents gone for 18 months, our families are excited about our return.  We already have a plethora of fun activities scheduled with many of the families, including trips to see out-of-towners, etc.  We will jump into a full schedule.

Mike and Marinda have missed having us as babysitters – though their siblings have stepped up to the plate to help each other in our absence.  Each of them has missed their date nights with the grands in our care.  We have set an early date for Mike and Marinda for the 17th.  Grant has been particularly excited about this and knows the date well.  Each time we call, he mentions the 17th and how we are going to “tend them”.  And Sadie, always the organizer, knows well our full routine for tending experiences which we have when we have  the grands over.  She knows the exact order of each “traditional activity”.  So, we’ll have to get back into that routine that they (and we) have missed over these past months. And there are sports and other events that we will get into right away.  Fun times ahead!

MISSION HOMECOMING AND REUNION ACTIVITIES

Our stake is having stake conference and we are getting a new stake presidency the weekend after we return.  So, we arranged with our Bishop to have our homecoming meeting the following Sunday.  We will have most of our family there with us for many reunion activities – and for the formal church meeting.

Our mission “homecoming” – report meeting – will be held Sunday, October 26th at 1:00 PM at the Maricopa Stake Center – located at 37280 W Bowlin Road in Maricopa.

You all invited to join us for the church gathering.  If you send us an advance RSVP request, we would also welcome you for a group dinner afterwards.

Well, how is that for a flurry of activities?  Much has been accomplished, but there yet remains much to do.  I had better close and get on with it.  (And don’t count our mission as done yet!)  You will continue to hear from me/us!

Thanks to all of you for your interest, your support, and your prayers on our behalf as we have served here for the past 18 months.  It has been such a grand adventure and blessing.  The Lord has truly taken care of us, provided for us, and has given us almost daily new “Nauvoo Miracles”. It has been a great blessing to have served here in old Nauvoo! So many special memories.

One of my favorite scriptures is appropriate here:

From the Bible: 2 John Verse 12: “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink (I’ll use the computer), but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”

Still on the Nauvoo trail but making the exodus west (like true pioneers) soon.

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Welcoming Guests to Old Nauvoo

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Blog #65

Kevin V. Hunt

As guests arrive in Nauvoo, they wonder what there is to do in Nauvoo … what should they see, and how do they get started. The best place to begin a Nauvoo experience is to first go to a Visitors’ Center.

I love what is now called the “Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center”. This was dedicated in 1971. I arrived on the Nauvoo scene in 1975 and enjoyed the new and wonderful building. It was not then historic, but with the passage of time, it is now.

I was here with 19 other young Elders and about 20 senior couples. The senior couples were all assigned specific homes and they managed and cared for those homes, and gave tour of them to the guests who came. They did not move from restored home to restored home. They spent their entire missions in their initial assigned home.

My wife’s parents, Elder E.H. and Sister Verna Belcher served for 18 months and then received two 6-month extensions. So they spent literally two and a half years just in the tiny Lucy Mack Smith home.

I served my final six months of my mission in Nauvoo. And now Sister Hunt and I have been here as a senior couple for nearly 18 months. Wow! (Where did that time go?)

I have enjoyed telling people that I served here on my “young mission” and this amazes everyone – inclluding me. I tell them that I did then the exact same thing (site guide) as I do now … and that the only difference was that I wear a period costume now and back then I wore a white shirt and tie.

Back in ’75, we served in eight restored homes. These included Wilford Woodruff, Heber C. Kimball, and Lucy Mack Smith homes, the Jonathan Browning home and gun shop, the John Taylor home and Print Shop (then called “The Times and Seasons Building”), the Brigham Young home, the Webb Blacksmith Shop, and the Seventies Hall.

Today we serve in 28 restored homes and shops and we have to know the scripts or presentations for all of those places. We are assigned to six different homes in a given week. (One day a week is our “p-day” – Prepartation Day and we are off for shopping, laundry, and relaxation).

“Back in the day” all of us young missionaries were based in the Visitors’ Center. We had a missionary lounge downstairs with couches and chairs. We had a large library and when not giving tours, we were reading Nauvoo history books and biographies of the early Saints. And of course, we could also take cat-naps and play ping pong. I enjoyed cooking for the other five guys in my “Red Barn” home group.

One or two Elders were stationed for the day at the desk of the Visitors’ Center. and then as people arrived, we would be called up to meet them and to take them on a tour of the center. (Today all of the displays are “self-guided”).

We took guests on a tour of the main floor and told them about the Restoration of the Gospel, The Book of Mormon, Nauvoo during the pioneer era, and the migration west. Then upstairs, we had rooms dedicated to the Temple and the organization of the Relief Society.

Also, we would relieve the couples at noon and later in the afternoon. Pairs of us would go to four different homes about 11:30 AM and would man the house for an hour as the older folks went to lunch. Then as they returned, we would move to a second home for another hour. We then took over the homes at 5:00 PM and the couples would go home. We manned the homes – and the visitors’ center until 8 PM. That would end our very long days.

Visitors’ Centers have been an important part of the Nauvoo community for a hundred years. I have mentioned the 1975 Visitors Center that has now become the “Historic Nauvoo Visitors Center” (That must also mean that I am now “historic”.)

This fall, many of the displays of the “Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center will be removed from the walls. We are told that these are being removed to be refurbished and otherwise prepared to be a part of a new “Temple Visitors’ Center” that is being constructed to be specific to the Temple. These displays will be designed to tell the story of the Temple here in Nauvoo and the in the world generally. This new center is being built now and is set to be done early summer of 2026.

Meanwhile, the current Historic Visitors’ Center will take more of a “back seat” and will become the Nauvoo Performing Center. The Nauvoo Performing Missionaries will use the building for a variety of performances. Local community groups will also likely be able to use the facilities for concerts and other performances.

On March 5, 2024 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased the visitors center formerly owned and operated by the Community of Christ church. On June 15th of this 2025 year, the visitors’ center opened as “The South visitors’ Center”. Displays are just being set up there so the place will likely continue to grow as new exhibits are ultimately placed there.

All of these faciities are designed to assist our guests who come to Nauvoo. The various centers are to help people feel at home, to meet nice friends (missionaries), to rest, and to gain infomation about Nauvoo generally and also schedules and tour opportunities. With soon to be three visitors’ centers and a plethora of restored homes and shops, there should be something for everyone.

Missionaries staff each of the centers and they (we) eagerly await your visits – along with all of your guests. We’ll be waiting for you! Come to Nauvoo and experience it for yourself. There is a special spirit present here in Nauvoo People who come here experience and feel it. At the visitors’ centers we can provide maps, interactive games and activities for the children, We have movies, Temple models, restrooms, entertainment, information, and of course helpful missionary staffers available to assist you. We can help you plan and enjoy a wonderful experience here in Nauvoo. We are ready to welcome you here.

Move it up on your “bucket list” and start making your way here to old Nauvoo.

The following pages talk of and display a plethora of historic photos about the many visitors’ center opportunities here in Nauvoo. Enjoy a bot of history here in Nauvoo and plan to come and be welcomed to Nauvoo.

Come to Nauvoo. Everyone here is waiting to welcome you!

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Saving the Coolidge House and Pioneer Crafts

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Blog #64

By Kevin V. Hunt

At the funeral for her father, Everett H. Belcher, all of the nine Belcher siblings were assigned to speak to a different subject about his life. 

Above: Sister Verna Belcher and Elder E. H. Belcher

Brother Belcher had thought out his funeral and had picked the subjects he wanted shared in his service.  My wife, Lou Dene Belcher Hunt, was assigned “Saving the Coolidge House”.  She was really baffled about this request.  She knew little about the place.   She said, “I didn’t know enough about the Coolidge House to talk about it.  I wanted to talk more about my personal relationship with my father so the Coolidge House seemed ‘kind of our there’.”

That was back in July of 2004.  Now twenty plus years later, Lou Dene says, “Looking back, and with events that have happened since, I wish I had talked with him more about the place.  There is much that I would or should have asked him.”  Sister Hunt said, “I did come up with a little bit about the place (with help from Dad!). 

This is what Lou said in her talk about her father:

“I have a brown bag, because this is going to be a brown bag talk [in the tradition of her father].

We had an apple orchard on our place when we were growing up and my Dad didn’t like us to waste apples.  And if he found a half-eaten apple, he would make sure you finished it core and all.  My Dad made us pick all the apples and put them in the cellar to keep.  We could eat as many apples as we wanted to as long as we ate the ones with the brown rotten spots first.  I have a poem that I will read to you about our apple eating days.

We brought them from the cellar, The apples with the spots.

Of the good ones left behind, by tomorrow some would rot.

“Bring the apples that are spoiling”, our mother used to say.

“We’ll always eat those first, and I’ll pare the spots away.”

In the evening by the fire, we had story and we had song,

And we had rotten apples all winter long

We ate a lot of rotten apples.   One year my Dad had us can all our apples at the church cannery.  And this was a big family project. And we canned a lot of applesauce before we were finished.  We figured my parents could feed us a can of apple sauce each and every day and it would last them 3 years.  That was a lot of applesauce.  Like in the church movie “Johnny Lingo and Mahana, the eight-cow wife”, my Dad offered 5 cases of applesauce when you got married. This was a great family tradition and we had a lot of fun with this. I was a three-case applesauce wife.  I guess we had eaten all of the applesauce over the years. I don’t have the original can, but I have pictures out there on one of the tables.  This is the applesauce.

“My husband and I tried to carry on this tradition with our family.  We have had 3 girls get married and when their husbands came to town, because our last name is Hunt, we have offered their husbands 3 cases of Hunt’s Tomato Sauce. We have kept it in the family.  So, they have enjoyed their tomato sauce.

“Like the story of the rotten apples my Dad didn’t want any of us to get spoiled or go rotten and he did this by keeping us very busy working, a lot.  We grew a garden each summer.  We had to prepare the soil, plant the seeds, weed and water, and the water was often a late-night irrigation.  We grew a lot of corn in our garden, and we would sell it at the end of our lane at 50 cents a dozen. We would use the money to buy our school clothes and one year we used it to add to our church’s building fund.

“We had a lot of family traditions growing up.  Much like the tradition of the applesauce we had the tradition to read scriptures, go to church, pay tithing, and have family Home Evening.  As the book of Mormon says, “they were taught in the tradition of their fathers[DKB1] .”  We to were taught in the tradition of our father.  We were taught to work hard and trust in the Lord.  Thank you, Dad, for these traditions.

“And in closing my Dad wanted each of us to talk about his accomplishments.  When my Dad was serving in Nauvoo on a mission.  He took it upon himself to save the Joseph Coolidge House that was going to be torn down.  Its foundation was rotten, like all the rotten apples that he saved growing up.  My Dad saved the Coolidge house, and I have a picture of it right here.

 Above: Vintage photo of the Coolidge House (before the time of Elder Belcher)

It was turned into a craft house with candle making, barrel making and pottery and this now houses missionary couples.  Good job, Dad.

“A month ago, when we were visiting my Dad, he told us what he wanted us to talk about at his funeral. 

Finally, my husband said “Don’t worry Gramps, all your accomplishments will be sitting in the benches in front of you.  And there you are, a whole chapel full of his posterity.  My Dad was very proud of his family.  He told me many times that he was blessed with a wonderful family and he said, “How could a person be so lucky to have every member of his family active in the church?”  We are following in the footsteps of our father.  I am thankful for a father who believed in us and taught us the ways of the Lord.  I am thankful that my Dad can be reunited with my mother.  What a grand reunion that must be.  They have both blessed my life and that of my family.  I love you Dad.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.”

