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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
So, you want to come to Nauvoo? That is such great news. You are not alone! God has put into the hearts of many to come to His sacred and holy places of Nauvoo. And why is it that so many people want to come to Nauvoo? The reasons vary but most folks want to see and experience the history of the church, the prophets, the early Saints and their own ancestors who once lived, served, and grew in faith and fortitude here. Some have had it on their “bucket lists” for many years. It seems to be a yearning within all of us. (And a warning … once you have experienced it, it can be habit forming – making you want to return again and again!)
Above: Kevin and Lou pulling their way to Nauvoo with grandkids Brodey and Lucy
It is a strong pull! For many it has been a long-time dream. A few people just suddenly decide to come here, but for most, it is a trip that takes considerable time, effort and resources to pull off a trip to Nauvoo.
TIME IS THE FIRST MAJOR CONSIDERATION
There are, of course, many “locals” (people within say about 4 hours of Nauvoo) – who are privileged to come here frequently. For these people little is required in time and resources. They can easily come for a day or two – and often can make multiple trips to Nauvoo over short periods of time.
These folks are truly blessed to be able experience Nauvoo often, but they are kind of the exception to the rule. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Most people come to Nauvoo from “out west”, “back east”, or “down south” and their trips require much advance planning. And coming to Nauvoo involves a major trans-continental journey that often takes six or more days just for the travel. Take for instance … coming to Nauvoo from our hometown of Maricopa, Arizona or wherever our children live – in Nevada, Idaho, and Utah. Unless you are a crazy die-hard driver like our son-in-law, Mike, it is generally a three day trip each way. And then if you spend three or four days in Nauvoo (recommended), that makes it about a ten-day trip. That takes some serious vacation-day planning – that is often not easy to come by.
HOW TO GET TO NAUVOO
It is not easy to get to Nauvoo. You have to really want to get here. It is not on the open trail. It is a place kind of secluded away from much of the world. Even the Church website is way too honest: “As you prepare to travel to Historic Nauvoo, keep in mind that it is a small town in a rural area. There are no direct travel routes to Nauvoo, and it is not close to any major city center. No matter what form of transportation you choose, additional driving from another city will be required.” (Source: “Travel Information for Historic Nauvoo”, churchofjesuschrist.org).
Many of my “peeps” (children and grandchildren) live around Maricopa, Arizona, where my wife and I are from. Some of the family daughters live elsewhere – like Las Vegas, Idaho Falls and Lehi, Utah. I could talk of any of these places but for the purposes of this blog article, I will focus upon Maricopa – though the same challenges plague those from Utah and beyond.
One internet source says that there are “9 ways to get from Maricopa to Nauvoo”. (and yesterday it said there were 8!).
The first option is to fly in an airplane. And that is a bit tricky. The closest major airport is St. Louis, Missouri. This airport has the most flight and airline options. But St. Louis is three and a half hours from Nauvoo. That means that you have to rent a vehicle – or have someone (like Sister Hunt and me) to come to pick you up – and to take you back to same.
If you rent a car, most people who come to Nauvoo will need a BMW (that a “big Mormon Wagon”). And those are often not easy to come by – either in availability or sheer financial capabilities. If you rent a car, you will need one for multiple days – for the duration of your trip. If a Nauvoo resident (missionary or otherwise) comes for you, that is a 7-hour round trip to pick you up – and then another similar trek on the other end of your visit.
That same Church website noted above lists several potential airports: Quad Cities, Illinois (a 2-hour drive from Nauvoo), St. Louis Lambert (3 hours), Des Moines, Iowa (3 hours), Chicago, Illinois (4 ½ hours), and Kansas City International (4 ½ hours)
Chicago is an almost equal distance away. There are smaller airlines and airports within about two to three hours distance. But to these places, the flights are kind of few and far between. Allegiant Airlines flies into the “Quad Cities” in Illinois. This is actually a good option for some (if you are lucky enough to have such an airport within a hundred miles of your home base). But then you have the challenge of their flight schedules. They usually have fights – both to and from – on one or two days (like Thursday and Sunday) and so that means that you get a two day and a half or a week-long stay option in Nauvoo.
Another challenge with the above airline, you have to take out a second mortgage on your home in order to pay for any “extra” luggage that you bring. You get only one “free” personal bag – that is big enough for only a change of underwear and your toothbrush.
Take the train: Amtrak serves many cities within a couple of hours of Nauvoo but trying to catch one from out west can be challenging – since Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho (where my kids are) have only two or three cities where they stop or pick-up. My wife and I recently took a train trip to a grandson’s wedding. We got on in Burlington, Iowa (35 minutes north of Nauvoo) and got off in Provo, Utah. Since we are “old folks”, we got special deals and it was literally half of the cost of flying on an airplane. The trip took about 29 hours each way. The trip was long but very comfortable. And a special perk was that we went through some very high and stupendous travel routes through the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
Above: Colorado Rocky Mountains as viewed from Amtrak Train
Train personnel bragged that we saw much grand country that is seen only two ways – on a raft on the Colorado River, and on the train. It certainly was gorgeous. I would highly recommend such a trip. It is “glorious and beautiful”.
Of course you can get in your BMW (“Big Mormon Wagon”) and traverse the country via your favorite route. You can drive and drive forever, as Mike did, but for most sane people, about 500 miles is about the recommended miles per travel day. And from our Maricopa, for instance, the distance is just a handful short of 1,500 miles. That means three days and two nights of hotels and a lot of fast-food restaurants on the way. And any parent or grandparent knows that if you are traveling with children, you also need to add two or three hours a day to accommodate the many “drink and drain” situations as they come up all too often.
WHERE DO WE STAY?
There are a couple of hotels in Nauvoo. And many stay in hotels in nearby Keokuk or St. Madison. But, remember if you stay that far away, you have to plan an extra half hour each way for every late-night or early-morning trip that you make to and from Nauvoo.
In today’s world, the Air B and B lure seems to be the big thing. Everyone wants the “B’s”. And that can be a great option. Prices and facilities vary greatly but half the town seems to be on the “B” circuit. There are seemingly a million places for accommodation around Nauvoo. If this is your selected option, be sure to make reservations way early. The places fill up fast – and especially during the July pageant month – when the show casts add an extra 400-500 or more people into the community for some extended stays.
My personal preference (for economy) and my wanderlust spirit (too many Boy Scout camping nights) would be to camp and stay in the Nauvoo State Park.
Every time I drive by or through the State Park, I say to myself, “This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I have seen in a “coon’s age”. The campground has showers, running water, hiking trails, and even a small lake. The challenge is to find the spot on the website to make reservations … but once you are there, you can make reservations for $20 to $30 per night.
Above: Camp Nauvoo in Nauvoo, Illinois
Camp Nauvoo is another great option. This is a public campground owned by the Community of Christ Church. This place has RV sites, a few cabins, tenting space and some large group use camping and other facilities. There is opportunity for families, large groups, or whatever your group might be. Our family stayed in a cabin at Camp Nauvoo when we came here 28 years ago and as we were in the “City of Joseph” pageant. And we have such great memories of those fun times.
And for the really lucky folks, … if you are privileged enough, you might have a Senior Nauvoo Missionary Couple grandparent who can put you up – or put up with you. (But they so love having you come!) That’s how our kids get their accommodations when we are blessed to have them come. Every missionary home is different (though always small). In our Simeon A. Dunn historic home, we have a nice full basement. Though a bit “scary” for little kids, it really is quite nice. We have a large vintage rag rug on the floor and we have a plethora or air mattresses and quilts that can provide close quarters and comforts even for a large family.
(We had six children down there when our Marinda and family came, for when Jackie and family came– and also when Larissa and her two boys came. One draw-back is that most of the missionary homes have only one bathroom. (In our home, that means an upstairs trek – through the master bedroom – whenever you get the urge or want to shower off some of the Nauvoo sweat.) (Thanks, humidity!)
WHERE TO EAT?
Well, there’s a challenge … Keokuk and Ft. Madison have a plethora of the usual fast-food joints where you can eat. Not so, in Nauvoo, however. Dining space and options are hard to come by. Sister Hunt and I always recommend our favorite Red Front Café (the only place open daily and year round) or Annie’s (seasonal summers).
The Fireside BBQ is really great but a bit pricy. The all-you-can-eat buffet is the dream of everyone (including Sister Hunt and me). The Hotel Nauvoo has been here literally for over 50 years (it was here when I was here in 1975) and is still going strong. I am still waiting for the special occasion that warrants the cost. And of course, there is Casey’s … a great place for pizza – but everyone else in town may have already beat you there … and they may or may not be able to meet your immediate needs.
We love the cost, atmosphere and yummy food of the little Mi Camino Real Mexican place in Ft. Madison. This place is in Illinois, but it is truly a “legit” and great Mexican restaurant.
And shopping? Dollar General is our big supermarket. Surprisingly, they seem to have a bit of everything. We have only been there a couple of times when they didn’t have what we went in search of. There is a Wal-Mart in Keokuk – located about 13 miles south of Nauvoo (along the most beautiful river drive in the world).
HOW LONG SHOULD I STAY IN NAUVOO
Many folks come here with the mistaken idea that they can see the whole place in an hour or two. Wow, is that a mistake! Couples and families with just older teens might be able to squeeze most things into a couple of very full days, but most other families and other serious visitors will want to spent several days. We think that about four days might be the perfect plan. There is just so much to do here … so much fun … so much history … and such a heritage, and so much to do generally … that you will welcome any moment that you can extend your trip for.
So much for all of the logistics. Now let’s get into the fun stuff – the real reasons why folks want to come to Nauvoo …
NOW LET’S SEE WHAT THERE IS TO DO IN OLD NAUVOO
Now that we have all of the logistics taken care of, let’s explore the town a bit. Of course, Sister Hunt and I are here on an 18-month mission. We have total immersion. We have history and fun in us every day – from the tips of our toes to the top of our ears. And it just keeps getting better. We just keep soaking it in and we love every minute of every day.
With our concentrated view, however, we might kind of have blinders on. We are so used to all of this in our daily service opportunities that we might not be able to fully see everything from the viewpoint of the typical guests who come here. So, in light of this, I thought that it would be good to share Nauvoo with you from the view of guests who come here … and specifically through the eyes of my own children and grandchildren who have come to really experience Nauvoo with us. To do this, I will now quote extensively from some of the personal family experiences as they have written and blogged about them. I will actually quote from multiple daughters (no sons have come yet) to help you get the full picture of what is available here. I have also included comments and reactions that the various daughters posted in response to the experiences of their sisters. I know that you will enjoy hearing it straight from them.
THE STORY OF JACKIE AND FAMILY IN NAUVOO
Jackie and family – husband and four “tween” and “teen” children came last summer for several days.
They took the big bird in the sky and got a car rental. Marinda and her big man came with seven children in their BIG BMW this summer and stayed for almost a week. Larissa and her two funny boys came the next week. Her man had a new job so had no vacation time to take. They flew into Quad Cities. They arrived late on a Sunday night and we took them back to the airport four days later. Each of these families stayed with us – and the parents got bigger air mattresses in our small living room as the kids were downstairs in our basement or cellar.
Kaylea and Lana still have a Nauvoo trip on their “bucket lists” for future. Kaylea has to recover from a shoulder surgery before she can come. Keith has a plan to come in September or October but those plans are still forming. Finances are the main issue for all of these children. Our son, Rusty and family have their plane reservations for early October. We look forward to their arrival and good times together in Old Nauvoo.
Many children and grandchildren – from various families – came to visit Kevin and Lou Hunt in Nauvoo.
Jackie and famiily came in the summer of 2024 – our first Nauvoo missionary summer. We had great times with them. That same week, Kaylea’s kids came to Nauvoo with their Texas stake youth group and Jenae’d daughter came with her Young Women group from St. louis.
Above: Jackie’s Nauvoo Photo Gallery
THE STORY OF JENAE AND FAMILY IN NAUVOO
Jenae and Paul and their four kids “brought us to Nauvoo” the summer before our missions – and that certainly made us want to return for more. We rode Amtrak – the train – from our Maricopa town– up through Texas and to their home in St. Louis. We had a unique experience in that we were able to stay in a nice Boy Scout lodge located at Camp Eastman near Nauvoo as we were here together. This worked out well.
We had to clean out the mostly unused (nowadays) lodge but once that was done, the camp made for a wonderful base camp for us.
Jenae wrote some of her thoughts and impressions about Nauvoo:
“Nauvoo the city of beautiful the City of Joesph
We had a trip planned to Nauvoo. It didn’t go quite as planned as we planned to be there a few days with my parents and family,. Tanner was in a play for the summer and they were on their tech week, The show director said Tanner couldn’t miss that whole week. She said, “Can you give me 3 days?” I said, “Can you give me 1…?” so this left us 24 hours in Nauvoo with our family and my mom and dad.
It was a, sweet day arriving in Nauvoo even though we knew we only had two days there…. The city of Nauvoo always brings a peaceful presence as you enter the city. It was sweet too, to do the trip with my parents – after our own family trips, growing up in the Nauvoo pageant and participating in it for two summers …
The city holds so many sweet memories for our family and memories of bringing our kids when younger, Being there with my parents was a gift of time as well.
We toured the city, took in the atmosphere and beauty of Nauvoo and the rich pioneer stories and history. We toured some of the little shops and pioneer historic sites, took several wagon rides, visted the vistors’ center, and attended plays and musicals about Nauvoo with the performing missionaries. It was just a beautiful day
We loved seeing and hearing about places my dad had been to or served in while on his own mission here and things my grandparents had done too on there mission here with the Nauvoo brick yard, Coolidge house and other things. We loved walking the streets of Nauvoo with my parents and hearing the history of these things and our own legacy that is laced in witb Nauvoo and it’s history. Loved riding the carriage and my dad showing us where he lived as a missionary here and other things linked to our own family and grandparents in Nauvoo
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt with Paul and Jenae and family – in front of the brick kiln built by Jenae’s grandpa Elder Everett H. Belcher 1980
We finished the day’s activites in Nauvoo, as the night and evening crept in. We wanted to return to the cabin where we were going to stay which my dad had set up for us. We found out that our car wouldn’t start. This was a challenge as we already dealt with car trouble through the summer with other cars. It took us a bit to get our car working. Then we headed to Walmart to buy food, and things needed for the stay at the cabin. As we came out of Walmart our car again wouldn’t start. This became a challenge as it got later and nothing was open. Finally after hours and trying everything we could, we got the car to start. As we worked on it we prayed whie we worked on it. Finally Katelyn said a prayer with all her faith and I prayed that like the wagon wheels of the pioneers, that God witb fix our Ox, wagon or on this case our car
We finally got it working and made it back to the cabin and set up beds all over the floor with air mattresses,
it was a long night of trying to get the car working. We charged it throughout the night but still didn’t know if it would even start the next morning. We planned to head to the temple with the adults to do a,session in the Nauvoo temple. We were going to have the kids drive over a bit later to meet us lo do Baptisms too. We wanted everyone who could to be in the temple. And we only had a few hours to spend in Nauvoo today as Paul had to head back to O’Fallon, llinois where we lived, so that Tanner could get back for his theater practice,and tech week and Trevor to hils football practice
By a miracle the, car started in the morning. We headed out and made it to the temple even though being a bit behind with everything the night before with the car and setting up the beds, It was a blessing to be able to get to the temple. We did a, session with my parents
It was a beautiful morning at the temple, I loved being in the Nauvoo temple as I remember walking the grounds of the temple when I was 14 and was there with my family in the pageant and there being no temple there but feeling a spiritual presence of a temple,. So it’s been special to see the temple there now and to know the sacrifices of the pioneers who built Nauvoo and the original temple
As I sat in the Nauvoo temple a lady in the session leaned over and whispered, “I am glad you’re here.” She then showed me a butterfly on the art mural… This was a sweet moment and meant a lot to me – showing that Heavenly Father was, aware of me sitting there today.
The kids made it to the temple and it’s, was sweet to meet most of them in the temple for baptisms, Brianna, wasn’t 12 yet so she, wasn’t able to go in to do baptisms, so I was going to go meet the kids outside and go walk around with her, while Paul did baptisms with the other kids, But Paul said, “Jenae you should go today to do baptisms with the kids and I will walk around with Brianna on the temple grounds.”. I was like, “Ok,” but I was sad that Brianna and Paul wouldn’t be with us in the temple… I put on my white dress again and went to meet the other 3 kids and my parents in the baptistry..
It was a beautiful moment as I walked in in my whtre dress and seeing my other 3 kids lined up in there white jumpsuits and my parents by them in their white clothes… It was a beautiful memory and I’m grateful for the morning in the temple and the time in Nauvoo with our family even though we were only there one night and two days with everyone.
Paul did a small sketch outside the temple when out with Brianna that later helped inspire my mom with the idea of a small temple image on the new Nauvoo Temple Brick – that she and my dad later designed. And Brianna took pictures of beautiful flowers on the temple grounds
We took pictures, at the Nauvoo temple with our family and my parents. Then the boys, Paul and Tanner and Trevor had to head out to drive back home 3 hours for Tanners theater and Trevor’s football.
But despite the trial of our car not working or starting last night we were blessed to have a beautiful 2 days in Nauvoo together and at the temple with all our kids> My heart felt so grateful.
I was grateful for time with our family and my parents in Nauvoo
Us girls and my parents toured more of Nauvoo, saw the horses, visited other historic sites and attended more shows and enjoyed the day in Nauvoo.
We went to area by the pageant stage to put stings out to save seats for the performance. It was fun to feel the excitement of the performance atmosphere.
We also walked down the Trail of Tears and read stories of the pioneers, then ended at the river to look st the monuments of Joseph and Brigham.. What took our breath away was the giant lily pads with beautiful giant flowers there at the end of the path or crossing of the pioneers across the river.
We took in the scene and the beauty of the lilies and the flowers… I stood there imagining the pioneers crossing here and the many tears ahead of them and now that same spot of tears turned into something so beautiful… It was as if God took their tears and heartache and created something beautiful out of it… It was a good reminder that He can take our pain and heartache and turn it into to something beautiful.
Then as we left my dad said, “Jenae grab a picture of me and your mom standing at the edge of the river and little pads – with us holding hands looking out over the river then looking back “
.Who knew this would be symbolic for what was ahead and their own call to Nauvoo to serve as missionaries… Seeing the quiet of the lilies and beauty where there once was heartache was one of my favorite things in Nauvoo this trip and being at the temple with my patents and kids despite the car challenges beautiful moments of eternity to remember
We then went to the pioneer carnival [the “Country Fair”] they do before the pageant We loved the pioneer carnival,. We took pioneer photos with the girls and my parents and the girls enjoyed pioneer activites like the May day pole, and wagon pulling. My dad got into – and got a bit hot – as he tried to pull all of us girls in the wagons.
We loved the pageant. It was a beautiful reminder of the story of Nauvoo and that this story is in us and a part of us. It reminded us of being in the pageant when we were teens with my family and that too is part of our story and Nauvoo is a part of our story.. It was a beautiful evening in Nauvoo and the city beautiful and seeing portrayed the story of Nauvoo and also the Temple being bulit by the saints..
Above: A Scene from the Nauvoo Pageant
The next day we visited more sites and the visitors’ center. Katelyn and Grandpa went to the family history library for a while. They enjoyed their time there. We had lunch downtown at the same restaurant as the day before and it was affordable and one of the few places there to eat.
The day was rainy and we wondered if we would be able to watch the pageant tonight. We went to the stage area again to put out a string for saving seats again for the British pagent. It was a, wet and drizzly day. The seats, were soaked and full of water so it didn’t look likely they would still have the pageant tonight…. Throughout the day we asked some sister missionaries if they cancel the pageant. They said, “No they never do – it just always clears up..” And surprisingly it did just before the carnival and pageant.
We had experienced this ourselves years ago when in Nauvoo and in the “City of Joseph” pageant. There was rain and even a tornado warning before a performance but with prayers and faith of the cast and crew it cleared up for us to perform that night. And again we witnessed this tonight in Nauvoo as the rain cleared up for the performance… Brianna was so surprised and delighted she said, “Well I guess Nauvoo is a place of miracles …”
Also while at the pioneer carnival that night Paul called from home and said we just got news that Katelyn got a grant – saying that some military education money had come through for her schooling. We had submitted it twice and were still waiting and praying it weould go through as she was to head to school in a few weeks. This, was another blessing and miracle in Nauvoo. We were so grateful
I love the big flags of different countries – that they have come out before the performance. They had the, Welsh flag – which is from Wales where I served my mission, I loved seeing the flag bearers run on with the flags into the pageant – symboling the gospel going to all the world. Then the missionaries from all over Nauvoo coming up with lights that started on the stage and went out into the audience as they ran out with their lights. Then the missionaries came up on stage to sing as the pageant ended. Little did we know then that later my parents would be called to Nauvoo themselves on their own mission. We were all renewed in our own faith and journey and knowing how the “truth will prevail” as it says in the Pageant as they lift a big banner up with these words.
We all felt the spirit of Nauvoo and the pioneers and the truthfulness of God’s plan, His gospel, the history and legacy of the pioneers. Their story is ours as it says in the pageant. And it’s our story… It’s in us … it’s our story. We also talked of the image of seeing all of my siblings and their families each coming to Nauvoo one day with my parents. We didn’t know they would serve a mission here and many of the families would come to walk Nauvoo and be here with my parents in this city. It was beautiful feeling the legacy of Nauvoo. I know we felt it and it is real.
By Jenae Merrill thoughts and reflections of Nauvoo trip
MARINDA WROTE OF HER NAUVOO EXPERIENCE:
“It has been an incredible stay! Dad and Mom have been such amazing guides. We have seen way more than what we could have on our own.
Above: Marinda and Mike and their children arrive in Nauvoo in their “BMW”
The biggest thing I have loved is that it is a place centered around families! It is beautiful to see how happy and kind everyone is to our big family. Everyone is so happy and smiling so big. It really is the City of Beautiful!
I hope everyone can come and visit! It is such a special place. Thanks mom and dad for passing on your love of Nauvoo, our pioneer heritage, and testimonies of this restored gospel.”
Above: Marinda’s Nauvoo Photo Gallery
JENAE RESPONDED ABOUT MARINDA’S TRIP
“This is so special Marinda! I am so glad your family gets to be there while mom and dad are there. What a special time! We loved our time with mom and dad in Nauvoo even though we went with them before their missions. It was still so special. it’s such a beautiful place to be. The Spirit there is so peaceful and it feels like home.”
MARINDA WROTE OF HER BRITISH PAGEANT EXPERIENCE:
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt (Center) singing with fellow missionaries in the Nauvoo British Pageant finale
“Oh my goodness this was so, so, so beautiful! All the missionaries got up and sang “Called to Serve”. I was so proud to be Mom and dad’s daughter! I am so proud of them for serving and sharing their testimonies with so many people. I am so thankful for the legacy they have carried on from their families and have passed down to us.”
JENAE WROTE AGAIN:
“This is so awesome. When we were there with mom and dad they were in the audience with us, so that’s so cool they were now up there singing with the missionaries. We didn’t think about that back then. The Spirit is so strong in Nauvoo. It helps us feel God’s plan, who we are, and our story too. Love this.
“That’s fun to see your kids at the pioneer carnival. They do such a fun job for families. I love that everything is free and there is so much for families to do – with the shows, the carnivals, the wagon rides, and the history sites.
Sweet to see your kids there Marinda. I love it… But that hallway to the basement [with Mike]. So funny. Looks so tiny with Mike in there. Haha”
MARINDA CONTINUES:
“My Snow College roommate, Tiffany, drove four hours to come hang out with us. It was so fun having her family here.”
LARISSA RESPONDED:
“Aww … looks like such a fun time. That’s awesome that they have all those activities in the park for families. I’m so excited to go there in a few days.”
MARINDA AGAIN WROTE:
“I love this picture so much! I love seeing dad’s huge smile showing the kids doing all of the fun stuff.”
KAYLEA ADDED TO THE CONVERSATION:
“Mom and Dad look so happy having y’all there!! I love all these pictures. Everyone looks so happy and looks like they are having the best time!! I love all the activities there are for the kids. And so fun you got to see Mom and Dad perform and sing. Sounds amazing!! Proud they are my parents too!!”
LARISSA SHARED HER PLANS:
“Yeah, me and the kids are going from the evening of the 13th to the evening of the 17th. It will be so fun. Found a pretty good deal for the three of us to fly there on Allegiant, which flies to Moline, Illinois … two hours from Nauvoo. Just got the tickets a week ago. Ha, Ha!
Hopefully the kids do good on the flights. The flight home leaves at 9 pm and is a three hour flight plus the two hours to get to the airport and the hour drive from the Mesa gateway airport to home.. I hope the kids just sleep the whole time. Haha! Then our flight to get there leaves at 3 pm and gets there a little after 8 pm. I got a couple fun activities for them so hopefully that keeps them entertained.
[Note: Sister Hunt and I brought our nine children to Nauvoo in 1996 and 1997 and we participated in the “City of Joseph” pageant. We came on Amtrak for that trip … and that is an adventure for another time.”
Above: The Kevin and Lou Hunt family in the opening scene of the 1996 and 1997 pageants
Marinda sent a plethora of photos – but with no comments.
Among the photos that Marinda sent was one that she staged with her and two of her daughters.
Sister Hunt (Lou) was in a “City of Joseph” scene depicting one of the women’s statues. She had Larissa in her arms and Marinda trailing olong behind her. Marinda re-enacted this scene with her own children.
One of her sisters responded: The statue picture is fun of you Marinda and your girls. I love the picture dad found of us doing that pose too. That’s awesome.
Above: Lou Hunt in the “City of Joseph” white “statue scene” with Larissa in arms followed by Marinda
Note: When we were in the ancient pageant, our family took a classic photo on a bridge near the stage. Our kids came running from this bridge when we had the opening scene. Our photo then showed the children in descending age order going down the bridge. Now when any of the family members come to visit, we reenact this scene with each of them.
