The Temple built in Nauvoo, Illinois by the pioneer Saints of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was one of the greatest structures of its time. It was one of the most magnificenmt structures of the United States, and maybe the world. It stood in magestic grandeur atop of a hill overlooking the Mississippi River.
As my wife, Lou, and I served as missionaries in Nauvoo, we could see the Temple from almost every point on the hill below the Temple. We often attended to perform sacred ordinances in the Temple. Each time that we were near or entered into the Temple, we marveled again how such a grand and fabulous structure could have been created by the Saints of 180 years ago – and cettainly with their now primitive tools and processes. (And we thought that workers today may have lost the skills that workers had to create such a building.) We stood in constant awe of the beautiful building “Illuminated” (quoting Joseph Smith) as he sat on top of the hill. Words cannot describe its beauty and grandeur.
The Pioneer Saints constructed this Temple to their God as a symbol of their love for Him, their obedience to His commands, and in the faith that bound them together in the brotherhood of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The building was envisioned by the Prophet Joseph Smith and construction began in 1841 as the Prophet Joseph worked with architect William Weeks to create what Joseph had seen in vision from the Lord.
Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were martyred on June 27, 1844 so Joseph did not live to see the Temple completed. Brigham Young and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles – and indeed the entire Nauvoo community – continued to labor (each man giving “one day in ten” as a tithe of his time) for the construction.
Finishing the Temple became the task and focus of every member of the Church. Though not totally finished, the Saints began performing sacred ordinances in the Temple: Baptisms in 1841, Endowments in December of 1845, and Sealings of spouses in January of 1846.
Sadly, the Latter-day Saints were driven from their beautiful homes by mobs and wicked people who opposed their views and the “Covenant Community” that they had labored so dilligently to create. The Saints began leaving Nauvoo in February of 1846 and the completed Temple was actually dedicated (officially as a House of the Lord) May 1-3 after most of the Saints had already made their exodus for the West.
A major feature (or 30 of them) were the 30 carved “pilasters” as they were called. Each of these columns had a base, then a carved Moon Stone, a long column, a Sun Stone, and finally, a star stone.
The three kinds of stones represented the kingdoms or degrees of heaven that all faithful Saints (now living and all deceased) might attain to in the next world. The Sun Stone was seen in very specific vision by the Prophet Joseph Smith and he helped the Temple architect and the stone cutters to catch his vision to create what he had received. The stone cutters together worked to create these marvels in the limestone rock that was taken from quarries in and around Nauvoo.
One stone cutter was pleased to present his carving toJoseph and asked, “Is this way you envisioned it?” And Joseph replied that it was indeed very close.
The Sun Stone with its expanding rays represented symbolically the glorious dawning of the Restored Gospel shining its light to the world. It was topped with “horns of plenty” which symbolized the Lord extending his hands and His blessings, – the “horns of plenty” to his children. They were as trumpets sounding to the world the news of the Restored Gospel. The Moon Stones symbolized the relation of the moon and the planets to our earth. The stars represented the millions of stars created by the Lord Jesus Christ and which light our galaxy (and many others.)
This is a historic article about the Temple construction and specifically the beautiful limestone that faced the Temple, and the carved stones that made it so distinct and beautiful on the Nauvoo hill.
A “Stone Cutter’s Pavilion” has been constructed as a part of the modern “Temple City Tour” and in this Pavilion, guests can experience just a bit of the stone cutting experience and process. The Pavilion is an interactive place where guests can cut, carve, and lift the Temple stones just as their own pioneer ancestors may have done back in the 1840’s.
Previously I published blogs about the Nauvoo Women’s Garden, the Nauvoo home of Heber C. Kimball – and then one about Sarah Granger Kimball. This article joins those others in a series that features the homes and shops of old Nauvoo.
These articles are a part – a snippet – of a grand book that I have in current production. The book, now named: “The Comprehensive Photo History of Nauvoo Homes, Shops, and Experiences” will feature a multitude of historic photos (vintage photos from past eras, photos which I took on my “young mission” to Nauvoo, as well as photos from the present day in Nauvoo). The book will actually show and detail almost every room in each of the historic homes and shops of Nauvoo.
Watch for the book – nearly done – to make its debut!
Heber C. Kimball was one of the original Apostles called in the modern dispensation. He was called to this office in 1835 through the Prophet, Joseph Smith. He was a devoted friend to Brigham Young. The two families lived near each other in New York before either joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He helped to construct the Kirtland Temple.
Heber was part of the original missioanry group called to Great Britain and he presided over the missionary team. He served many years as a missionary and was very successful in his labors.
Later he was called to be a counselor to Brigham Young in the First Presidency and he served faithfully in this role from 1847 through his death in 1868.
