scrapbook
WINTER, COUSINS, BRICKS, AND SPRING FUN
BLOG #47
By Kevin V. Hunt
Okay, so it has been so long since you’ve had a “regular blog” from me, you might think I could have died a slow death in the depths of historic research. Yes, I have been very busy researching various subjects – like the Martrydom, burials of Joseph Smith, compiling journals and family history, Belcher Family ancestors, and more. Those were all fun projects. Now as I look back at past blogs, I see that it has been a couple of months since I wrote about “current” mission events. Sorry about that!
I will now try to cover many of the fun and interesting events of the past couple of months. I could make a quick little blog but there is so much going on here. Of course, I continue to maintain my 52-year practice of writing a detailed journal entry as I have for every day since that day back in May 1973). But, I see this blog as kind of my pictoral Nauvoo scrapbook (for future reference and memory enjoyment) … so I will cover a lot of our Nauvoo time and space here. I also considered breaking it down into multiple blog articles. But per the old adage, “No matter how you chop up the pig, it is still the same pig.” (Is that an old adage, or did I just make that up?)
Anyway, I decided to just go for it – and to send you the “whole enchilada” As ever, with the bold headings, you can skip around and delve into the subjects that pique your interest. And admittedly, I look forward to writing without the strain of being historically precise and accurate. I very much enjoy doing research and have a deep commitment about writing of what I believe really happened. That can put some pressure on me, however. So, now, without that historical pressure … Get ready for the ride. So much has happened … where to start? (Maybe you can read this in installments … “just sayin’,” … (as our daughter, Lana would say!)
WINTER SNOW AND FREEZING TEMPS
When we first got called to Nauvoo, I really thought that we would be waking every day with the first immediate task being to fight our way out of the igloo. We feared daily blizzards and snow shoveling. Gratefully, the snows came sporadically and not as frequently as we had feared. We did have many snow storms but in reality, only about eight or nine of them through the winter. Being an Arizona “desert rat” my vision of getting rid of snow was with a wide shovel and a tired arm. I used that method on the first storm. Then I discovered the art of “snow sweeping” as described in an earlier blog article.
One of the numbered storms came on March 16th – a Sunday morning. We awoke that morning to several inches of the white stuff. O joy! I took some photos of the white world around us. It looked ominous!
The temperature Sunday March 16, 7:30 AM
Parley Street at Hyde Sunday March 20 7:30 AM
We slowly crept our way (in our borrowed car (more on that later) through the snowy roads and to the Visitors’ Center for our missionary sacrament meeting.
As our President Mehr began the meeting, he quipped, “Let’s all go tubing on the hill below the Temple.” The activity sounded fun but the warm theater room was more inviting at the moment.
This is what the place looked like later that afternoon – from the same view as taken in the morning – looking north from our Dunn home:
Parley at Hyde Street – 3:00 PM 3/16/25
Then March 20th – just four days later: 78 Degrees! If you don’t like the weather here, stick a round a couple of days and the temperature will change by about a hundred degrees!
OUR MTC EXPERIENCE SEEMS SO LONG AGO AND YET LIKE JUST A FEW WEEKS
It is really hard to believe that it was a year ago (April 1st – NO JOKE) when we went into the MTC. Where has that time gone? We didn’t burn any shirts – as I gues “young” Elders do on their 1-year mark. Us old folks are a bit more mellow – and cautious. The thing for us oldies to do is to gather and eat. And admittedly we do our share of that.
Above: AM Study Group at the MTC
Above: Photo of most of our MTC group – taken on our Hump Day – January 1, 2025
There were 13 of us couples that entered the MTC together. (And how is it possible that I didn’t get a photo with all of us together? Maybe the photo would have come when I was sick as a dog and detained elsewhere. I guess we didn’t have a wide angle selfie camera that was wide enough for that crowd!) It has been a grand and wonderful experience being here in Nauvoo as Site Missionaries. I have tried to keep you informed along the journey. And looking back, Wow! We have been so blessed with the many experiences that we have had. And we have felt the Lord’s “Nauvoo Miracles” that happen almost daily – and often several times a day. And we stand in amazement and gratitude for those miracles.