Above: A scrapbook page that Jackie created about our “City of Joseph” tours. Note her family shown “on the bridge”.
Above: (Top) Jenae and (bottom) Marinda and family doing the bridge scene
And of course, Larissa also needed to reenact the scene – even though she was too young to remember her own participation on the bridge.
JACKIE GOT A FLASHBACK MEMORY:
When Jackie was in Nauvoo, we happened to find some folks who were in the 1996/7 pageants with us. These folks caught us examining the “new stage” for evidence of the “old stage” (where we performed). If one looks hard, threre are still some hints of the old stage. Anyway,, the ladies began reminiscing big time. And before they knew it, they were up on stage together dancing the famous “City ofJoseph” dance that opened the show. And I don’t think that they missed a step – even after all of that time! (We have to admit that the dance is/was pretty unforgettable!)
MARINDA CONTINUES HER STORY
Another fun day!!! The fair activities and the band are here until August 2nd. It really makes each night come alive.
Fairy gardens, the kids dancing like the missionaries, Joseph Smith’s mirror and journal, and looking for fireflies.
Mom and dad did so good today while we toured Joseph and Emma’s different houses. They seriously just presented it so well.
MARINDA SHARE SOME TRIP HINTS WITH LARISSA:
“It is super humid and really hot during the day. Bring little fans to help cool you off. I have never felt so sticky, smelly, and eaten by mosquitoes. Haha!! Bring bug spray. Just adding some little tips for those that are planning to come.
It has been another amazing day!!!!! Seriously just love this place so much!”
Above: Kevin and Lou with Marinda’s children
KAYLEA WISHES SHE WERE HERE:
“Sounds magical!!!! How fun!!!! I can’t wait to go!! I may miss all the fun though if the band is home by the 2nd. Reliving old memories!” [Note: The band and the “summer cast” of the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries did leave on August 2nd – but the “fall cast” of the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries will still be here performing through the middle of October!]
Note: We don’t really remember where we got the name of Marinda but for years, when I heard a name that I liked, I added it to a “potential names for future children” list. Perhaps I heard the name of Marinda when I served in my young mission to Nauvoo. Through the years, Marinda has never heard of anyone with whom she shared the Marinda name. So, when she got to Nauvoo, she was pleased to see the Orson Hyde home – and to learn that his wife was Marinda. Our Marinda was fascinated with the Marinda home, her name on the Relief Society quilt and even found one of the Nauvoo custume dresses that has the Marinda name. Marinda Hyde was a seamstress so could have designed dresses like these.
MARINDA TELLS IT IN HER OWN WORDS:
“We went and saw the horses, toured the sewing room/mail room. (And they have a [dress pattern named the “Marinda dress), lots of tours, went to the Marinda Hyde house (was I named for her?)
Above: Marinda and the “Marinda Dress” in the Sewing Room
Above: Marinda at the Marinda Hyde Home
And then we went to the stone-cutter’s tour. So much to see and do!
Above: Mike and kids at the Stone Cutter Lodge
Above: Marinda and family on the “Carriage Ride” (Note Grant – left below)
Grant’s expression on the wagon ride was so great – says it all!. He was all grumpy. He represented all of the kids being grumpy because it was hot and they were all tired. It was so hot and humid. Each day we had to take a break inside for a bit.” It was nice to have Dad and Mom’s house to relax, cool off, and eat in.
I ALSO WROTE ON THE FAMIIY SITE AS MARINDA WAS LEAVING:
“So fun to have had Marinda and family here. They are an amazing family and it was fun to see them work and play together and they love each other. Fun to see them in action. We shared many great activities together. So great!”
MARINDA RESPONDED:
“Thanks Dad and Mom. It was an amazing week. We love you guys! After 17.5 hours of driving today, we made it home!!!”
LARISSA ARRIVED IN NAUVOO:
Larissa made it to Nauvoo with her boys and she made frequent photo and description posts on the family site:
Larissa warned us: “Here comes a picture overload. Haha! I will share more tomorrow but we packed a lot in today and had a fun day. We went to the horse corrals this morning to see the horses cross the street to the other corral to go eat. It was fun watching them and seeing the men get all the horses gear on to get ready for wagon rides.
Andy enjoyed the barn cat named Richard.
All the horses know their names and the Teamsters call each of their names one by one to let them into the corral to eat and they know exactly where their eating spot is. F.Y.I: They only have male horse and male oxen.
Two of the Teamsters were taking one of the wagons to the area where they do the wagon rides and since we were standing right by the wagon, the Teamsters asked us if we wanted to ride down the road with them. That was fun. Dad drove the car down there while the rest of rode on the wagon. Dad was waiting for us there by another wagon when we got there.
Then the kids wanted corn on the cob for breakfast. We were talking about it either this morning or last night so it was on their minds and mom already had some cooked that was in the fridge. Haha.
Then we went to the Scovil Bakery tour and they give guests a gingerbread cookie at the end of the tour.
Above: Sister Tammy Hunt giving a tour at the Scovil Bakery
Then we went on our scheduled wagon ride which goes through the town and they explain what each building is as you drive by it. Then we went on a different wagon ride [the “Carriage Ride”] that takes you through the a different area [up through the woods] and they told several stories of some of the pioneers.
Then we went to where the parade was going to be with the marching band. We joined the parade. We walked down Main Street.
We went on a ride pulled by the oxen (above).
We also went to the visitors’ center and watched a short film about the saints settling in Nauvoo. It was fun to see the temple model in the visitors’ center and the carved sunstone that was on the top of the temple.
Tuesday, Mom and I went to the 7 am session at the temple. Thanks to dad for watching my kids. The Nauvoo Temple was so amazing and beautiful. Such an awesome experience.
After lunch we went to the fudge shop for a treat and I got a little souvenir for the kids. Then we did a tour at the Lyon drug store where they would sell medicine, spices, fabric, yarn, etc.
Another fun day and we packed it in all day today.
The kids learned how to make a rope today, made candles, learned how to make a barrel, learned how bricks are made. We had fun making barrels with Grandpa.
Above: Elder Hunt teaching grandsons the trade of barrel making
They had fun putting all the “luggage” in the rectangle area as if they were putting it all in the wagon.
Andy was wearing the rope he helped make on his head. Haha
I checked out the sewing room while dad took the kids to save seats (with a string) for the pageant.
The kids had a great time playing several pioneer games at the Pioneer Pastime area.
We went back to Mom and dad’s house for a break.
Grandma (Mom) told us how her father – my Grandpa Belcher helped save the Coolidge house, the white one [with the German writing and which is right across the street from mom and dad’s housel I got a picture of mom in between the Coolidge house and their Dunn home.
Like all of the sibllngs, we got a photo at Grandpa Belcher’s brick yard:
Above: Jackie and family with Dad and Mom at the Belcher Brick Yard
Above: Jenae and famiy at the Belcher Brick Yard
Marinda and clan at the brick yard
And also llike all of the siblings, we got a photo at the Lucy Mack Smith home where our grandparents served on their mission.
Above: Jackie and family at the Lucy Mack Smith home
Above: Larisssa and family at the Lucy Mack Smith home
We toured the boot shop and learned how they made shoes.
We toured the little school. The kids had fun there drawing on the chalkboards. Pretty interesting that they spelled words phonetically. Andy wrote his name then the sister missionary spelled it phonetically. Andy was being so funny and “wrote” the sister’s name which was a bunch of random letters. We asked him what it said and he said, “That’s how you spell her name (the sister missionary) in 1846 “. It was pretty funny that he was so spot on with the date. Haha!
We also went to the brickyard as well. The clay gets mixed up in this big mixer and then they press the clay into some molds.
The pageant was fun to watch. Andy was asking lots of questions about Joseph Smith during it and was fascinated with him so it was cool we got to go up front and “meet” him after the performance.
Yesterday we went to Carthage Jail. It was so cool/sad seeing that and it just made all the stories of Joseph feel more real – standing in the room where Joseph and Hyrum were shot. Pretty crazy! While we were in that room the sister missionaries played the song, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” and I could feel the Spirit so strong listening to it and thinking about what they went through in that moment. It was cool to see the bullet hole in the door when Hyrum was shot. Then Joseph was shot and fell out the top window and fell down by the well where we were standing.
Above: Larissa and Andy in the “Martyrdom Room” and then at the well below the window where Joseph fell.
We went to the “Women’s Garden”. We took a “boy version” by the statue with the mom holding the baby and the daughter behind her. When we were in the “City of Joseph Pageant years ago, Mom played the role of that statue mom and Marinda and I were in the scene with her. I tried to make a heart for the picture but I was too tall. Haha
We also got a photo of the mom and her son …
We went down to the river and I got a good video of the eagles nest with the eagles flying above it. We got some great sunset photos too.
KAYLEA IS AMAZED AT ALL OF THE GREAT FUN AND PHOTOS IN NAUVOO:
“I loved all the pictures and videos Larissa!!! Soooo fun to watch them all. Looks like your kids are having so much fun. I love all the activities they have for the kids. What a great place to visit!! I loved watching them race in the sack.
Oliver was so fast! And cool to see Mom and Dad showing the Brick making process. The eagle flying was soooo cool!! Wow.
LARISSA CONTINUES HER STORY:
Mom and Dad were at the Sarah Granger Kimball home today (Wednesday) so we dropped them off and did the tour with them before heading off on our day. Andy was pretty grumpy, during the tour but it was fun to hear mom and dad giving the tour.
Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt in front of Sarah Granger Kimball Home
Tonight we went to the “Sunset on the Mississippi” production by the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries. The kids went up with the band and played an instrument.
LARISSA WROTE TO LANA:
“Lana & Spencer do these people look familiar? [Lana’s step-father in law] Haha! I thought he looked familiar. Haha! They are in the Browning Gun Shop tour with us right now.”
Above: Larissa with Delwin – father to Spencer
MARINDA REFLECTS:
“I am always amazed at how small the world is when it comes to connections.”
LARISSA AGREES:
“Katelyn will recognize this sister missionary who took us on a tour. She served with Katelyn when on her “outbound” mission in Colorado. She wasn’t her companion but they would see each other sometimes.
A couple days ago we toured the Bakery and the lady giving the tour was one of the other Sister Hunts who is serving here.
Above: Sister Tammy Hunt giving tour at Scovil Bakery
She just loved Andy and Oliver and was laughing at everything they were saying during the tour. She asked what the big wooden paddle by the brick oven was used for. Andy said it is for pizza. Haha! It does look like what you would use to put pizza in a brick oven. He said that it was used for pizza a couple times. Earlier that day Oliver was saying that he had a 4 year old brain because he is 4 years old and Andy was saying he had a 100 year old brain and we were telling Sister Hunt at the bakery. Towards the end of the tour Oliver said, “Ughh, is it done yet?” Haha! They were saying some other stuff as well that I can’t remember.
The next day when Sister Hunt saw us again she said she had some stickers for the boys because she didn’t have them with her the day before. She was really excited to give them one but they weren’t too impressed with the ones she had because they weren’t snakes. Haha!
Above: Sister Tammy Hunt with Andy and Olliver
This is her trying to give them a sticker and they just kept saying no because they weren’t snake ones. Haha”
We also saw her on our wagon ride yesterday and we waved to her and she waved back and blew a kiss. Andy and Oliver made a card to give to her. He drew her a snake on it. Haha! The other side is her and him hugging. I didn’t realize she would be leaving today to be out of town for a bit so we weren’t able to give it to her today. Andy was bummed about that. She later told me that the boys were the highlight of her week. So cute. KAYLEA REFLECTS AGAIN ON THE NAUVOO FUN:
“Oh my gosh!!! That’s adorable, Larissa!!! I love the notes they wrote to her!!! Maybe you can do a video call when mom and dad give them to her. So Cute. Your kids say the CUTEST things!!!
Crazy you saw Spencers Dad and step mom! And a sister that knew Katelyn!! Crazy!!
BACK TO LARISSA:
Mom has Sister Hunt’s number so she called her this morning to see where they were giving tours and she said they were headed out of town but we talked to her for a few minutes. I also sent her those pictures of their cards and explained what was on the cards. Oliver mostly scribbled on his, but on the back of the card which I didn’t get a picture of was three kind of straight lines and those were snakes too. Ha, Ha!
JENAE REMEMBERING THE NAUVOO GOOD TIMES:
“Marinda I loved all your sweet experiences in Nauvoo and all the photos of your family there. That’s so fun.
And Larissa I love seeing you guys there and all the cute things with your kids and mom and dad and Nauvoo. So fun! Dad and mom look so excited to have some of their grandkids there to see them in Nauvoo. What a special time for you all. I love all the videos and cute pictures and the bakery story that’s cute. Haha!
LARISSA CONTINUES:
We went back to the Pioneer games place. The reality of trying to get one picture with the kids in costumes was a challenge. Andy was not having it. Haha! He kept covering his face with the hat and taking his hands out of the end of the sleeves. The shirt was too big for him. Hope you enjoy the bloopers.
KAYLEA RESPONDS:
“Ya’ll look so cute in pioneer clothes!”
BACK TO LARISSA:
This is the best picture we got. Haha. The top green piece kept coming off since it wasn’t held on by anything. Haha.
We went to the Zion’s Mercantile store. I got some souvenir pennies with the Nauvoo Temple on them.
On our last day, we went again for cookies from the Scovil Bakery. I asked the kids what they wanted to do again today on our last day here and they wanted to get another cookie.
We did a couple of wagon rides on Monday and the kids wanted to do it again yesterday and today they wanted to go again one last time. Haha!
Here are some cool pictures I got of the horses today. I love the color of these horses. So pretty. Their wavy hair is cool too.
Oliver bent way down and looked at the horse. He said, “I can see the hooves. That’s why his down like that. Haha
Check out this huge flower!
We went to the gun shop this morning. The kids were restless for the tour but Andy did like seeing all the guns.
We toured the Stoddard Tin Shop today.
We also did the Temple City tour this morning because mom and dad were giving tours at this place today. It was fun to see pictures of the temple plans. The purple pineapple walls in one of the houses was fun too. The pineapples represent wealth. It was cool to see a fancier house. That piece of furniture with the big blue square at the top is a piano and it also looks fancy.
The kids enjoyed the stone cutter part of that Temple City tour. They got to see the limestone, chisel it, check out the sand paper which is some sand put on a rock then you rub two rock together with the sand in the middle, and trying to pull the heavy limestone.
Above: Sister Hunt and Andy try to lift the heavy Temple stone with the block and tackle.
We went to the William Gheen home the man, Brother Gheen died in his home and the funeral was in his home. That is a coffin by dad.”
LARISSA APOLOGIZES AND THAN REFLECTS UPON THEIR EXPERIENCES:
“Sorry for all the overload of pictures and videos from the last few days. Glad you enjoyed all of them. We are on our way to the airport now. Our plane leaves at 9 pm. Looks like we will get back to Arizona around 7:45 PM (Arizona time) so hopefully that will give us enough time to check our bags and get through security. Haha.
I will second what Marinda said after her trip, if you haven’t come to Nauvoo you should really see if you can make it work to come – especially when the pageants, band, and the performing missionaries are there because it is such an amazing place and has such a special spirit there. Take advantage of mom and dad being there when you have a place to stay and being able to see them in action. Standing in the places Joesph Smith stood and the rest of the saints was truly amazing. Then seeing how much they sacrificed and everything they had to make on their own and carry with them was so cool and just really makes all the stories of them come to life.
Andy was really fascinated with Joseph Smith – especially during the Nauvoo pageant. He was asking mom many questions about him through the whole performance. I hope he will always remember what he learned there. It was so fun to see it all through their eyes and seeing them do all the fun activities.
Above: Andy and Oliver meeting the Joseph Smith character
We saw the Joseph and Emma Smith properties yesterday. This was the first home Joseph and Emma lived in while in Nauvoo.
We also saw the Smith Family cemetery.
Then we toured the red brick store where Joseph worked. Joseph Smith had an office upstairs where he received a lot of revelation for different things. It was cool to see that.
Above: Larissa and boys at Joseph’s Red Brick Store
Then we toured the blacksmith and wainwright shops. There they did a demonstration where they showed how to make a horseshoe and made us a mini one. Each family got to take one home. It was interesting to hear how they made the wagon/wagon wheels in the wainwright section of the tour.
We also toured the printing shop yesterday and learned how they had to place the letters, put ink on the printing press and getting the printing onto the paper.
We even found a dinosaur in Nauvoo. Haha! This dinosaur Noah and the Ark museum just opened up a month or two ago. Someone in Nauvoo told us about it. We didn’t have time to go through the tour but did see the room with the big Dino head and took a picture with the Dinosaur outside.”
KAYLEA AGAIN WISHING SHE WAS HERE IN NAUVOO:
“I love this!!! I wish we could come before the pageant is over and the band leaves. It’s sad we can’t come till later in August. We were tempted to drive there this last Tuesday. If we had had the money we would have. We’ll have to wait till August when we have some cash coming in. And hopefully I’ll be kind of recovered from surgery and be able to have a more enjoyable time.
LARISSA WITH TIME AT THE AIRPORT:
“Today I decided to go to a short performance called “Sisters in Zion”. It was so beautiful. The performing missionaries did such an amazing job. They sang “As Sisters in Zion,” “Amazing Grace” and more of the “Sisters in Zion” song and in between the songs they each had talking parts. Three of them told a story of a pioneer in first person viewpoints. They did it so beautifully. Their singing sounded like angels or something. It was amazing to experience. I just felt the Spirit so strong and their voices just filled the whole room in the small Cultural Hall there. The kids were entertained with my calculator on my phone and my watch while I listened . I am so glad I went to it. It was one of my favorite things to experience in Nauvoo. It was cool to hear the stories of some the sisters of the time and all they went through.
The room was very full so we sat on the side bench on the other side of the aisle. There were still a few people coming in so I put both my kids on my lap instead of just Oliver to free up one more space. A lady came in and I pointed that she could sit by us. She seemed happy that there was a seat for her. I said, “You can sit there as long as you don’t mind my kids.” And she said she didn’t mind and that she was a mom too. She said she was only there for the day and wouldn’t be there tonight to see the pageant so she wanted to come to some kind of performance. Her kids were off with their dad at a different location. I was tearing up during the performance and at the end I looked over at her and she had tears coming down her cheeks. I gave her a hug and said she was doing a good job and that it was nice to meet her.”
MARINDA AND KAYLEA COMMENT:
“I am so excited you guys got to go! It looks like you are having a blast!”
Kaylea:
“That’s awesome Larissa!! Sounds amazing!! That’s sweet about your interaction with that lady. You’re very sweet.:
WHEW! MADE IT HOME!
“We made it home at 1:40 AM Nauvoo time, 11:40 PM here. I am so tired. Haha! Packed a lot in while we were there. Thanks mom and dad. It was so fun!”
JENAE – WRITTEN ON THE 24TH OF JULY:
Happy pioneer day mom and dad. Love you both so much – You’re loved. I love the faith, and legacy and how you have shared your own modern pioneer missionary journey with us every day in Nauvoo. Love you both”
After her sisters made their Nauvoo trip, Jenae shared some of her own “cliff” notes and memories of her Nauvoo trip:
Wagon building everyone that could help, would help
Everyone did something there, was something for everyone to do
Lucy Mack Smith home kitchen was the heart of her home. She loved her kitchen space for gathering family and guests all were welcome.
Sunset on the Mississippi play
Their story is our, story and lives on in us,
The pioneers were driven from their homes, with an unknown future
Sister Crockett
It’s, always a beautiful day in Nauvoo
Paul’s car not working… Katelyn prayed – still took a bit after prayer, I prayed that like the pioneers with their, wagon wheels breaking, I was praying over my, wagons… God would hear our prayer and answer the kids prayer to have car working…. Starting working about a few hours.
…. Thoughts after the trial of our faith comes the blessings
When Saints were driven out if Nauvoo… They prayed Heavenly would remember their sacrifice
Joseph Smith… I know he loved us… Joseph Smith: “If I never return remember I love you,” Joseph was patient, kind and genuine
Salvation cannot come without revelation
A religion that does not require sacrifice is not sufficient
Pageant
Live so the angels can’t be restrained
Nothing could erase what Nauvoo did for the Saints – the spirit of the saints, their legacy had been built in Nauvoo
In the darkness comes, a light
The story of Nauvoo, the story of God’s story
Trail of Hope… Stories: “The Last thing I did was to tidy up rooms, swept floors, shut door and faced an un known future”
Faith in Christ they would go where life was good and God took them
Kids area pioneer pastimes
On wagon ride song came to mind you don’t have to push a hand cart to be a pioneer
When Joseph left to be murdered he said to Hyrum “Well this is the loveliest city on the earth with the loveliest people you will ever meet”
Letters of Emma and Joseph
They were often apart but tackled challenges together
Quote in play reminded me of Paul and I through letters on our mission and time, apart with military assignments we have had, worked through challenges together even when apart
Together in there letters though apart in challenges
Though they were often separate with their circumstances but were, always one in heart.
And thinking back … Raining all day in Nauvoo on the day we were going to go to pageant we asked will they still have the pageant… Yes it is never canceled it just clears up… Even when we were at the “City of Joseph” pageant years ago with thunderstorms and a tornado worming it was not canceled…. Super rainy then cleared up just before the pageant performance ..
Brianna after seeing the rain clear up as the pageant stated…. She said wow I guess Nauvoo is a place of miracles
Words, from Pageant
We honor the seekers of truth as, we are, seekers of truth
In the youth the flames burn bright
British pageant
Rather be a part of something that matters then something that doesn’t
We must give up things that are good for the cause of Christ
Older couple in cast said, “Will you travel to Nauvoo with me if it’s, a, step to heaven then yes … and then “I did change I let the light in.”
We all have times of darkness
As a, seed won’t grow if not planted …
This is our story still bring written
We come from St Louis to Chicago
We are in the picture, it’s our story. It’s God story
JACKIE LATER WROTE PASSIONATELY OF HER NAUVOO MEMORIES:
Jackie also had opportunity to reflect on her trip to Nauvoo and this beautiful sacred place. Her words are inspiring and joyful in the Nauvoo Spirit:
We had been planning on going to Nauvoo for years and were saving money so that we could. It was just an added perk to have my parents serving there at the same time. We started in Ohio and were thrilled to be able to go into the newly acquired Kirkland Temple. We felt the spirit strongly there and at the John Johnson farm where wonderful powerful experiences happened. We were even more excited to continue on to Nauvoo to see my parents and experience everything there.
What a remarkable, unforgettable experience as a family. There were wonderful shows and performances; bagpipe and brass bands parading down the street to create this special feeling. With all the service missionaries walking around town you could almost envision life in the 1800’s. The spirit of Nauvoo is just a sweet feeling. The stories you learn about are real people and many of them ancestors.
The pageants and pre-show carnival just gave a family friendly atmosphere of good wholesome fun. The kids loved unplugging and playing pioneer games. And of course we learned more about the pioneers with every tour, movie, or show.
My most favorite memory was walking back up Parley Street alone with my youngest son. He was recounting everything that we had learned over the last week. He was most excited about Carthage and recounting everything that transpired there. In his little head he was just trying to process everything that we had experienced. He felt the need to express himself and requested art materials. When we got home, I made sure he had the needed art materials to create his masterpiece. He worked so hard on it. He wanted to display the pioneers fleeing Nauvoo in the middle of winter. He painted snow in his painting but because it was a white canvas the snow can not be seen. He told us when he finished his painting that it “is not what you see, but what you feel” referring to the snow in his painting.
But that would sum up our trip to Nauvoo. It’s not what you see (and there is much to see in Nauvoo) but it is what you feel. You just can’t help but feel something special as you walk the streets of Old Nauvoo, picturing life as it was. I feel like another sweet moment of Nauvoo, is when my, now missionary daughter, testifies a sweet testimony of Joseph Smith because she was there and felt the spirit of Nauvoo.
MY OWN REFLECTIONS:
Old Nauvoo … What a great place. The Spirit is so strong here. It is truly amazing. Everyone who comes here can feel that strong Spirit. And once here, we all want to share our memories and feelings of the Lord’s sacred spot. And once Nauvoo is experienced, most folks want to experience it again and again. It’s a feeling … and it it is true!
FAITH … SACRIFICE … COMMITMENT … LEGACY … PIONEERS OUR OWN ANCESTORS … PROPHETS WALKED HERE … THE LORD IS HERE IN HIS HOLY PLACE.
If you have not had the Nauvoo experience, maybe it is time that you come.
As Site Guides in Nauvoo, we spend much of our time presenting the history of past people, prophets, and ancestors, We share with our guests historic places where our people lived, served, and grew together. It is great fun having all of this history around us. As a self-proclaimed historian, I enjoy anything and everything history.
In addition to experiencing history in all aspects of our lives, we have also had opportunity to write history or to be featured in written or published histories of others. We have found in many publications – not of our making – but cool, nonetheless.
STODDARD TIN SHOP
We have enjoyed working at the Stoddard Tin Shop. The tin shop itself has an interesting history. Over time, the building crumbled almost to non-existence. However, the building did not totally disappear. Before restoration began, there was some semblance of existing walls. In the restoration of the building, some of the crumbled walls were salvageable. As we arrived to serve at the tin shop, there was a very old photo of what used to be. The photo was bad and one had to really use imagination to picture the former building. I saw the photo and noted how bad it was.
I thought, “I can do better than that!” I remembered a photo of the place and which I had taken personally when I was here as “a young missionary” fifty years ago. I knew that I had taken a slide of the place. And gratefully, my grandson, Brodey helped me scan all of my old mission slides at th Mesa, Arizona FamilySearch library. So, I had all of those scanned imaged on y computer. I easily found my photo in my digital collection. And Voila! There it was … and indeed, it was a great deal clearer than that which had been framed in the Tin Shop.
I made an enlargement of the photo and framed it (and signed the back with my name and the year that it was taken). I presented this to mission leadership and soon the new photo was on display in the place of the former bad photo. And now, each time that I return to the Tin Shop, I am able to show the photo to our guests and can say with a bit of humble pride that “I am historic in that I took that photo.”