Little did Sister Hunt realize that the Coolidge House would impact her life personally 20-plus years later.

Sister Hunt and I came to Nauvoo in April 2024 to serve as “Site Missionaries”.  We were assigned to live in the historic home of Simeon A. Dunn at the SW corner of Hyde and Parley Streets.  This home is located “kitty corner” to the Coolidge House (on the NE corner).

Above: Sister Lou Hunt standing in the drive between the Dunn Home (on left) and the Coolidge House (on the right)

So, we literally look at the Coolidge House and think about it many times a day as we go to and from our house.  It is such a beautiful place and seems so majestic.  And the German writing on the place is interesting and intriguing.

One of our favorite sites where we serve with our tours is the Family Living Center.   

This is a place of joy and happiness for children (and adults who get to act like children).  It really is a FUN place.  In the place, we give “hands on” demonstrations on candle making, bread making (though COVID killed the actual bread making demo), wool and spinning, looms and weaving, packing the wagon to go west, barrel making, and rope making. 

And of particular interest – in at least a snippet of the Belcher tradition, we also get to talk of and demonstrate the Belcher perfected art of brick making.  We talk of brick-making in general in Nauvoo and often the kids get to “throw their own brick” by pressing Nauvoo clay into a small mold box. Though not in the script, Sister Hunt almost always gets to share the historic story of the souvenir Nauvoo Brick which all Nauvoo guests get to take home.  It is so fun for her to say, “My dad started this brick and designed the imprint.”  This comes as an initial shock: “Yeah, right …” but then by the end of her presentation about him and bricks, the folks are in total awe and say, “Wow!  That is just so cool!”  She makes sure that each guest leaves with a small brick in hand.  

The Family Living Center of today with all of its craft demos got its start from the Coolidge House here in Nauvoo.  Elder Belcher did not build the Coolidge house, but the place owes much to the efforts and vision of Elder E. H. Belcher.   He literally saved the house from the demolition ball.

ABOUT JOSEPH WELLINGTON COOLIDGE

Joseph Wellington Coolidge

View in FamilySearch

Joseph Wellington Coolidge

31 May 1814 – 13 Jan 1871

Joseph Wellington Coolidge (1814-1871) was born 31 May 1814 in Bangor, Hancock Co., Maine. He was the son of John Kittridge Coolidge and Rebecca Stone Wellington. He married Elizabeth Buchannan on 17 Dec. 1834; participated in plural marriage. He was baptized before Jan. 1838. He was a member of the Nauvoo Legion and on the Council of Fifty in Nauvoo along with Wilford Woodruff. He died 13 Jan. 1871 in Coonsville, Mills Co., Iowa.

BACKGROUND HISTORY OF THE COOLIDGE HOUSE

Joseph W. Coolidge built this house himself in 1843.  This is the date shown on the outside of the house.  He was from Maine and was a cooper, carpenter, and building contractor.  He lived in the front part of the house and used the other part for his shop.  He was a trusted friend to Joseph and Emma Smith.  At Emma’s request, he became the administrator of Joseph’s estate three months after the prophet was killed.  He asked to be released from that duty in the spring of 1846, to go west with the main body of the Latter-day Saints.

THE COOLIDGE HOUSE AFTER JOSEPH WENT WEST

The next owner of the place was Johann George Kaufmann.  He made the house into a hotel.  He painted the quaint German saying on the front of the house.  The lettering (by translation) says, “This house is mine, and yet not mine.  For him who comes after me, it will also so be.  I have been here.  Whoever reads this will also have been here.”

So, kind of odd … what does it mean?  Maybe it reminds us how temporary our hold is on earthly possessions.  Local tradition gives it a meaning of hospitality … and since the house was a hotel when Mr. Kaufman had it, that would be appropriate.

The place was remodeled to be a restaurant sometime after 1932.  In the 1970’s Nauvoo Restoration acquired the house.

THE COOLIDGE HOUSE BEFORE RESTORATION

Collidge House in 1975 – Photo taken by Kevin Hunt as a young missionary in Nauvoo

It is no secret that I (Elder Hunt) served in Nauvoo as a young missionary – literally 50 years ago in 1975.  While here then, I took a photo of the Coolidge house.  It was then still in pretty good shape.  Something must have happened to it before 1980 when Elder E.H. and Verna Belcher, my wife’s parents, came to serve in Nauvoo.  Elder Belcher describes the building’s state when he was here serving in the Lucy Mack Smith home and the Brickyard.

SAVING THE NAUVOO COOLIDGE HOUSE

The Account by Elder E. H. Belcher as dictated to his grandson, John Bollwinkel

“One day the President [Dr. J. Le Roy Kimball] came by the Lucy Mack Smith home – where I worked – and said he wanted me to look at a house down on the next corner.  It was the Coolidge home.  It was a big beautiful white lumber home.  Most Nauvoo homes that survived from the Pioneer era were brick.  Most lumber buildings had gone by the wayside years ago.  But this one had been kept up, but the whole wall at the top had rotted out and the roof was sagging and was loose and the ceiling was in bad shape.  He said, “Go down with me and see what we have to get out before they bulldoze the house down.”   He said, “If someone gets in there it is going to fall down and kill them.”

“So we went down there, and that is when I could see what a beautiful building it was and what beautiful workmanship.  Oh man, it just haunted me.  So this was Friday night when we went down there.  And Saturday morning early I went up to the president’s house and told him “I cand shore it up, I have moved buildings and I know I can shore it up – so it won’t fall down and can use some lumber to get it stabilized.”  He said, “Ah Naw, we are going to tear it down.”  Then I coaxed and coaxed him, and I must have stayed there quite a little bit and he couldn’t get rid of me.

“And he finally said, “Well go ahead.”  So, I went down and tore the siding off of about 5 feet high wall where it was all rotted off.  Then I doubled up the timbers and stabilized them and so forth on that whole side.  And about 5:00 that afternoon the President came driving by and he drove by slowly and looked and looked and of course, I had this whole side off up about four feet up.  And the next morning they had priesthood meeting before we went to work.  I woke up in the night and in my mind, the hole kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger and I was about to get out of bed and go down there. 

Above: The back (east) side of the Coolidge House while under Belcher restoration efforts

The next morning the President said, “I’m telling you to get down there and either tear it out or patch it up.”  I said, “Just hold off and don’t get too excited – just hold off, just hold off.”  So, he said “OK”.  So, I went back and got that taken care of and then I got to another part of it and worked on it and I worked on one then and another part that needed fixing.  And again, I was using material that wasn’t meant for that project.  And the project manager was having fits all the time. “It will never stay, because they will have to see what the original foundation was and the architectural and the historical background and that everyone is upset with what you are doing with it. You should go through the right channels.   It has to goes through a 2 year process before you can start on anything.”

(John “I remember you calling Vern for your house jacks?”) “Yaw, I had to have them to jack up that wall.  I’ve got a picture of the mission president jacking up one of those jacks.  I keep a going there and the roof was a saggin’ and I got it straightened up and had part of the plywood on and I decided to get started shingling and try to get it closed in. [Note:  We would love to have that classy photo but we don’t who in the family might have it.}

“I couldn’t get any help there because all the other missionaries all said it was a waste of time because they said they were just going to tear it down.  Everybody was down on me.  (John “What was happening to the brick yard while you were doing this?”)  I was fixing the building at night and on my spare time and the slower part of the year and the likes.  I couldn’t get anybody to help me.  One guy finally agreed to help me.  And so he was the one that was helping me to get the building ready. 

“When we got ready to put on some shingles on the part that I had to rebuild, I finally got 5 missionaries to help put on the shingles.  We got the scaffolding all up there and got it ready and got up there and started putting on the shingles and here comes the project engineer.  He said, “You don’t know how far those should come out and you don’t know what kind of a corners to have under that and you haven’t researched the details and you are just wasting your time and we are still going to tear it out.”  And he made a big to-do about it, and you couldn’t tell the guys now you just keep on shingling.   And he was about to shut it down. 

 “I said “Well we have got a hole up there and it doesn’t matter, the roof’s going on anyway or the storm will get in.  So I lined up some plastic and fixed it so it wouldn’t leak.  And I kept plastic on it for about six months.  And by that time I got all the other done and got it up so I could go ahead on the shingles and we went from one thing to another like that and we keep going along.  In fact this one brother who came there was a finish carpenter when he came there.  I was showing him around and he was looking around and he said “Boy this is a beautiful building. I sure would love to work on this.”  I said, “Well we will give you plenty of opportunity, you come around and you can help us.”  And it went on and he never came around and he never showed up.  I finally seen him and said, “I thought you were going to come and help.”  And he said, “I didn’t want anything to do with that, that’s the worst thing that has happened since the saints left here.”   So you could tell the missionary scuttle butt that was going around from then on. 

”So we just kept going and that’s when finally the president cane by and said, “Don’t let them stop you, don’t let them stop you.”  So then they asked us to stay another six months and another six months to finish all these projects, it was great.  We stayed for two and half years.  And the first carpenter stayed with me all the way and it wasn’t quite finished when I left, and he stayed and finished it up. 

Above: Back side of Coolidge home – after Belcher restoration – and as it looks in 2025

“What a beautiful mansion – and a complement to the original builders and to Joseph Coolidge [who also built Joseph Smith’s mansion House – in the same architectural style and of the same white slat wood.]  And in spite of all the odds, the restoration was completed. Beautiful white pine was used on the frame of the building because the Saints didn’t have streams to harness for power to be able to saw lumber and also the pine wasn’t too available in the area.  Arrangements were made by the saints to use a sawmill located up the Mississippi River and East – on a tributary towards Chicago – and where Chicago had obtained a lot of their lumber.

“Beautiful white pine located there was sawed and then placed on the ice in the winter.  They shaped a barge by bowering holes and putting small piles down through it to tie it all together.  When the ice melted the barge began to float down the river into the Mississippi and then on to Nauvoo.  This was some of the lumber that was used in the Coolidge Home.  The floor joists had two-inch holes irregular in them indicating where the small poles tied them together to make them into a barge.”

Above: Coolidge House 2024 from view looking out from the wagon ride

SOME INTERESTING PHOTOS OF THE CURRENT COOLIDGE HOUSE

Above: Look at this lovely woodwork color in the current Coolidge Home (Upstairs apartment) … we think this remodel was completed after the time of Elder Belcher

Above: Cut-out of wall from downstairs apartment looking upward to upstairs of Coolidge house

(John “So what happened to the Coolidge house?”) 

DEMONSTRATING CRAFTS IN THE COOLIDGE HOUSE

A few months ago, Sister Hunt and I met a local worker in the Facilities Maintenance area of our sites (an emmployee named Jodi). She grew up in Nauvoo and remembers coming to the Brickyard. She remembers Elder Belcher saying that he wanted to find a way to engage young children more in Nauvoo – and so he wanted to start craft demonstrations. Wow! So cool.

Elder Belcher continues:  “One brother – wanted to get coopering or barrel making going.  He thought it would go well with my brick making that was going over so well, but the president said that we didn’t have any place to do it.  So I was pushing to get this building for that.  So I took one of the carpenters down to the barrel making place [somewhere south of town)and he got the idea of the barrel making.  It is still there.”