In between his many missionary assignments, he built a beautiful brick home at 9th and Munson Streets in Nauvoo. He did not long live in it before he headed west with his large family.
The home of Heber C. and Vilate Kimball has been beautifully restored and is open each day for public tours. The home was restored through the efforts of his great-grandson, Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball and is one of the most beautiful of all restored homes in Nauvoo. His home stands today as a lasting tribute and testement to his commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Heber C. Kimball
In 1975, I (Kevin Hunt) was a “young missionary” and was privileged to serve in Nauvoo as a site guide. I was privileged to know Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball, the visionary who made possible the restoration of the Heber C. Kimball home a reality.
On my first day in Nauvoo, I remember that Dr. Kimball took me and a few other missionaries who were new to Nauvoo on a tour of the Heber C. Kimball home. He had lovingly and carefully furnished the home with the best that he could find – and I heard him twll about the home in great detail. He shared with us much of what is included below – and this material was a part of our tours of that day.
And it is interesting that I later returned to Nauvoo as a site guide (as a “senior couple” wiht my wife in 2024 and 2025. It was a great privilege and honor to once again present tours of the Kimball home to our guests who came to Nauvoo. Ind it was interesting for me to note that the home looked very much like the 1975 home in which I had taken tours. It felt “like home” as I looked around and noted that very few things had changed over those 50 years. And that is pretty amazing!
I enjoyed sharing stories of Heber C. Kimball, and his wife, Vilate Murray Kimball. I loved telling of his missioanry adventures, his challenges and his success. I have come to love this great Apostle and am happy to share with you and the world more about him.
Kevin
HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME SCRIPT 1975
Created by Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball (Who bought and restored the structure)
HEBER C. KIMBALL VINTAGE PHOTOS
Above Undated vintage photos (Left) Front of House and (Right) Back side
Above: (Left) Unknown Date and (Right) Photo taken 1975
HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME PHOTOS – 1975
Note: Much of Heber’s home and furnishings look very much in 2025 as they did in 1975
Above: All photos are of the front/living room – different sides of the room
Above: (Left) Upstairs Famiiy Room, (Center) Dining Room, and (Right) unfinished – not restored room in upper 3rd floor of the Kimball Home
Above: (Left) Music Room of Kimball Home, and (Right) Kimball back yard structures
Below: Bust and memorial to Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball – the visionary who restored the home of
Heber C. Kimball, his great-grandfather
Above: J. LeRoy Kimball bust and plaques (presently in the Nauvoo Facilities Maintenance Offices)
HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME PHOTOS – 2025
Above: (Left) Cement plaque (in center) placed by Heber. Says, “HCK 1843” and historic plaque located near the main entry door
Above: Large portrait of Heber C. Kimball in modern parlor of his home
Above: Floor plan drawing of the Heber C. Kimball Home
Above and Below: Various upstairs bedrooms
Above: (Left) The Kimball dining room and (Right) close-up of the plaque in left photo. This is one of the few remaining original “Temple Plates” commissioned by Lucius Scovil while in England on mission.
OUTSIDE VIEWS OF HEBER C. KIMBALL BACK YARD 2025
Above: Back side view of Heber C. Kimball Home -o 2025
Above: View of back side of Wilford Woodruff home – photo taken looking diagonally from the
backyard of Heber C. Kimball (Photo 2025 by Kevin V. Hunt)
IMAGES OF CHURCH HISTORY BY BRITISH IMMIGRANT ARTIST FREDERICK PIERCY
AS SHOWN ON HALL WALL DISPLAY IN HEBER C. KIMBALL HOME
Above: Keokuk Camp (around 1853) Drawing by emigrant artist Piercy
The Nauvoo Heber C. Kimball home is a very beautiful home. It is well worth a stop for you and your family. A must stop on your Nauvoo trail!
The nation recently stood by in absolute shock as a prominent woman was asked, “What is a Woman”. This woman could not (or refused to) answer the question.
It is unfortunate that we live in a world today where many people cannot answer that question. Gratefully, there is a place where women of the world are honored for their true virtues, lives, and contributions to home and society. That place is a 2-acre memorial garden dedicated to all women. It is located in Historic Nauvoo, in Illinois and was created and is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
GRATEFUL FOR GENERATIONS OF MOTHERS IN MY FAMILY
I have a deep sense of gratitude to the women in my life. I have been surrounded by great women. I am pleased to say that I have a wife, six daughters, and three special daughters-in-law.. So, I know a bit of this subject of the day. They have blessed my life … and the lives of their husbands and children. I am grateful too, for generations of mothers I have known. These include (among many others), my magnificent wife, Lou, my own angel mother, Alura, my paternal grandmother, Augusta Wilcox Hunt and others, And in our family records and histories, we have been honored by many generations of dedicated and faithful mothers. They have given us a great legacy and heritage.