THREE COUSINS IN NAUVOO
I have introduced this article before, but it fits here with this theme of making history in Nauvoo. On November 17, 2024, My Hunt cousins Jake, Brad and I were featured in the “Church News”. This is what the article said:
3 Nauvoo senior missionaries with the same name arrive the same day, find out they are related
Amos Hunt’s descendants Elder Hunt, Elder Hunt and Elder Hunt are serving with their wives as teamsters and site missionaries in historic Nauvoo
17 Nov 2024, 6:00 a.m. MST
Left to right, Sister Lou Hunt, Elder Kevin Hunt, Sister Sandy Hunt, Elder Jake Hunt, Sister Tammy Hunt and Elder Brad Hunt in Nauvoo, Illinois, on Nov. 14, 2024. Elder John Hale
Visitors to historic Nauvoo, Illinois, are used to seeing missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But lately they might do a double take when they look at those missionaries’ name badges.
Right now, there are three senior missionary couples in Nauvoo all with the last name Hunt, and they are all related — though they did not know each other before their missions and had never met until this year.
Elder Kevin Hunt and his wife, Sister Lou Hunt, from Maricopa, Arizona; Elder Jake Hunt and his wife, Sister Sandy Hunt, from Centerville, Utah; and Elder Brad Hunt and his wife, Sister Tammy Hunt, from Diamond Valley, Utah, all arrived at the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on April 1.
The MTC was buzzing about all the Hunts. When the men got together, they opened the FamilySearch app on their phones, selected “Relatives Near Me” and found out they all had the same common ancestor, Amos Hunt.
Elder Jake Hunt and Elder Kevin Hunt are third cousins once removed, and Elder Jake Hunt and Elder Brad Hunt are also third cousins once removed, while Elder Kevin Hunt and Elder Brad Hunt are fourth cousins. Amos Hunt is Elder Jake Hunt’s great-great-grandfather, and the great-great-great-grandfather of the other two.
“It was fun to see that,” Elder Jake Hunt said. “I mean, we had no idea who each other was, and it was fun to meet and find out that we were actually related.”
Elder Jake Hunt and Elder Brad Hunt are both teamsters, meaning they drive the horse-drawn wagons on tours around Nauvoo’s streets. Elder Kevin Hunt is a site missionary, and all the women serve in the different sites and buildings as well.
Sister Sandy Hunt said: “Every once in a while, someone will get on a wagon and say, ‘Oh, you are Elder Hunt. I just saw your wife.’ And they will answer, ‘Which one?’”
Or visitors will go into one of the buildings and say, “We just met your cousin on the wagon.”
Left to right, Elder Kevin Hunt, Sister Lou Hunt, Elder Brad Hunt, Sister Tammy Hunt, Sister Sandy Hunt and Elder Jake Hunt take a picture together in the Provo Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, in April 2024. | Provided by Elder Kevin Hunt
Amos Hunt, their common ancestor
Elder Kevin Hunt shared Amos Hunt’s story with the Church News. He was born on Feb. 28, 1819, in Greenville, Kentucky. His father, John Hunt Jr., was one of the first settlers in the area, moving to the state with a land grant for Revolutionary War service.
He built a home, a church and a cemetery. The church building still exists today, having been purchased by the Hunt Family Foundation around the year 1960. A branch of the Hunt family from Indiana and Kentucky still gathers in the area around once a year.
After Amos Hunt and his wife and many extended family members joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they traveled west in 1852 as part of the Benjamin Gardner Company to be with the Saints in the Intermountain West. One of Amos Hunt’s sons died on the trail of cholera.
After arriving in Utah, Amos Hunt settled in the Ogden area in the northern part of the state, and then his name was read over the pulpit during October general conference of 1861 to settle the southern part of the state. He had 15 children.
Amos Hunt later moved to be with a daughter in Teasdale, Wayne County, Utah, where he died on Sept. 6, 1904.
Elder Brad Hunt said he grew up hearing stories about “old Amos,” because his great-grandfather was also named Amos Hunt and he was the newer Amos. And Elder Jake Hunt said many years ago, his father and uncles traveled to Kentucky to meet with the other Hunts there and came home to talk about what they had learned about Amos.
While no children in the next generation are named Amos in their particular family lines, one of the draft horses that they drive in Nauvoo is named Amos, which Elder Brad Hunt joked was “close enough.”
He said finding out they are related and being called to the same mission has been a beautiful experience.
“One day that we all came together, Elder Jake Hunt and I were working on the wagon, and the other Elder Hunt had a tour,” he said. “When they got on the wagon with us with their tour, we were all fulfilling our callings and responsibilities on the same wagon on the same day in Nauvoo. And I thought, ‘I bet the buttons are popping off our great-great-great-grandfather’s angel vest to see this.’”
Elder Jacob Hunt and Elder Brad Hunt sit in the driver’s seat in a horse-drawn wagon while around them, from left, are Sister Sandy Hunt, Sister Lou Hunt, Elder Kevin Hunt and Sister Tammy Hunt, in Nauvoo, Illinois, on Nov. 14, 2024. | Elder John Hale
Connections to Nauvoo
When they filled out their mission papers, Elder Brad Hunt and Elder Jake Hunt requested to serve in Nauvoo. Elder Kevin Hunt and his wife did not write down a preference, but he was thrilled to get the call — because he served for about six months in Nauvoo as a young missionary 50 years before. He was in what was then the Southern States Mission and sent to Nauvoo with a few others on a special assignment.
Meanwhile his wife, Sister Lou Hunt, had a connection because her parents — Everett and Verna Belcher — served in the Lucy Mack Smith home 1979-1981 and built the brick kiln that still makes souvenir bricks today.
Elder Brad Hunt can trace many ancestors to the Nauvoo time period in Church history. And his wife, Sister Tammy Hunt, joined the Church at age 17, and her musical group put on performances in Nauvoo.
“So she actually was in Nauvoo as a new, new convert, and she had some amazing experiences,” he said. When he returned from his mission, “I talked her into marrying me, and she said I owe her a mission then.”
When they brought their family to Nauvoo, they rode around in a wagon and looked at each other and said, “Here is our mission.”
Elder Jake Hunt visited Nauvoo around 1979 or 1980 when his parents were serving in the Independence Missouri Visitors’ Center.
“Of course, it was quite a bit different than it is now, but it was a very spiritual place. It still is,” he said. “It’s an honor to be here. It is interesting to meet the people that come here and hear their stories and a little bit about them. It’s really been a pleasure.”
The Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Being in Nauvoo
All of the Hunt missionaries say they feel a deeper connection to Church history from serving in Nauvoo.
Elder Brad Hunt said that was one of the things that was so powerful to him when he arrived.
“Lucy Mack Smith — she lost her sons and her husband, and you think those were losses,” he said. “But then when you get the opportunity to tell people about those losses as we travel down the streets that are named after her boys that she lost, it is powerful. You feel the loss, and you begin to know Lucy Mack Smith.”
Elder Kevin Hunt says it is a privilege to tell the stories of the early Saints using their own words and their own testimonies while in their homes.
Elder Jake Hunt said the Spirit can be really strong at the sites. “There are occasions when people start asking questions that we can open up and talk and testify and teach, and that’s pretty special.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It has been a surprise to me at how many people – even complete strangers – have come on our site tours and have seen my missionary nametag and then have said, “Oh, I read about you in the Church News!” Wow! We be famous!
PIONEER EXODUS COMMEMORATION EVENT
On February 1st of this year (2025) the mission staged a very fun activity. This was the re-enactment of the 1846 westward trek (in the bitter cold of winter) – down Parley Street and then across the freezing Mississippi River. A grand parade was held. I was privileged to be a part of the Nauvoo Legion – a modern soldier group – that led the parade march (right behind the color guard.
And again, I made the Church News – in a commemorative article about the re-enactment march:
CHURCH HISTORY
Remembering the power of temple covenants for Nauvoo pioneers during reenactment walk to Mississippi River
Youth participate in honorary Nauvoo Legion and as flagbearers during milelong walk
8 Feb 2025, 4:30 p.m. MST
DESERET NEWS | CHURCH NEWS ENGLISH
2/8/25, 9:11 PM Remembering Nauvoo pioneers during walk to Mississippi River – Church News
[To see the full article, copy and paste this link:]
Remembering the power of temple covenants for Nauvoo pioneers during reenactment walk to Mississippi River
Youth participate in honorary Nauvoo Legion and as flagbearers during milelong walk
8 Feb 2025, 4:30 p.m. MST
Young women from surrounding towns carry flags during the Exodus Commemoration event in historic Nauvoo, Illinois, on Feb. 1, 2025. The flags represent nationalities that were present in Nauvoo, Illinois, in the 1840s. Susan Sims
By Susan Sims
Susan Sims is the Church’s communications director for Iowa and western Illinois.
NAUVOO, Illinois — Brisk winds and blue skies greeted more than 300 people gathered in Historic Nauvoo, Illinois, on Saturday, Feb. 1, for the Exodus Commemoration.
After a quick breakfast, they lined up to walk from the Cultural Hall to Parley Street, and then to the edge of the Mississippi River, with an honorary Nauvoo Legion leading the way.
For the first time, most members of this honor guard were young men aged 12-18, and they marched on behalf of original Nauvoo Legion members. Walking behind them were more than 20 young women carrying flags, also walking on behalf of individual pioneers.
Drummers provide the marching cadence for the honorary Nauvoo Legion during the Exodus Commemoration event in historic Nauvoo, Illinois, on Feb. 1, 2025. Most marchers were young men, and many were participating for the first time. | Susan Sims
“We want to provide the rising generation with personal experiences on sacred ground to help strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ,” explained Elder Gary Jestice, a senior missionary from Pleasant Grove, Utah, who led the planning committee with his wife, Sister Lisa Jestice.
Ben Bailey, 14, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, said: “Being in the Nauvoo Legion was way better than just watching. We actually had something to do, and it felt like we were part of history instead of just talking about it.”
Betsy Eckersley, 14, of Quincy, Illinois, agreed: “Carrying the flag and marching down to the Mississippi River made me realize how strong the pioneer Saints were. I’m proud they’re my ancestors, and I hope everyone will know how amazing they were.”
HIDDEN PHOTOS AND NEWS OF ELDER AND SISTER HUNT IN THE MISSION HISTORY
In the year 2024, Sisters Debra Omer and LuAnn Walters were the mission historians. In this role, they created monthly newsletters which ultimately became a part of the annual history of the mission. As the editors, they chose their own photos and news articles. We found ourselves mentioned in several of the monthly editions.
Included here are pages on which we found ourselves during the year. The astute reader (like you) can probably pick out the articles and photos in which we appeared. This can be a “where’s Waldo” exercise for you … but we do appear on each of the pages:
August 2024
NOVEMBER 2024
NOVEMBER 2024 (ABOVE)
September 2024
September 2024
In January 2025, Sister Hunt and I became the co-creators, editors, of the mission newsletter and history. Obviously we have had many photos and stories of ourselves that we could include but we try to kind of restrain ourselves and have tried not to “toot our own horn” too much. Still we have found ourselves in a few of the 2025 edition (and likely more to come).
JANUJARY 2025
FEBRUARY 2025
MARCH 2025
APRIL 2025
MISSION SLIDE SHOW
A mission slide show was created by Elder Michael Turner and was shown by President Mehr at a mission training session in April and shown to all of the missionaries. Elder and Sister Hunt were shown in the 2nd slide.
KEVIN THE BLOGGER
As most of you are very aware, I have spent much time and effort creating many blogs over the course of our mission.
As I reflect over the past year here in Nauvoo, I find myself a bit a amazed. When I came here, I certainly did not have any intention or plan to create the many books and publications that I have created. I did not know that we would be the subject of historical presentations by various other people. As I look back, it appears that we may have left a mark on our own lives, our families, and for many around us. Not to brag or anything, but we are grateful for the many opportunities. We have been greatly blessed.
I have posted the blog articles regularly on our blogsite which is:
InNauvooWithKevandLou.wordpress.com
. This blogging has had a few goals or purposes:
To preserve our own Nauvoo missionary experiences (including many photographs) for future reference and enjoyment.
To create records for the current and future enjoyment of our family members – and to help them to feel the Spirit of our mission, our service functions, the spiritual experiences, and the Nauvoo miracles that we feel constantly. It is hoped that the blogs will be a testimony builder for all of the family members.
This is kind of like #2 above, but is expanded to include many friends and extended family who might also benefit from our experiences.
As a historian, to research, document and record important people, places and experiences of the Nauvoo of the 1840’s and today.
To document and remember the lives of our own ancestors who lived in the original Nauvoo period, their lives, their trails, and their sacrifices so that we can appreciate them and can rejoice in gratitude for all that they have done for me/us.
Help others to feel the Spirit of Nauvoo as a “Sacred and Holy Place”, and to honor the legacy of Jesus Christ here in Nauvoo as He and God worked through Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and others who established this great community.
Acknowledge the hand of the Lord in our lives through the many “Nauvoo Miracles” that he has given to us almost daily. We have felt Jesus Christ with us through this mission.
The many blog articles are still and will continue to be available on the blogsite.
Over the past year, I have published a multitude of blog articles. Some of these have featured many activities that we have been involved in. Many blogs have been based upon historical research on a variety of topics. As new materials have been published, I have introduced them initially through the blog articles.
Obviously, I have published these materials in the past but I am thinking that it might be helpful to all of you for me to show here in this one place – all of the major materials that I have created over the course of the mission (so far). I do not do this to brag – but just to make them available to anyone who has interest. So, this is the one source and reference for all of those materials.
I have included here links to the various materials in both .pdf formats as well as the book purchasing links on lulu.com. The published works will continue to be available in the future for anyone who has interest in purchasing them. (These are printed “on-demand” meaning that the books are not published until an order is actually placed. And this makes it easy for self-publishing.)
BOOKS PUBLISHED BY KEVIN HUNT WHILE A MISSIONARY IN NAUVOO
I have created a plethora of books – even before Nauvoo – on the lulu.com website. You may find all of my books by going to lulu.com and then doing a search on my name Kevin V Hunt but here is the link to all of my books. The links after this will be for specific books. (Go to the bottom of the page and use the arrow to scroll through the various pages and books.)
For each of these links, copy the link, and then paste it into your own browser … and Voila!
A NAUVOO WALK DOWN HISTORY LANE
I served the last six months my “young mission” in 1975 in Nauvoo. When I was here at that time, I went all around the Nauvoo “flats” (below Temple hill) and took photos of all of the properties and remaining homes that existed at that time. Then as I returned to Nauvoo in 2024 for my “senior mission”, I again went around and took photos of those same places. This book compares the places 1975 to 2024 and shows the results of restoration or other changes over time.
My grandparents, Ray V. and Augusta Hunt were married June 25, 1924. In celebration of their 100th Anniversary, I created two volumes of family heritage books for them. Most of the work on these books was completed before the mission, I did finish the material, the editing, and the publication of these books after I arrived in the mission.
NAUVOO HOMES, BRICK MAKING AND THE NAUVOOLEGACY OF ELDER E. H. BELCHER
This book introduces some history of brick making generally and in old Nauvoo. The book shows various brick homes and gives information about each. The book also introduces Elder E.H. Belcher, the Nauvoo Brickmaker who began making bricks in Nauvoo in 1980. Elder Belcher also created the Nauvoo brick that has been given out to Nauvoo guests for the past 45 years.
Upon arrival in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission in 2024, Sister Lou Dene Belcher Hunt was invited with her family to create a new brick design to modernize the Nauvoo brick. Ultimately, a new design was selected and new molds were created. This book introduces the new brick and details the many miracles that happened to make the new brick a reality.
This booklet introduces the many restored or reconstructed homes and shops for which tours are given in Nauvoo. Each shop or home is described with its history, information about the people who were a part of the shop or home. A great introduction to historic Nauvoo as it appears today.
ILLINOIS HISTORIC SITES (NAUVOO) ANNUAL MISSION HISTORY 2024
This is a detailed history of the Illinois Historic Sites Mission. Monthly histories were created by Sisters Debra Omer and LuAnn Walters but put together into the annual book by Kevin Hunt.
This book contains the full blog articles that were published on the InNauvooWithKevandLou.wordpress.com. This contains pre-mission plans and miracles and the full blogs through blog #17. This book is full of beautiful photos from the mission experiences and historical research.
This book contains the full blog articles that were published on the InNauvooWithKevandLou.wordpress.com. Blog #18 through blog #27. This book is full of beautiful photos from the mission experiences and historical research.
PERSONAL JOURNAL VOLUME #141 FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2024
Although the above two books are very detailed in their coverage of mission experiences, they contain the “heads” – the bullet favorites. While preparing and reporting the blogs, I continued to maintain my daily journal entries. These journal entries contain much additional information and experiences that are not included in the blog articles. This book covers the full 2024 calendar year – including three months before the mission and then half of the 18-month mission.
During the winter months of 2025, I volunteered to teach a series of five different classes on the subject of heirlooms, journals, personal and family histories and how to publish them. For each class, I created a PowerPoint presentation. Each of these presentations were later posted on my blog site.
Then, after the classes, I compiled the five class presentations with many other of my previous materials created on the subject. I then published all of this material into a single volume book.
I became interested in the many historical markers and monuments in and around Nauvoo. Sister Hunt and I spent some P-days traveling around the area. We took photographs of the many plaques that we found. I also added much historical research data to the marker and monument material. This book details many of the markers and monuments found within a 50-mile radius of Nauvoo, Illinois.
I have long been interested in my Nauvoo ancestors and being in the community gave me increased desire to learn of the ancestors. I determined that I have 32 direct-line ancestors who lived in Nauvoo for all or a part of the 7-year existence of the community. I did research and found much great information about these ancestors – including birth and family information, when and where they joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, their association with the Prophet Joseph Smith, and their emigration and pioneer trek west.
I then researched the ancestors for my wife’s lines and found that she had 20 direct-line ancestors.
I created books for my Nauvoo ancestors and then another book for Lou’s lines.
Our grandson, Bryson Hunt Stoddard recently returned from a mission to Argentina. Before he left, I volunteered to compile a book to include all of his letters home. I created this compilation and then his mother and I together added a plethora of photos specific to the missionas well as other special times in his life.
I did extensive research about the Prophet Joseph Smith, his martyrdom, and burials. I posted this article by the name of “The Tomb of Joseph”. After doing this research I added many other reference materials that I have prepared in the past about the Prophet Joseph. I published this as a big beautiful book. I have not yet advertised the book on my blog site but the book is now available here as a PDF file and also on the lulu bookstore.
It has been a great blessing to have been a part of the history of Nauvoo – both in the research of it, as well as in the living and making of it. I rejoice in the gift of writing and editing – and recognize that it is a special gift of the Spirit unto me.
Yes, here you have it! Reporters recording history live from Nauvoo!
From the earliest days of the Church, Joseph Smith and other church leaders were anxious to record and disseminate the news of the church. Various publications through the years were established.
Note: All of the material about publications (shown below) came from an article on the Church site https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org All very interesting!
The first “semi-official” newspaper published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was “The Evening and the Morning Star” was published beginning in June 1832 in Independence, Missouri. The news was stopped and later resumed in Kirtland in December 1833 for a short time. It ceased publication in September 1834. This publication included many of the revelations given to Joseph Smith and most of these became canonized sections of the Doctrine and Covenants.
The “Latter-day Saints’ Messenger and Advocate” was printed from October 1834 to September 1837 in Kirtland, Ohio. This succeeded The Evening and Morning Star as the church newspaper. It carried Church news, doctrinal essays, official statements from Church leaders, and other content related to the restored Church.
The “Elders’ Journal of The Church of Latter-day Saints” only ran for four issues – in October and November 1837, and July and August 1838, in Kirtland. This was published at Far West, Missouri. The news included Church news, meeting minutes, doctrinal essays, and similar content.
A newspaper was created in May 1844 to advocate Joseph Smith’s candidacy for president of the United States. “The Prophet” was published in New York City from May 1844 to May 1845.
There was a need in Europe to communicate the news of the church in America in Europe. “The Latter-day Saints’ Millennial Star” began publication In the United Kingdom in 1840 and was published until 1970! Wow! The title was ultimately shortened to “The Millennial Star”. It covered news and articles from Church members throughout Europe!
Ever heard of “The Zion’s Watchman”? This was published from 1853 to 1856 and was published monthly in Sydney, Australia. It carried news from Utah and the Australian Mission, as well as articles about the Gospel and Church doctrine.
In February 1855, John Taylor began the publication of “The Mormon”. It served as a platform to defend the church, and ran weekly until September 1857.
Beginning in January 1853, “The Seer” was printed monthly in Washington, D.C. Later the publication moved to Liverpool, England in July 1854. It was discontinued the next month. The Seer focused on defending polygamy, which was practiced by the Church at the time.
The “Times and Seasons” began publication in Nauvoo in 1839. This periodical was originally a private enterprise by Don Carlos Smith (brother to the Prophet, Joseph) and Ebenezer Robinson. They began publishing the news in “an abandoned warehouse” that was dingy, wet and just overall bad. Both men became ill from the circumstances and Don Carlos succumbed (at age 25) from the situation.
Later, Ebenezer created a new building at the corner of Bain (not Main) and Water streets, near Joseph’s Red Brick Store. That building’s underground limestone foundation is still visible even today.
And still later, the Church purchased the James Ivins building located on Main Street. There John Taylor later became the editor. At that time, there were two publications. The Times and Seasons was published beginning in July 1839. It was renumbered and restarted in November of that year. The publication ceased in February 1846. During its run, the newspaper carried news, Churchy minutes, and important documents, such as the Wentworth letter and the Book of Abraham translation and facsimiles.
In 1842, Joseph Smith said that the official church publications (then and now) should come under the direction of the Apostles. And even Joseph Smith served as Senior Editor of the “Times and Seasons”. John Taylor was acting editor and he became the voice of the Church and of Nauvoo. At this time, many of the Apostles were being sent off on missions. Joseph Smith, however, wanted John Taylor to remain at home – and close to him. He said, “I believe you can do more good in the editorial department than preaching. You can write for thousands to read, while you can preach to but a few at a time. We have one else we can trust the paper with.” (John Taylor – as writer and editor – is one of my greatest heroes! By Kevin)
The “Times and Seasons” was published bi-weekly. Concurrent with its publication, “The Nauvoo Neighbor” was published each Wednesday. This was the local news and it covered articles from returning missionaries, local gossip – like “who’s new in pink and blue”, who was getting married, who had moved into town, immigrants, and more. An important element of the newspaper was news reports of “You’ve Got Mail”. They had no mail delivery and there were no addresses at the time. Towns people rushed to get the newspaper each Wednesday to see if they had received mail that was waiting for their pick-up at the post office. (In today’s Print Shop” we show copies of “Neighbor” issues that show the mail list and I was pleased to find that several of my own ancestors were receiving mail. Fun stuff!
From the beginning of the Church, Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer and other were commissioned by Joseph Smith and the Lord to write the history of the Church. At the time of the Martyrdom, Willard Richards was an executive secretary to the Prophet Joseph and he worked with Joseph to create his own personal history as well as a history of the Church. After the death of Joseph, Willard continued to help create the Church history – mostly at his own home. He was frequently visited at his home by Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff as together they worked to create the current history.
RECORDING NAUVOO HISTORY IN THE CURRENT TIME
Sister Hunt and I are not official church recorders, but maybe we are. We were called by our mission leaders, President Daniel and Sister Rebecca Mehr to be the official news reporters and historians for our mission – the Illinois Historic Sites Mission. We will serve in this role through the rest of our mission – and maybe even beyond to help create the history.
Our Historian mission is kind of 3-fold. We are to create an annual history of the mission – to be submitted to the Church History Department at the end of the mission. And we are to create a “Reader’s Digest” condensed version of key points for Church leaders. And in the process of creating the annual history, we also monthly publish the happenings of the mission. This is published as the “mission newsletter”.
Sister Hunt and I work together in this role. I do all of the computer work but she is actually quite helpful. She is the chief photographer and she takes photos of everything that goes on around us. She creates a list of noteworthy events and activities and presents this to me. This helps me know what to write about. We make a good team.
We recently published our January edition (and actually the February also … but we are awaiting approval from mission leaders before it is published). I specifically asked President Mehr if the news/history can be published on social media and he replied, “Yes, it is history!” So, this is great!
And that means that we can share it with you. We are happy to do so. Here is what we came up with … We hope that you enjoy it! Elder and Sister Hunt.
Well, there you have it. All you wanted to know (and more) about us and our mission activities. And you can see a bit of what we do in our free time.
Always fun to be engaged on the Nauvoo history trail!
We have seen many miracles in the development of the NEW NAUVOO TEMPLE BRICK!
What? Is there a new brick in Nauvoo? Did I miss something? How and when did that come about?
The answer is a resounding “Yes! There is, indeed, a new souvenir brick for Nauvoo visitors. And it is very exciting! It is the “Nauvoo Temple Brick!”
Above: Top first sample brick pressed and fired and below, two unfired Temple Bricks
But, first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO Elder E.H. “Gramps” Belcher, the “Nauvoo Brickmaker”. Happy 110th Birthday!
Above: Elder E.H. Belcher – “The Nauvoo Brickmaker”
INTRODUCING THE NEW “NAUVOO TEMPLE BRICK” The new brick will make its debut on March 9, 2025. This date was not pre-meditated, but it is a significant miracle that this debut does happen on the 110th anniversary of the birth of Elder E. H. Belcher, the missionary – even “The Nauvoo Brickmaker” – who created the original Nauvoo souvenir brick (yes, the one with word Nauvoo – and the mysterious Egyptian hieroglyphics) back in 1980! So, it is even more exciting that the new brick can honor him in this way – and can maintain the legacy that has been continuing now for 45 years in Nauvoo. What a legacy! Generations of Nauvoo visitors have come through those years and have one or multiple of the bricks proudly displayed in their homes.