Each day, at the end of the day, I take a few seconds and I record the number of people that we took through on our tours that day. This count is just the number that Sister Hunt and I have personally taken through. And that count after a year in Nauvoo is 10,400! Wow! Unbelievable that we have talked to that many people. What a great opportunity!
MTC REUNION DINNER IN CARTHAGE MARCH 31, 2025
Anyway, back to our big celebration. All 13 couples – well actually 12 of us – and that means 24 peoople gathered out in Carthage (about 23 miles southand east of Nauvoo). Elder and Sister Dennis Jones are cuerrently serving as site guides at the jail complex. And one of the perks of that assignment is that they have a lovely house – locaded on the Jail block. And although it is in Illinois, they actually have a large “Arizona Room” out back. And this room was big enough to hold all 22 of us.
The Jones had the place gaily decorated with jelly beans all over the tables. And they had some Scrabble tiles which spelled custom Nauvoo terms – like “teamster”, “Nauvoo”, “Joseph Smith”, and more. I do not know where they got all of those custom tiles. I cannot imagine buying that many games to get those letters.
The Mexican meal was amazing. Never can get enough of that Mexican food. I created a major plate of “10-Layer Dip” (seven layer but embellished a bit).
And it was a little “Nauvoo Miracle” that we found the large serving tray available for free at our mission “D.I.” (Deseret Industries). My wife just thinks about such needs, and Voila! It shows up in a few days per her vibes. She used to do this at the large garbage dumpster that was in front of our apartment in Santa Barbara … new shoes, unopened bags of diapers, quilt batting, or whatever. That still works well for her.
The 10-layers turned out “picture perfect” snd the taste was equal to it. Talk about amazing! I made enough for the Army and everyone took their share – with chips – and we still had enough for leftovers for several days. Still great!
After the dinner, we went en masse to the Jail. We gathered outside near the well near which Joseph fell. We held a photo op there. Hard to get that many people in one selfie photo. Luckily the Crawleys – resident FM maintenance folks who also live on the property – came out of evening retirement to take our photos. Glad they weren’t in their pajamas.
Then Elder Jones – the ultimate story teller – took us up to the Martrydom room. He there shared some solemn stories appropriate for the time and space.
Such a fun night. It was well worth the effort to get there.
MISSIONARY SERVICE WITH OUR FAMILY
It is great being on a mission and it is really great having others of our families serving at the same time. We have three grandchildren now serving. Our three oldest daughters all have missionaries serving. And a few months ago, we also had our grandson out along with the others. Lou and I each have brothers and wives serving concurrently with us. My cousin and his wife are serving in Ecuador. This means that we get to enjoy letters from all of them each week. So great to hear of the missionary work throughout the world!
Elder Joseph Stoddard is serving in Yakima Washington
Sister Katelyn Merrill is serving in the Denver Colorado North Mission
Sister Abby Bowles is serving in the Dallas Texas East Mission
Lou’s brother Brad and wife Kerry are serving in San Diego, California. They were called to serve in YSA support but soon got assigned to help with a new Mandarin branch just organized in their area. They do a lot of everything in support of many people. And they have found pickleball to be a great missionary activity.
My brother, Darcy and Laura are serving for 23 months in Vancouver, Canada. They are also assigned full-time in serviceto Mandarin speaking people. I guess there are some 200,000 Mandarin speaking folks in their city.
Above: Elder Darcy and Sister Laura Hunt (right) at MTC with Elder and Sister Ballard – who came to Nauvoo and are in the District with Kevin and Lou
Bryson returned a few months ago from Argentina (and is now engaged and we plan to attend his Taylorsville Temple wedding on June 6th. They let senior missionaries do that kind of thing!) They will be the first of our 43 grandchildren to get married. We enjoyed his mission letters but now we don’t hear from him. He has other things on his mind!
As noted, my cousin Charles and his wife are serving in Ecuador. We very much enjoy his letters and news of their interesting adventures.
CONCIERGE CONVERSION TO FULLY OPEN SITES
All winter, we were on what we call the “concierge” schedule. This meant that we hibernated in our homes awaiting the call to action. We were in a “tour queue” with about 15 couples (or pairs of older single sisters). Each day the queue moved up or down – depending on the number of tours we had given in recent days. (And ironically, the more tours we gave, the less liklihood that we would be called for a tour.)