Elder Russell M. Ballard (now deceased) – but a modern Apostle of Jesus Christ, shared these words of gratitude to women of the Church in a talk given at a General Church Conference held in April of 2010. His words still ring true!”
“And so, my dear young women, with all my heart I urge you not to look to contemporary culture for your role models and mentors. Please look to your faithful mothers for a pattern to follow. Model yourselves after them, not after celebrities whose standards are not the Lord’s standards and whose values may not reflect an eternal perspective. Look to your mother. Learn from her strengths, her courage, and her faithfulness. Listen to her. She may not be a whiz at texting; she may not even have a Facebook page. But, when it comes to matters of the heart and the things of the Lord, she has a wealth of knowledge. As you approach the time for marriage and young motherhood, she will be your greatest source of wisdom. No other person on earth loves you in the same way or is willing to sacrifice as much to encourage you and help you find happiness – in this life and forever. … Teach your daughters to find joy in nurturing children. This is where their love and talents can have the greatest eternal significance.” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2010/04/mothers-and-daughters?lang=eng
The Nauvoo Monument” “Circles of a Woman’s Life”
The Nauvoo Monument to Women Garden is officially known as “Circles of a Woman’s Life” The garden depicts in beautiful bronze sculptures – set in a magnificent green garden lined with Nauvoo bricks – the many roles in which women – wives, and mothers serve in their families and in the community.
LOCATION: Behind (South) and adjacent to the Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center
HISTORIC PHOTO:
Above: Early Postcard image of the Monument to Women (circa about 1978)
Above: Early photo of the Women’s Garden
CURRENT PHOTO(S):
Above: The Monument to Women garden as hidden from view on Young Street
Above: An inside view of the Memorial Garden (2025 photo by Kevin V Hunt)
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL: Bronze statues displayed on walkways of Nauvoo Brick and surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
RESTORATION STATUS: In original display but with natural growth of surrounding plants and trees.
TYPE OF TOUR: Self-guided. A peaceful place for contemplation and meditation.
HISTORY OF THE GARDEN:
The Original Relief Society Monument in Nauvoo
This monument to Women of the Relief Society actually began back in 1933. Then Apostle George Albert Smith and General Relief Society President, Louise Robinson wanted to place a monument to the women of the Relief Society – and the Nauvoo founding of the organization.
Originally the monument was placed on the grounds surrounding Joseph Smith’s red Brick Store. This monument was dedicated July 26, 1933. In 1952, the monument was moved to the Nauvoo Temple site. In 1988, it was moved to its current location in the Nauvoo Women’s Garden.
The Modern Monuments, Statues and Gardens:
During the 1970’s the LDS Church opposed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) because church leaders believed it undermined traditional moral values of all women and families – and especially those who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1973, General Relief Society President, Belle S. Spafford told then LDS Church President Spencer W. Kimball, that the original 1933 monument needed to be replaced with a statue to honor women (in contrast to the current world’s view of women). President Kimball later consulted with Sister Barbara B. Smith (the new General Relief Society President) about the monument. She envisioned a much grander monument garden.
Sister Smith commissioned sculptor Florence Hansen to make a model of a pioneer woman and child. Later, several artists presented their conceptions to Priesthood and Relief Society leaders on November 19, 1975.
Sculptor Dennis Smith proposed a 2-acre garden to feature statues representing the various phases of womanhood – in 12 different statues. Elder Mark E. Peterson suggested that Artist Smith create 11 statues and that Florence Hansen we given the opportunity to create the sculpture of the pioneer woman and child.
On February 4, 1975, the artists were contracted and set-apart for their sculpture work. The sculptures were created in the Smith’s basement studio in Alpine, Utah.
Later, Church leaders invited Sister Hansen to create a large statue of Joseph and Emma Smith. Scriptural verses were added on plaques with the completed sculptures.
Women of the world, Sisters of the Relief Society – were invited to donate funds for the creation of the statue garden.
In March 1978, Sister Barbara B. Smith and Edythe K. Watson traveled to Nauvoo to select a monument site. They chose the two-acre site behind (south) the Visitors’ Center.
Otis Hamilton managed site volunteers. Durrell Nelson designed the park and became its caretaker after its dedication.
Dedicatory Services of the Monument Gardens:
In March 1978, The Champaign Illinois Stake created an outdoor musical production of Because of Elizabeth to be performed at the garden’s dedication. The show had a cast of 240 stake members. Stake President Joseph R. Larsen was the assistant producer and Moana Bennett wrote the script for the play. Larry Bastian wrote and arranged the play’s music. Duane Hiatt wrote the lyrics for the music.