THE FOCUS OF THE TEMPLE IN NAUVOO When the pioneer Saints were here in the 1840’s the Temple was the focus of their every thought and action. On January 19, 1841, in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith received a revelation of the Lord and was instructed: “… Come ye, … and with all the precious things of the earth, build a house to my name, for the Most High to dwell therein. … I command you, all ye my saints, to build a house unto me. … my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.” (D&C 124:26, 27, 39)
Joseph himself said that he received the plans for the Temple in vision from the Lord. He worked to instill that vision into the mind and hands of William Weeks, the Temple architect. He said to him, “I have seen in vision the splendid appearance of that building illuminated, and will have it built according to the pattern shown me.” —Joseph Smith, Jr.
I love that! “The building illuminated …” In his day, they had no gas or electric lights. All light came from windows and candles so it really would not have been “illuminated”. I like to think that he saw forward to our day when it truly is “illuminated” up on the hill. Such a grand scene. From the time that Joseph Smith received the Temple revelation, the Saints sacrificed their all – their time and their means – for the Temple construction. All of the men willingly gave one day in ten – a tithe – for work on the Temple. All of the saints (including our own ancestors) looked forward to the grand day when the Temple would be completed so that they could receive the special blessings and ordinances that the Lord promised to them.
It is interesting, even glorious, to note the Temple focus even today in Nauvoo. From almost everywhere on the “lower flat” below Temple hill, the Temple can be seen looming upward in its majesty and glory. No matter where you are, you can see all or part of the Temple. The early Saints would also have been able to see the Temple, the workers, and even the daily progress as the walls and the structure took shape. The vision of the Temple gave them great hope and joy.
That is the way that it should be! The Temple was then and still should be the focus of our individual lives as we strive to live worthily, prepare to enter, and in the Temple participate in the sacred ordinances – the anointings, baptisms for the dead, solemn assemblies, receiving God’s statutes and judgments, and the endowment (which is a “gift” of knowledge of God’s eternal Plan for our life here on earth – and our eternal exaltation). (See D&C 124:39).
The Prophet Joseph worked to prepare the people for the Temple – in addition to the preparation of the physical building itself. That same Temple vision continues to be imparted to us in our modern day. Our current Prophet and leader, President Russell M. Nelson has frequently taught us of the Temple and the need to make it a very real part of each of us.
President Nelson has said: “Everything we believe and every promise God has made to His covenant people come together in the temple. … — “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation,” October 2021 general conference “After we receive our own temple ordinances and make sacred covenants with God, each one of us needs the ongoing spiritual strengthening and tutoring that is only possible in the house of the Lord.” — “Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints,” October 2018 general conference “Because Jesus Christ is at the center of everything we do in the temple, as you think more about the temple, you will be thinking more about Him.” — “Go Forward in Faith,” April 2020 general conference
That is the beauty of the new Nauvoo Temple Brick. As we put it on the mantles in our homes, we can be reminded of the glorious Nauvoo Temple and it can be a physical reminder of special times and ordinances made there with our families.
THE MIRACLE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW NAUVOO TEMPLE BRICK Sister Hunt and I had the great opportunity and blessing to be involved in the development of the design for the new “Nauvoo Temple Brick”. (More on that later). We have been a part of the creation of the new brick from its beginning.
March 9th is the official debut date of the new brick but it took some effort ahead of then to get the new bricks to that point of coming out of the kiln.
February 28th, 2025 was the day to begin printing the new brick! Wow! We had worked toward this day for many months. We had worked to design the new brick, had guided (with inspiration of the Holy Ghost) its first artistic renderings with our children Kaylea and JD Stoddard, and Keith Hunt. We had worked with Midwest Patterns in Quincy, Illinois in the development and creation of the new mold.
We had maintained contact with President Daniel and Sister Rebecca Mehr (Site Leaders for the Illinois Historic Sites Mission), Keith, Corey of Midwest, and the Church History Department personnel. All approvals had been granted and the design had been approved. Just a few days before, the new mold had been “poured” and presented to Sister Hunt and me. It was ready for production … it was brick making time! The day before, Sister Hunt and I had visited with President and Sister Mehr at the “mission home”. We had been the caretakers of the new molds for a week or so. We had held off any production until we could show them the new design and to get their direction to move forward. They had been away from Nauvoo dealing with a family death. But they were back and it was a good time to go see them. We went without an appointment and they graciously invited us into their home. (The same mission home – but remodeled somewhat – that I had known as a “young missionary” in Nauvoo.)
Above: The first “sample” (trial run) new brick – later tweaked and changed slightly
We showed the Mehrs the new molds and one of three sample bricks that we had “practiced on” before the final molds had been cast by Midwest. We talked of possible implementation plans. President Mehr surprised us as he said, “Let’s start making bricks!” So, with that injunction, we went home with his blessing to move forward – and to do it now!
That night was a bit traumatic for me. I went to bed thinking about the brick and how to get it started it into production. The plan (as given to me) was to begin stamping brick the next day (as Sister Hunt had suggested). I would call several “dignitaries” who had part in the development process to see if they wanted to make some custom bricks to be a part of the first kiln firing. And I was strongly impressed (maybe by Elder Belcher himself) that with proper timing, we could actually have the first bricks come out of the kiln on March 9th on his birthday! How cool! I knew that we would have to begin right away – since the process to create a brick and to get it into the kiln for firing would take 10 days. We had to act right away – meaning the next day.
And so as I awoke that morning of February 28th, March 9th became the target date. I shared the proposed plan with Sister Hunt as she awoke. I was effervescent (bubbling over with excitement) as I shared all of the above with her. She too caught the grandeur of the opportunities – and especially the March 9th birthday scenario. I called Elder Bruce Rieske.
Elder and Sister Rieske – With Sister Lou Hunt check out new molds
He and his wife are the assigned “Coordinators” for the Brick Yard and they manage the facility and the schedule for missionaries to work to create bricks in the yard. (Actually Elder Craig Sanders does the actual scheduling – in cooperation with Elder Rieske.) He counted out the days in his head and agreed that if we got the brick created that specific day, they could go through their process of creation, hacking, trimming, and all else – and could indeed, go into the kiln for firing – and could come out on the 9th! It would have to begin today, however.
Sister Hunt and I got ready and dashed over to the Brick Yard. I was careful to wear my shirt (found at an Arizona thrift store – with embroidered lettering that says, “Build Nauvoo”). We got there a few minutes ahead of Elders and Sisters Ray and Robyn Parker and Fred and Chrstine Graham who had been assigned to brick duty for that day. Sister Hunt quietly made preparations to stamp the first set of four bricks with the new Nauvoo Temple imprint. We took a few photos of the old and new.
And so when the other folks arrived, we were ready for them. Previous missionary brick makers had already created the 4” clay “pugs” that had been “extruded” (that is the milder term) by the pug machine. They were in a tub packed full of the pugs. Sister Hunt set up the hydraulic press and had everything in readiness.
Elders Parker and Graham had heard on the “Nauvoo missionary grapevine” that “a new brick is coming” but in the real secrets of the moment, they like most others – knew little of the real story. They walked into history without knowing that this would happen on this day. We told them that this was the day for the first new brick to be created. This caught them totally by surprise and they were almost breathless. (Glad that they didn’t lose their breath … we needed their help!)
Above: The creators of the Historic first Nauvoo Temple Bricks – Sister Hunt, Elder and Sister Graham, Elder Hunt, Elder and Sister Graham
We gave everyone assignments – or they assumed them – having been to the brick yard before. Elder Graham took on the challenge of working the electric pug machine (a bit different than how Elder Belcher created them back in the day!). Elder Parker became the inspector and keeper of the four tubs of the pug previously created – and kept wet with towels over the pyramids of pugs in each tub. Sisters Graham and Parker went to work to “hack” the bricks created the day before. To “hack” means to turn them around 180 degrees on special wooden racks – so that they would dry properly. Sister Hunt and I worked to create molds to be punched into the back of the new bricks. We wanted to create “March 9th” bricks for our family members.
We felt like real printers – as we pulled type and created our personalized design. (A note: We had previously talked with our son-in-law, Michael, about creating such a design, but this whole process of mold creation moved much faster than we had anticipated – and so it was soon way out of the planned ballpark with him. With President Mehr’s “let’s do it” injunction, we were caught unprepared for Michael’s creation – and we felt bad about that!)
Sisters Parker and Graham finished their hacking task and their trays were placed back in the holding and drying racks to continue through the drying process. They then joined Sister Hunt to begin the stamping process on the new bricks.
Above: Sister Lou Hunt molds the first of the new Nauvoo Temple Bricks
In the Brick Room, we have two hydraulic presses and two sets of the pair of brick molds. And each mold can hold four “pugs” at a time. The operators put the four pugs (each about 4” long and 2” or so in diameter) into the mold. With a linoleum cover, the two metal plates – with the pugs – are put under the jacks. These are then pressed down with great strength and the imprint from the molds are indelibly pressed into the clay pugs – which are squashed down flat into the molds. And since this day was the historic first day of the new brick, there was a desire to create some special bricks to commemorate the special March 9 kiln opening of the very first bricks.
Above: 1st Kiln Run – front and back with date of March 9
Sister Hunt helped the other two sisters create the new bricks. I became the official “stamper” (of personalization) on the back sides of the newly created bricks.
Excitement was high as we cranked out those first bricks. Everyone was excited to be a part of the historic action. It truly was a great moment and we were all in awe of it. We all kind of took a breath and expressed great “AWW” and “WOW” as we saw those first bricks created.
Above: Elder Kevin Hunt holds first (one of four) new Temple Brick created February 28, 2025
Above: First of the new Nauvoo Temple Bricks – after drying but before firing
The new Nauvoo Temple brick was truly magnificent. The Temple – as we had designed it – was embossed in the forefront, and it looked majestic with its surrounding trees, the Nauvoo rising sun, the Nauvoo lettering and the outer frame around everything. This was a total new look since the previous brick had been imprinted “into” the clay. This new brick features raised (embossed) elements and the raised rim protects the Temple and other things – also raised up – down inside of it. The featured Temple was so beautiful. (More Aws and Wows!) It really came through as a special Nauvoo miracle. And we were blessed to be a part of it!
Later Sister Torri Sanders came to help us. She wanted to “trim” shaggy edges off of some personalized bricks that she had created a couple of days before.
Above: Sister Torri Sanders trimming bricks As the day progressed, we were all thrashed with the pugs and trying to have enough of them to create the many bricks that we wanted to press this day. Typically, workers on previous days create four of these tubs of pugs to be ready for production.
On this day, we had one tub that was the right consistency (the right mix of clay/dirt, sand, and water) that was needed. However, the other three tubs with all of their pugs – were not right. The pugs were too hard to press properly. They ultimately had to be “bagged” or deemed unusable. This was a heartbreak. I had never seen this situation before. The pugged clay was not totally unusable – but it meant that we had to recycle it back into the pug machine – with more water added to it.
Elders Graham and Parker could not get the machine to extrude properly. Elder Graham was frustrated as he had to dismantle the final section of the machine multiple times in order to dig out the dried material. This is a major task. It is challenging enough to do this cleaning at the end of a shift – but to do it three times was particularly discouraging and frustrating. At this rate, we had no way to create the pugs needed for our planned bricks of the day.
At this point, we all realized that we needed help beyond our own. I suggested that we all pause and pray for help. I asked Sister Hunt to offer our special prayer. She was kind of overwhelmed, but she handled the task beautifully as she pleaded with our Father for help. And immediately after the prayer, that help and inspiration came. The Elders dug deeper into the pub machine and found the source of the constipation – some very dry and hard clay material. They got this removed and the pug soon began to extrude out in the giant rolls as the machine was designed to create.
We all let out a sigh of relief. I pointed out to everyone that it was not us who got the machine to work – but that it came specifically after we had prayed for help. We all acknowledged this miracle. And it was Sister Sanders who suggested that the scene suggested the need for another prayer – this one of thanks for the blessing received. Sister Hunt asked her to be voice for the rest of us. A beautiful and thankful prayer was offered. This made for a special miracle moment for all of us on this still historic day.
We were able to create the desired bricks as we had planned. We created among others, the 24 desired by the Church History Department. Then President and Sister Mehr came to make their bricks and by the above miracles, we had the necessary pugs for them. We helped them create their personal molds.
Above: President Daniel and Sister Rebecca Mehr with Sister Lou Hunt creating new Nauvoo Temple bricks
They punched a few bricks before they needed to head off for another meeting. With our slowed process, we had a hard time filling their order. We were short seven bricks. And we still needed to be prepared for a few other folks whom I had arranged with.
The Elders put the bad pugs, sand, and water back into the machine – according the recipe. With a lot of effort, they were able to get a new batch mixing. Mixing by the pug machine takes two hours. The other folks all headed home – leaving Sister Hunt and I with the machine running and waiting without available pugs as we waited for the other design folks to come.
We figured out a way to stamp the backs of some of our earlier bricks that had not been imprinted with the March 9 kiln date. This was yet another miracle that had before seemed impossible as Elder Parker and I explored other possibilities. It was another miracle, but we had the bricks ready for Jordan – and we were able to finish the last seven Mehr bricks.
Above: Elder Kevin Hunt with Jordan Bodily making personal bricks
One brother who came – like 4:00 PM in the day – was Jordan Bodily, the Nauvoo Facilities Management manager. He happily created his bricks under our tutelage. He was excited! The Bodily name seemed familiar to me. I had heard it many times. I asked Sister Hunt the first name of the Elder Bodily she had often talked of from her mission. As she said, “Merrill”, our friend, Jordan came alive. “Wait …! That is the name of my father.” We soon learned that Jordan’s father and Sister Hunt had been great friends as they served in Melbourne, Australia (“a hundred years ago” as I tell Siter Hunt). He got his father on the phone and he and Sister Hunt had great fun reliving those “good ol’ days” of so long ago. And Jordan thoroughly enjoyed the funny stories that Sister Hunt was able to share about his father.
Mission accomplished. With many miracles, we were able to pull it off. With the help and efforts of all of us, we created about 300 of the new Nauvoo Temple bricks! Wow! That is possibly a new daily record!
Now for a bit of background history:
NEW BRICK DESIGN BEGINNINGS Last spring, President and Sister Mehr (as in Daniel S. Mehr, II and his wife, Sister Rebecca Mehr) came to stand on Holy Ground here in Nauvoo. Sister Hunt and I can’t speak specifically to their arrival but we arrived about six weeks or so after they did.
Many miracles had already happened around that time in Nauvoo. On March 5th, President Russell M. Nelson, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a joint news conference with leaders of the Community of Christ church. The progeny of the Prophet Joseph Smith’s family had long been the custodians of the Nauvoo residences of Joseph and Emma. Upon Emma’s death, the Joseph Smith Homestead and their Mansion House passed to the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ. Later the Reorganized Church was renamed the Community of Christ.
That March 5th day was indeed a historic miracle. The transfer caught the world of both churches off-guard with surprise and elation (for us – sadness for them). The LDS Church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became the new guardians or care-takers of the sacred properties. The properties all closed at end of day on that March 5th. They reopened under the direction of the LDS Church tours and the new tours began on March 26th – just three weeks later.
This action brought many visitors to Nauvoo in anticipation of seeing the new properties. Many Church members and others had previously been to Nauvoo over the years. And many of them had taken home with them the Nauvoo souvenir brick. In fact, generations of Nauvoo visitors have taken the brick home with them. The brick has become a symbol of the Nauvoo Restoration. It became, for many, a tangible reminder of special times shared with special people as together they learned for themselves that Nauvoo is indeed a holy ground. The brick was not “the golden calf” of Nauvoo but just a quiet reminder of current and former times. The brick was a symbol of the industry and spirit of the Nauvoo Pioneer Saints who came to Nauvoo and ultimately built many of their homes of the native red Nauvoo brick. Visitors to Nauvoo have long been in awe of those beautiful brick homes that somehow have been preserved through 180 years.
THE ARRIVAL OF PRESIDENT AND SISTER MEHR IN NAUVOO Enter President and Sister Mehr as the new site leaders of the modern Nauvoo. They talked with the Church History Department about their new Nauvoo home. Church historians with whom they met suggested that they could make some administrative changes in Nauvoo as inspired to do so.
One of the early “relics of the past” that President Mehr considered for possible change was the Nauvoo Brick. He questioned the brick and why it is a part of Nauvoo. (And why do we give out braided rope, mini-horseshoes and gingerbread cookies?) He looked at the Nauvoo brick and asked as have many visitors through the years, what are those odd characters on the brick … and what do they say? (The answer: “Maybe only Abraham knows what they say!) With so many new opportunities in Nauvoo,
Above: The “Old” Nauvoo Belcher Brick
President Mehr felt that this might be a time to make a change with the brick design. He did not want to do away with it but felt that it was time to make it “more contemporary” with modern times. The Mehrs began to think about the brick and discussed possible change plans with the Church History Department. Both had agreed that a change could and would be made but the who and how of those visions just coagulated in the minds of those involved. They all began to contemplate the situation but with no specific plan in mind.
ENTER ELDER AND SISTER KEVIN AND LOU HUNT Enter (or re-enter) Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt as site-guide missionaries. Both had a “Nauvoo history” so they were excited and pleased to receive a mission call to serve in Nauvoo (actually the Illinois Historic Sites Mission). Elder Hunt had served in Nauvoo 50 years previously on his “young mission” and Sister Hunt’s parents had served in Nauvoo 45 years ago – also as site missionaries – and specifically in the Lucy Mack Smith restored home. They had served in this tiny and historic home for two and a half years.
Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou Hunt as Nauvoo “Site Guides” – April 2024
THE MEHRS MEET THE HUNTS Upon arrival in the mission, President and Sister Mehr – as they do with all newly arriving Nauvoo missionaries – came to visit Elder and Sister Hunt in their historic “Simeon A. Dunn ancestral home”. (The home is the original brick as constructed by Simeon – or his contractor – and has modern amenities – as in the kitchen and bathroom facilities inside.) Anyway, in this home, the Mehrs talked with Elder and Sister Hunt on various topics. Of course the past Nauvoo history of both Elder and Sister Hunt surfaced.
Sister Hunt eagerly told the Mehrs how it was her father, Elder E. H. Belcher, who was the missionary who built the original (modern-day) brick kiln when he was a missionary in Nauvoo 45 years ago. And she proudly showed them many of the Nauvoo bricks that Elder Belcher created. She showed them one of the earliest brick molds that Elder Belcher created. (And looking at the mold, one wonders how that pattern could possibly evolve into a brick.) Of course, Elder and Sister Mehr were totally amazed and in awe. She showed the current souvenir brick – as well as past versions.
Then it all began to come together … The vision of a new brick began to take shape in the mind of President Mehr. (He constantly states that his greatest Nauvoo inspiration comes to him at Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store … and was it there that his brick inspiration came?) Anyway, the inspiration began to grow within him and it became clear to him. He approached the Church History Department and said, “A daughter of the original Nauvoo brick maker is serving here on a mission with her husband. Wouldn’t it be great if she could help design a new Nauvoo brick?” All parties agreed that this would truly be great. But no one really knew how to proceed to made such a plan happen.
THE INVITATION TO CREAT A NEW BRICK DESIGN President Mehr received inspiration and acted upon it. And on the day that he decided to take action, he found that Elder and Sister (Kevin and Lou – one of three Nauvoo cousins now serving together) were to be serving that day in Joseph’s Red Brick Store. Wow! He and Sister Mehr came and made a surprise visit to Elder and Sister Hunt as they served. Hold that thought … Let’s share some background information:
BACKGROUND OF NAUVOO BRICK MAKING As already hinted, the “Nauvoo Brick” has become almost world-famous. Chances are, you might have seen this brick in England, throughout the United States – and possibly in other countries. The small brick – with the name of Nauvoo and some curious ancient Egyptian characters – has become a symbol of the modern Nauvoo as well as the Nauvoo of yesteryear. And for 45 years, visitors to Historic Nauvoo have made great efforts to obtain one of the coveted bricks.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints lived in Nauvoo, Illinois from 1839 through their exodus to Salt Lake City in 1846. The early Saints constructed many homes of bricks, wood, limestone, or other materials. Many of those original brick homes have been preserved so that even today, visitors can view and tour these homes. In addition, many other of the brick homes have been restored or reconstructed in modern times and visitors to historic Nauvoo can see the workmanship of those early Pioneers, as well as catch a glimpse of the lifestyle lived by these pioneers through the houses that they constructed.
Above: Restored Brigham Young Home in Nauvoo
During the seven years the Church members were in Nauvoo, the “flats” (as the flat land below the Temple hill and along the Mississippi River was called) were soon covered with some 2600 homes – with an estimated 300 to 500 timber frame homes, and 300 to 350 brick houses. Most of the homes of old Nauvoo were made of logs and timber. Nauvoo would grow to over 12,000 people at its height in 1845, second in size only to Chicago in 1840s Illinois.
During the Nauvoo era, there were seven brick-making operations. Brick makers were kept busy making the bricks for the booming housing construction efforts.
Isaac Hill “I Hill” imprinted brick in Old Nauvoo
ISAAC HILL – A PIONEER BRICK MAKER IN NAUVOO: Isaac Hill was one of those seven Nauvoo brick makers. Isaac was credited with recognizing Nauvoo “rock” or sand as clay, and he knew that bricks could be made from it. He set up a brickyard on Kimball Street in Old Nauvoo.
[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31961346/isaac-john-hill] In his brickmaking, Isaac imprinted one brick in each 100 new bricks with his now famous signature “I Hill” imprint.
Author’s Note: As a young missionary, I spent the last six months of my Church mission in Nauvoo giving tours at the visitors’ center and many restored homes and shops. During that time, restoration was undertaken at the former Raymond Clark store (now the Nauvoo FamilySearch Center – located across the street north of the restored Nauvoo Temple). During that restoration, many Isaac Hill bricks were removed from a much-deteriorated stairwell. It was a great blessing and opportunity to find and keep four of the original bricks with the “I Hill” imprint.
The Raymond Clark Store is now the FamilySearch Center in Nauvoo Left: The Clark Store stairs before/during restoration (Photo 1975 by Kevin V. Hunt)
Above: The Raymond Clark Store – now the FamilySearch Center across the street from the restored Nauvoo Temple
ENTER ELDER E.H. BELCHER In 1980, a modern Church missionary, Elder Everett H. Belcher, of Midvale, Utah (and father-in-law to the author of this article), was serving a Church mission with his wife, Sister Verna Belcher, in Nauvoo. They were assigned to serve full-time in the Lucy Mack Smith home. (Lucy was the mother of the Prophet, Joseph Smith.)
For a history of Elder Belcher and the development of the Nauvoo Brick, I now include pages of my own book entitled, “Nauvoo Homes, Brick Making and the Nauvoo Legacy of Elder E.H. Belcher”
The “Nauvoo Brick” shown on the back cover of a past “Ensign” Magazine
\Many years after his mission, Elder Belcher again set up his brick-making operation – this time in the “This is the Place Heritage Park” in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this setting, “H” Belcher again told the story of Nauvoo brickmaking as he continued to create his famous bricks for visitors at the Park.
Still today the Nauvoo brick remains a “must have” for all Nauvoo visitors. Its popularity has remained high in the 40 plus years since its creation. The bricks are now created by missionaries who serve in Nauvoo.
THE BELCHER NAUVOO BRICKYARD IN OLD NAUVOO Sadly, the Belcher brickyard has now been closed to visitors, but the legacy lives on through the bricks that are still created there by missionaries and which can still be found everywhere.
It is an ongoing challenge to maintain an inventory to keep up with the demand. But the missionaries keep making them. The bricks can often be obtained at the Nauvoo Visitors’ Center (as supplies and time make them available.) Those lucky enough to obtain a Nauvoo brick can “take a part of Nauvoo back home” with them.
A modern missionary who serves in the “Family Living Center” in Nauvoo today, says that people continue to be intrigued with the bricks. He said that the most often asked question from visitors, is “What do the curious figures on the bricks mean?” Jerrie Belcher Lee states that her father created the figures copied from some shown in the “Facsimile 2 in the modern Book of Abraham in the “Pearl of Great Price” (an additional book of modern scripture of the Church). While the interpretation or translation of each individual symbol is not known, we can know their source and compare them to the brick to see which are included on the brick.
On one of our tours, we met a Newman family from Kaysville, Utah. Early in the conversation, the lady said that she came to Nauvoo in 1980. She talked of going to the Belcher Brickyard. She clearly remembered that he gave her family a larger brick – the one with the Egyptian Hieroglyphics and also a small brick for each member of the family. She still [2024] has the two bricks that she got. This was very cool information. We did not know that Elder Belcher was giving out both bricks simultaneously.
Brick Making display at the Nauvoo Family Living Center in Nauvoo Now the small Nauvoo bricks can be found almost world-wide. They have become the symbol of modern Nauvoo – uniquely linking the modern world to the Pioneer Nauvoo era. Jenae Hunt Merrill, a granddaughter of Elder and Sister Belcher, served a Church mission in England twenty-plus years ago and was surprised and pleased to see her grandpa’s Nauvoo brick on the mantle of a family they were visiting.
SO, ON TO MODERN TIMES The legacy of the Nauvoo brick lives on. Thanks to Isaac Hill, and all of the Nauvoo brick-makers, and thanks to the Belchers for making that brick legacy live again for all who now visit Nauvoo. And thanks to the inspiration of President Mehr for his vision for the continuation and future of the Nauvoo Brick.
BACK TO THE INVITATION TO CREAT A NEW BRICK DESIGN My journal records the visit of President and Sister Mehr with us at Joseph’s Red Brick Store.
MAY 13TH 2024 – MONDAY “Today was a great day. We were at Red Brick with the Turners. They are good folks.
… We had a surprise visit from Mission Pres. Mehr and his wife. I think that they came just to see Lou. She was very surprised when the President said that he had been in a meeting wherein the Nauvoo Brick image was discussed. He said “they” (upper folks above him) want to create a redesign of the Brick – for use as a marketing tool (or whatever) through the Nauvoo project. This blew us away. He did not have any ideas of what a new design should be but told Lou that she would figure it out. He told the “upper folks” that we have here in Nauvoo, the daughter of the original Nauvoo brickmaker … “So, why not use her …” This is so fabulous. Should be really fun!”