We waited for “our number to come up” and then when a call did come, we hurried into our period costums and hustled to the meeting place chosen by our waiting guests.
The tours that we had during this era proved to be wonderful. We really got to become close with our guests and felt as if we were really friends after being with them through two or seven homes that they wanted to see. And many of thhose tour and groups proved to more “Nauvoo Miracles”
Above: Sister Hunt and our guest went to the same Melbourn Australia mission and overlapped a few months (but did not know each other)
We received a call (about March 11th) to serve around noon. We first met a group at the Scovil bakery. We did not take them on the tour but met them as they came out. This was two sisters with their husbands. One couple was named Rich and the other Carter. The Carter guy went to the Melbourne Australia mission and arrived just as Lou was leaving. They had fun talking. He and his wife also served as mission presidents in another Australia mission. We really had fun with these people. We took them to the Cultural Hall and one brother sang a beautiful song in the balcony of the 3rd floor of the place.
Above: Brothers Rich and Carter reciting the “Standard of Truth” – “With Gusto” (as I requested) at Joseph’s Red Brick Store.
Sister Hunt knew this Brother Hill (above) in the Sandy, Utah ward of her youth.
Above: We met these folks at the Stoddard Tin Shop and found out that Bishop Turner is the Bishop of my cousins in Moses Lake, Washington
We really connected with this brother from Mexico. He has a son and a daughter going into the MTC soon – on the same day. One to Provo, and one to Mexico.
Above: This is Sister Hatch – a senior single sister in our mission. She knew my brother-in-law, Charles Crismon very well in junior high in Mesa, Arizona.
Above: These sisters were up from “the land down under”. These ladies were born in Hobart, where Sister Hunt served on the island of Tasmania (located southeast of Austrailia) on her mission. They know our friends, Ian Oates and his wife Inga, whom Sister Hunt taught on her mission (and he later served in the stake presidency).
We took Elder and Sister Heaton on a tour of Joseph Smith’s Homestead. They were on their way home from a mission in Kirtland. They are from Cedar City, Utah and they live in the same ward as my cousin Tonia and her husband, Jon Ashdown. And as we were giving them a tour, some other folks came running over to them. They have relocated to Nauvoo but they lived in the same Cedar City Ward as the Heatons and my cousins. And this lady also knew Lou’s brother, Brad, and Kerry, from when they were in the same ward of Heber City, Utah.
And to add to the story, Sister Heaton is my 4th cousin on our Hancock lines.
Above: Elder and Sister Heaton
How’s that for a few rounds of the LDS “Do You Know Game”?
And during the “off-times” we could work on our own projects. Sister Hunt continued to create more dresses and aprons.
I covered her sewing prowess in a previous blog article. And she even made me a large and spacious “period cape”.
And she had earlier made herself a big “bear skin” cape. Ironically, she bought the flannel lined fur in Arizona. Actually, Brodey and I found it and we knew that it had her name all over it. She has loved this! And she hasn’t complained of being cold while in the bear skin. And even today (May 1) she is comfortably wearing it.
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt sportinjg their “winter capes” together
This cape made a great addition to my winter costume since I could wear non-period coats underneath and it was cozy and warm. Sister Hunt even made me a shirt from the newly revised color and style for Nauvoo missionaries. Us oldsters, however, will be “grandfathered in” through therest of our missions.
And of course, I kept my computer keys pumping fast. I think you saw that I wrote (or compiled) a plethora of historic winter documents and blogs. I hope that you enjoyed them all!
CARS ARE WONDERFUL BUT CAN BE SUCH A PAIN
Almost on the eve of our departure from Arizona for the MTC, our Honda car developed issues. Many of you might remember our “3 Sons-in-Law” and their You-tube adventure. They collaborated and took turns on the wrench and the You-tube technology. They alternated the alternator and switched it out. Then back in November 2024 here, the “new” alternator died an ignominous death. On that occasion, we had to borrow a car from some other missionaries while the local mechanic (way too busy) to have time for our project. He did finally come through for us.
Then came February here in the midst of winter. We experienced that same joy yet again. We were on our way to Keokuk, Iowa for our p-day shopping experience. For the second day in a row, the car chugged and quit. (We had bought a new battery the day before – using another missionary going to Keokuk to get it for us.) Anyway, we were almost to town. Sister Hunt (our “resident mechanic” – such as she is … but she’s all we’ve got – tightened the battery cables. And we were off again.