“And I got rope making, barrel making and pottery making in there.  

  “Then in a few years I noted that President Hinckley went back there and dedicated the Coolidge House.”

Today – in 2025, the Coolidge House is home to two senior missionary couples. There is a downstairs apartment and also an upstairs. An outside door and immediate stairs lead to the upstairs unit.

In another record, Elder Belcher said, “Before our mission was completed, and due to the enthusiastic reception of the brick making demonstration, I approached the President and expressed the hope that other crafts – such as potters (which was, like the bricks, made of clay) and barrel making.  The barrel was the shipping container of the past.  Barrels will roll to relocate them and they will stack to store.  They can contain liquids or slats to ship solid commodities.

“The President was sympathetic to the idea, but indicted he didn’t have an available building to demonstrate them in.  I pursued the idea a little further and found what one of the missionaries was a potter.  He located an older gentleman who was a cooper or barrel maker.  I checked around with the Nauvoo missionaries for anyone that might be interested in learning the old barrel techniques from the old gentleman cooper.  Two of the missionary couples expressed some interest.  Arrangements were made to visit the old cooper where we were taught the fundamentals of taking the rough lumber and fashioning it into a barrel.

“One brother, Elder Harold Ericlson, was intrigued with what we had learned and felt he could master it.  After much practice he found he could make a barrel, then the major part of the problem still existed – the need for a building where the skill could be demonstrated.  A unique opportunity presented itself. That’s about the time the time that the President asked me to check out the Coolidge building.

“So, we finished the restoration of the outside of the Coolidge Home.  And then as we needed a place for the crafts, I of course thought of the inside of the Coolidge House as a potential place.”

CRAFTS IN THE COOLIDGE HOUSE AND BEYOND

For many years after Elder Belcher began demonstrating crafts in the Coolidge Home, the demos continued.  This was to the delight of all who came.  Now there was a place to help children enjoy more the charm and Spirit of old Nauvoo.

The Family Living Center is located just west of Nauvoo’s Main Street (at White Street)  behind the Cultural Hall and the Scovil Bakery.  It is a very large facility with plenty of room for all of the crafts displayed there.  As in all of Nauvoo, the pioneer skills are demonstrated by missionaries (young sisters and senior missionaries) in period costume.

Sister Hunt and I have often been assigned to serve in the Family Living Center.  We and the other missionaries strive to learn all of the skills.  But we each kind of have our favorite stations.  My own personal favorites are rope, barrel and bread making.

Most folks who come here are surprised at the facility and all that it has to offer.  It is the perfect place for parents to come when their children are tired of all of the more adult tours.  Children love the demonstrations and it is fun to watch the adults as they slowly let their hair down to also enjoy the magnificent place.

The Family Living center is on the “must see” list for many school field trips in the fall and mid-Spring.  School teachers have come to recognize the great opportunity the Center affords their students.

It is interesting that even Google can’t seem to pinpoint when the Family Living Center was constructed.  My own guess is that it was about 2002 – about the same time that the Nauvoo Temple was reconstructed.  The time frame really doesn’t matter.  What matters is that the place is there.

In the busy summer season, there could be as many as a dozen missionaries on duty at the center.  Missionaries enthusiastically greet the many people come.  Folks of all ages come but families with children – young and teens enjoy it most.  Kids love dipping candles as pioneer children and families did in the 1840’s. 

Barrel making or “coopering” is a fun activity for all.  When I teach at this station, I begin by telling folks that to be a journeyman cooper, one needed to be an apprentice for SIX YEARS.  Wow!  I tell my guests that “I am going to teach you all that I know in about five minutes – but you will soon see that there is a lot more to the trade than what I can teach them.

At the beginning of the demo, I say, “Someone famous was a Cooper!” I give the folks a minute to digest this and then say, “Joseph Smith, Sr. was a cooper … so that probably means that young Joseph spent some time in the cooper shop.” People are amazed at this.

We teach the guests how individual “staves” were created out of long boards that are cut to be about 1” x 16 or 20″ (depending on the barrel size).  Then these staves are formed with both concave and convex angles on each.  The carving is done on a “bench” that is called a “Schnitzel Bank”. (Hmmm … That sounds very German!)

This is kind of like a saw horse.  The person demonstrating sits astride of this bench with their feet pressing against a moveable “pedal”.  And when pressed, this becomes a vice to hold the stave into tight position as it is carved with straight, concave and convex draw knives.

“Tradition” has it that this “Schnitzel bank” came from the old Coolidge House.  Okay … now we are getting somewhere.  As Sister Hunt and I have looked at the bench, it seems clear that this was used by long-time missionaries in the Coolidge House.  My own personal opinion is that it was made by none other than Elder Belcher himself.  (I will have to ask him about it the next time that I see him!)  I then reach into a tall barrel and for the children, I slowly pull out … you guessed it … a string from the old “barrel of monkeys”.  This brings a smile to the adults – who can remember such simple and wonderful games of their youth.  The kids just kind of give me funny looks, “Like, what?”  (You had to be there – 40 years ago … but the “barrel with the monkeys is actually still available in stores.)

Above: Elder Kevin Hunt showing “barrel of monkeys” in the barrel making demonstration in the Nauvoo Family Living Center

Next, I sit the participants two to a bench to put together a barrel.  I say, “You will soon see why it takes two people to do this.”  I then demonstrate the art of barrel making and then turn the folks loose to implement their new skills.  And yes, they too soon learn “why is takes two people” – one to hold the staves up and the other to put them into the metal rings.

To make rope, six strands of twine are strung between two parts of the apparatus (two strands together strung on a wheel with hooks – on one end – and a twirling gig on the other end.  Participants get to spin this gig at various speeds until the whole “sled’ on the other end – moves about two feet – from one blue tape to the next.

Then once this milestone is reached, the twine on the hooks is secured and the wheel is twirled rapidly by one or two people (usually kids) to twist the now three strands together into one rope.  Again, the “sled has to move another two feet to get fully twisted together.  Then the dads and grandparents get to practice their old Boy Scout skills as they get to whip each ends of the rope (so that it can be cut off of the gig).  Often now, the Boy Scout in the folks has long since departed (especially now since Scouting is not as vibrant – at least in the LDS Church – as it once was).  I enjoy teaching this skill to the dads and then hand them the small string so that they can teach the skill to their kids.  (A teaching skill I learned in my old Scouting Woodbadge courses.)

I have fun with folks at the “packing the wagon” station. 

This was not a station in the Coolidge House – but it is fun.  There is a list posted on the wall – called the “Bill of Particulars” and using the list, participants find those items (like 1,000 pounds of flour, etc.) in the adjacent shelves and they pack these items in the wagon for the trek west.  And when the wagon is packed, we invite young and old to join in on a parade around the wagon as they gaily sing, “Pioneer Children sang as they walked, and walked, … and walked.”

I also enjoy teaching bread making – probably in honor of my mother – who made lucious bread two or three days every week for years and years. COVID stopped the making of real bread, but we can still share the mechanics of how it is done – in the old oven. People just have to use their smelling imagination.

Above: Elder Hunt doing bread demonstration

The Pioneers had a challenge to make bread. They had to first start a fire in a nearby fireplace. Fire was also built in the brick oven – to fill it to capacity. The oven would have to be “pre-heated” with the fire until it burned down to coals completely. The coals were then removed from the now hot oven. Corn meal was sprinkled in the oven – and on a large paddle on which the bread dough was placed – so that the dough would not “stick”.

Above: Cooking fireplace at bread making station in Family Living Center

And as the oven was heating, water would be heated on the big fire. Hot water would be placed in a large bowl and this would be placed inside of a wooden “proofing box”. And during all of this, the bread dough would be created. Then a container of dough would be placed in the proofing box along side of the hot water.

AFter ten minutes, the dough would be punched down. And after the second 10 minutes, it would be punched down again and the water bowl would be replaced with more hot water from the fire. The 10 and punch, 10 and punch routine be repeated. The dough would be formed into loaves, rolls, or whatever and then placed in the prepared oven. Quite a process but I am sure that the bread was fabulous!

Once for a mission activity, we actually cooked bread using the above method and it was so great!

Sister Hunt likes to teach candle making and of course, brick making.  At the candle making station, kids enjoy dipping candles into the hot wax to enlarge the candle.  She is also good at the fibers and spinning station.

AN ENDURING LEGACY OF ELDER BELCHER

Well, it is sure amazing to review and remember the ongoing legacy of Elder E. H. and Sister Verna Belcher certainly left their mark on Nauvoo … and in so many ways.

One blessing to me is their daughter who got adopted into the Nauvoo blood.  Now it runs in her veins.

As a review …  They served for two and a half years in the Lucy Mack Smith home.  30 months in one little house!  That alone is unbelievable.  We work in 28 different sites and get moved around to a new house every day.   This means six different homes in a single week.  We love this.

Sister Verna Belcher at the Lucy Mack Smith Home

Then there is the brickyard and the creation of the Nauvoo brick.  He was challenged by the Lucy Mack Smith arrangement and he researched brick making.  Then he created the brick yard – across the street from Lucy’s place.  And soon thereafter, he created the Nauvoo brick.  And this has been a mainstay for all Nauvoo visitors for over 45 years now.

And then there is the Coolidge House.  He literally saved this grand building from destruction.  And in this building, he began demonstrations of various pioneer trade skills.  Those skills were presented for many years in the Coolidge House.  And then 20 or so years later, those same skills were transferred to the new Family Living Center.  The trade demonstrations continue even to this time and generations of guests come there to enjoy them together.

Above: Sister Lou Dene Belcher Hunt and Elder Kevin Hunt in front of the brick kiln built by Elder E H Belcher

His daughter, Lou Dene, my wife, AKA Sister Lou Hunt … is now here in Nauvoo as a senior missionary.  She has been a dedicated advocate in the greatest of the Belcher (and Hunt) tradition.  Great job, Sister Hunt!

So amazing.  We are grateful to this great man and his supportive wife.  They truly did leave a heavy mark and a lasting legacy that will continue on for many more generations.  Thanks, Elder Belcher!

So great to be on the Nauvoo trail behind Elder Belcher.  We have to run to keep up with him.

 [DKB1]

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A Merry Month of May in Old Nauvoo

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Blog #63

By Kevin V. Hunt

One of my favorite roles in my missionary service here in Nauvoo is that of Mission Historian. Sister Hunt and I function together in this role. She takes many photos that end up in the history (as do I). Then we put it all together together.

We create what missionaries here call the “mission newsletter” each month. And then at the end of the year, all of the monthly editions are combined into one annual mission history. Many missionaries come to us and tell us that they love the histories. And then they kind of go into a “panic mode” and ask “What is going to happen to the history after your coming departure.” Great question!

Anyway, here is our effort for the month of May. (We are a bit behind with all of this history writing and publishing of the past few months.)

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A Lot of Water Under the Bridge

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BLOG #62

By Kevin V. Hunt

It seems like forever since I have written about the day-to-day activities within our mission.  A lot of water has gone under the bridge.  Life has been very busy. We have been so busy living and doing it all that I have not taken the time to write such things.  Now do not get the wrong idea.  I have not been sitting around on the couch eating bon bons.  That would not be me.

Going clear back to May, … the month began with many history-type events that are worthy of note.