The Church History Department suggested some options for creation of the brick. Someone suggested that a contest for missionaries be held to come up with possible designs. Sister Mehr, however, felt strongly that Sister Hunt should be involved in the design so that the Belcher family legacy could be carried on from father down to daughter.
In contemplating the above scenario, I think of Esther in the Old Testament. She was brought to the king’s court. Her uncle Mordecai pled with her to ask for help from the king. He said, “… Who knoweth whether thou are come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” I believe that the Lord put Sister Hunt here in Nauvoo for just “for such a time as this”. Pretty amazing and wonderful!
Elder Mitchell Atkinson, the zone leader for the Hyrum Zone of senior Nauvoo missionaries (and the zone leader for Elder and Sister Hunt) has commented about the beautiful scenario surrounding the involvement of Elder and Sister Hunt in the development of the new brick. He said, “It was just so Christlike for President Mehr to involve you guys in the development of the new brick. It is exactly what Christ would have done if He were here. He too, would have given you the opportunity to carry on the family legacy through the new design.” Beautifully said! Sister Hunt recalls of that special day: “I was surprised when Pres. Mehr first started talking about a new brick. I was surprised that the Church wanted to create something new … something more modern … I immediately began to think of possible designs and how I could do it. I tried to think of possibilities. I was thinking about my dad’s brick … would people be excited about a new brick or did they like the original Nauvoo Brick? The Mehrs told me that they would like a few designs made – rather quickly – so that I would have an opportunity for me to carry on the legacy of my dad. I was told that if I got onto the design quickly we would have a chance to get it accepted – before the Church created its own design.”
Says Sister Hunt: “I had never designed anything like this and I wondered if I might be capable of doing it. I was more than a little overwhelmed with the idea of this project because of my lack of experience and design skills. And actually, a part of me was sad about my dad’s brick being replaced. I was torn with the idea of coming up with a design to replace what had been for the past 45 years.”
“We saw Pres. and Sister Mehr later. I approached them and I got emotional and started to cry. I said, “I feel really honored and privileged that you would give me this opportunity. I am sorry that I may not have come across excited when you first talked to me. I was just so surprised. You caught be totally off guard.” I told them that I would do my best – to try to come up with something though I didn’t have any experience in this type of thing. He suggested that we could get the help of other family members to help make the brick happen. He again emphasized that the sooner a design was created, the better – so that we could present the designs to the Church …”
“We went home and I began to see what I could do. I made it a matter of prayer. I felt strongly that the Nauvoo Temple needed to be the of the new design. And then I thought of a Temple sketch that my son-in-law, Paul Merrill, had drawn when he and his family and Kevin and I were here in Nauvoo last summer. I contacted our daughter Jenae, I said, “Hey, I remember Paul sketching a picture of the Nauvoo Temple with the Joseph and Hyrum statues. Does he still have that drawing?” It turned out that he did not draw the statues but he did draw the Temple. Jenae sent this cool drawing to me.
“The Nauvoo Temple” – Drawn by Paul Merrill
Sister Hunt continues: “I made some very rough drawings … I drew some things. I had Kevin shrink down some of my sketches – of the Temple and the Joseph Hyrum statues – so that I could get it down to the size of the brick. I tried to maneuver the picture cut-outs to fit the brick size.
Sister Hunt had a vision of the Temple that she wanted to portray on the new brick design. Her art was quite rudimentay but the vision was enough to jar the thinking of others. On that day, Sister Hunt copied the following figures and sent them on to her daughter, Kaylea and JD, her husband. She asked them for their expertise and help.
She told Kaylea: “I also knew that the local “Fudge Factory” features a “Nauvoo Fudge Brick”. We (reluctantly) made a trip to the store to check it out – and of course came out with a fist full of fudge – including the fudge brick.
I liked the Nauvoo houses shown on the brick. I thought of this as a possible brick design for us.” I tried to make a drawing like I saw on the fudge brick. Nothing seemed to come out as I had hoped that they would. I finally said, “Okay, this is not working … “ I decided that I needed help from my children. I thought of Kaylea and JD because I knew that they are really into computer stuff.” I called Kaylea and JD Stoddard, our daughter and son-in-law. I told them of our opportunity given us by the Mission President to design a new brick. They were as excited as we were. I sent this photo on to Kaylea and JD:
This is how Kaylea and JD responded:
Sister Hunt responded back – showing her first brick inspiration.
Sister Hunt and I spent an hour or two (after our tours) taking a plethora of photos of the Temple. It was a fun evening.
Kaylea and JD Stoddard went to work that day and used the many photos that we had sent to them. They created one with the Prophet Joseph combined with the angel. They made some with the Temple stars. They created some with just the Temple. Through the phone calls of the day Sister Hunt, Kaylea, and JD continued to exchange ideas. And very quickly, they came up with many possibilities.
Here are the designs that they created for us. We liked them all.
And my own journal records the events of the day …
MAY 16TH – THURSDAY Today was a glorious day. It was our preparation day. “We ended up talking on the phone with Kaylea for a long day – and the combined calls actually went to midnight. Lou told Kaylea about the opportunity that Pres. Mehr is giving her to create/design a “new Nauvoo brick”. Kaylea and JD got onto this and they helped Lou all of the rest of the day and together they all created six or seven different possible designs. (and Lou tried at home to make a design – using cut-up paper. This didn’t work out so well for her. I felt bad for her – as she really wanted to design it all herself.) But, Kaylea and JD were amazing.” I also wrote that day:
“Lou and I then – at Kaylea and JD’s direction – went to the temple to take photos at various angles. They wanted these for the brick design project that they are working on. In the end, the photos would not work for them – since they just needed silhouette images. Lou and I had a grand time there. We took about 40 or more photos each. We both got some really great shots.
The sunset happened as we were there, and this greatly enhanced the photos. We took many photos – including some of Joseph and Hyrum on their horses – in the sunset. These were so gorgeous. We got some really amazing photos and they were wonderful.” At 10:52 Pm, Lou sent a photo to Kaylea with some of her ideas:
Kaylea wrote: “Those photos are great. Any chance that you can call your mission president to see what kind of computer file format the Church will need to create the brick design?”
My journal continues:
MAY 18TH – SATURDAY … “Our President Mehr wants to come next week to view brick design possibilities – and we want to show him the [brick making] history. I will have to get right on this.”
MAY 28TH – TUESDAY “Yesterday we sent to President Mehr and to his wife, the brick designs that Lou (with help from Kaylea and JD) have been creating. He will now pass these “up he chain” – so we will look forward to watching the process with these – to see what happens. Folks above him are wanting to create a “new” Nauvoo brick.”
JULY 7TH – SUNDAY
“Kaylea and JD have been working with Lou to create some more possible brick designs. …
Ultimately, JD and Kaylea thought that it would be great to create some wood mock-ups of the brick designs so that these could be presented to the Church History Department personnel to help facilitate their design choice. JD created these wood blocks on his 3-D digital printer. The printing is like burning into the wood and it looks really cool. And coincidentally, their two children soon came to Nauvoo as a part of their Texas stake’s youth conference. They were able to bring the wood blocks to us. They were beautiful and amazing. Kaylea and JD kept a set of their own and they gave us three sets – one which we kept, one for the Mehrs to keep and one so be sent to the Church History Department. It will be great fun to have a set of these for us to keep.
Above: President Daniel and Sister Rebecca Mehr with brick sample blocks presented by Sister Lou and Elder Kevin Hunt
Sister Mehr immediately was drawn to the design with just the Temple, the sun and a couple of trees and the word Nauvoo. We kind of liked that design also.
THE WAITING GAME After we presented the wood blocks to the Mehrs, we heard nothing from anyone about progress. A few times, President Mehr cornered us and said that he hadn’t hear from the Church History Department. Things were kind of up in the air – seemingly with no one knowing what the next step would be or who would do it. We didn’t know what was happening. President Mehr said a few times, “We have got to get this going so that it will be done before you leave.” We agreed and hoped that it would get moving. It didn’t seem to be going very fast and we didn’t know what was causing the bottle-neck.
SHIFTING INTO HIGH GEAR Time passed quickly and soon it was December and all was still at a stale-mate. Then on Wednesday, December 18th, the mission activities committee sponsored a doughnut making and eating activity over at the “break room” at Facilities Maintenance. The doughnuts were amazing! “As the event was winding down, Lou and I were surprised when Pres. Mehr said that he wanted to talk to Lou and me. He had “bricks” on his mind. He is anxious to move forward his desire (and that of the Church History Department) to create a new design. He kind of asked for our help – not knowing how to get it off the ground – and pretty much gave us a “green light” to take initiative to get the brick plan moving. This was great. We will see what we can do.”
Back at home, we contacted our son Keith, who is a product design engineer. He is used to creating such things as the mold we would need to press bricks.
Again from my journal:
DECEMBER 19TH – THURSDAY “I worked to try to get some brick design movement. “Pres. Mehr gave us the name of a guy, Curtis Ashton, from the Church History Department whom we should deal with. I tried to call him and left a message.
“Curtis did later return my call. He said that the Temple design selected by the Mehr – was the one that the Church History Department also liked. He noted that “this design has been approved by all church channels – so it ready to manufacture”. Like Pres. Mehr, he is baffled as to how to go aboout getting a mold. But, exciting that it is cleared to go on to the next step.
“I called Kendall Gallaher at Nauvoo Facilities Management and he is the guy who ordered the current mold – several years ago. He said that he did not remember the name of the company but that he could go back through his e-mail messages to see who it was. He did say that the mold was manufactured by a place in Quincy.
“We called Kaylea and JD and told them the news of the selection of the Church History Department as well as our mission leadership – of one specific design for the brick redo. I told them that it is the simple one with the Nauvoo Temple. They were really excited. They are willing and anxious to help us move forward. They emphasized the need to find the company who created the original moulds – and we said that we would work at it. We all agreed that we needed to get additional help on the project.
Kaylea and JD had done a great job but now it was time to get more detailed plans and drawings for the brick. We have a son, Keith, who is a product design engineer. We knew that he would have the expertise to get the right drawings that might be needed by the manufacturing company to create the desired molds.
I texted Keith. He began trying to locate a manufacturer for a new brick mold. And I did the same.
DECEMBER 18TH – THURSDAY “I worked to try to get some brick design movement. I texted Keith. He has been trying to locate a manufacturer for a new brick mold. I called Kendall at FM and he is the guy who ordered the current mold – several years ago. He said that the mold was manufactured by a place in Quincy. Pres. Mehr gave us the name of a guy, Curtis Ashton, from the Church History Department whom we should deal with. I tried to call him and left a message.
”Curtis did later return my call. He said that the design selected has been approved by all church channels – so it ready to manufacture. Like Pres. Mehr, he is baffled as to how to go aboout getting a mold. But, exciting that it is cleared to go on to the next step.
DECEMBER 20TH – FRIDAY “I have been working to sleuth out where the Nauvoo brick molds were created. Yesterday, I talked to Kendall Gallaher of FM. He said that he would try to locate the name of the company who made the molds – but that he would have to spend time researching back e-mail records. “Last night I Googled and did some research. I learned that the type of project and came up with the process of “metal injection moulding” or “press moulds”. I then found five or six companies in Quincy that might do that sort of mould creation – and listed their companies and phone numbers on one of my 3×5” cards. Lou and I prayed last night for guidance and direction.
“This morning, I began to call the companies on my list. I called one number and got a message machine. Then I went back to the top of the list and called the first company. I explained the process and asked them if they may have created the brick moulds for Nauvoo. I was surprised and delighted when they said that they had, indeed, created the moulds. This was so exciting … and truly a miracle. We have felt the Lord’s guidance as we have pursued the new management of this process and brick development. We are grateful that we can be an instrument in the Lord’s hand in making this happen. Wonderful indeed!
“I talked to a Corey Miller. He said that he would talk to Jeff – the President/owner and the shop foreman, Greg, and will get back to me. I asked if I could come down there this Monday. Corey said that he would check to see if this might be possible. He said that he would call me back later today.
”Later Corey told us about that first call to him. Here is a guy who is likely not used to talking of miracles, but he said that it was a “miracle” that I had got him on the phone. He said that he usually does not answer the phone but he did so on just this one day as he filled in for a few minutes for the secretary who usually answers the phone. And he said that it was amazing because he was likely the only person who would have known what we were requesting in our phone call.
“I texted this info to Keith – who has been helping find a possible company to create the molds. He said that he also had Googled and had settled on this same company. I wrote him back and said that “We’n’s” (he and us) have been “guided” in our process. I thanked him for all of his help thus far. I asked him what CAD (computer aided design) program he would recommend for the design creation.
“I received a call back from Midwest Patterns in Quincy. Corey Miller sent me a link on which to post our brick making photos. I set a meeting date with him for this Monday, December 23rd – at 11:00 AM. This was exciting that they will make time for us then. Corey also sent me information about the type of file to be submitted. Lou and I sent him some photos of our brick making process.
“We called Kaylea and JD and JD helped to perfect the design. He tweaked it and made some changes. The picture looks great. Loui and I are excited about this. J.D. and Keith will now work together to get the file in the proper format for Midwest. We appreciate their help. “I called Elder Rieske – since he is the Brickyard site coordinator. He is going to make me a few pugs to take with us on Monday. He also said that I can take one of the two brick moulds from the inventory. This is good. He said that there is to be no brick making next week anyway. “So, we made some major progress on the project today. Very cool!” The next day, I recorded: We also talked with JD about the brick design. He and Keith are working together to make the design happen. The files are not transferring from one person and system to another so they are having challenges trying to accomplish the task.”
A SUMMARY OF PROGRESS OF THE PAST WEEK President and Sister Mehr were at this time in Utah dealing with a family emergency. On December 26th, I wrote him a summary of what we were able to accomplish over the past week:
Brick Redesign Progress E-mail sent to Pres. Mehr 12/26/24 CC sent to Curtis Ashton at the Church History Department BCC to Kevin and Lou Hunt
Greetings, President and Sister Mehr! We miss you!
“We thought that you might like a progress report on the new bricks (following our meeting at the donut party.
“Upon your direction, we contacted Curtis Ashton at the Church History Department. He too, liked the simple brick design with the Nauvoo Temple. I asked him if there are further steps that need to be taken to get the brick approved in Salt Lake. He confirmed that it is all approved at the Church History Department (and beyond) and that no further authorization is needed.
“From research on the Nauvoo bricks, Sister Hunt and I came in contact with Brother Kendall Gallaher in the Facilities Maintenance Department. Kendall has had oversight responsibility for the brickyard for many years. We told him about the pending new brick design and plan. He had not heard of the pending change.so I told him about the plan and its approval from the Church History Department. (This had been his concern when I told him of the plan.
“I asked Kendall where the current mold had been created. He said that it was created in 2016 or 2017 and that he had worked with a company in Quincy, Illinois to create the two sets of molds. He did not know the name of the manufacturing place but that he would dig through his E-mail archives to find it.
“Meanwhile, I Googled “metal mold casting” and other similar subjects in Quincy. I came up with a possible list of six or so places. I called one number and got a message service. They never called back. I went to the first name on my list and called them. I got a Corey Miller on the phone. He later said it was very “coincidental” that I got him on the phone – since he was doing a quirk desk sit for someone who was not at her desk. He noted that if I had got the secretary, she would have not known anything about us and how to help us.
“Anyway, when I explained the brick molds, he remembered that his company had indeed created the molds. Wow!
“With your direction, Sister Hunt and I contacted three of our children who had helped us with the initial brick designs. Our daughter, Kaylea and husband, JD Stoddard, worked to tweak the final design. We then sent the file to our son Keith, who is a product design engineer. He then began intense work on the design to get it in the format that Corey said his company would need. He spent about 20 hours on the project and came up with the following final design (if you approve).
“Sister Hunt and I had an appointment Monday December 23RD (our P-day) with Corey and other members of the team at Midwest Patterns in Quincy.
“We had previously sent them Keith’s final design documents via computer. We took them some of our current bricks along with one of the two molds from the brick yard. We had a great conversation. They are all in for creating the new design. We determined that we will not need the “grid” section of the current molds to be remade. They can be used with the new molds. So, we will need only the metal part that has the actual molds (a cost savings in them)
“From the discussion, it was determined that Keith and Corey (the engineers) should connect to work out final design details in the drawings – to be more compatible with the capabilities and specifications of the Midwest manufacturing systems. Keith and Corey did connect. The Midwest IT guy is off work until January 6th but in the meantime, Keith will continue to work to tweak his tech plans.
“Corey promised to get us an estimate of Midwest costs. This should happen soon (but likely not until after the return of the other guy on January 6th).
”The production techs in the room estimated approximately two months for processing time to create the new molds.
Anything we have missed?
“So, I think that with the inspiration of the Holy Ghost – and several miracles already, we have made significant progress. It is very exciting to be a part of this new design process.”
Elder and Sister Kevin Hunt
This is what Pres. Mehr wrote back: Wow, what a great report. Thank you for the detail. I appreciate all the efforts that you’re making. I like the mold that you are proposing. Let’s go forward and get the cost and then we can move forward from there. If they accept credit cards that will make it easy for me because I can just use my Mission credit card to pay for it or probably most likely, we will have FM pay for it. However, if they cannot accept that then we will have to arrange a check from headquarters to pay for everything. Just let me know.”
Curtis Ashton, of the Church History Department, wrote this: Curtis Ashton Thurs. Dec. 26, 2:51 PM
to Daniel, Rebecca, me
Elder Hunt, Wow! I agree, lots of miracles happening. The new design looks beautiful and uplifting with nice clean lines. Thanks for taking this on. And thanks too to your family for their amazing contributions! Curtis
DISCUSSION OF BRICK SPECIFICATIONS AND PLANS We continued in frequent communication with Kaylea, JD, and Keith relative to the specifications for the brick. Sister Mehr wrote and suggested that the file could be saved as a PDF file.
JD asked Keith about the clouds and the sun – wondering if it would be too detailed for clay. Then the question of engraved or embossed. JD felt that it would be better to have the design items to be embossed (above the surface). Keith agreed with this assessment.
Keith responded to JD about the file type. The SVC file that JD had sent to Keith was not opening so Keith wanted the original design file time (before SVC conversion). JD noted that the designs were created in Photoshop – so a .PSD file. Keith then said that he was able to convert the file to a clear SVG with an online CAD program that he had. He said this was a .PNG file so it still had good resolution. He said, however, that there so many curves that it was bogging down the program. He felt that some of the details would definitely be too small for the mold. Lou suggested that perhaps the sunshine rays could be triangle shaped instead of lines – and that perhaps the trees could be one shape instead of leaf detail. Keith then used a .DFX file and thought that this worked a bit better.
On December 23rd, Keith wrote back to the rest of us: “Here’s what I came up with after some back and forth with Mom and Dad. I had to simplify some of the features like we talked about … and I embellished others. The sun rays are a subtle throwback to the sunstones.” And on that date, he sent to us the first draft of what the real brick might look like. It was magnificent:
He also sent a Sunstone photo – which he was trying to incorporate into the design. He said “There is still time to add the face!”
JD responded: “That looks great, Keith! I figured the other stuff was too detailed. It was intended as a concept. I like that we can see a visualized brick.”
Keith: “Thanks! Hya, it’s always nice to be able to render it. Really brings it to life.”
Kaylea: “No Way ?!?! That looks awesome. The face on the sun would be cool. … LOL
Lou: “I like the way it is! It is so cool!”
JD: “And I like that the trees have depth!”
Lou: “Keith stayed up all night working on it. He said he didn’t even feel tired. I hope he makes it through the day.”
Sister Hunt and I made a trip to Quincy and Corey Miller took us on a tour of the Midwest manufacturing plant. Wow! We met with three guys who talked to us about making the mold They put the new design up on a big screen to figure out what they needed to do to make it work. JD: “That’s cool! It’s coming to life!!”
Above: Kevin Hunt with Corey Miller of Midwest Patterns
Lou: “Yes, it is, so awesome! Corey got Keith’s design this morning and it came across just great.”
Above: Midwest Patterns personnel
Lou: “They are going to make a drawing and have us look at it to see if we are okay with it. They are not going to be able to do all the intricate details in the windows and a few other places. But they said that they would do their best.”
Keith: “When I finished it, it was so close to the time that I would be going in to work that I just got ready and went straight to work. Keith: “If they tell me the finest detail size they can make, I may be able to enlarge some of the smaller features. … It’s good I left for work when I did or I probably would have started adding door knobs and wall hangings!”
Kaylea: “Ba ha ha!”
Keith: “BTW this isn’t my first rodeo with brick design. If I remember correctly, Grandpa Belcher had me draw the “Gold Rush” brick when Rusty and I were up [at “This is the Place” Monument] working with him [a full summer and when I was about age 10]. I remember that he was giving out the Nauvoo brick there and many other designs.” Keith added: “Don’t you need to get the final design approved by the mission president before they start on the mold?”
Kevin: “He told us the design to use and it really has not changed. He will love it.”
JANUARY 9TH 2025 – THURSDAY “I was very pleased to receive an email message from Corey – of Midwest Patterns. Keith finished the design and he and Corey had conversation. Corey wrote me this morning and said that the design is ready to go. He will proceed to get the design through their system. He will send me a quote for the cost and do a mock-up of the final for our approval. This is so exciting! I sent back a message approving the design and gave the go-ahead to proceed. I sent the final design to Pres. and Sister Mehr and to Curtis Ashton (at the Church history department), to Keith, Kaylea and JD, and to Lou. Lou and I are getting jazzed about this.
“President Mehr wrote back: “Outstanding” and said to proceed. Curtis wrote back agreeing with prior comments.”
On January 11th, we shared the new brick design with our children and their families. Son-in-Law, Michael Bowles, raised some concerns. He was concerned that the design “sticks up” rather than “digging down”. This generated some discussion with Keith. We decided that we need to do a 3D print and try it on the bricks – to make sure that all of the lines will survive the molding and burning process.
Later we talked for an hour with Keith. We discussed options with the Nauvoo brick.
JANUARY 13TH – MONDAY “Lou and I called Corey at Midwestern Patterns. We talked of concerns that Michael Bowles had about the brick mold. We had a good conversation. He satisfied my concerns. Lou still has question marks. Corey said that they could create a “positive” with which we can test some bricks to see if the pattern works – before they cut the official mold. He said that he would be willing to come to Nauvoo to assist us and make calculations. I have trust in him and his company.”
PROJECT DESIGN ENGINEER KEITH WRITE ABOUT HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE PROJECT
Above: Keith Hunt – Produce Design Engineer
“I first heard about the Nauvoo souvenir brick redesign when my parents called, asking for some 3D design help to prepare it for the mold maker. I thought it was very cool that they were serving there at the time the decision was made to redesign it and that they were asked to be involved. I was also excited that I could contribute and carry on the family legacy started by Grandpa Belcher.
“They began by working with Kaylea and JD to send me the final 2D design that had been chosen. My first task was to convert the image file into a format that could be opened in my 3D CAD software. The next step was to determine which parts of the design should be raised from the main surface and which should be engraved to create a three-dimensional effect. I initially thought this would be a simple process—just selecting different shapes and assigning a height or depth to each one. However, it quickly turned into a more complex project. The original design contained a lot of fine details that were too small to be machined into a mold. At first, I tried to preserve the original shapes as much as possible while simplifying them slightly. However, as I progressed, it became clear that it would be more practical to redraw certain elements from scratch—particularly the trees, clouds, and sun. I discussed this with my parents, and they gave me the artistic freedom to make the necessary adjustments. I also suggested replacing the arc representing the hill with something more organic. With their approval, I got back to work.
“I thought it would be neat to give the design more depth so that the temple and other features would truly look three-dimensional. I may have gotten a little carried away with the details—my hyperfocus and perfectionist tendencies definitely kicked in! I placed the trees at varying depths and added layers to the temple to enhance its realism. I also angled the surfaces on the spire to give it a more geometric look.
“I spent an entire weekend refining the design, knowing my parents had a meeting with the mold maker on Monday. Determined to finish in time, I worked through the night on Sunday and went straight to work Monday morning without sleep. The meeting went well, and the mold maker provided some feedback, but much of it got lost in translation. To ensure clarity, I scheduled a video call with him so he could give me direct input on the feasibility of the design.
“During our conversation, he provided some valuable insights. I realized that I had made the mistake of starting the design at the scale it had imported from the 2D file, which wasn’t true to size. Because of this, I didn’t fully grasp the actual dimensions of the features until I scaled the brick after completing the design. As a result, some fine details I had added needed to be adjusted.
“At the mold maker’s request, I enlarged certain temple features and increased their depth so they would be more visible. I had jokingly suggested to my parents that we replace the sun with the original sunstone design from the temple, complete with a fully detailed face! However, as I examined pictures of the sunstone, I noticed that its rays could potentially be incorporated into the design. The mold maker advised me to reduce the number of rays to ensure the mold could be produced successfully, but I was happy that I could still maintain the same aesthetic.
“After making these adjustments, I spent another couple of days refining the design before sending it back to the mold maker. He reviewed it and deemed it ready to move on to the quoting phase. To give my parents a better visual, I created a realistic rendering of the brick in a clay color and sent it to them. They were thrilled with how it turned out. Wanting to bring the design to life even more, I decided to 3D print the face of the brick at work while they waited for the mold process. My coworker was kind enough to print it for me.
“The filament color we had on hand was ivory, which felt fitting for the temple. My parents kept me updated with pictures of the trial mold runs, and it was exciting to see the design materialize. Knowing I had played a part in this project was incredibly rewarding. There’s something special about seeing an idea that once existed only in your mind and on a computer screen turn into a tangible object.
“As a fun personal touch, I worked a subtle Easter egg into the design—something that wouldn’t detract from the overall look. In the renderings, you may be able to see that the time on the clock is set to 10:26, representing my October 26th birthday! Unfortunately, the clock hands ended up being too small to be visible on the clay brick itself, but it was still a fun detail to include.