Then just as we got across the Mississippi River bridge, we had round 3. The car quit again. We had planned to go to Walmart to get new battery cables and were about two miles form the store. We had several good Samaritans who put forth an effort in our behalf, but all to no avail. Local mechanic shops had “no room at the inn”. We called two or three tow trucks trying to get a ride back to our town of Nauvoo (located about 14 miles away). We finally found one who came and loaded our vehicle onto his flat-bed truck and made room – with all of his junk in his road office for Sister Hunt and me.
He dropped us at the mechanic shop up on Mulholland where Kendall, our mechanic, has his after-hours shop. Then we again played the “waiting game” until our number came up in his queue. Time passed slowly. Initially, we were glad that everything here in Nauvoo is close by. Then thinking that a repair might miraculously come at the end of the coming week, we rented a fancy red car from a car dealership in Carthage. The car was beautiful, but a bit too opulent for us at $60 per day. We survived only six days of that luxury.
Then “the mission” had pity on us and gave us a loaner vehicle. They only have about 50 vehicles here – mostly for the young sister missionaries. My frustration level rose to a new high as the mechanic wait extended almost a month. Kendall did ultimately “get the parts in” and got the vehicle fixed. He found that a “connector” to the alternator was causing the power to “arc”. So, he replaced both pieces. (And this time he said that we should get a Napa Auto alternator – rather than our AutoZone version that was still under warranty).
Thankfully, the car has found new life. And we are grateful.
WELCOMING HUNT COUSINS TO NAUVOO
Here in Nauvoo, it is well-known that we have 3 Hunt cousins here together. I am speaking of “cousins” Elders Brad and Jake Hunt, and me. And with our wives, there are six Hunts. I have written about them before and have shared photos of us together. And we were featured in a November 17, 2024 Church News article. Since that article published, it has been amazing even months later to have total strangers tell us that they read our article and to see how they have remembered us – though they did not know us. Many people tell us, “We read about you in the Church News.” Wow! It has been great sharing our common Hunt heritage with each other. We had not known each other before the missions but we all entered the MTC on the same date (April 1st … no joke). Then at the MTC we did “Relatives Around Me” and discovered that we all descend through a common 3rd great grandfather “Big Amos” as Brad calls him (because of another Amos further down in his lline).
And here in Nauvoo, we have found yet more Hunt cousins. Sisters Simpkins and Thomas were here previously, and they are my 3rd cousins – from Enterprise, Utah (where my people lived for nearly a century. And there was a young sister missionary who shared the same family connections. And some others have wanted to join ouir family. Elder Atkinson has said a couple of times that he really wants to be an adopted Hunt cousin. The more the merrier! We would love to induct him in!
Above: Ray and Augusta Hunt family
I come from a rather large family. My grandparents had 13 children. Tommy died when about age 11 but they raised twelve children. And from those dozen, I am proud to say that “I am one of 83 cousins!” Stating this fact often puts us into contemplative awe.
We have been privileged to have many cousins come to visit us here in Nauvoom and it has been so fun. My Uncle Stan and Aunt Mary Hunt have four daughters. For 25 or so years these sisters – Shriley, Julie, Sue and Beverly have had an annual “sisters retreat”.
They go various places and the retreat lasts multiple days. Knowing that Sister Hunt and I were here in Nauvoo, they decided to come here to hang out with us.
Above: Hunt sisters – Kevin’s cousins – (L to R) Julie, Sue, Shirley and Bev on our tour at the Nauvoo Print Shop
They were here March 3-6. They came from Utah, Arizona, Idaho, and Oregon. In planning their trip, Julie contacted Laureve – who lives up in Chicago, Illinois three or four hours away. They invited her to come down for the gathering and so she came
.
And as a surprise to the ladies, I invited Cousin Brady. He lives about four hours away – to the South – in Missouri by Adam-Ondi-Ahman. He came with four of his children. The ladies were quite surprised when the door knock came late on Sunday night – an hour or so after their arrival – and after the arrival of Laureve. It was fun to see their shock. The Hunt sisters rented an AirBnB place about six miles east of Nauvoo. Brady and company spent the night with Sister Hunt and me at our Dunn home.