Dedicatory services began on June 27, 1978, the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum. Some 7,200 LDS women gathered for the event. Presidents Kimball and Barbara Smith gave opening remarks at an invitation-only banquet that was followed by tours of the new garden and the performance of Because of Elizabeth.
”Spencer W. Kimball dedicated the monument in ceremonies on June 28–30. On the first day of these ceremonies, around 2,500 women attended the dedicatory services in a large, yellow-striped tent. Kimball addressed these women and offered a dedicatory prayer. Bethine C. Church read a letter from United States first lady Rosalynn Carter. On the second day of dedication, apostle Bruce R. McConkie spoke on receiving revelation and having faith.
“Norma W. Matheson, wife of Utah governor Scott M. Matheson, extended greetings from the people of Utah. Ilana Rovner, assistant deputy to Illinois governor James R. Thompson, read a certificate of appreciation to the Relief Society and proclaimed that June 28, 1978, would be National Monument to Women Day in Illinois. Apostle L. Tom Perry also spoke at the services.”
“The Relief Society monument from 1933 is near the entrance and the Joseph and Emma Smith statue is placed just inside the garden. While most of the statues in this monument are life-sized, the central figure titled Woman is larger. Four statues surround Woman, depicting a woman reading, a woman praying, a woman sculpting, and a woman reaching out to help others.
“The next circle of statues depicts a woman’s influence in the family. The statue Courtship for Eternity is placed at the entrance, along with Joyful Moment, In the Family Circle, In Her Mother’s Footsteps, Preparing Her Son, and Teaching with Love. The final statue, Fulfillment, is slightly elevated from all the other statues and depicts an old woman binding a double wedding ring quilt.”
QUOTE ABOUT THE MONUMENTS:
On July 6, 1978, at a meeting of the Relief Society general board with Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the First Quorum of the Seventy and advisor to the Relief Society present, many expressed confidence that the dedicatory event had been a tremendous success. Elder Wirthlin said, “When you think of 7200 women and others who traveled [to Nauvoo] from far-distant parts of the earth, it’s remarkable that all arrived and came home safely, which indicates to me that the Lord was with us, that He wanted Nauvoo, I think, to be a great success, one that will help Relief Society, help the women of the Church and of the world.”
Joseph and Emma Smith
Woman
Above: Another view of the “Woman” Statue
Fulfillment
Teaching with Love
Joyful Moment
In Her Mother’s Footsteps
Preparing Her Son
Compassionate Woman
Woman and her Talents
Courtship for Eternity
Woman in Prayer
In the Family Circle
Woman of Learning
The Nauvoo Monument to Women Garden is open to the public and is available year-round. Guests can visit the gardens in the beauty of many seasons, can walk quietly, and can take time to ponder the roles and influence of special women in their lives. It is definitely a special and wonderful tribute to the generations of women who have made us who we are. Thanks to all of you amazing women in my life.
Note from Kevin: As I served as a Site Missionary in the Illinois Historic Sites Mission from 2024 through 2025, I created a plethora of blogs on a variety of historic subjects. Through the mission I created 75 blog articles. Most of these blog articles were created from extensive history research about Nauvoo, the prophets, ancestors, and others who lived and served there. Many of the blog articles ultimately became books of their own and the 20 books compiled in Nauvoo are available as free PDF files (upon request to me by email or text). These are also available for purchase on lulu.com. (Find the books – and many others of mine – with a search on the word “Nauvoo” and even more with a search on my name)
The 75 blog articles have been published on lulu.com in four volumes (each of just under 800 pages).
Above: Elder Hunt as the “night writer”.
Some of the blog articles were created as monthly newsletters of the Illinois Historic Sites Mission – as Sister Hunt and I served as the Mission Historians. These articles are not included in the published books but they will be included in the official 2025 full year mission history when published in January of 2026.
Above: Elder Hunt typing blog articles when not busy giving tours at the Sarah Granger Kimball (original) home
Above: Elder Hunt typing above the Orson Hyde home between tours
There are a variety of ways that you can access the blog articles:
All of the blogs are and will continue to be available on the blogsite of:
InNauvooWithKevandLou.wordpress.com
If you see one or more articles that you like and want a copy, send me a text or e-message with your e-mail address and I will be happy to send one or many of them to you.
Blog articles on the blog site are in descending order by date of publication. Note that some of the articles were published out of chronological order but that order has been corrected in the published books.
Above: Elder Hunt writing at the Browning Home and Gun Shop (nice office) when not giving tours.
At the bottom of this article I have included an index of all the published blog articles. The index (in chronological order) includes the Blog #, the Blog Title, the Date the article was published on the blog site, and the book volumes in which the articles are published on lulu.com.
If the links do not work or do not appear to be active, simply copy the link address into your browser and hit enter and it should come up.
Here is the link to the Blog Book #4 in a free PDF format
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!
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 