“Overall I spent around 40 hours total on the project. Ultimately, I was happy to help and grateful to be involved. It was humbling to think that this new brick could have a decades-long run like its predecessor, making its way into homes and onto mantles all over the world. The experience also brought back fond memories of working with Grandpa Belcher at the brickyard at This Is the Place monument in Utah with my brother Rusty one summer. I thought of Grandpa often as I worked on the design. During that boyhood trip, I sometimes struggled to meet his high standards, but as I looked at the final product I had a feeling he would have been pleased.
JANUARY 15TH – WEDNESDAY “President Mehr said that the price bid for the brick mold creation was approved by him and Curtis Ashton at the Church History Department. He needs to only get it cleared by Jordan Bodily of Facilities Management. So, we are making progress. President Mehr did not seem shocked by the cost. So, this was good.”
JANUARY 21ST – TUESDAY “President Mehr pulled Lou and I upfront to him after the meeting. He gave us the news that all approvals have been given for the new brick. He instructed us to go to Jordan Bodily in FM administration to obtain the needed check to get the mold going. This is so exciting! We are very happy and pleased. He also said that we can tell Lou’s siblings about the new brick and that we can plan an “unveiling” of the new one as we wish. Wow!”
JANUARY 22ND – WEDNESDAY “I called Kaylea and she is going to set up a Zoom conference call for tomorrow night. Lou wants to tell all of her siblings about the new brick development. We set a time for 8:00 PM our time tomorrow night (7:00 PM for the folks in Utah and Idaho).. Keith said that he would like to be a part of the call, also.”
“After our brick work, we went over to the FM office again. We found Jordan and Jessie holed up in his office. They were on the phone with Church History Finance Department. I guess the process for writing checks has recently changed and they are working to figure out the new system. We went home – with a promise from them that they will call us once the check is cut.”
“We sat around a while awaiting the check. We were planning to be in Quincy at 2:30 PM. At 2:25 Pm, we had not received a check. I called Corey Miller saying we still were hoping for a check today and he said that he would be there until 4:00 PM. At 2:45 PM, I called FM. They said that they had tried to call me but got no answer – but that the check was ready. We hurried over to get it.”
“We then hit the highway and headed to Quincy. We arrived about 3:40 PM. WE met with Corey Miller and gave him the check. We had a good conversation. He is a good guy. So, now, the brick mold is “officially in production”. Wow! So exciting!”
JANUARY 23RD – THURSDAY “This evening we had a fun Zoom call. We set up the call to connect with all of Lou’s siblings relative to the new brick design. We had previously sent out an invitation to a Zoom call – coming from Kaylea. Most of our kids (but not Jackie, Rusty and K.C.) were also on the call. Our kids got a big kick out of hearing the old farts trying to figure out how to get on a Zoom call. Emylee could not figure out the Zoom mechanics so Lou just told her earlier than the rest of the call. Kay also could not get into the call. So, Lou was on one phone with her – while the rest of the folks were on the main call. Dave was challenged by the whole affair but Brad walked him through how to get onto Zoom.”
“Lou told her siblings of the new brick plan. Jerrie wanted to know if we were going to vote on it. Dave wondered how much it is all going to cost the family. Vern and Celia thought the plan was wonderful.”
KAYLEA AND JD STODDARD TALK OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NAUVOO TEMPLE BRICK DESIGN
KAYLEA AND JD STODDARD AT WORK ON COMPUTER DESIGN FOR THE NAUVOO TEMPLE BRICK
“On May 16, 2024 we received a phone call from Kaylea’s parents. They told us that their mission president was looking to design a new brick and asked my Mom to be the one to design it and carry on the tradition of her father, who designed the first Nauvoo brick. We were so surprised! It was a little sad to think Grandpa Belcher’s creation would be replaced. But, it was cool to imagine being part of a new design. If Elder and Sister Hunt weren’t serving a mission in Nauvoo at this exact time, they wouldn’t have asked any family member to be part of the new design. The church would have just replaced the brick and we would have just found out randomly and probably felt crushed that Grandpa’s legacy was gone. So, we felt extremely blessed that Kaylea’s parents were there serving in Nauvoo and that the mission president thought to involve them in the new design process.
“During the initial call with Kaylea’s parents we got right to work. Mom showed us what she was trying to do on her own and we had a good hard laugh. It looked like the work of a kindergartner. We told her we could definitely help it look better than what she was trying to do. JD got on the computer and started making a blank canvas the size of the current brick. Mom gave us her ideas for some designs. We got on a video call and Mom and Dad told us how they wanted it to look. They texted us pictures they had taken of the Temple and other buildings and statues around Nauvoo to use in Photoshop. JD played around with all the images with Kaylea’s input. Mom and Dad remained on the video call and also gave input. That night we all helped put together 9 different brick samples.
“We worked together on several video calls in the weeks following to fine tune the designs and prepare them to be shown for review by the mission president. When the 9 designs were all complete JD laser etched them into wood prototypes so we could all envision what each brick design would look like. He made 4 copies of the prototypes. One set for Kaylea’s parents, one set for the church headquarters, one for the mission president, and one for us.
“A small miracle happened, our kids were actually headed to Nauvoo with our Stake for a youth trip. So, we boxed up the prototypes nicely and our children hand delivered them to their grandparents. This was very cool! Kaylea’s parents then shared them with their mission president. They were all grateful to have the samples to kind of bring to life what the brick would look like, if chosen. They sent one set off to church headquarters and one design was favored by them and the Mission President. Kaylea’s parents were told which design was selected and then from there it took off and Kaylea’s brother Keith was asked to help bring our design to life in 3D CAD. He did a wonderful job creating it into what was needed for production. And Kaylea’s parents were there with every step pushing it along. They found out what company made the last mold and got them involved in making the new mold. And once that happened, it really took off. Within a short time period, it was all done and ready to go. Kaylea’s parents sent us pictures of the sample product and it sure looked good! It got us very excited. It was fun to see our creation come to life.
“As we were involved in this process our hearts turned to thoughts of Gramps often.He would be so happy that we got to be part of this process. We found a font for the words NAUVOO that looked like the same font Gramps used on his design. We wanted to carry on one piece of his original design to give it an authentic feel. We know that he would have been happy with the whole scenario. And it made us think about the early Saints and all they went through to build the beautiful Temple and the City of Nauvoo. It was an honor to be able to immortalize what they created into a brick to be remembered for generations to come. We were glad that we had design knowledge so that Kaylea’s parents thought of getting us involved in this project. It was such a unique experience to be part of. And we will never forget it. Our testimonies were strengthened while we worked on this sacred assignment. It was a joy to carry on Gramps’ legacy. The whole process of how this came about was a tender mercy from the Lord. We know that Kaylea’s parents were at the right place at the right time. And that Gramps was probably involved in making it happen too. He was a go-getter and probably still is up in heaven. We definitely felt his spirit with us as we worked through the design process. We were grateful for the amazing opportunity to be part of the new design and loved how it turned out! It’s beautiful! We can’t wait to see it on the mantle of homes throughout the world!”
Joseph (JD) and Kaylea Stoddard
FEBRUARY 4TH – TUESDAY “Today proved to be a glorious day! Wow!”
Above: Elders Kevin Hunt and Bruce Rieske with Corey Miller of Midwest – Running a test on the mold prototype
“Corey Miller, of Midwest Patterns, called. He said that he had a test mold for the bricks. He wanted to come up there this afternoon to test the mold. He came here at 1:30 PM. We rode with him over to the nearby brickyard. Elder Rieske met us there. We used three pugs and pressed them into the mold. Lou and I engraved one brick for us and the Rieske’s did likewise. It was fun to have Corey here with us.”
FEBRUARY 8TH – SUNDAY “At 11:00 AM, we met Alex – the newly hired “sites manager” for the church and Curtis Ashcroft (a Church History guy from Salt Lake at Church). I introduced ourselves to both. We also talked about the pending new brick. We have been dealing with Curtis – but only via text and email. I showed him the photo of the new brick. Today after we introduced ourselves, Curtis suggested that we meet at the brick yard to look at the new brick. We met them over there at 11 AM.”
“Curtis did not have much to say so it was hard to get a “read” on him. Alex, on the other hand was more vocal. He immediately said that he loves the design but wishes that the brick writing would go “down” rather than sticking up as it does. I think that it is probably too late to make such a major change but we will talk to the Midwest folks. I later talked to Elder Rieske and we both (and Lou) likes the new look.”
FEBRUARY 17TH – MONDAY “Sister Rieske knocked on our door. She brought the three original new Nauvoo bricks over for us to see. They were just out of the kiln from firing. They look very cool. I sent a copy of the photo off to our family. I also sent a copy to Corey Miller at Midwest. He called us and is pleased with the product so far. They are proceeding with their production of the molds. It is getting closer! Yay!”
FEBRUARY 20TH – THURSDAY “We received a really great phone call this morning. Corey Miller – of Midwest Patterns called us. He said that our new brick molds were now complete. We decided to make a rush trip down to Quincy to retrieve them. We called Elder Sanders (finally) and since we had a tour, we were way down the list for another one.”
“We called Corey and said that we were on our way. It took us about an hour to get down to his place. Corey was excited to share the finished product with us. The new molds looked great. We were very happy. He helped us pack up the various items. We were surprised that he actually gave us the “pattern” from which new molds can be created in the future. Corey helped us get the molds put into our vehicle. We have enjoyed working with Corey. He has been fabulous. We have appreciated his commitment to us and his great customer service.”
Above: Acquiring the completed molds from Midwest Patterns. Lower: Orange “Pattern” for making future molds
Above: Testing the new mold with a clump of clay at Midwest
Above: Kevin and Lou receiving the new Temple Brick Molds
FEBRUARY 21ST – FRIDAY “Last night I wrote President Mehr and told him that we have the new brick mold in hand. He said, “Great. We will be back tomorrow. I would like to see those molds sometime this next week.”
[We had sent one full set of the old molds with Corey to Midwest so that they could make sure that the new molds were created properly. This meant that we had a couple of weeks with just one mold set with which to create new bricks.[ “Elder Rieske called me today. He said, “Did you know that the extra set of brick molds showed up today?” I said, “Oh, so they just mysteriously showed up?” I told him that we had put them there. He then said, “Do we have any idea when the new molds will be completed?” I said, “Yes, we have them at our house.” By this time curiosity was getting the best of him. (He is the coordinator for the brick yard.) He is anxious to start creating the new bricks. I told him that I wanted to show the mold to Pres. Mehr next week – before we start any action.”
FEBRUARY 26TH – WEDNESDAY “Lou decided that she wanted to take the new brick that we fabricated – and the new molds to go show President and Sister Mehr. She also wanted to package up some of our food from last night to take to them. So, we took all of that in hand. We found them downstairs doing their exercises and it took them a few minutes for them to answer the door.” “The Mehrs were very happy about the way that the brick and the molds turned out. We sat and talked to them for quite a while. President Mehr wants us (missionaries) to start making the new bricks right away. He said, “LET’S MAKE BRICK!” The challenge is that we have 17,000 Nauvoo bricks on hand at present. So, that is a challenge to get give all of those away.”
“We had also taken the orange pattern for the brick to see what he wanted done with it. He said that it should go to Facilities Maintenance for their safekeeping. So, on our way home, we took the pattern over to Jordan Bodily – the FM Manager. And he was actually in his office this time. He loved the mold design and he said that he knows just the place to keep the pattern safe. With the pattern, additional molds can be created.”
AND THAT BRINGS US BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED – ON THE MIRACLE DAY OF FEBRUARY 27, 2025 Yes, that day of February 27th was indeed a miracle day. Sister Hunt and I had worked toward this day for many months. It was great to see it all come together. And the new bricks were really magnificent.
Though a Sunday, Sister Hunt and I went to the Brickyard on March 2nd. It was the third day since production of the first run bricks and per the schedule, these bricks needed to be “trimmed” on this date. We used a sanding block and cleaned off the “shaggy edges” left on the bricks from mold process.
Above: Trimming the new Temple Bricks
Above: Sister Lou Hunt trimming 1st Kiln run Bricks
Above: First Kiln Run Bricks on Drying Racks
Above: New Temple Bricks awaiting Firing
Above: Original Nauvoo Brick and the new Nauvoo Temple Bricks drying together on the drying racks
Then on Friday, March 7th, we were assigned to the Brickyard for a normal shift. We were there with Elder and Sister Pearce. Sister Hunt and I put all of the “first run” bricks (ours and those of the other whom we helped) into the kiln.
Above: Putting 1st Run Temple Bricks into the Kiln
There were other bricks already in the kiln and we had exactly enough room to add our “flats” of bricks into the kiln.
We called Elder Rieske and he came over and started the kiln – for the baking process. He got the kiln started and the temperature of the unit began to climb even as we were still there. We are on target for the bricks to come out of the kiln on March 9th – the 110th anniversary of the birthday of Elder E.H. “Gramps” Belcher (as the family knew him).
Above: Red Hot Kiln (coils) firing the Original Temple Bricks
Above: Kiln firing with temperature up to 1704 Degrees – so far
REMOVING THE FIRST NAUVOO TEMPLE BRICK FROM THE KILN ON MARCH 9, 2025 – 110 BIRTHDAY FOR ELDER BELCHER
Late in the afternoon, Lou and I went over to the Brickyard. She dressed in her new red dress. I wore a matching red and blue shirt, brown pants, red suspenders, and the brown hat of Gramps Belcher. Lou had a small cake – banana cake left from the Ballards and a tea light on top. We went over to take a few of our customized bricks out of the kiln. We did this in honor of the 110th anniversary of the birthday of Gramps Belcher. It was exciting that the bricks came out of the kiln on his birthday. I am sure that he would be pleased.
Upon arrival, we found the kiln open for the bricks to cool down. The kiln was full – with about 1,000 bricks inside. About 300 of the bricks in there are our “first run” bricks for the new Nauvoo Temple design. We took a pair of metal tongs to pull the hot bricks out of the kiln. We took photos of each of us getting some bricks out. The bricks for the Mehr’s were on top so we had to go down a layer. We did find our bricks.
I had taken a piece of board – on which to highlight the bricks and this worked well. We took photos with a few bricks, the board, us, and two signs – one that said “Happy Birthday” and one which said first fired bricks. We took some photos inside and some outside by the kiln that Gramps Belcher created when he was in Nauvoo in 1980. We were kind of handicapped in our attempt to take a selfie – with a timer. (Where was Kaylea when we needed her?). We did get some good photos.
We are both excited that we have now brought this project to fruition. It has been a journey but we are so grateful that we have had the opportunity to be a part of it. It is a great blessing that President Mehr felt inspired to involve us with the development of the new brick.
This is all so exciting. What a great tribute to the “Nauvoo Brickmaker”. We are happy that everything came together (though we didn’t plan it ahead) so that Elder Belcher can remembered for his work on the Nauvoo Brick. We are in awe for the many miracles that came together – for the Lord – as everything has come together. It has been such a great blessing opportunity for Sister Hunt and me to be a part of these miracles. And thus, the Belcher Brick Legacy continues.
And so the new Nauvoo Temple brick has officially been launched. And the Nauvoo missionaries will make the new bricks furiously over the next couple of months in anticipation of the many folks who will soon come to Nauvoo. We will continue to give out the Nauvoo Brick to any interested person – and for as long as the new inventory lasts, we will plan to give out one per family of the new Nauvoo Temple Bricks. We look forward to sharing these special bricks.
THE NEW BRICK POINTS US ALL TO THE TEMPLE While we can celebrate the mechanics of the creation and production of the new brick, we should not lose sight of the true meaning of the new brick. It’s focus is, of course, the Nauvoo Temple. That is what we really need to celebrate.
Here in Nauvoo as we give tours of restored homes and shops, we meet many families who come to Nauvoo with attending the Temple part of their visit to this sacred ground of Nauvoo. Many families come to take their children to perform Temple baptisms. And many of the adults take turns with one spouse doing an Endowment session and the other touring with the children – and then they switch roles. It is so special to feel the enthusiasm of these families. It is a beautiful thing to see them making the Temple a focus.
For many years, our Hunt family participated in the casts of the Mesa Arizona Temple “Jesus the Christ Easter Pageant”. The initial all-day first practice for the pageant was always fun. It reminded me of King Benjamin in the Book of Mosiah. As he preached and taught the people, they had gathered from all over the land. It may have been a hot day (as it often was with our Easter practices).
And to listen to King Benjamin, the people gathered in tents – as generations of families together. The record says, “And it came to pass that when they came up to the Temple, they pitched their tents round about every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, from the oldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another. And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the Temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which King Benjamin should speak unto them. (Mosiah 2:5-6)
This was exactly what we did when in the Easter Pageant cast. It was a beautiful scene as everyone “faced the Temple” together”. I love this scene as recorded in Mosiah and it was great to have the same Temple experience with my own family. And that is what the families do as they come here to Nauvoo. (Except that now they come and stay in their AirBnB) These generations of families face the Temple and enjoy and feel this wonderful Nauvoo. It is a beautiful thing.
And now the new Nauvoo Temple Brick can help our visiting guests to remember the Temple gathering experiences that they shared with their families here in Nauvoo. That is what the Lord and the Church would want us visualize and to remember.
It will be a grand thing when our guests go home with their Nauvoo Temple Bricks and put them up on their mantles and special places – as they have the Nauvoo Brick for the past 45 years. And each time they (individually and as a gathered family) look up to the brick, they will be reminded again to “look up to the Temple”.
It is much more than just some red Nauvoo bricks. It is more than a souvenir. Yes, it is a memory of Nauvoo, but it is also a living reminder that we need to point ourselves toward the Temple. And it is our hope that the new Nauvoo Temple will help accomplish this goal and that it will be around for another 50 years!
Hope you like the birthday present, Gramps! Thanks for starting the Nauvoo Brick legacy. It has been our great honor and privilege as your children and grandchildren to carry on that legacy. Bricks, families, and Temples … they all seem to go together. And we know that you know this. Families, like bricks, and with the Temple can build a strong foundation for now and for future generations. Solid, enduring, and magnificent as the Nauvoo red bricks!
As winter missionaries in Nauvoo, we have a fair amount of free time. Of course, everyone still has 24 hours a day and Nauvoo is no exception. In our concierge winter system – where we are in the tour “queue” and we await our turn to give tours and minister to our guests. With time on our hands, we have the opportunity to have parties, activities, events that we don’t get to have when we are in a busy season.
In these activities, missionaries get to share their own unique and special talents and abilities. It is great to see the composite of great talent that each person shares.
Those who know me, know that I have been into genealogy and family history since I was age 12. I have a bit of experience in family history. I looked for an opportunity to share those talents by teaching a series of classes relative to creating family history, heirloom records, journals, personal and family histories.
My first class was an introduction to various “records” one can create as family heirlooms. Everyone has a story to share – and the presentation explores many options you can create for yourself, your current family, as well as for your future posterity. It doesn’t matter what you do. Commit to doing something and begin to create and share. I enjoyed putting together a presentation in preparation for my class. And now, I am happy to share it with you.
Above, I included a link to see the PowerPoint presentation on-line. Check it out. Also, I have included all of the presentation slides here for your perusal.
Well there you have it! A lot of ideas for heirloom records! There are a lot more thhings than you can probably ever do, but hopefully, you got some ideas to help you create a living heritage for your posterity.
Be creative and have fun! Do it, and your famiy will love you. They will remember you for the way you brought your family together.through the heirloom records that you created for them.
The family heritage trail … bringing children and their fathers (and mothers) together. What a great opportunity!
Well, winter seems to be upon us – although it won’t officially hit until December 21st. That is just days away. But even as the temperatures dip and the thermometer freezes, we continue to be joyful, even in winter days. There is much joy around us.
A MONDAY MORNING SURPRISE!
We have an upstairs bathroom with a nice window. I generally keep the curtain closed – for obvious reasons, but on this particular Monday (December 2nd) I took a peek outside for some reason. And there was a surprise before my eyes. The whole world was covered in white stuff. SNOW … Glorious SNOW!
Now for most of the world, the scene would not come as a shock, but for this Arizona Desert Rat, it was definitely an eye-opener. We lived for five years in Ogden, Utah when we were first married and we had the white stuff there. And I still have bad memories of sliding on the ice as I tried to shovel the stairs to our upstairs apartment. That was at the end of the year. And being the health stoic I am (and I think most men are), I thought I could “man-up” and endure the knee pain. I thought that it would go away with time. It didn’t!
I say end of the year … I should have gone to the emergency room immediately – still in that calendar year for the insurance deductible (which I had met). But, I didn’t. The pain increased and I knew that I had a problem. Finally a few days later – in the new deductible year – I made a trip to see the Doc. The X-ray and the examination were not positive.
The doctor said that I had broken my knee cap (with a hairline fracture). He said, he should have re-broken it and whatever, but said too, that this would be inhumane torture. He instructed me thus: “You are to treat the leg as if it is an egg in your shoe. You can’t do anything on it for at least a month … (and he went on and on as he painted the vision of what might be if I didn’t listen to him).
And should I mention the accident I had on Halloween – yes, my birthday – once in Ogden? We were going down a steep hill near us and I was going 10 MPH or less. The car decided to careen sideways and we were really on a slippery slope heading down hill and there wasn’t anything that I could do about it. Talk about Christmas “visions of sugar plums” – my memories were the opposite of that – like dried prunes – as I thought of the situation.
Kevin and Lou Hunt – Snowmobiling in West Yellowstone circa 1980
Admittedly, there were some snow high adventure moments – like snowmobiling in West Yellowstone with Explorer Scouts when the windchill factor made the temperature minus 51 degrees.
And here is my story about that experience (cut and paste):
And then there was the time that I went with a small team – with all of us on snowmobiles to our Camp Bartlett in Southern Idaho. We spent the day shoveling 5-6’ of snow off of the new lodge roof. Those were fun times (?) and stories that are definitely much better now that they are history.
Camp Bartlett snow removal from the new lodge roof – 1982
So, with all of those experiences, that Monday morning white stuff put new visions of bad into my mind. As soon as I was done in there, I guided Sister Hunt to the window. I said, “Check this out!” She was in shock but she was more happy than shocked. She grew up in Utah and they had plenty of snow. But it has definitely been a while for her. (We moved away from Ogden in 1982- moving to Santa Barbara, California – and later to Arizona – and have hardly seen any snow since. We definitely get zero snow in our Arizona desert.).
When we were first married, we often went to Arizona for Christmas days. She said to me at the time, “How do you have Christmas without snow?” I said, “You just enjoy every moment of it!” Now all of these years later, she’s “a BELIEVER!”
Not wanting more of my ice experience of yesteryear, I hesitatingly headed outside that morning to clear the new white stuff off of our stairs. Thankfully, we have only three steps up to our place – not a full flight. I checked out my resources for snow removal. I found one snow shovel – outside by the steps – and this looked and scooped like it had been left from the war. In fact, I think it was a leftover from Simeon Dunn (the 1840’s resident of our place). It was really warped – into a round loop (which should have been square) and the wooden handle broke in two as I began the job. I deposited all of the parts into our garbage can.
Gratefully, there was a much more modern implement stowed away in the basement. This worked much better. I got the stops and the 10’ concrete walk scraped off. It seemed as if there was snow still on the cement – but later, when the sun hit it, the walk and stairs were clear.
Sister Lou Hunt experiencing the new Nauvoo snow 12/2/24
This little surprise made its appearance on Monday, December 2nd. Since that time, the weather has been clear and cold.
Ice crystals on Hunt back door window
TO VENTURE OUT OR STAY IN?
That Monday happened to be our new P-Day for December. We could have gone into hibernation mode or we could make our usual trek for groceries and stuff in Keokuk. I was sure that Sister Hunt would say that we needed to remain inside for the duration. And I wondered if that might be a 5-month duration. To my surprise, she didn’t balk at all about the town trip. We decided to go ahead and go for it. Lou just wanted to leave early rather than later. This was okay with me. We proceeded with caution. We were greeted with a snow plow on the main highway #96 as we headed south. We made the trip okay.
On the road – Nauvoo to Keokuk 12/2/24
We went to Keokuk and did our things there. And we were pleased on the return trip a couple of hours later, when the road was actually mostly clear. This made for a much safer drive.
LIFE CONTINUES EVEN WITH THREAT OF BAD WEATHER
It is interesting that life seems to go on around us – even with the winter chill upon us. The weather doesn’t seem to stop or even slow down the activity level. And I guess that is good. We “layer up” to survive the walk to the car and going inside to our destinations – and then try to decide inside if we should remove a couple of layers or just be warm while inside – and then to be colder when we go outside again. It is a dilemma!
It is interesting that even in the cold, we can have an occasional day that is much warmer and even pleasant. And with many activities still happening, we can still experience joy around us.
THE WINTER CONCIERGE PLAN FOR TOURS
I have written previously with details about our winter concierge schedule. There are definitely fewer guests around Nauvoo these days. Some days it looks like an Arizona ghost town. It is almost spooky at times!
This means that we get up and get prepared for a day of service – being “on call” to serve when needed. I usually get into my costume, but Sister Hunt waits to put on all of the pantaloons and stuff until we actually get the call to go. (She puts on the dash after we get the phone call.)
It also means that we often have full days at home and this gives us time and opportunity to work on our own projects. Of course, I always have plenty to do – with blogs, researching history, compiling books, and more. Last week, we had 5 straight days in which we received no call at all. Our first tour of the week was on Saturday afternoon.
I used the time to finalize the production of the brick slide show. I worked extensively on a family project (to be revealed later). The time was productive indeed for me.
NAUVOO MIRACLES CONTINUE
I’ve also talked before about how we often see a constant flow of “Nauvoo Miracles”. These often come with the many people whom the Lord sends to us – and our connections with them.
We had two different families come – by the name of Richards. With the first family, we were called to meet the group at the Visitors’ Center. They introduced themselves as the Richards family. We asked them what they wanted to see on our tour. I said, “Have you seen the Willard Richards home?” They said, “The desk Elder told us that there is nothing Richards here.”