Above: Kevin with a whole clan of Hunt cousins in Nauvoo
Monday morning early found us at the Red Barns of the horse stables. We went up and watched the Teamsters as they let the horses out from the pasture and then into the corrals for their breakfast.
Above: Kevin with multitude of Hunt cousins – freezing but enjoying the company and being together
All twelve us got into one of the wagons as a safety measure as the horses made their short pilgrimage in front of us – and to the feeding corrals.
The teamsters call the horses by name and they know their own specific places in the eating corral.
After the horses are safely across the street and in the corral, we were able to get up close to the horses as they ate. At this point, I cornered our cousins, Elders Jake and Brad, and introduced everyone. It was a fun cousin moment. And it was great for a photo op.
Above: Elders Jake and Brad Hunt with many Hunt Cousins
We then followed the action and went around to the north end of the barn. We were able to be up close and personal to the horses and their teamsters as the men groomed the horses, put their bridles and other gear on each one. Each horse has its own collection of gear. Two teamsters work on each horse – with one on each side. It was all a very impressive process to watch.
Above: Cousin Brad Hunt doing morning ritual prepping the horses
We spent the rest of the day with the Hunt clan. Sister Hunt and I took them to a plethora of our Nauvoo sites, shops, and homes. We took them on the wagon and carriage rides too. It was a great privilege to host the Hunt clan. We brought them to our home for lunch. Brady and his cute kids left in the late afternoon. We had all connected with the kids so we were sad to see them leave. Laureve also headed north for home.
Later that night, Sister Hunt and I were invited to hang out with the four sisters at their AirBnB place. We enjoyed some great stew that they made – and then had an evening of playing games together. A real fun time! Then the next night, we all attended a session together in the Nauvoo Temple. A special occasion together!
HUNT COUSINS TAKE 2
Bev, always the gathering coordinator, talked to her neice and nephew (kids of her brother Charles who is serving with his wife on a mission in Ecuador). Laura and her husband and five children – along with her brother, Spencer were planning a trip to Nauvoo. Bev convinced the group that their trip could be greatly enhanced with missionary cousins, Kevin and Lou, as their guides. We were happy to host them April 1 (no joke again). They also got an AirBnB place but they spent a lot of fun time with Sister Hunt and me at our place.
Above: Hunt Cousins – Round 2 – At the morning horse feeding at the barn
Above: Hunt cousins Laura, Kevin, and Spencer
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt teaching cousins at Joseph Smith’s Homestead
Again, we spent a lot of time with the cousins and we all had a great time together. (Nice that we were still on the Concierge tour plan so we had time to be with them.)
Again we took them to see the wonderful horse event and then we saw many of the historic places of Nauvoo. Can’t get anough of the Hunt cousins.
ARRIVAL OF NEW MISSIONARIES
I have previously outlined the calendar flow of new missionaries to Nauvoo. Most (but not all) couples arrive in early Spring of each year. Most of them serve for 18 months.. And they stay for two busy summers and one slower winter. And this means that there is also a mass exodus in September and October.
Over the past six weeks, our senior couple count has probably doubled. They come to serve as site missionaries, teamsters, facilities maintenance missionaries, and seamstresses. It is so great to welcome these new folks to join our force. There seems to be plenty of work for everyone. And it is exciting to see them all get trained and operational – and ready to carry out their divinely called roles.
Above: young Sister Missionaries (YSM) returning to Nauvoo after their 6-month “outbound” assignments
In addition to the Senior Missionaries, we also happily welcome a multitude of Young Sister Missionaries (YSM’s). Over the past six weeks, we have welcomed about 40 returning YSM’s. Each of these missionaries arrived in the spring (as did the couples). Then after being here for six or so months, the received new mission calls to all parts of the United States. They leave to serve “outbound” missions for six months. They go to their new missions and merge in with the usual missionary activities and service of the missionaries in their new missions. Then then return to serve in Nauvoo for their final six months.
Our mission president, President Daniel S. Mehr, repeatedly reminds us that “we are a ministering mission”. That is a “way of life and service” for all of us missionaries. We are all anxious to help and assist others. This is one of the best aspects of being a Nauvoo missionary.