THE ANNUAL TULIP FESTIVAL IN PELLA, IOWA

And speaking of the month of May … the month started off with a great event.  Several months ago, I had read of a coming “tulip festival” to be held May 2nd in the (relatively) nearby town of Pella, iowa.  I have recently written about this festival in a previous blog about our Nauvoo Brigham District.

A SESQUICENTENNIAL VISIT TO QUINCY, ILLINOIS – “THE CITY OF REFUGE”

Speaking of water under the bridge … in early May, Sister Hunt and I made a trip to nearby Quincy, Illinois – located about 50 miles south of Nauvoo.  We found ourselves under a massive bridge spanning the mighty Mississippi River.  The view was majestic.  Wow! What a beautiful place.  It was at this point on the river where the early Saints crossed into Illinois after they were extracted by mob action in Missouri.

The occasion was part of a sesquicentennial celebration staged by the City of Quincy.  Their city was founded 150 years ago.  In the winter of 1838 to 1839, the Saints were driven from Missouri.  The Saints were freezing and starving.  The citizens of Quincy were unlike the evil folks who had just exterminated the Saints from Missouri by order of Governor Boggs.  They became “the City of Refuge” as they opened their hearts and homes to the destitute Saints.

There were an estimated 1,600 to 1,800 permanent residents of Quincy in 1839.  The Mormon population came in at an estimated 5,000 people.    With limited housing available, each family likely housed ten or 15 more people in their homes.  One guy is purported to have quipped, “I couldn’t even take a step without stepping on a Mormon”.  (There is, of course, no historical record of that, but it does help one picture the setting of the time.)

In 1841, Joseph Smith and other Latter-day Saint leaders issued a proclamation expressing gratitude to the citizens of Quincy for sheltering thousands of refugees. It is this expression of thanks that is referenced on the Quincy monument honoring the Mormon pioneers. 

Joseph said: “THE CITIZENS OF QUINCY (WILL) BE HELD IN EVERLASTING REMEMBRANCE FOR THEIR UNPARALLELED LIBERALITY AND MARKED KINDNESS TO OUR PEOPLE, WHEN IN THEIR GREATEST STATE OF SUFFERING AND WANT,”

In 2002, President Gordon B. Hinckley, LDS Church President spoke at the placement of a commemorative rock plaque in the Clat Adams park located at the river’s edge.  He said, “We shall always be grateful for the kindness, the hospitality, the civility with which your people met our people who were exiles from the state of Missouri.  I express my gratitude to those who are successors of those who were here long ago and say thank you with all of our hearts.”

In that year of 2002, President Hinckley brought the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to perform in Quincy.  And following the concert, President Hinckley presented a check for $75,000 to the mayor in thanks for the kindness of the early people of Quincy.

The above referenced Sesquicentennial celebration, was held in Quincy on May 10th and Sister Hunt and I were privileged to attend.  On that occasion, and at the celebration held under the bridge, a new commemorative sign was unveiled. 

It was announced that this sign would ultimately be placed adjacent to the 2002 rock plaque.  This new sign commemorated the kindness and generosity of the Quincy people back in 1839.  (We have been back to the site a couple of times but the sign has not yet been permanently planted as envisioned.)

It was a grand celebration there at the river.  Speeches were given and yes, the band played and added much to the event.  The band, in this case, was none other than our own Nauvoo Brass Band, under the direction of Elder Craig Ferrin. 

The band was amazing.  They arrived just a week ago (last Saturday) and they did a fabulous job.  They were very impressive.  Their look was also impressive with a background of the river and the Missouri bridge overhead.  They added much razz-ma-tazz and energy to the event.    This was their first live performance of the season. 

Upon arrival, I happened to talk to a brother Nathan Seaman. He looked like a dignitary – by his badge – so I introduced myself to him.  I had recognized his name as him being the composer of the symphony performance that we planned to attend later in the evening.  I had read of him after Elder Ballard sent us information about the event (and for which I purchased tickets).  I took his photo.  He also introduced me to other dignitaries of the event – including the former mayor a Mr. Chuck Schultz.  I guess this guy was the mayor in 2002 when President Hinckley and the full Mormon Tabernacle Choir performed in Quincy. L After the performance, Pres. Hinckley presented a check for $70,000 from the Church to the Mayor in recognition  for the Quincy community assistance given to the Saints back in 1938.

Lou and I both took a plethora of photos (she more than me since my phone was about out of battery juice).

We talked with adult siblings of the Ryan Seamon, the composer.   The one brother-in-law remembered Lou and I from when we gave them a tour at the Browning home back in August (16th) of last summer.  I knew that I should know the guy but wasn’t sure from where.  He approached me and we shared the Browning memory.

It was really great to be a part of the program.  And it will be fun in future times to remember back to our participation in this historic event.  (Like the Durfee Hancock plaque dedication that we attended back in 1997 when we were in Nauvoo for participation in the “City of Joseph” pageant.)

A GRAND PERFORMANCE IN A GRAND OLD HALL

We then went to the historic Morrison Theater located at the local junior high school.  This place is about a hundred years old.  It is absolutely spectacular.  About 30 of us Nauvoo senior missionaries sat together up in the upper balcony and this was great fun.. 

This Nathan Seaman composed the symphony.  The Nauvoo Brass band and the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries (who both just arrived just a week ago) performed their first show of the season and they were amazing.  Later a choir joined the symphony musicians.  Wow!  Talk about amazing!  It was all so fabulous and amazing.

Later a choir joined the symphony musicians. Again, Wow! The symphony was also fabulous!  Among other songs, they performed “Amazing Grace”, “God Bless America”, and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”.  So fantastic!  I don’t know when I have enjoyed a performance more than on this night.

TAKING A RIDE IN A UNIQUE OLD BUGGY

On Sunday, May 4th, we were a part of an interesting activity.  In my journal, I recorded, “I looked out of the side window and saw a horse and buggy riding by our place.  I ran outside to see who they might be.  They had a very cool buggy.  I loved it. 

The guy’s name is Paul McKoon,  He said that his family has lived within six or so miles from here for a hundred and fifty years.  He said that the buggy is 100 years old and has been owned by four generations of his family.  I asked the guy (and his lady) if they had seen our Lucy Mack Smith carriage located in her original carriage house (located just a short block north of our Nauvoo home).  They had not.  I offered to show it to them

.

“We took off toward Lucy’s place (with them in their buggy, and me walking along beside).  We got part way and he asked me if I wanted to ride in the back of the buggy.  This sounded real fun.  He said that I could call my wife to ride also.  I called her and she started walking down toward us.. 

“The guy decided to turn the horse around and the buggy nearly fell over.  He was lucky to get the horse back into control.  This was good.

As Lou connected with us – she and I got into the vehicle.  It was super fun to ride in the unit.  The Sanders came out to see what was going on, having heard the commotion outside.  I handed Sister Sanders my phone to take a few photos for us.  She did so and they turned out great.

AN EVENTFUL DAY AT THE BROWNING HOME AND GUN SHOP

We were visited by three ladies from England and Wales.  They are from the area where our daughter, Jenae, served on her mission.  We loved talking to these ladies and hearing their accent.  Lou wanted to give the ladies a brick.  She only had one in the car to give away.  The two younger ladies said to give it to their mother – since that day was her birthday.  The mom now lives in Florida and the two girls remain in Nottingham, England and Wales.  Sister Hunt is trying to get the new Temple Bricks distributed around the world.

I had another fun little moment while we were at the Browning home and gun shop.  A few days before we had taken a cute little family on a tour somewhere else.  In this family was a little boy of about age seven.  As the family came in, we reminisced about our previous tour.  The talk centered on the adults.  Then I looked over at the little boy.  He smiled and gave me a silent little wave – as if to say, “I remember you!”  A tender moment!

ALWAYS FUN TO MEET MORE COUSINS

While at the Browning home, we were also visited by the Coffman family.  This consisted of the mom, Marie, and two sons.  Taylor has been home from a mission to Thailand for a couple of years and now goes to BYU.  His brother, Ashton, is 17 and is a senior in high school – in Indiana.  Marie also had her sister and her husband with her.  I learned that the ladies had ancestry in Enterprise, Utah.  We then did “Relatives Around Me” and we discovered that we are 4th cousins on our common Thomas Sirls Terry line.  I very much enjoyed the time with these folks.

The next day, Sister Hunt and I attended the Nauvoo Visitor’s Branch on assignment with our Heber Zone.  On that day, I helped pass the sacrament.  And my two cousins from yesterday – Taylor and Ashton came and wanted to pass the sacrament – since they were in Nauvoo.  Two Elders of our zone bowed out for them.  I ended up sitting with one of them on each side of me.  I talked to Ashton.  He had not heard of the “Relatives Around Me” exercise with me and his brother.  I showed him the relationship connection through Thomas Sirls Terry and us being 4th cousins.  He found this very interesting.  I enjoyed talking with them afterwards.

i talked of going in the buggy to the Lucy Mack Smith home. Then as we got to Lucy’s place, I again saw my “cousins”. They were in Lucy’s back yard – having just finished a tour. The group included Taylor and Ashton Coffman and their mother and sister – there in the back yard.  We took a cousins photo together.  We showed the other folks just a photo of the carriage and they headed off.

We then talked to the Coffman’s about brick making.  They were intrigued.  We took them to the storage room and showed them the new bricks.  We gave them three of the Temple bricks and they thought that they were super cool.  I enjoyed the renewed connection with them.

And speaking of bricks … We received a mission message from Nauvoo historian Juanita Coleman.  She said that the former brickyard classrooms will soon be used or made over into facilities for Nauvoo guests to go to for respite, child care, etc.  Interesting!  The message instructed missionaries to remove personal items, bikes, etc., from the rooms.  I went into a panic fearing that the box of original dated bricks (first out of the kiln) could be disappearing.  We had placed there for safe keeping after we got them out of the kiln.  I went over to the Brickyard and removed the box of bricks and brought them over to our house – until we can figure out what to do with them.

And speaking 4th cousins, some folks may remember the November 19th “Church News” article in which my two Nauvoo Hunt cousins – Brad and Jake and I were highlighted as cousins in service together.  On numerous occasions since – and even many months after that article, we have had random unknown people who see my nametag and they say, “Oh, you’re one of the Nauvoo Elder Hunts!  We saw your story in the “Church News”.  Wow!  I didn’t know that we would make such a lasting impression.

A SPECIAL GIFT OUT OF THE BLUE

Sister Hunt and I were serving one day at the Sarah Granger Kimball home.  I love this place.

As we were there, an unknown brother approached us.  He got out of his car and came to us.  He presented us with a beautiful charcuterie board that he had hand-made.  He thanked us for our service here in Nauvoo.  It was a beautiful gift – and so unexpected.   We learned that this brother lives in Iowa – two or three hours away.  We later learned that he has similarly delivered other boards to additional couples.  A beautiful act of service – and a special token to keep and remember.

WE MEET SOME UNIQUE BIKERS ALONG OUR WAY

We were on our way to our service location on May 6th  and we passed President and Sister Mehr on Parley Street.  They were doing their daily bike ride.  He said that they “are getting their exercise before the world (the rush of the day) crashes down around them.”  President Mehr often quips about “Me, My Bike, My Hill, and The Lord”.  I guess he often gets his inspiration while out bike riding.  I am sure that they have very busy days and they have to deal a lot with so many things.  They are great people.  They stopped long enough for us to get some photos of them on the bikes.  So great.