I said, “That is not true! There are several Richards things to see here.” I told them of the Willard Richards Inn (a bed and breakfast outfit) and the grave of Jenetta Richards (the wife of Willard). I asked if they wanted to go by the place. I drove to the place and they followed me over there. They stopped and took a few photos. I then led them around the corner to the secluded gravesite (adjacent to Highway #96) of Jenetta. The family was all amazed and they took some photos of themselves at the site.
I told the family that it was a little Nauvoo Miracle that we had been brought together as a group. I told them that I was likely the only missionary who knew about the grave and was thus paired with them (by coincidence or the Spirit) to be with them. We all basked and rejoiced in that thought.
In the conversation, I learned that the wife of the younger couple is a descendant of Hyrum Smith. She asked if there was anything to see of Hyrum. I surprised her as I told her that his farm home – located a couple of miles east of town – is still standing. (I told her that the house has been added to on both sides – but that the original home can still be seen). I led their procession over to the Hyrum home.
Hyrum Smith farm home in Nauvoo (with side additions)
Sister Hunt and I had seen the place when on our photo tour and it then had a For Sale sign on it. On this day, however, the sign was gone and there was a car there – an indication that the place had likely recently sold. This sister was excited to get a photo of herself and husband by the Hyrum home sign and the original Hyrum home. (Another Nauvoo miracle to get her and the home connected … and again, I am likely the only missionary who would have known where this Hyrum home is located.)
Willard Richards Home in Nauvoo -Left side is original and right added by later residents
I knew that the Willard Richards Inn is a B&B and I had met the “innkeeper” a couple of months before – when I was out taking photos – and she had invited me in to see the place. I declined at that moment – but in the back of my mind, I knew that the possibility was there for future. I asked the Richards family if they would like to see inside the Richards Inn. They were excited about this possibility. I got onto the Inn website and called the information number. The lady did soon call me back, but she had a full schedule planned for the day. She then said that she would call Brian Christiansen (the Inn owner – and whom I knew) to see if he was available. He called me back shortly and we set a time a few hours later for him to meet us at the Inn. We took the group for a tour at Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store, the Smith Cemetery, and the Joseph and Emma homes. We continued our tours and the family took a dinner break too.
Late in the afternoon we all gathered at the Richards Inn. Brian met us there. He gave us a great tour of the home. We learned that half of the home is original to Willard and that half was added by the later owner. The place was fabulous. The family has every room meticulously and gloriously decked out with beautiful bedding and décor. Wow!
Brian showed us many historical items in the place. He pointed out the desk that belonged to Willard.
He showed us two original Nauvoo Temple chairs (reupholstered.)
He showed us an original and sacred room where he said some Temple endowments were actually performed.
Brian took us downstairs. He showed us the basement level of the later home addition. The new owner was German and created his own deep and wide “wine cellar”.
And the ironic thing was that this whole giant room is made out of Nauvoo Temple limestone. Interesting! It was all so cool. I was happy that the family got to see more of their Richards history – and again, we all rejoiced in the continuing Nauvoo Miracle of us being with them.
Brian Christiansen – Nauvoo Entrepreneur in Tomb of Joseph
This Brian actually owns literally half of Nauvoo -motels, a mercantile store, and more. He has expanded his roots here. He invited the Richards family to meet him at his store. He then gave us a personal tour of his “Tomb of Joseph” located under his store. (I promise more on that subject in a future blog!)
ANOTHER RICHARDS CONNECTION
I’ve noted that this whole concierge arrangement is interesting. We wait in queue and we never know who we will be paired with. We just show up and take through whoever is sent to us.
About a week after the first Richards family visit, we met another Richards family – this time a couple of Richards brothers and their families – a group of 10 people. We were told to meet them first at the Sarah Granger home. We went over there and upon their arrival, we introduced ourselves. I was surprised that it was another Richards family. I told them about the two places – mentioned above.
The one guy lives a hundred or so miles away – so they get to come to Nauvoo often. They brought his brother from a more distant locale to see the place. He said that he had actually met this Brian six months ago as Brian officiated in Temple baptisms for them. Brian then invited the Richards family to come see his place. This guy had tried to call him – but could not connect. I said, “Well, I have his phone number.” We called this and got Brian on the line. (And we determined that the guy had one digit off on the number from Brian – and thus had not been able to connect with him.) He was pleased that I had the right connection.
As before, I set up a visit to the place. Though on a tight schedule, Brian made time for us. He gave us the same tour as previously and the family was all in awe (as they should have been). I also showed them the gravesite. Again, I told them how great it was that the Lord had orchestrated all of this – and again especially since I am likely the only missionary who could have shown them the Richards home and grave. It is all amazing and wonderful.
WELCOMING CHILEAN BROTHERS
It is always fun to go meet our new guests – who become assigned to us through the current “concierge” scheduling system.
Such was the case when we were told “Four men want you to meet them at the Joseph Smith Homestead for a tour.” We hurried over there. We live only a couple of blocks away so we arrived before them.
Upon their arrival, we learned that they are all from the country of Chile. It was a father and his three sons (probably all mid 20’s). The oldest Aedo son was Alvin. He is married and lives in Indiana. The other two sons are currently in Provo. The dad was here visiting from Chile. He spoke no English. The sons, Aldo and Andreas, all spoke English. These guys did not join the church yesterday. They have multi generations in the Church and they were well versed in Church history. They were excited to see and learn.
Upon meeting the men, I called the Visitors’ Center to see if we had any missionaries who could translate into Spanish. (Where are the young sister missionaries when we need them?) I was told that there are three senior missionary sisters who all served in Spanish speaking countries. The plan was that we would begin the tour until a Spanish speaking sister could be recruited. Alvin (named for Alvin Smith? Maybe … he agreed with that thought when I suggested it!)
We had a delightful tour with the men as we took them through Joseph and Emma’s Homestead and then the Mansion House. As we finished this tour, Elder and Sister Graham arrived on the scene. We all followed them and remained with them at Joseph’s Red Brick Store as Sister Graham gave a great Spanish tour.
We then told the men that they “have us for the entire day – if they wish … and that we could give them tours anywhere. Alvin said that as they drove down Main Street, his dad got excited about John Taylor’s Print Shop as they passed it. He suggested that we go there. I guess the senior Aedo had been a Chilean printer most of his life.
Per our usual mode, I presented the history material about John and Nauvoo printing. Then Sister Hunt (our resident “techie”) gave the presentation about the Nauvoo “era” printing press and the process. Brother Aedo got really interested in all of this. In the Print Shop, we have some black aprons, hats and even arm guards (to keep one from getting black ink all over themselves while printing). I took a set of the clothes over to Brother Aedo and he got all decked out in this garb. He was delighted and it made for a great photo op with his sons. And he enjoyed telling the sons about his known printing experience. I said to him, “We ought to have you give the tour!” They all laughed. We then took them next door to the John Taylor home and they loved this. I quoted the John Taylor testimony of Joseph Smith and then Alvin used the cue card to translate for his father. This was great! It was a very enjoyable afternoon spent with our Chilean brothers.
The men decided that they wanted to go tour the Carthage Jail. (FYI: It takes a half hour to get there from Nauvoo, there might be a wait if the place is busy and the tour takes a half hour – so this is a chunk of time to plan for.) And then another Nauvoo Miracle … Elder and Sister Graham recently returned from a 3-4 month stint as the Carthage missionaries. So, today, they “cleared their schedule” and followed the men to Carthage to give them the Spanish tour there.
A SURPRISE VISIT FROM MY BROTHER AND HIS WIFE
Speaking of brothers … We were surprised and pleased when my brother, Darcy, texted me and said that “there is a 90% chance that we will come to visit you in Nauvoo this Saturday.” Wow! I texted him on Thursday and asked if the chances had improved. He said that they had indeed.
They arrived here on a Saturday evening – just in time for us to take them to dinner at our favorite “Mi Camino Real” Mexican restaurant in the town of Hamilton. They loved the food and the ambiance as we do.
Darcy and Laura are soon to report for their own mission. They leave in January and will serve for 23 months in the Vancouver Canada Mission – speaking Mandarin Chinese. Wow! How is that for a mission call? My kid brother served his young mission in Taiwan and has maintained his Chinese language skills ever since. In fact, in raising his four children, he spoke almost entirely in Chinese to them. They all understand Chinese perfectly but answer him in English.
We enjoyed a very fun evening with Darcy and Laura as then stayed with us. (They thought our basement was cozy, warm and “just right”. That is good!
On Sunday, they attended our “missionary ward” with us at the Visitors’ Center. They, like us, were in total amazement of the assembled group of senior superstars. Then, after a gourmet lunch – a delightful smorgasbord assembled by Sister Lou Hunt, we were off to see the sights.
We arranged with the concierge coordinator to be out with them for the afternoon. We were giving tours – our missionary assignment – so all was good. At the church meeting, Laura was surprised and pleased to find a long-time friend. She and Sister McBride had been Young Woman girls’ camp leaders together years ago in Tooele, Utah. They enjoyed many shared memories of the old times.
Sister McBride often gives tours – in the “First Person” as she tells the story of the person and home of Sarah Granger Kimball, the creative inspiration behind the founding of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo. Sister McBride suggested that we take our guests there at noon for her special tour. We took them up on the special invitation. We arrived there and found Elder and Sister McBride dressed “to the T” in their upscale Nauvoo period costumes. Their tour was as fantastic as were their costumes. These guys are some of our missionary best and it was so great to be in their presence.
Left to Right: Darcy, Kevin, Lou, & Laura Hunt, Sister and Elder McBride
We took them to six or seven different sites and gave the tours in each place. This was a special opportunity.
L to R: Kevin, Darcy, and Laura Hunt making rope at Family Living Center
We really enjoyed our visit to the upper room of the Cultural Hall. This place has a unique history. On this floor (shown below), Brigham and Joseph and wives danced with the community. In the ensuing years, the third floor of the Cultural Hall disappeared. When restoration was being done, the building then had been diminished to a 2-story structure. When the roof of the place was removed, the original floor was discovered intact and gorgeous.
As we visited here with Darcy and Laura, I pointed out the “band balcony” up above the room. Sister Lou Hunt and Laura went upstairs. Laura is the most amazing singers of the world and up there, she broke into a song (as she frequently does at random times and places -usually about the current situation). And the acoustics in the hall are absolutely amazing. The combination of Laura and the hall was magnificent. Wow!
We kept them out until about 7:00 PM as we shared our Nauvoo excitement – and they definitely felt and stated “there is such a special feeling here. It is obvious that this is a Holy Place”. That is what everyone says of their Nauvoo visit.
The next morning, as we were heading off to work at the brick yard, Darcy and Laura were off to their next adventure. Like Lou’s brother, Brad and wife who came here months ago, they are on a major US tour – seeing anyone and everyone that they have ever known – before their missions. (And incidentally, Brad and Kerry also report for a mission in January. They are going to serve as YSA support leaders in San Diego. Sounds rough … but I guess someone has to do it!)
TELLING THE NAUVOO AND BELCHER LEGACY BRICK STORY
A recent blog detailed the history of brick making in general and specifically here in Old Nauvoo. The Powerpoint presentation – and my later published book (on lulu.com) also talked of the legacy of my father-in-law, Elder E.H. Belcher, in the creation of the current Nauvoo souvenir brick (that is still given freely to our visitors – even after nearly 50 years since Elder Belcher created it.)
With time on my hands, I was able to hone in on the project. Sister Hunt and I were able to create a modified slide show for presentation to others. It took some effort and the learning of some new skills but we were blessed with the inspiration to proceed. We were able to show our first slide presentation at a meeting of our district – where we are newly assigned as district leaders.
We were blessed to have a “Facilities Management” missionary in our midst and he helped us get the conference room system all set up and working. It came off beautifully for the first run. And the mission president and wife were even in attendance. That was kind of a miracle, also.
I later tweaked the presentation and got it in good order. This is what I sent to you readers recently.
WHERE’S WALDO?
Time again is in our favor and with fewer guests, we have more time to party and gather as missionaries. Elder and Sister Workman hosted the eight of us couples who all live within a block or so of each other (down here on the “lower flats” – below the Temple hill. We had a great meal together and then several fun games. It was a fun time.
This was also a good-bye activity for Elder and Sister Simkins who just went back home to Enterprise, Utah – the home of my father and several generations before him. Sister Simkins and I are 3rd cousins through our common Terry family line.
Another fun activity was billed as “Where’s Waldo?” Elder and Sister Wilson, our missionary party planners – planned this activity. They had Elder and Sister Graham (the “site trainers”) go around to many of our sites. They took photos of very odd items in each place. Then at our gathering, they showed slides of these items and we all wrote down our answers. We had to write the item shown, and then the location of where it is. There were 31 items to identify and we got a point for identification and also the location. So, there were 62 points possible. I think I scored 46 or so. We all enjoyed this activity.
Where’s Waldo List (circled items are my misses)
And after we had found Waldo, we stuck around and together watched the “Polar Express” movie. That was a scene – with about 50 of us old folks couples there watching it together. It was a “BYOP” affair – meaning that we all had to “bring our own popcorn”. It seemed weird not to have the young sister missionaries with us. Normally it has been them that movies have centered around. We missed them.
KEEPING THE HOMES OF JOSEPH AND EMMA CLEAN
As site coordinators of the Smith properties, it falls our lot and opportunity to go frequently to clean the places. In the summer, the missionaries assigned to the homes clean the places after the daily shift. Now, however, as coordinators, we go at least once a week and clean the three places ourselves. This is a blessed opportunity. We are happy to serve Joseph and Emma in this way at the Homestead, Mansion House, and the “Bidaman structure”.
Joseph Smith Homestead in Nauvoo (Rear View)
BRICK MAKING
Winter (with fewer guests) is the time to stock up the storage room with bricks. Each of the missionary couples get to take turns creating the famous bricks. This means that we get to go there to work about once a week. This is a special treat – since this is an opportunity for Sister Hunt and me to help keep alive the Belcher brick making legacy.
Each time that we go to the brick place, we have several duties. The bricks are on an 8-day rotation before they get put into the kiln for firing.
We create the mix of Nauvoo clay, sand, and water. We put these items into the “pug machine”. This fancy machine mixes up the ingredients (churning it like a big mixer) for about two hours. We then poop out (or “extrude” is the more socially acceptable term) long brown rolls of the clay mixture. We cut these off in 4” long – and round – rolls. We then press the “pugs” into our Nauvoo molds to create the bricks.
Sister Hunt making the Nauvoo souvenir brick
We put these new bricks onto boards – with 16 bricks to a tray. We put these trays into large standing racks. The second day, workers “hack” the bricks. This means that we turn them around and over for better drying. The third day the bricks are “trimmed” of excess scraps from the molding process. The bricks continue to dry until the 8th day – when they are stacked into the kiln.
VISITING THE LEGENDARY “THE DUTCHMAN’S” STORE
A big thing with many of our missionaries is to go visit The Dutchman’s store. This place is operated by local Mennonites (or are they Amish? Who knows?). Anyway, this place is kind of “old time” in its displays and products. We have heard about this place – located about 55 miles west of us – in the town of Cantril, Iowa – for months. People have told us, “you have to go there”.
We had been to the Temple on our then Saturday P-day with Elder and Sister Parker. After the sealing session, they (also on p-day) invited us to go with them to “The “Dutchman’s” store. We didn’t have anything going, so we went along for the ride. The Dutchman’s just built a bigger and better store – located just a couple of miles from the former store.
This store is made of timber and had a great long-ago rustic look to it. We went in – full of anticipation of what might await us. And the missionaries were right! This place had a bit of everything.
I have mentioned that I am a “people watcher” and this scene was prime for that activity. The shoppers were in keeping with the theme and ownership of the place. I loved seeing the bearded men, the dress of men, women, and children. We could have worn our costumes and we would have fit in well.
Sister Hunt and I first dined on some large slices of pizza (just $1.50 a slice). We then meandered around checking out everything. I bought a needed pair of dark suspenders. I got a nice shirt for just $14. The color of the shirt matched our Nauvoo costume look. (Sister Hunt only needed to remove the collar before I could wear it.)
We bought some Christmas fabric – which Sister Hunt later used to make us matching hats for Christmas events. We bought some random food items.
It was fun to be with the Parkers, and it gave me fodder to write home about. It was fun to go there once but I am not sure that we will rush right back there.
CONNECTING WITH AN OLD NAUVOO FRIEND
Two or three weeks ago, a couple of “old duffers” (they probably thought that of us, also) came into the Visitors’ Center where we were assigned for the day. These guys had the look of fitting in with the old time look of Nauvoo. They said that they come to Nauvoo frequently – just to spend time here. They said that today’s trip was just “to get away from the wives”. They didn’t really have a plan. They just wanted to kind of meander around.
These guys are Nauvoo area old-timers. I asked them if they knew someone who might know the history of the town and its former homes. They suggested a guy named Gene McMeins. I said, “Wait a minute … I know that name.” I told the guys that I had served here in Nauvoo 50 years before and I thought that I knew this Gene. They gave me his phone number.
I called him later that afternoon and we had a good chat – before I had to cut off the call to greet a new incoming group of guests. We set a time for us to go visit him at his home. He now lives in Ft. Madison – not Nauvoo where he lived most of his life.
I had to think a bit of Gene to recall my former connection with him. I texted Elder Shaltes and together we shared memories of Gene. I realized that I knew him well back then.
We made a trek over to Ft. Madison to see Gene. It was a VERY chilly night. The bridge across the Mississippi River (going north and west from Nauvoo) had been closed for two or three months. Our trip was just a couple of days before the scheduled reopening of the bridge – so we had to take the long way around – south and then north along the river from Keokuk.
We found Gene at his small apartment. He is now age 92. He reminded me that back then (1975) he was the janitor for the Visitors’ Center, he started our movies there and was a general handyman. He was involved with everything. We were friends and he often came to hang out with us – and as he said, he brought pizza ingredients and baked them for many missionaries through years. I could see it all again in my mind.
Gene McMeins with Elder Kevin Hunt
Gene was kind of hard of hearing and said that he is legally blind. He did pretty well, however. He heard much of what we said, and he had some fancy computer contraption that projected small things onto large things on his screen – so that he could read them.
He really didn’t need to hear us. He carried on much of the conversation as he talked and talked. I was totally amazed at his memory and recall of those old days. Wow! He also showed me a large notebook full of old-time Nauvoo photos – of homes and businesses. I took photos of every page. All super interesting for an old history buff like me.
Vintage Photo – Joseph Smith’s Mansion House
Above: Nauvoo Legion Arsenal Building
A special history note. Gene told us that he was baptized in 1972, and that he was the “first male convert in Nauvoo since 1846!” Not sure how he knew that, but how super cool is that! Wow!
A CARTHAGE “NIGHT ON THE SQUARE”
The town of Carthage, Illinois is located about 25 miles south and east of Nauvoo. Of course, all church members know of the history of Carthage as it relates to the martyrdom of Joseph the Prophet and Hyrum the Patriarch. Luckily, feelings have mellowed out through the years – and today Carthage is much more friendly and welcoming to Church members and our friends. We have four to ten missionaries stationed there (more in summer, less in winter). These missionaries actually have residence there during their time of service.
This evening, we went to an unusual activity. We bundled up in layers of clothing. I put on my red long-johns (that go from head to toe). I then put on the thermal bottoms that I just bought at Dutchman’s. I then put on pants, a flannel shirt, and a knitted vest. Later I put on a red coat (from Jenae), a neck “ring”, and a scarf. Lou also “layered up”.
We drove to the town of Carthage and connected with several other missionaries – most dressed in “period” coats and costumes.
Missionaries gathered at Carthage Jail preparing to do Christmas caroling
. We met first at the Carthage Jail. We then walked as a group to the downtown Carthage downtown square. I went back for our vehicle and parked near the destination.
I told Lou that we were supposed to wear costumes but she hadn’t got the memo.
We stood in the 20 degree weather (5 degrees with windchill). We sang Christmas carols. I am not a singer so I just stood in the cold in support of the others. FM did bring a couple of large outdoor heaters. These helped a bit but it was still bitter cold. Lou had a hand warmer that I used (and she used the other one). I had it in my pocket and kept switching hands with it.
Missionaries caroling at the Carthage Square December 5, 2024
The town was staging their annual “Night on the Square” Christmas event and they invited missionaries (including all of us from Nauvoo) to come to participate with and for them. The town has the traditional “town square” that is exactly that. The majestic old courthouse is in the middle of the square and businesses of various kinds are on the four streets surrounding the courthouse – thus forming “the square”.
This Carthage event was a downtown Christmas activity for the community. The event was planned to get people out of their houses and out doing something. Local businesses on the square offered prizes, special events, and more. And two or three old horse-drawn wagons made their circle “around the square” for a couple of hours. They never had many riders, but the horses continued to prance around.
Many businesses were open and people were given papers to do a kind of scavenger hunt – picking up items at the places of business. The businesses were not that interesting (like real estate, loan offices, etc.), – but they willingly participated as stops for the scavenger hunt.
I am not into singing even under normal circumstances, but tonight in the freezing weather, I really did not have much enthusiasm for singing. Plus, we were kind of in close proximity with others in the group – and I am sure they would not have been impressed. I just kind of stood and looked interested and supportive. I did take a few photos of the group. Always the historian!
I wondered how anyone could be crazy enough to be out doing anything in the freezing weather we were experiencing.
As an excuse to get warmed up, I decided that I needed to go to the bathroom. I had to walk two short blocks to find any kind of place that had a restroom. I finally a Mexican restaurant that would let me in. It was a challenge with freezing hands trying to get through two layers of thermals.
I met Lou coming toward me as I returned and we decided we had had enough of the cold. Our toes were freezing. My hands were really cold and my face was chilled – where it was not covered up. We headed home.
We were hungry and I suggested that we eat at Subway in Hamilton. This proved to be a good choice. We both got chicken/bacon sandwiches on wheat bread. The sandwich was hot, so this hit the spot.
THE ANNUAL “NAUVOO CHRISTMAS WALK”
Lou and I participated in a great mission/community event the night after the Carthage activity. This was called the annual “Christmas Walk”. All of our 100 or so missionaries had assignments to help pull off the event. Sisters Beauregard (two of them) and Sister Croxford were the overall event chairs and they did a fabulous job.
Elder Kevin Hunt as Master of Ceremonies – Nauvoo Christmas Walk
I had an interesting role. I was the “master of ceremonies” for performances by various group in the Visitors’ Center. I got to announce the various groups who were to perform. Lou ran the lights and sound from the booth at the back of the West Theater where the event was held. This was a new activity for her and she did well.
We were both decked out in red and green for the occasion. We tried to still maintain some of our pioneer costume theme. I wore my white Mormon Battalion shirt and black pants (over thermal pants). I got a green cravat from the mailroom. I wore a green vest with my pocket watch. We both wore matching red and green checkered scarves. Lou made me a great cap of green and red Christmas fabric which we bought at The Dutchman’s. There was enough fabric left from the ½ yard for her to make herself a matching hat. She wore a green sweater and black pants. We both looked fabulous. We had fun looking alike and so into the season.
As we arrived at the VC, we had a couple of people take photos of us in front of the giant decorated Christmas tree that has been placed there. This tree is 20’ or higher and is magnificent.
At the show, a Brother Shurtleff was acting crazy. He came in and tried to snooker us by acting like a non-member and asking if he could go into the Temple. I told him, “Yes, anyone who meets the requirements can go in.” He later told us that he is the facility manager for the Temple. He later took a couple of photos of Lou and me in front of the giant Christmas tree of the Visitors’ Center. And as he was doing this, he left us a selfie of himself on our camera. So funny!
We had a jazz band from Warsaw – and then some singers joined them. We had some kids from the local Calusa middle school. A family performed with violin and cello. A lady gave a piano solo. It was a fun show.
We were scheduled to do our duties until 7:30 (after starting at 6 PM). Our friend Brian Christiansen took over as MC as we finished our time.
As we finished our show time, we were able to go out to experience the rest of the events that were staged for the community.
We went first to the Cultural Hall. Elder Wilson played the guitar and Sister Wilson played the harp.
We went to the Family Living Center. Missionaries had transposed this giant place into a Bethlehem city (like in the time of Christ). The Sisters Beauregard had done a fabulous job there. And Sister/cousin Tammy Hunt created some wonderful signs (with fabricdation or printing by the FM group) that adorned each station. Very nice.
We traveled through Bethlehem and experienced the birth of Christ and other manger scenes.
(Below) Sister Turner – with her long white hair – made a great angel.
(Below) Elder Parker, Turner and one other Elder were the 3 wiseguys.
They gave each family a small bag and then gave out little memory trinkets at each station. These were all “symbols” of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
We stopped at the Wagon Depot and got a photo with Santa who was wonderfully portrayed by Edler Brian Reed – who has played the role of Santa for many years. This year, he had to wear a fabricated beard. Back at home, I think his long beard is standard for him. He had his family ship his own costume out to him for this event. That is part of being a good missionary – knowing and using your own talents and resources to help build God’s Kingdom.
We next went to the Pioneer Pastime Pavilion. They there served hot chocolate and cookies. The cookies were ginger cookies like they serve in the Scovil Bakery. These cookies were about four times the size of the Scovil cookies. They were baked by the Red Front Café. The hot chocolate was hot – but just right.
We stopped in at the Stoddard Tin Shop. Elder and Sister Bateen were there. They were dressed elegantly. They told the story of “A Christmas Carol” and Scrooge
. We went to the Post office. The Pearces were there. They told the story of Orin Porter Rockwell who showed up at the Christmas celebration of Joseph Smith in the Mansion House. We got to the Print Shop right as the whole event was finishing. The Grahams were there and had been playing parlor games with guests.
After 9 Pm (closing time), we also stopped at the Browning Gun Shop and home. Elder and Sister Sanders were there doing acting scenes with guests.
We took with us the metal (tin) lantern – with a flashlight for the former candle. I had given this unit to Lou for our anniversary in September. They made similar lanterns in the Stoddard Tin shop back in the day. Our unit is brown but otherwise looks just like the lanterns that Stoddard sold in his tin shop. We got a lot of comments from missionaries who loved our lantern as we walked along. Having this lantern made Lou very happy. She has always loved the lanterns in the Tin Shop. It was fun to travel with the lantern. Back in the day, the tinner actually made unique lantern designs for different families.
The weather tonight was much improved over last night. It was not nearly as cold. I wore just one thermal bottom and this was enough. Our hands and feet didn’t even freeze. This was a great blessing.
The Christmas Walk was deemed a grand success. It was estimated that over 500 people came to experience it with us. Worth the herculean efforts to stage it!
A MIRACLE SABBATH DAY
This past Sunday (December 8th) was a special day in many ways. I say that it was full of miracles.
We went to our own missionary sacrament meeting. We heard from a departing Sister Green. We then heard from Elder Walters – the horse Veterinarian. He shared insights as recorded on his “notes” through his mission.
After the meetings, we headed to the town of Ft. Madison, Iowa (located north across the Mississippi River about a dozen miles away to attend their ward church meetings.
Ft. Madison Bridge on the Mississippi River
TEMPLE DEDICATION IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA
My youth mission was served in Tallahassee, Florida. That was 50 years ago. And on this Sunday, a new Temple was dedicated by our Apostle, Elder Kearon. This was a very exciting and wonderful development. When I was on my mission, the Washington, D.C. Temple had just been completed. Prior to that, our Mesa Temple was the closest to Florida. When I was there, there was a stake in Tallahassee. I served in Tally as my last area. Panama City was my first area and it was in the Tallahassee Stake – although almost two hours away. So, it was very exciting to know of the Temple dedication today. I would have loved to have been a part of the dedication but it was broadcast only to chapels in the Temple district.
Also, when I was there, the whole region suffered from racial distress – with much prejudice against black (African American) people. Now the new Mission President Trusty is black. This is cool! The church has come a long way since that time. The new Temple was constructed right across the street from the stake center I knew long ago.
ATTENDING CHURCH IN FT. MADISON, IOWA
We wanted to attend church in Ft. Madison for a number of reasons. One was that my friend, Gene McMeins attends there. We did see him again and this was great. He was happy to see us. And at age 92, he looked really sharp. His white shirt was clean and crisp. I visited with him for a few minutes and told him that we enjoyed our visit with him. He said, “Come again!”
Upon arriving at the rather small chapel, we met a lady named Goddard. She saw my nametag and said that she is my cousin. She said that she had seen the “Church News” article about the “3 Cousins”. And she said, “I want to find a way to meet those cousins.” This was cool.
We did “Relatives Around Me” on the FamilyTree App. We found that we are third cousins. She also descends through my 2nd Great Grandfather, Elias Hunt. She had to hurry up to play the organ music so we didn’t have much talk time – but it was great to meet another cousin.
Then another lady came in and said that she and Sister Goddard are 3rd cousins so she thought that we would be also. Family Tree also noted that we too are 3rd cousins. It is always so fun to find such connections through FamilyTree.
MEETING SISTER CECELIA SMITH
When my father-in-law, Elder E. H. Belcher and his wife, Sister Verna Belcher were on their mission to Nauvoo, they met a rather young girl named Cecelia. She came to Nauvoo from Keokuk frequently and seemed to have a great connection with the folks. They helped her receive the missionary discussions and then Elder Belcher actually baptized her in the Mississippi River.
We have tried a few times to get with this Sister Smith but various circumstances came up which prevented us from getting together. It was wonderful to finally connect with her. It was truly a miracle – or series of miracles – that brought us together. We were grateful for those miracles.
I could say much more about Cecelia. We had a good discussion with her. She shared some fun details of her baptism and her story was truly interesting.
I plan to share more of her story – in greater detail – in a future blog.
RETURNING HOME TO NAUVOO FROM FT. MADISON
On our way back to Nauvoo from Ft. Madison, we stopped at a couple of parks in the town – looking for historic plaques. I found a Statue of Liberty look-alike statue – built by some Boy Scouts. I found a plaque about Indian Chief Black Hawk. These were both very cool finds.
Statue of Liberty Statue in Ft. Madison, Iowa
Chief Black Hawk Marker in Ft. Madison, Iowa
I noted the bridge across the river from Ft. Madison to Nauvoo. I failed to mention that crossing the river from the Nauvoo side is free. But, they charge for cars making their entry from the Iowa side. We were pleased that today there was a sign on the bridge booth that said, “Free”. Nice!
One of the very interesting features of this bridge is that it is a “swinging bridge”. This means that a major section of the bridge rotates a full 90 degrees. This allows for large tug boats and other ships to pass through without hitting the bridge section above them.
When we traveled across the bridge with Elder and Sister Parker, we got caught on the bridge as a boat was coming under it. We had to stop for quite a while as the ship passed. Sister Hunt is often our designated photographer – and that was the case in this situation. She got out and took several great photos of the action below and around us. Only after she had taken the photos did we see the sign with instructions to “remain in your vehicle”. Like my mission president of my youth said, “Sometimes it is easier to repent than to ask permission”.
On our return across the river on this Sabbath day we noticed the River below us. There was a lot of ice that had formed beginning at the river bank and extending into the river. We were intrigued that the river water actually froze the ripples on top of the River. Very cool.
FROZEN ICE RIPPLES IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER – FT. MADISON, IOWA
A STOP AT A HIDDEN NAUVOO CEMETERY
It is a known fact that I love finding and then exploring old cemeteries. And such was the case this Sunday.
Through our time in Nauvoo – and generally on our way to and from special events at the large “Pageant Center”, we have passed by a cemetery several times. I have known about two cemeteries in Nauvoo – that have pioneer graves, but have not known about this third one. I could not see a road to get into it. On this Sunday, I found a road that I thought might go to the place.
Momma Lou (Sister Hunt) wrote of the situation on the family WhatsApp program – along with a photo of me in my suit. She talked of my forever desire to be out exploring cemeteries (as I always did with the family when we were raising them – much to their dismay.)
She wrote, “Dad’s favorite thing to do – visiting cemeteries and taking pictures.”
I wrote in response:
“Notice me doing it in a suit!
Rest of the story… I thought that there were only two Nauvoo cemeteries. This cemetery is kind of hidden. We have many times passed it several times and I always say, “I need to find a way to get to it.”
Today I found the back way to get to it. We drove in to it today. At the entry was a sign saying, “Established 1870”. I was disappointed that it was after the Mormon era. We almost didn’t go in. I Decided to just make a loop around the place. I read some surnames along the way. I Turned the corner clear back in the back end.
I saw the last name of Blum on a stone. I recognized this name and pulled over to check it out. I then saw Ida Blum and her husband, Carl on the stones.
I knew Ida when I was here in Nauvoo 50 years ago. She was one of the greatest of Nauvoo historians. I knew her and she was ancient then … About age 87… As a non-LDS resident, She used to come to our church meetings and I heard her speak of Nauvoo history a few times.
I got back in and told Mom, “I know this lady”.
She said, “Maybe they need some Temple work done.”
I went home and found that all Temple ordinances for her and her husband and parents has already been done.
I then looked at the record for her daughter. She had most ordinances completed, but not her sealing to her husband. And I noted that he had not been endowed.
There is a Temple rule that you cannot do Temple work for a non-relative until after they are 110 years old (110 years since their birth). This lady turned 110 years just two months ago.
I got cleared for the ordinances.
Kind of a neat scenario… Another Nauvoo miracle.”
THE ANNUAL FIRST PRESIDENCY CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL
For many years, the First Presidency of the Church has staged a special “devotional”. And this event was held on this Sunday after our Ft. Madison trip. We could have watched this on the internet in the comfort of our own home, but we opted to go to the Visitors’ Center to enjoy the event with the many other missionaries.
It was a privilege to hear various speakers as they taught of the birth of Christ and the celebrations that center around His birth. I particularly enjoyed the message from President Dallin H. oaks of the First Presidency. He talked of the need for all of us to love all people around us. His theme for the evening was “Peace, good will to all”. He taught that we should have love and forgiveness for every one of us.
A NEW FOOD JOINT IN TOWN
Visitors who come to Nauvoo need to eat – just like the rest of us. But, that is easier said than done. The options are not that great. On occasion, some of our kids have wanted to give us gift cards for eating out. They ask us what is available in Nauvoo and we frustrate them when we say, “We have Dollar General”. That is about right. One daughter called our bluff and bought us a $25 Dollar General card – with the stipulation that it be for ice cream. So great!
The old stand-by is The Red Front Café. I have written about these folks before. They are amazing and their food is wonderful. They serve lunch and dinner. The Fireside BBQ is a bit pricey (but comparable to other BBQ venues) and their food is wonderful, too. We highly recommend them. They are new in town. They are open just Wednesday through Saturday nights for dinner only.
There were a few more options in the summer time, but they all closed for the winter (even my favorite Dairy Queen in Keokuk has a sign that says, “Closed for the season, reason freezin’”. I can’t wait for warm weather so I can again make my weekly trip there.
So, in light of the above, we were delighted to see a sign (at a former dessert place that wasn’t even open in our day here) announcing the quiet opening of the “River Sidon”. (Does that name ring a Book of Mormon bell? Could the River Sidon be our Mississippi River of today? Makes sense to me!) This place boasts breakfast (Wow!) and lunch. Opening day was our P-day so we said, “Let’s do it!” We found the place decorated beautifully and the food (for a first day) was pretty good.
MY CONSTANT SEARCH FOR NEW MONUMENTS AND MARKERS
I have blogged before about my search for new monuments and markers. I recently created not one, but two blogs on this subject. There were just too many photos for them all to be included in just a single blog article. Even after publishing those two blogs, I have continued my research. This research has come as I have decided to bring all of the material into a single book (to be published soon on lulu.com).
I continue to find some very interesting hidden bits of history as well as many additional monuments and markers that I did not find on my first pass through the surrounding area. Such was the case on our recent P-day. I had found information about three more monuments that I wanted to visit and explore in Keokuk, on the way to Quincy, Illinois, and in Quincy.
A P-DAY SEARCH FOR MONUMENTS
It was a Monday and it was our “P-Day” so we decided to go exploring – with the ultimate destination of Texas Roadhouse in Quincy. We went first to the town of Keokuk. I was anxious to find and photograph the very large and beautiful statue of Chief Keokuk. The Rand park where the statue (and his burial) is located is atop of a hill overlooking the Mississippi River. The park was staging a major Christmas light show tonight (and for many nights) so all of the roads to the place were closed. Thus, we could not drive to the statue. I had to walk quite a ways to get to it.
Chief Keokuk Grave and Monument – Keokuk, Iowa
I was surprised when looking through my mission slides yesterday, that I had a slide of this statue – so I went there and took a photo in 1975. Interesting.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CHIEF KEOKUK
I learned that Chief Keokuk was a contemporary of Joseph Smith. Joseph presented him with a copy of The Book of Mormon.
I have kind of known that the town of Keokuk was named for a Chief Keokuk, but I had not previously known much about him. This visit to Keokuk gave me opportunity to research and learn more about the man – “Chief Keokuk” for whom the town is named.
Keokuk was a leader of the Sauk tribe in central North America, and for decades was one of the most recognized Native American leaders and noted for his accommodation with the U.S. government. Keokuk moved his tribe several times and always acted as an ardent friend of the Americans. Wikipedia
In August 1841 Chief Keokuk and 100 other chiefs camped for several days across the river from Nauvoo. A few years before, Keokuk had briefly met Joseph Smith when he received a copy of the Book of Mormon from Joseph.
In the August 1841 gathering of the chiefs, “representatives from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints crossed over to Iowa to meet Keokuk and the other chiefs. They made detailed arrangements for a social event for Keokuk and more than 100 fellow Chiefs together with their wives, to meet Joseph Smith and his people in Nauvoo.
The Indians and the members of the Latter-day Saints agreed on the details for an all-day Pow Wow event that was to be a summer festival of diplomacy including food, music, and dance. The Indians would bring their drums and the Church members their brass band. The arrangements were clear and agreeable to both sides. On the appointed morning of Thursday, August 12th, the Ferryman took two flatboats and one ferry over the river from Nauvoo to Montrose to greet the Indian guests whose total number was greater than 200. Joseph had pre-arranged for the city’s brass band and a military unit to greet the arrival of this large group of Indians. These guests were at the time some of the most significant leaders of Native Americans in the country. Keokuk had a great sense of drama and after he and his people came to the Nauvoo landing, they remained on the ferry and flatboats.
Keokuk asked where the leader of the Mormon Church (as it was called back in that day) was. The welcoming committee said that Joseph Smith was waiting for them up the road in the grove. Keokuk said that he would not get off the ferry except that Joseph Smith was there to greet him in person. A messenger immediately went to get the Prophet and after a short time, Joseph and Hyrum came down to the landing to welcome Keokuk and his fellow Chiefs and their wives to Nauvoo.
For the rest of that day, there was a summer celebration in the grove. Church members offered the visitors their best “dainties” and fresh melons along with their brass band and singing. The Indians entertained the Church members with their drums and dancing. This was a very significant event for both the LDS Church members and the Indians. For Joseph Smith, this was one of the most important social events of his life. He made a speech to as many as 500 people when he announced that God had revealed to him that the Book of Mormon was an account of the fathers of Keokuk and his fellow Indian chiefs. Joseph Smith declared this as a direct revelation from God and thereby confirmed the truth of the Book of Mormon and that it was “written to the Lamanites, who are a remnant of the house of Israel.” The giving of his testimony to those Native Americans was very important for Joseph Smith. Keokuk was the living embodiment of the people of the Book of Mormon.
In researching Chief Keokuk, I found something very interesting. There is a magnificent full-wall mural of Chief Keokuk and other chiefs meeting Joseph Smith and this is on the second floor of the Mesa, Arizona Temple – near the “Grand Staircase”. I am from Mesa – I grew up just two blocks north of the Temple. For years, I have seen and loved this mural but had not ever heard the story of the mural. I thought that this mural was purely “symbolic” of Joseph taking the Gospel to the Lamanites. I had no idea that the mural depicted an actual historic occasion. I was elated to hear “the rest of the story”.
Mural in Mesa, Arizxona LDS Temple – Joseph Smith preaching to Indians at Nauvoo Pow Wow – 1841
Original murals by artist Lee Greene Richards remain upstairs in the area of Grand Staircase in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple. Photo: Kary Ann Hoopes
Just a side note: For decades (before Temples “dotted the earth”), the Mesa Temple was known as the “Lamanite Temple”. In those days, the Mesa Temple was the “closest” Temple for all of the Saints in Central and even South America. I remember as a teen how busloads of Lamanite Saints would sell literally everything that they had in order to come to the Mesa Temple so that they could receive their eternal ordinances. Back then, Mesa was much smaller. We had a large gymnasium-like structure located about a half mile from our home – and near the Temple. This was called the “Tri-Stake Center”. (Today there are about 40 stakes in the Mesa area – as compared to the three stakes that existed back then – but the structure still exists and is managed by the Mesa South Stake – of Zion – of which we were a part for twenty-five years as we grew our family in Mesa.)
This Tri-Stake Center was where the incoming Lamanites would stay for the two or three days that they were in town. I remember getting many Priesthood assignments to go down there with a hundred or so other men – to create a Lamanite dormitory. We would literally set up hundreds of cots – with mattresses and curtains – to house the folks. This was a great brotherhood activity. And often, the number of Saints who came exceeded even the large capacity of the grand hall. In such situations, our family would be asked to host some of the overflow families. This was a special opportunity. It was a bit of a challenge, however, since none of us spoke Spanish and none of our guests spoke English. We loved and hugged each other and we got along well. We soon learned that we could not compliment the folks on their beautiful clothes or anything they brought with them. When we did this, they would think that we wanted the item and they would try to give it to us.
JOHN CARTER – 4TH GREAT GRANDFATHER OF SISTER HUNT
Lou and I then made our way down river. I drove through Warsaw – a bad anti-Mormon town in the 1840’s – looking for historical plaques but found none.We got onto Highway #96 and proceeded South toward Quincy. I had decided that we would go in search of the grave for Lou’s 4th Great Grandfather, John Carter. I did a Google search and found him buried in the current remote village of Tioga and in an old cemetery called the Fletcher Cemetery. The Google directions to the Cemetery were good and they got us there.
Then, upon arrival, we needed to walk around to find his specific stone. We found the grave over at the very eastern side of the cemetery. This John was born in 1782 and died in 1852. He never joined the Church but his wife and children did. They went to Utah and he remained behind. He was the father of William Furlsbury Carter – Lou’s 3rd Great Grandfather.
I told Lou that I didn’t know if I had ever found the grave of a 4th Great Grandfather, but I later thought of John and Jane Coats Hunt, Zerah and Mary Brown Pulsipher, and Ira Rice – whose graves I have found. And I visited 5th and 6th great grandfathers buried in old Hebron, Kentucky. And maybe there are others. Anyway, finding a 4th Great Grandfather was a big deal.
I posted a photo of the grave on our family App. My son, Keith was the only one to take notice of the picture and he even came back with the note that John Carter even has a movie about him. I don’t think that the Disney show is really about our John (since it says he was a Civil War soldier – after the death of our John) – but that is interesting.
RIVER CROSSING OF SAINTS FROM MISSOURI TO ILLINOIS
We continued to the town of Quincy. I wanted to find a monument placed by the Church and others – which commemorates the place where the Missouri Saints crossed the river into Illinois in 1839. It also thanks the Quincy people for their care for the stranded Saints. I got a great photo of the rock – the monument – with a sunset and a bridge in the background.
Our next stop was the Texas Roadhouse – also in Quincy. I have had the urge to go there. This urge is more intense at times since in our little Nauvoo, we have no such eating places.
EXPERIENCING THE KEOKUK “CITY OF CHRISTMAS”
When looking for the Keokuk statue, I found myself immersed in a plethora of Christmas lights. They lined the park streets everywhere. I noted that the light displays were sponsored or set up by business of the town.
I was very intrigued so I wanted to return that evening with Sister Hunt. We did go back and we got in the line of cars. We followed the car ahead of us and we drove through the large “village” of lights. There were 100 or more lighted trains, planes, flowers, and everything else imaginable. The whole place was magnificent – and wonderful. And the best thing about this “City of Christmas” was totally free – as a community gift. And it was a special gift.
MIRACLES CONTINUE AS WE LOOK FOR AND SEE THEM
It has been fun being here in Nauvoo even in this very cold era of time. I am grateful that the Lord has “protected” us from the cold weather and that we can even venture out to enjoy the many sights and sounds of Christmas around us. We are in very different circumstances this year – without our families – but yet it is rewarding as we participate with the community and missionaries in these great events. I am glad that we can feel joy even with the temperature challenges. Yes, miracles continue as we look for, and see them.
And now, as I sit comfortably on my new recliner couch with my computer on my lap– and writing this blog article, I have a great view of the outside world from a window directly in front of me. “I looked out the window, and what did I see?” (as Primary children sing). And you guessed it … I see more of that “white stuff” coming down! It is coming down in giant flakes … Oh Joy! “Snow, Snow, Snow …” said my wife and missionary companion.
I guess I’ll be using that snow shovel later on. (And we learned last night that as Site Coordinators, at the Joseph Smith properties, that we are to keep the walks and stairs free of snow at the Homestead, Bidamon building, and the Mansion House. And that is a lot!) I guess I’ll be shoveling snow for Joseph later today! (And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather do it for!)
When Sister Hunt and I first received our call to serve our “senior couple” mission in Nauvoo, my immediate thought was that I wanted to create a package or document to remind me – and all of my family – about the many ancestors who lived in Nauvoo. I knew that I had many Nauvoo ancestors, but I had not really taken an accurate count of how many there were. I made a note on one of my cards – to make this a future project.
And then, the longer that I was in Nauvoo, the more that I wanted to get to this special project. Being in Nauvoo just naturally draws one to his/her ancestors. Nauvoo just does that to you. You can’t be here without being drawn to your own ancestors. And that was what happened to me.
Of course, Sister Hunt and I are site missionaries. This means that we focus on about 20 families who lived here in Nauvoo. In our tours, we share personal details, stories of commitment and covenant of some great people who were in Old Nauvoo. And giving those tours, has led me to do even more research about those people. And then this research drew me on to my own ancestors.
My first step was to create an expanded pedigree chart to show all of my Nauvoo ancestors. I looked carefully at each person, their birth dates, marriage and their death dates (the basics on the pedigree chart). And if there was any possibility that they might have been here in Nauvoo – or if I wasn’t sure, I checked on my Family Tree and “memories” on FamilySearch. I got excited with each name that I was able to highlight in green – my indication that he or she lived in Nauvoo.
And after this exercise, I was absolutely elated to find that I actually have 32 NAUVOO DIRECT ANCESTORS. Wow! This was so exciting and wonderful.
With my green-highlighted pedigree charts, I went to work. There was much research to complete. I dug into it and had a grand time going for it. And the more information that I found, the more excited I became. I learned of my people and their family events in Nauvoo. I found many special accounts of their conversion stories, their associations with Joseph Smith, how they dealt with mob persecutions and being driven from their homes – even multiple times, how they sacrificed for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, how and when they were baptized, and their participation in the Nauvoo “covenant community”. I found ancestors who came at all ages to Nauvoo. I learned of Nauvoo marriages. I found many young children who were born here. I found some ancestors who died here. I found ancestors who walked the “Trail of Hope” of Parley Street with their faces toward better times in the West.
I love the “collective” story of the Nauvoo period. But, even better, I love the individual stories of faith, dedication and commitment. And together, all of these ancestors build a beautiful tapestry woven together into the bigger story of the Restoration of the Gospel, the First Vision of God and Christ visiting their chosen prophet, Joseph, and calling him to restore the Church of Jesus.
And so now, as the project concludes, I am very excited to share with you the lives and commitment of these great people. I hope that you might each feel the same love for these our pioneer ancestors as I have come to know them. I love them each. I am so grateful to all of our 32 Nauvoo ancestors and their families.
I am also grateful for the many ancestors in lines who did not make it through Nauvoo. These folks are just as marvelous and amazing as those who were here. And who did not make it to Nauvoo?
The Hunt family – John Hunt and Jane Coates and their son, Amos Hunt with two wives joined the church around 1850 in Kentucky where the Hunt clan had lived for 50 years. A great many of the Hunt clan joined the church together in Kentucky and they moved in one great migration toward Utah in the Benjamin Gardner Company in 1852. They settled in Ogden, Utah. In the October 1861 General Conference, their names were read over the pulpit to be colonizing missionaries to the “Dixie (or Muddy) Mission” around St. George.
Samuel Barnhurst was an ancestor who gave up everything – literally – for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His family thought that he was crazy – and even his wife tried to poison him so that he could not join the Church. He escaped with almost no possessions and left to join the Saints in Utah. Upon arrival in Utah, he was brought to the office of Brigham Young – who counseled him to marry a young Danish lady who had arrived about the same time from Denmark. They were obedient even though he did not know Danish, and she knew no English. That should have been interesting marriage – at least from the beginning.
My mom’s Pritchett family was like the Hunts. A large group of Pritchett family members joined the church together in Virginia. They traveled together to Utah under the leadership of William D. Pritchett – in 1855, and began a faithful legacy in Sanpete County in Utah.
And then there are my Danish ancestors. I love my Danes. And I recently had a DNA test (thanks, Keith) which revealed that I literally have 50% Danish blood in me. This is so exciting! I have 5 second great grandparents who came from Denmark. The Danes did not receive the Gospel until the early 1850’s. But having joined, with complete commitment and faith, they immediately wanted to join the Saints in Utah’s “Zion”. They joined handcart companies and made their way west – after getting to St. Louis, Missouri and going west from there.
The project relative to my own ancestors in Nauvoo, naturally leads to a similar future project to feature the Nauvoo ancestors of my wife and her family. I would not be surprised to find that she also has 30 or more such Nauvoo ancestors. I can’t wait to get into that project.
In my Nauvoo research I have found individuals and families of profound faith. I have found people who made special covenants in the Temple. I have found many of my/our own people who were among the first who received their endowments in the Nauvoo Temple – just as soon as it was possible for them to receive their endowments there. I have found my/our people who had strong and continuing testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith – in spite of his challenges and weaknesses. I find my people who were true all of their lives to Joseph and his mission. I found people who were so committed that they were willing to leave their homes again and again in support of God’s Kingdom.
And in my research, I am uplifted as I have seen my/our people continue in their faithful lives in Utah. Even with their challenges and sacrifices, they were true to what they believed. They were true to the Nauvoo covenants that they had made. I hope that you will bask in and love the Nauvoo Spirit as you get to know these special people who were here, who gave their all, and who remained covenant faithful through their lives. And these folks (in the next world) hope that all of their posterity are drawn to them – just as they are drawn to us. Let’s keep the hearts turning and burning!
Here are a couple of ways by which you can access the book.
As ever, I have published the book on lulu.com. The link is not yet cojing up but should within the next couple of days. You can go to lulu.com and then do a search on “Nauvoo” or my name. Contact me for a discount code if you want to order the book.
Nauvoo, Historic Nauvoo, Senior Mission Couple, Historic Sites, Missionary, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintS
Left to right, Sister Lou Hunt, Elder Kevin Hunt, Sister Sandy Hunt, Elder Jake Hunt, Sister Tammy Hunt and Elder Brad Hunt in Nauvoo, Illinois, on Nov. 14, 2024. Elder John Hale
Elder Jacob Hunt and Elder Brad Hunt sit in the driver’s seat in a horse-drawn wagon while around them, from left, are Sister Sandy Hunt, Sister Lou Hunt, Elder Kevin Hunt and Sister Tammy Hunt, in Nauvoo, Illinois, on Nov. 14, 2024. | Elder John Hale
The Red Brick Store in Nauvoo, Illinois, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
On the Nauvoo Trail 