President Mehr surprised us a bit.  He had kind of hinted once before to us that he was trying to find a way for me to go with him and the young sister missionaries on what he calls a “Church History immersion trip”.   This is a trip that he takes with the Young Sister Missionaries and they go around and check out historic sites of the church.

Today he said, “Is your schedule free next week – like Tuesday and Wednesday?  I would like you and your wife to go with us on our “Immersion Trip”.  I said “That would be great.  I think we can clear the schedule.  (Har, Har!)”  I asked him what he would want us to do for the trip.  He kind of waved his hand around and said, “Everything … document the whole trip!”  Wow!  That would be so fabulous!  I think that he really likes my records of history here in Nauvoo.”

Little did I know the future impact of that one little random visit with the bikers.  I did not then know that I would spend literally every free moment of the next four months on an Immersion project.

GOING ALONG ON CHURCH HISTORY IMMERSION TRIPS

President Mehr connected with the mission scheduler and told him to put Sister Hunt and I as scheduled to participate in the Immersion Trips.  President Mehr got permission from the Church History Department to take the 36 young sisters – who all go home this fall – on some Church History Immersion trips.  The group of young sister missionaries were divided into two groups.  So, this meant two sets of trips and us going on all of the trips. 

In preparation for these trips, Elder Hayes (of our Brigham District) was invited to make a presentation on the Saints in these historic sites.  Elder Hayes (in a previous life) had been a Professor of Church History at BYU-Idaho.  He gave a great presentation.  He later said that it had been a challenge to squeeze a semester of Church History into a single evening presentation.  He did help set the stage for our upcoming trips.

Tour Group at the Far West Temple Site Monument

The first overnight trip was to Missouri church historic sites.  We then made another overnight trip across the Iowa Mormon Trail and to Winter Quarters in Nebraska.  We repeated these two trips a couple of weeks later with the other half of the Sisters.  Then later, we went on a day trip with them to see “local” sites around Nauvoo – like Ramus and Quincy, Illinois, the “Sugar Creek Camp” and Montrose in Iowa.

On one of our first trips, we made a stop at the Adam-Ondi-Ahman site.  This is such a special and sacred spot – though as the young sisters say, “It was just green hills but such a powerful place”.  My cousin, Brady Hunt (son of Allen and Leonie) actually lives near Adam-Ondi-Ahman – and that geographic area “is in his ward”.  He and his children had recently come to visit us in Nauvoo.  As I learned that we would be going to the AOD site, I contacted him.  He said that he would come over to meet us at the place for a short visit.  His mother, Leonie, happened to be visiting him that week (from her home in Blanding, Utah.  She was making the trip alone since Allen had recently died).

Above: Brady Hunt (Center) with Leonie, and Kevin Hunt

Brady did come and he brought his mother.  Aunt Leonie is a very gifted song writer and singer.  He told me of her own song she had composed and titled also, “Adam-Ondi-Ahman” – just as William W. Phelps.  With permission of our mission president, she stood at the edge of the grand and beautiful green meadow and sang her special song.  It was a challenge for her since she had often sung this song with Allen.  A special family connection at this sacred and special place …

Above: Leonie Hunt singing her song composed for and named “Adam-Ondi-Ahman”

Our months of May and June were packed with all of these wonderful trips.  On these trips, I served in my role as Mission Historian.  I took copious notes all along the way.  I recorded history, trip activities, and testimonies and feelings shared by the young sister missionaries.  Sister Hunt was the official photographer for all of the trips.

Above: The “8 Witnesses Monument”

At one point, I took advantage of a moment with just President Mehr and myself.  I wanted clarification about his vision for me being on the trips.  Knowing of my propensity for writing and creating books, he said, “I WANT A BOOK, OF COURSE!”

Okay, so a book it would be!  After the trips ended, I composed a “memory book” just for the young sister missionaries – combining all that I described above.  I did very comprehensive research about every Church site we had visited – and many more that were significant but which we did not have time to visit.  This turned into a very major project that certainly kept me entertained.  I worked on the project for several hours each day for the next four months.

I created one giant composite book that had everything in it.  Then I broke this down into several smaller books which I published separately.  I termed these books “Study and Travel Guides” for general distribution to missionaries of the three states, as well as to the general public – for anyone anticipating a Church history tour. 

And in the process, I did also extract a book just for the young sisters.  And I prepared a “Synoptic Summary” for the Church History Department.  More on this subject later …

SOME TIME SPENT WITH CHURCH HISTORIANS

(May 6th) We fed historians Alex Stromberg, and Curtis Ashton (both from Salt Lake City and the Church History Department). 

Above: (L to R): Historians Curtis Ashton, Kevin Hunt, Alex Stromberg

It was fun to host them.  And they were grateful that they did not have to be eating at restaurants.  We had a great casual conversation with them.  Lou fed them chicken spaghetti, green beens – with French fried onions (optional), bread sticks (heated from the freezer), fruit salad, chocolate cake with homemade ice cream and syrup.  The good was great.  I got a good photo with them.  A fun time!

SPECIAL CONNECTIONS WITH SPECIAL PEOPLE IN NAUVOO

I have written before about the joy of meeting people we have known before as we serve here in Nauvoo.  We also have many connections with our fellow senior missionaries with whom we serve. 

Above: Elder and Sister Shane Summers and Sister Lou Dene Hunt with Elder Kevin Hunt

One such couple is Elder and Sister Summers.  My brother-in-law, Brad Belcher, “warned” me of the coming of Elder Summers long before he arrived here.  Brad and Elder Summers were friends and roommates “a hundred years ago” when they both attended then Ricks College (now BYU-I) together.  It was great fun to meet Elder Summers and his wife as they arrived here in Nauvoo.  And we have had many “Brad” conversations since – and have even read Brad’s missionary letters together.  Brad and Kerry are serving as senior missionaries in San Diego, California.

VISITING ANCIENT “MOUND SITES”

Sister Wilson staged a fun event (May 7) for all of us missionaries..  It was actually two different events.  We first met at the Visitors’ Center.  We pooled rides. 

Sister Wilson took us to the north end of town.  We parked and then walked up into the woods.  The forest was fabulous and very beautiful.   Sister Wilson told us that this area is the location of “Indian mounds” where Nephites probably lived.  We all felt that it was “sacred ground”.  It felt like a special place.  Lou and I got a lot of great photos. 

Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt at site of Nephi Mounds near Nauvoo, Illinois

There were about a hundred missionaries who went on the outing.

We then walked up the road a bit and we were able to see several “MOUNDS” small hills that are covered now with green grass.  There was a sign placed by an Eagle Scout twelve years ago.

After the mound experience, we all went to the “campfire bowl on Parley Street” and enjoyed a campfire program with singing, and of course, S’mores for all.

Above: Sunset view of Mississippi River from Parley Street campfire bowl May 7 2025

A SNEAK PREVIEW OF COMING EVENTS

Elder Hopkinson asked (May 9th) us if we know the Cultural Hall tour.  It was reported that there was a man outside of it wanting a tour.  We went over and could not find the guy.  The young Sisters who were at the Scovil Bakery went with us inside of the Cultural Hall.  The Nauvoo Performing Missionaries arrive here in Nauvoo this past Saturday.  They have been practicing for future performances – in the Cultural Hall.   One of their leaders invited us in and we got to see the first run-through (literally) of the ladies of the group performing “The Women of Nauvoo” that they will perform almost daily at Joseph’s Red Brick Store.  They did really well for a first time through – with no advance blocking or practice.  The Scovil Bakery ladies passed out cookies to all of the cast members – and this made them all very happy.

FUN AT OUR OWN MISSIONARY “COUNTRY FAIR”

May 21st was a very fun evening.  We went to the annual “country fair” held just for the missionaries – in an effort to get us excited about the fair that will happen every night before each pageant event in July and early August. 

Above: Young sister missionaries doing log saw event

The event on this night was under the direction of Elder Price.  We volunteered to help run and event and he asked us to man the tug-o-war.  We were there but had only one group to give a tug on the rope.

There was a band (made of missionaries and some local folks) and they were fabulous.  I enjoyed them a lot.  They also staged dancing – with music by the band – and many people had fun dancing.  Lou and I took a break from photo taking long enough to get a waltz dance.  (“Can I have this dance …” reminiscent of the singing of some of our friends in Ogden, Utah a hundred years ago …  That has since kind of been “our song”.)

The big event of the evening was the stick pull activity. 

President Mehr took a turn at the activity and he was a big draw.  It was fun to watch him as he took on even some of the young sister missionaries. 

Above: President and Sister Mehr doing stick pull at Country Fair

Everyone was drawn over to watch him.  He went against several people and won against everyone.  (He and Joseph Smith would have enjoyed some stick pulling together if they had been in the same time and space.  Joseph Smith is said to have loved stick pulling.  I think it was because he was so good – and beat everyone.)

It was kind of a cold evening.  It had been quite windy all day.  Lou and I were glad that we took our coats.  Lou took her big fur coat and she got a few laughs.  (I always say that Lou freezes if the temperature dips below 92 degrees and she burns up if it is over 93!”)

Such a fun evening … and it made us look forward to many more such country fairs this summer.

Also about this time, we began to experience the thrill of the Nauvoo Brass Band.  This group of young people (missionaries) add so much to the spirit and nostalgia of Nauvoo.  They are amazing and wonderful.  Each morning for two months, the band starts at the Cultural Hall and they lead a morning parade south down Main Street – to the giant walnut “singing tree” located adjacent to the Browning home and the John Taylor home across the street.  Along the parade route many families and kids join in on the march.  This is such fun.

Then at the tree, the band has a flag ceremony, announcements with news and the schedule of events of the day – and then prayer.  They end with a rousing dance wherein they try to get everyone in the audience involved.  When we serve in the nearby homes, we often get to come outside (since all of the guests are “with the band” (“no worries … we are with the band” as our Jackie and Keith would say with their high school band.)

Under such circumstances, I became quick friends with Elder Patterson, a Nauvoo Performing missionary who marched with the band and participated in events at the tree.  It seemed as if he and I had known each other forever … and maybe we had been brothers in former times.

SERVING AS A TOUR GUIDE FOR IOWA HISTORIC SITES

Admittedly I have done a done a lot of history “snooping” in the area surrounding Nauvoo.  I have written on many of these sites in the past (as in my “Nauvoo Monuments, Markers, and The Dash” blog.  I was pleased to revisit many of these sites- but this time as the tour guide to assist and entertain others. 

Sister Hunt and I led our district members on a tour of many sites.  We had a grand time seeing the sites and then eating together.  This trip is documented in my blog about our Brigham District.

NOTING A HISTORIC MARKER – AND THAT MAKES ME OLD!

May 10th was kind of a historic day for me – and it made me a part of ancient history.

Above: Elder Craig Shaltes and Elder Kevin Hunt May 1975

The day marked a special anniversary for me.  It was 50 years ago today that I first arrived in Nauvoo for my young mission.  That was also a Saturday.  That was a great day as I first became acquainted with Nauvoo.  Elders Rich, Moffat and Howard and I left Tallahassee, Florida and flew to Atlanta, Georgia.  We then flew to Chicago.  We rode a little “prop” plane from there to Burlington, Iowa.  (And we almost hit a deer on this “Tree Top airlines”)  “President” J. LeRoy Kimball was there to meet us.  He gave us an orientation of Nauvoo and his restoration efforts.  My journal records that I spent the first night in the old Lyon Drug Store (home).  This was before that place was restored as a historic site. 

50 years!  How is that possible?  Where did that time go?

SISTER HUNT TRIES TO OUTDO BETTY CROCKER

Folks who know my wife have likely experienced some of her wonderful “down home” cookin’.  Let’s just say that she is a wonderful cook – especially when serving other folks.  The Immersion trips with the Young Sister Missionaries was an opportunity for her to showcase her special culinary talents and skills.

For each trip – so that means for five different occasions, she had our place really cookin’.   For each trip, she wanted to share her cooking prowess with the sisters.  She made a plethora of cookies, bread, cinnamon rolls, and even fudge.  For each of the trips, she filled large aluminum pans with a new assortment of goodies.  She needed four different tins of food – one for each vehicle that would be transporting the group.

This was always a major effort and a very special service.  The Sisters – and of course the hungry men – all loved the tasty assortment of goodies.  She generally had a “breakfast package” as well many yummy snacks that we could snack on throughout the day.  Thanks Lou!  You are the best cook!

MOVING ON TO MAKE ROOM FOR OUR RETURN

In the middle of the month, we received some great news.  Our daughter Larissa and husband, Stu, have been anxious to buy a house and they have thought that this would happen for them.   They have saved a lot of money for a down-payment.  Then a bank told them that it would not be possible for them to get a loan – because of his unpredictable commission payments -and that they would need two years of job history – in the same type of job – before they can get a loan.  It was good that the bank told them this Larissa would not have believed it from any of us.

Since that time, they have been looking for a place to rent – knowing that getting a rental would mean using up all of their savings.  They have tried a few places.  Today they learned that they have been approved to get into a place that they found.

This is really great news for us and for them (“You’n’s as the Suthuners would say.)   

Above: The Maricopa Home we left in March 2024

We really needed to get them out of our place before we get home.  They have lived in our home and made it their own.  And they have done a great job of caring for the place in our absence.  We have wanted them out so that we can make our place our own as we return.  Also, they have dogs and I want nothing to do with dogs living in the house with us.  (They are fine for other people!  Many of our grandchildren are allergic to whatever dogs bring to a place.)

The ”kids” will move a few months before we get home – but it will work well.  We have been praying for a miracle for them – and for us – and the Lord has heard our prayers.

BRICKS, BRICKS, AND MORE BRICKS

It was May 16th, and I arose this morning and took an inventory of the dated bricks that we have in our basement.   With authorization, we had planned to hand out the special dated (new) first-run Temple bricks to all of the missionaries at a coming mission dinner.  Through my inventory,  I found that we previously made 90 bricks but found that about ten of them were broken.  I made a count of how many bricks that we need in order to give a brick to all couples, YSM’s, performing missionaries, etc.  I came up with the need for us to make 156 more brick – for a total of 236 total needed.  This is a bunch.

We reported to the brick yard where we anticipated a big day.  We were happy to be joined by young sisters Rivas and Doman.  These ladies proved fantastic.  This was Sister Doman’s first time to be in the brickyard and she caught on fast.

The work for the day seemed a bit overwhelming.  There were two racks of bricks that needed to be put in the kiln, and the bricks created yesterday needed to be hacked (turned).  I did both of these tasks.

We put the young sisters to work creating some custom imprints.  I had promised Ben Pykles (Church historian) some personal bricks.  We made the imprint and made eight brick for him.  Using the mold that Michael Bowles made for us, we printed 40 bricks for the Mehrs – to kind of use like a “business card”.  They liked the idea of us making something for them but they really do not know what we are doing.  We also created the other needed bricks dated March 9, like the “first run” brick that we fired for Elder Belcher.

Lou spent her entire day molding brick and she was very tired at the end of the day.  She taught the Sisters how to mold the new Temple bricks.  The young ladies quickly got the system down and did well.

I also worked at the pug mill.  We started the day with 3 ½ tubs of the pugs.  So, I waited until the ladies had used a bunch before I had the machine crank out any more pugs.  I filled three tubs and the machine worked well today.  I also transported all of the trays from the three ladies to their positions in the drying racks.

I also taught the young ladies how to trim bricks.  The three of us trimmed a great many brick through the day.  I did trimming along with the pub and moving all of the completed trays as they ladies finished them.

It was 4:30 PM when we finally finished at the Brickyard.  We really pumped in the action today.  We accomplished a great deal.

Ten days later, the bricks created as above, and per our usual drying procedures, should have been dry, put in the kiln, and should have been ready to come out of the kiln.  On the given day, we got up and left early this morning (or earlier than usual).  We went to the Brickyard.  We had planned to meet Elder and Sister Rieske there at 8:15 Am.  We went to help unload the brick kiln after a recent firing.  We had expected that the many custom bricks that we had created were in this kiln package.  We helped pull out about 1,000 bricks from the kiln.  We realized, however, that the bricks that we expected had not even gone into the kiln (and we wanted them for distribution three days hence).  Elder Rieske promised to get our bricks into the kiln that day.  Some young sister missionaries came and we asked them to load the special bricks into the kiln for us.

The next day, Elder Rieske asked me if I would go with him to the Brickyard to pump out “pugs” for folks to use to make bricks the next day.  We went over and I cut the pugs and he put them into the plastic tubs.  We cranked out 3 ½ tubs – meaning about 175 bricks.  I enjoyed visiting with Elder Rieske.  He is a good guy.  He is also the “coordinator” of the Brickyard and he does a great job.  As he says, “This is my baby!”  He is really dedicated to the place.

REUNION CONNECTION WITH LONG-TIME FRIENDS

We had some fun guests May 17th and provided dinner for them. The guests were Tiffany and her husband Josh White.  Tiffany is a sister to Hillary Longhurst – a friend of many years to our daughter Kaylea.  They came with their four children.

Lou made tacos and the kids seemed to enjoy these.  We had earlier bought fresh corn on the cob (which I shucked).  We bought a watermelon but it proved a major disappointment.  Lou also made mint brownies.  We all enjoyed the meal.

It was fun to be with these folks.  Josh is a State Trooper (highway patrolman) and he looked the part.  Tiffany was very happy to see us.

After dinner, we took the group to many places.  I called the Nauvoo SM security guy (not Robert) and told him that we would be out doing some tours of the area.  He said that the security alarms would come on at 8 PM so we needed to be out of all places by that time.  They got to Carthage Jail this afternoon and then they went to the Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House and Joseph’s Red Brick Store.  Tonight, we took them to the Forge or Blacksmith Shop (but minus the fire).  The kids were all jazzed with the small horseshoes that I gave to each of them

We then went to the Browning home.  Josh loved seeing the guns. We made an abbreviated stop at the Post Office. We took them to the Lyon Drug Store and they liked the products – including the buffalo hide.

Our next stop was the Wilford Woodruff home.  I love this place because of its authenticity.

We finished the tours at the riser Boot Shop.  Lou really rushed through this tour.

We went with our friends down to the river to experience the magnificent sunset (as we often get to experience here in Nauvoo).   We got a lot of photos.  While we were there, we met two guys.  The American guy was Marshall Snarr and he was with a guy from Brazil. They were missionary companions in the same mission where Rusty served – but they were there just a couple of years before him.  These guys were cool.  We connected with them right off.  We all did “Relatives Around Me” and we (not the Brazilian) are all eighth cousins.  And this Snarr guy was a close cousin to my wife.  Her Aunt married a Snarr.

I showed Josh how to do “My Nauvoo Relative” and he was really jazzed to learn how to use this phone “app”.  And he was pleased to find a few of his people who were here ion Nauvoo.  Actually, he was very surprised to find 69 of his relatives here. 

We took the guests up to the Temple and they took several photos there.  We then went to the property where his ancestor David Evans lived – near the current Nauvoo State Park.  Josh was really jazzed about this find.

We then took them to the place on Partridge Street where one can get a fabulous photo shot of the temple “illuminated”. They loved this photo opportunity.

Next we went to the local home of Richard Hancock, another of my 4th cousins (and Richard is the local FM landscape manager).  Josh and Richard were longtime friends from their youth.  They were very happy to greet one another.  Richard had not known that Josh was in Nauvoo so it was a fun surprise for him.

So many fun Nauvoo connections!

The next morning, Tiffany texted Lou:  “Good Morning, Lou!

We had such a great time yesterday. Thank you so much for showing us around. I loved everything we saw, and Kevin was so great with our quick timeline we were on! Thank you for dinner and for your generosity with your time!  … We’re gonna get packed up after church and get back on the road! 

Thanks again for everything! I loved seeing you – and Josh, and the kids had a great time!  We’ll never forget it.”

We were happy that we were able to help the folks feel the great spirit of Nauvoo.

MORE FUN CONNECTIONS

Sister Hunt and I were serving at the Mansion House of Joseph and Emma.   Our second group was fun.  One lady in the group was Sister Layton (now Lance) who was a sister missionary in our Maricopa Wells Ward when I was serving as the Ward Mission Leader.  She recognized me immediately.  It was fun to see her and her husband, Garrett Lance.  He seemed pretty sharp.  They made a good couple.  Her parents and siblings were along on the tour, also.

On May 15th, also met the Preston Dees family.  They hail from Coolidge, Arizona – where we lived for two years – 1989 to 1991.  The wife, I learned, is Melody – the daughter of Eddie and Brenda Nevitt.  I surprised this lady – mother of five including 3 large boys and two girls – when I told her that I would have been her home teacher for the two years that we were in Coolidge. 

We talked quite a bit with these folks and we had a fun time with them.  She wrote to her siblings and the oldest daughter remembers our three older girls from when we lived there.  They would not have been much older than this sister.  How cool is this meeting?  Another “Nauvoo Miracle” that the Lord staged for us.

Another day we were serving at the Homestead and Mansion House of Joseph and Emma. I was surprised at one guest group. One lady in the group was Sister Layton (now Lance) who was a sister missionary in our Maricopa Wells Ward when I was serving as the Ward Mission Leader a few years ago. 

Above: Garret Lance and wife (former Sister Layton) and Elder Hunt

It was fun to see her and her husband, Garrett Lance.  He seemed pretty sharp.  They made a good couple.  Her parents and siblings were along on the tour, also.

LOU IS AGAING BUT STILL DOES NOT SHOW HER AGE

Our kids sent us a gift certificate (for Mother’s Day).  We then went to the Texas Roadhouse to celebrate Lou’s birthday.  In case any of you are wondering, she is now “the age of man”.  We got seated right away.  We both ordered ribs.  I also got my usual baked potato and chili.  The food was excellent.  I ate only half of my meal and saved the rest for later.

I slipped a note to the waitress about it being Lou’s birthday.  They brought the saddle and a few other employees to sing “Happy Birthday” to her.  Lou was embarrassed but went along with the plan.

The waitress asked Lou how old she was (so that she could announce this to the folks in the restaurant).  When Lou said “72”, the lady went into absolute shock.  She just stood there and stared blankly.  She finally said, “You really do not look as if you are 72.  You must really have a great skin care program.”  It was fun to see Lou on the saddle.  It was a fun activity..  Then after the singing event Lou told the waitress that she is the mother of 9 and the grandmother of 43.  This again put the lady into shock.  Lou was pleased that she looked so young to this lady.  She felt that she had received a great compliment from her.

On Lou’s actual birthday,   we went to the home of Elder and Sister Munns.  They hosted a birthday party that included Elder Munns, Elder Brad Hunt, and Lou – who all celebrated birthdays on the same day.  This was a fun activity.  There were about 290 couples who came and left.  It was fun to visit with the folks.  I thought, “Wow … there are a lot of old folks here!”

Above: Sharing a birthday – Sister Lou Hunt, Elder Brad Hunt (4th cousin) and Elder Mac Munns

Back at home, we ate leftovers from last night.  I asked Lou if she wanted me to make her a cake and she decided against it – since we really did  not want to eat a whole cake.  I also tried to get her to tell what she wanted as birthday gifts but she could never come up with anything.  Too bad there is not a Goodwill close by.  A trip there would have been the ultimate for her.

Our daughter, Lana, has a “cake top” business in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She sent her mother a gift box with a dozen of her cake tops – in many exotic flavors.

Above: “Cakes and Bakes by Lana Rae” package received in the mail from Lana.

Above: All of the “birthday stuff” sent to Lou by her posterity

Lou talked to all of our children on her birthday.  We enjoyed the conversations.  It was fun to catch up with everyone.  It was a challenge trying to get all of the calls through the evening.  Many of the families called at once and then they had to wait in “queue” for their turn.

A COUSIN GATHERING AT THE CEMETERY

Although the month was jam-packed with activity, we managed to take our district on a tour of local sites and hidden monuments in Nauvoo.  This was on our regular 4th Tuesday night that is set aside for district training and activities.  We took the district around to about 20 different sites.  I used some technology to our benefit.  I knew that it would be a challenge to keep getting in and out of multiple cars to see the various sites.  So I arranged with our son, Keith, to help.  He set up a couple of zoom calls and the district members, in their cars, were able to hear me as we toured the sites and as I presented history of each place.  This system actually worked quite well.  Thanks, Keith!

One of our stops was the Nauvoo Cemetery (not the pioneer burial ground).  This is located east of town.  To get to this cemetery, we drive east on Mulholland Street (the main drag).  There is a curve or turn at the end of town.  Instead of taking the turn, however, cemetery seekers are to go straight.  And within about a quarter of a mile, there is a cemetery on the left.  Much of this cemetery is designated as a Catholic cemetery, but there is an old Mormon grave section in the far southwest corner.

In this cemetery there is a marker for Ute Perkins – the 5th great grandfather of my wife.  His is a confusing situation.  In this cemetery there is a marker recognizing Ute as a soldier of the Revolutionary War.  There are two other identical markers (in headstone format) located adjacent to his – as if they were placed at the same time as a part of a memorial service.  Ute is also noted on a stone along with his wife down in the town of Ramus (now Webster), Illinois.  Not too many people merit headstones in two cemeteries!

Above: Image of Laura Clark Phelps

Also in this cemetery is the grave of Laura Clark Phelps.  Laura is the sister to my 3rd great grandfather, Ezra T. Clark.  Laura is the wife of Morris Phelps and she is kind of famous in church history lore.

In the fall of 1833, murderous mobs gathered and drove the Saints from their homes under severe persecution. Morris and Laura gathered what little they could and fled to Clay County in bitter weather. Morris rented a farm and several attempts were made to go back to Jackson County. During this time they became well acquainted with the Prophet and grew to love him even more. Then on September 20, 1834, Morris left his family and went on a mission with Apostle David Patten and others. Laura worked hard and, by teaching school and acting as a midwife, was able to support her family.

He bought a farm just outside of Far West on June 2, 1837, but trouble was already brewing. One day the Prophet and his brother came running by their house and Laura hid them in her house behind the clothes curtain. When the mob rushed in and their leader said, “Where are they? We know they are here, we saw them come,” she answered calmly and with apparent unconcern, “No, gentlemen, they are not here, but you are welcome to look all you want to.” She tried to look unconcerned while the mob made a hasty search and left. Upon emerging from his hiding place, the Prophet said, “Sister Laura, there are black lies and white lies and that certainly was a white one that came from your lips.”

Then followed a series of incidents–the Battle of Crooked River, October 1838, occurred when the Mormons tried to defend themselves. The militia joined the mob and many Mormon leaders were taken prisoner. Among them were the Prophet, his brother, Parley P. Pratt, Morris C. Phelps, Timothy B. Clark and many others. Governor  Boggs issued an order to exterminate the Mormons and much destruction was done culminating in the terrible Haun’s Mill Massacre.

The mob came into the Morris Phelps yard and shot the animals, and when Harriet tried to protect her pet pig they were going to shoot her. Laura ran out and said, ‘Shoot all the animals you desire but leave my little girl alone.”

Major General Lucas surrounded several hundred and got what they thought were the leaders, and then he ordered Brigadier General Doniphan to take Joseph Smith and others out and shoot them. He refused and, as a result, Parley P. Pratt, Morris C. Phelps, and others were taken through Jackson County to Ray County and put in prison at Richmond.

After this Joseph and Hyrum and others were put in Liberty Jail while Parley P. Pratt, Morris Phelps, and others remained in Richmond Jail. There they remained suffering the untold hardships and deprivations in their dungeon for six months. Laura visited Morris in jail in the hopes they would release him, but she finally had to leave and go to Illinois as Governor Boggs had issued an order expelling [page 3] Laura from Missouri. She went to Quincy and then to Commerce, which later was called Nauvoo, and finally crossed the river to settle near her father seven miles west of Montrose in Iowa.

The Biography of Laura Clark, typescript, LDS Archives, Pg. 4 states: “Previous to their arrival,” Parley P. Pratt said, “the Lord had shown me a vision of the night, the manner, and means of escape… Mrs. Phelps had the same thing shown to her previous to her arrival…” Her dream solidified her desire to help the men escape and showed her the way to get them out!

Orson Pratt and John Clark pretended to start for home and took Laura’s horse with them. They explained to the jailer that she wished to stay with her husband a little longer, but actually they were taking the horse for Brother Follet. John gave his sister strict orders not to touch the prisoners and not to assist in any way. The prisoners had to go through the kitchen to get out. The time for escape had been set for when the jailer brought their evening meal. Mr. Follet seized the door when the jailer opened it and Parley and Morris got through and reached the bottom of the stairs to the kitchen. Mr. King Follet and Parley reached the open air, but Morris was held by the jailer and his wife who cried so loudly the town was alarmed. Laura thought she was praying silently, but Morris said she shouted, “Oh Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, deliver they servant!” He said he felt as strong as a giant when he heard those words and was able to just push the jailer and his wife off as if they were babies and thus cleared himself.

When he got to his horse, the enemy had retaken Brother Follet. Morris was so exhausted that John had to help him onto his horse. They all separated and went the way alone.  Laura and Morris then went on to Nauvoo.  They moved to Macedonia, which was about twenty miles east of Nauvoo, and Morris began to build a fine home.

Laura saw a vision in the latter part of 1841 when all was peaceful and friendly. She saw the Saints being driven from Nauvoo. She beheld many killed in battle and by the mob, and the entire expulsion of the Saints from Nauvoo. She saw them traveling in great bodies and there was great suffering, and the way was blotted out and she could not see where they were going.

Because of their tragic experiences, Laura had worked and traveled day and night in all kinds of weather as an efficient midwife and practical doctor in order to get necessities for them. This overexertion and exposure had taken a terrible toll on her. Severe sickness came–likely pneumonia, and she died February 2, 1841, only 34 years, 8 months of age. Their “heaven on earth” had suddenly ended.

The family took her to Nauvoo to be buried in the old graveyard east of the city. Their dear Prophet Joseph Smith and their kind friend, Heber C. Kimball, preached her funeral sermons. Joseph in comforting words told of her life that had been short in years, but full of noble accomplishments. He said her exaltation was assured. Heber C. Kimball wrote her obituary in the “Times and Seasons” in March 1, 1842, and Church history tells that Joseph Smith entered her passing in his diary.  (Source  History of the Church Volume 4, p. 513

Joseph wrote: “Death of Laura Phelps.  Wednesday, 2.—Sister Laura Phelps, wife of Morris Phelps, died, aged 36 years. She was driven from Jackson county in 1833, was in the persecution of Missouri, in 1838, and went from Iowa to Missouri to assist in liberating her husband, and was left in the prison yard when he made his escape, willing to suffer all the abuses a savage horde could inflict upon her to set her companion free from the grasp of his murderous enemies. Her rest is glorious.”

Laura was a great lady and was true to the great Clark family name.

As we were on the district tour, we stopped at Laura’s grave and noted the nice (modern) marker for her.

Sister Hayes, of our district, was particularly interested in this grave as she is a direct descendant of Laura (and thus Sister Hayes and I are 4th cousins).  Together we shared some of Laura’s story with the district.  Elder Hayes, a long-time professor of Church History added informative historical tidbits to our discussion.

A VERY UNEXPECTED BUT ALSO A GREAT MOMENT

May 28th was kind of a historic moment for me.  In my journal, I noted: “I had a fun experience this morning … as we headed to  serve at the Pendleton School .  We saw the surrey in the distance.  Usually that means someone is going on their final ride with the Mission President but we did not know of anyone going home.  Then I remembered that a general authority is in town.  He is Elder Kyle McKay the top church historian.  We chased  the surrey to get a photo.   We stopped alongside it and I tried without success to get a photo.  President Mehr said, “Elder Hunt … we want a copy of all your books.”  They want them in Salt Lake.”  I said, “You have not even seen them all” (I have shown him only a couple of them).    He said, “We’ll have to talk”. I stopped the car and took off running to get my photo.  I ran alongside for 50 yards and caught up to them.  President Mehr said, “Elder McKay, stop the horses for a minute” and he did.  President Mehr then said, “Elder McKay, this is Elder Hunt, our mission historian.  He is the guy who has written all of the books”.  I went up front and shook his hand.  He smiled and said, “I have seen some of your books!” And he gave me a thumbs up.  Pres. Mehr has the couple of books on his coffee table at the mission home.  With them stopped, I got a fabulous photo.  In the photo, Elder McKay is shown at the far right driving the horses.  Pres Mehr is in the far back left!  Truly a great moment!!!!

BACK TO THE SUBJECT OF BRICKS

Each month, the mission stages a “hello-good-bye” dinner to recognize the new missionaries who arrived to the mission in the past month.  We also bid sad farewells to those who are going home before the next dinner.  The May dinner was staged May 30th.

President and Sister Mehr gave us permission to hand out the new Temple bricks to ALL of the couples and single sisters of the mission.  We had three boxes of the new bricks to hand out.  At the end of the gathering, Lou and I went to the microphone and introduced the brick and the March 9 date on the back.  Then we handed out these bricks to folks at the back door as they headed out.  The people were very appreciative of the dated first-run bricks.  It was fun to share with them.

Above: Elder and Sister Hunt presenting new Temple brick to Elder Harry Cieslak

It was great to give out the bricks ahead of the planned “roll-out” of the new design later this fall.   (An event that we greatly anticipate … but sadly, it will likely happen after we have returned to the Arizona desert.)

Wow!  Did all of that really happen in just May?  It really was “a lot of water under the bridge”.

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Latter-day Saints on the Move and a Lot More Books, Too!

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Blog #61

In a recent blog article, I talked of a fateful connection with our Mission Site Leaders – President and Sister Mehr as they were doing their morning biking.

On that day, President Mehr surprised us a bit.  He has kind of hinted in the past about him trying to find a way for me to go with him and the young sister missionaries on what he calls a “Church History immersion trip”.   This is a trip that he takes with the Young Sister Missionaries and they go around and check out historic sites of the church.

I will repeat myself a bit here (from that previous blog but I will again state the material below because it helps to introduce the publication of various church history site STUDY AND TRAVEL GUIDES:

On that day, President Mehr said, “Is your schedule free next week – like Tuesday and Wednesday?  I would like you and your wife to go with us on our “Immersion Trip”.  I said “That would be great.  I think we can clear the schedule.  (Har, Har!)”  I asked him what he would want us to do for the trip.  He kind of waved his hand around and said, “Everything … document the whole trip!”  Wow!  That would be so fabulous!  I think that he really likes my records of history here in Nauvoo.”

Little did I know the future impact of that one little random visit with the bikers.  I did not then know that I would spend literally every free moment of the next four months on an Immersion project.

President Mehr connected with the mission scheduler and told him to put Sister Hunt and me as scheduled to participate in the Immersion Trips.  President Mehr got permission from the Church History Department to take the 36 young sisters – who all go home this fall – on some Church History Immersion trips.  The group of young sister missionaries were divided into two groups.  So, this meant two sets of trips and us going on all of the trips.  The first overnight trip was to Missouri church historic sites.  We then made another overnight trip across the Iowa Mormon Trail and to Winter Quarters.  We repeated these two trips a couple of weeks later with the other half of the Sisters.  Then later, we went on a day trip with them to see “local” sites around Nauvoo – like Ramus and Quincy, Illinois, the “Sugar Creek Camp” and Montrose in Iowa.

Our months of May and June were packed with all of these wonderful trips.  On these trips, I served in my role as Mission Historian.  I took copious notes all along the way.  I recorded history, trip activities, and testimonies and feelings shared by the young sister missionaries.  Sister Hunt was the official photographer for all of the trips.

At one point, I took advantage of a moment with just President Mehr and myself.  I wanted clarification about his vision for me being on the trips.  Knowing of my propensity for writing and creating books, he said, “I WANT A BOOK, OF COURSE!”

Okay, so a book it would be!  After the trips ended, I composed a “memory book” just for the young sister missionaries – combining all that I described above.  I did very comprehensive research about every Church site we had visited – and many more that were significant but which we did not have time to visit.  This turned into a very major project that certainly kept me entertained.  I worked on the project for several hours each day for the next four months.

I created one giant composite book that had everything in it.  Then I broke this down into several smaller books which I published separately.  I termed these books “Study and Travel Guides” for general distribution to missionaries of the three states, as well as to the general public – for anyone anticipating a Church history tour.  And in the process, I did also extract a book just for the young sisters.  And I prepared a “Synoptic Summary” for the Church History Department.

Here are connective links for the Church History books. A PDF link is included, All of the books are available for purchase on lulu.com with a search on the word “Nauvoo”. (And you may need to copy the link and paste it into your own computer URL)

SAINTS IN MISSOURI, NAUVOO AND WESTWARD

This is the composite book for Senior Missionaries (and anyone in the world).  It combines all of the geographic areas into one book.  Then there are book links by state.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:74824bb7-322a-4657-b484-f469c3a2ef47

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-huntk/saints-in-missouri-nauvoo-and-westward-study-and-travel-guide/hardcover/product-84yyk7q.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

SAINTS IN MISSOURI BEFORE NAUVOO

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:309d21de-9dc0-41e5-80fd-8a9393a5fdfc

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/saints-in-missouri-before-nauvoo-study-and-travel-guide-to-church-historic-sites/hardcover/product-v8mm458.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

SAINTS IN NAUVOO WITH PROPHETS JOSEPH BRIGHAM

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:5c1c762a-5a62-4296-9dbb-893be9318cc9

SAINTS GO WESTWARD FROM NAUVOO

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:85da3b48-d052-4a09-b208-c1155957207e

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/saints-go-westward-from-nauvoo-study-and-travel-guide/hardcover/product-v8mmg9m.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

JUST A FEW BOOKS WRITTEN WHILE A MISSIONARY IN NAUVOO

Elder Mitch Atkinson has been our zone leader in the Hyrum Zone for many months and it has been a real plesure working with him. He has long been fascinated with the many books that I have created while a missionary here in Nauvoo. I told him that I have created some 20 books while I have been here in Nauvoo. Unbelievable! This is hard to believe myself, but it is true.

And a real mind blower … All of the “Saints” series and one on my Brigham District, and the two books for the young sister missionaries were all published on one day. So if you are counting, that is 7 books which I published in a single day (after months of hard work). That is certainly a record for me – and once which I doubt will be matched again – and probably a feat that few other authors could admit to.

In making this announcement, I do not wish to brag or to toot my own horn. I humbly I acknowledge that it was not me. All of these books came by the power of the Holy Ghost and I felt very strongly of His inspiration and revelation through all of these projects. Without His direction, such a massive undertaking would not have been possible. With His help, I was able to achieve way beyond my usual self and capabilities. I am deeply grateful!

When I came on this mission, I had no idea that I would be creating sukch a collection. I did them one at a time and now that I am about done, I am totally amazed, too. Wow!

Also, our mission president asked me to print a copy of ALL OF MY BOOKS for use in the mission. He also asked for a copy of each to be sent to the Church History Department in Salt Lake City, Utah.

I happened to call Elder Atkinson the other morning and caught him in a devotional meeting with the 20 or so Nauvoo teamsters. My books and 142 journal volumes became a subject of their discussion (though I certainly did not plan for this situation)

Following the Teamster conversation, I compiled a list of the books created while here. (And actually the real total is 23 if I count the two books on my grandparents, Ray and Augusta Hunt, that were finished and published here) and a book on the mission of our grandson.

The package of the many books arrived and I spread them out on the floor. I sent a message to the President saying, “It’s Christmas! The books have arrived!” It certainly did seem like Christmas. The package will actually probably blow the mind of the Mission President. He has seen only three or four of the books previously. When I told him there were 15 or more, he reiterated, “I want ALL OF YOUR BOOKS”. So, here goes!

Above: 20 Books created and published in Nauvoo 2024 to 2025 by Kevin Hunt while serving as a Church missionary.

A WHOLE LOT OF BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR READING PERUSAL AND ENJOYMENT!

And here is the list of books that I compiled for the Teamsters. The rest of you might enjoy the list also.

All of the books are published on lulu.com. For the many Nauvoo books, you can find them all by doing a search with the word “Nauvoo”.

My other lulu.com books can be found with a search of my Kevin V Hunt name.

I am willing to send any of you a free PDF version of any book if you e-mail me a message of request. And of course, you may purchase them on lulu. And note that for most of my books I only charge a couple or three dollars above the printing cost. I do not try to make money on my books … I just want people to read them. And that is also why I do not publish them on commercial sites (like Amazon and Lulu Global) … they hike the price up so high beyond the printing cost – that no one can afford to read them.

I have created 60 historical blogs (an average of one about every ten days) while I have been here.  I have compiled these into three books (and will create a fourth book after the mission concludes).  The blog site address is innauvoowithkevandlou.wordpress.com

               Available as pdf and Lulu:  Volumes 1, 2, 3

“A Nauvoo Walk Down Memory Lane”  – I was here as a “young missionary” 50 years ago (1975).  I then took photos of Nauvoo historic homes.  Then as I returned to Nauvoo last year, I took photos of all of the same places.  The book compares the two and shows the effects of restoration in Nauvoo

“Nauvoo Homes and Shops” – This book details all of the 30 or so homes and shops in which we take tours.  Many of these (two a month) have appeared the monthly newsletter – but this book is the full package.

“My Nauvoo Ancestors (Hunt Version)” – This book details my own 32 direct-line ancestors and includes biographical information on each.  Names:  Pulsipher, Alger, Wilcox, Rawson, Cheney, Terry, Wiggins, Robinson, Clark, and many more.

“My Nauvoo Ancestors (Belcher Version)” – This book details the lives of the 20 direct-line ancestors for my wife’s Belcher lines – including Perkins, Carter, Haws, Gardner, and many others.

“Nauvoo Homes and Brick Making” – This book introduces the history of brick making in Nauvoo – and tells about many of the brick homes in Nauvoo.  It also introduces my father-in-law, Elder E.H. Belcher, who built the original (modern) brickyard – which you always talk about on your wagon tour as you round the corner by Lucy Mack Smith.  Elder Belcher built the round kiln out in front at the brickyard. And he created the original souvenir Nauvoo brick that has been given to visitors for 45 years.  The book details his research, and a history of his brick making in Nauvoo.

“Nauvoo Temple Brick Miracles” – This book talks of the many miracles that came together – and the history thereof – of the new Nauvoo Temple Bricks.

“My Nauvoo Hyrum #3 – Brigham District” – This book details the many great people and times in our district as we have served as district leaders over the past year.

“Nauvoo Family History Inspiration” – In January and February of this year, I created and presented five different family history related presentations for Nauvoo missionaries.  This book combines all of the five presentations.  The five subjects are kinds of personal history records, writing your personal journal, writing a personal history, compiling a family history, and a detailed look at how to publish books (books on family history – and any Lulu book in general).

“Nauvoo Monuments, Markers, and the Dash” – I made a study of Mormon historical markers and monuments within a 50-mile radius of Nauvoo and wrote history of each site.  This is a travel guide for those markers and monuments.

“Nauvoo, City of Joseph” – This book is a tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith.  It contains much information about him.

“The Nauvoo Martyrdom and Burials of Joseph Smith” – This book details the events surrounding the death of Joseph Smith and the many (5) different  burial places of Joseph and Hyrum.

The following books were not written in Nauvoo but may be of interest:

“Peter the Apostle” – This is a biography of the life and times of the Apostle Peter.  This book was written at the request of Elder E. H. Belcher – who absolutely loved the Apostle Peter.

“Christmas Is …” – This is a musical cantata of Christmas hymns and narration.

“Christmas Time Reflections” – For 40 years, and for each year, I have written a new Christmas poem or hymn.   This book contains most of those (some were written after the book was published).  Many of these hymns have been set to music by my cousin, Linda Hunt Waters.  Also, many of these make up the Cantata book noted above.

“Writing the Journal of Your Life” – This talks of my 50 years of journaling – the “how, what, where, when, why, and how” of journaling.  This is a great book for anyone interested in doing better at writing journals.

“Scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” – This is a very detailed book about the 100 plus year association between the Church and the Boy Scouts of America.  This book has evolved and changed over 30 years.  The Church History Department made their records available to me and assisted in the original book research.

I have written many other books on the subject of Scouting (written from the perspective of being a 60-year veteran and personal experience (many of which derive from my personal journal.)  Several books on Scouting are detailed specifically in many volumes of my own personal history compilation entitled, “My Life’s Collective Works”.  Many Scouting books are available on Amazon, Lulu, and other platforms.

I compiled a very detailed collection of unpublished books on how to create and implement a home-centered MTC for your children and grandchildren.  This is called, “Missionary in Training”.  (Available on request)

I have composed ancestral books on many of my family ancestral lines (for family names listed above).

With a list like this, no one should want for a good book to read! Take one along for any and every trail along your way!

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