Upon our notice of an incoming couple, (sometimes 5-6 months ahead) we assign “ministers” to the couple. They and the district leaders have frequent contact with the new folks and we work to help them prepare, get excited, and to better assimilate into our Nauvoo “Covenant Community”. These actions all help the new folks to feel loved and welcomed. We each try to do our parts to assist them as we can.
A Sister is assigned to stock the fridges of the newcomers with some basic ingredients – to at least get them through a couple of meals.
Each missionary is assigned to a place to live. The places vary … some are pioneer Nauvoo homes – that are generally original brick on the outside and fixed up to be modern inside. Each place is unique and different but made up – cleaned to perfection, and all else necessary to make them wonderful and comfortable for the incominjg missionaries.
A traditional way that we minister to our incoming missionaries is to gather en masse to help the missionaries unpack their cars. This function comes under the direction of the various district leaders. Sister Hunt and I are DL’s so we organize our district members to assist with the move-in exercises.
Above: Elders Hunt and Burr help Elder Harford move in
This is a little bit tricky – trying to predict the arrival time of the folks – and to work these move-ins with the already busy schedule of all in the district. In the past two months, our district has doubled – so we have welcomed four new couples. We received an FM couple, a couple who serve in the FamilySearch Center, and two teamsters (and wives who serve in sites). It is a scene of great brotherhood as we unite to help the newcomers.
Some of the places where the missionaries live are upstairs. In such cases, we form a long chain of missionaries and we pass the suitcases and boxes up through the chain. Some of those suitcases are packed “to the gills” as the people used every available inch to pack their goods. (And some of those pieces were a bit of an upward challenge for some of us “oldsters”.) And with six or eight helpers, the truck or car are very quickly emptied. And as the DL, we have the job of opening up the place – and we pass the keys on to the new folks. And we give them the urgent warning to get the keys into their pockets – right now – so that in the rush of things, they don’t leave the keys sitting on a dresser – only to be locked out of their place later. (It has happened!)
Above: Many muissionaries came to help the Kings move in
We made two move-ins (our district and others) in one day into one structure located across the street from the Teamstger and horse barns. These moves brought great nostalgia to me. When I was here as a young missionary 50 years ago (hard to believe), I lived in the place where these two couples will reside.
Above: The “Red Barn” home where Elder Kevin lived on his “young mission” in 1975. So named for the “Red Barn” shown below.
But “back in my day”, the six of us “Red Barn Elders” shared the entire building (upstairs and downstairs).
Above: The “Red Barn Elders” 1975 (L to R) Elders Anglesey, Buckley, Phelps, Shaltes, Hunt and Heighton
Today, they have subdivided the original home into two different housing units. One couple lives upstairs, and the other lives downstairs. This is very interesting to me.
I made sure that I was able to see both places before the new people moved in. I was anxious to see how the places have changed through the years. And I tried to remember back to how the places were arranged when I was here before. They have undergone some major changes but there are many elements that my memory tells me were here back then.
The downstairs place still has the kitchen in the same place (but not arranged at all the same) and the living room seems unchanged. By “unchanged”, I mean the room itself. The wall “motif” has changed with the times.
Above: 1975: Elders Hunt (Left) and Phelps taking naps in the living room of the home.
Above: On second thought … maybe just the floor size is the same!
They had to install stairs (in a different place) to provide an outside entrance and stairs to get to the upper unit. It is interesting to see what has become of my former bedroom. Walls have been removed from most of the former bedrooms upstairs to create a new living room. My former bedroom still has the west and north walls intact. My two bedroom windows are still there. Through my north window I could look across the street (with the river in the background) and could see the former property of my ancestor, Nathan Calhoun Cheney – and from the north window, I could see the property of Horace Strong Rawson. Both men are my 3rd great grandfathers. Their children later married – about 15 years or more later.
Above: The District Move-in chain helping Elder and Sister Burr move into the “Red Barn” home where Elder Kevin lived in 1975 (Using new stairwell on north side of the home)
Another place we helped people move into was above the current FamilySearch Center. There are two couples squeezed into the upper space. I have heard that one place is very comfy and a good size. The one we helped get occupied, however, looks like the Reader’s Digest Condensed Version. Most of the missionary habitats have much more space. This one has no living room. People who live there can just bend forward three feet from their bedroom recliner chairs to fall into their bed.
Back in 1975 – and for the whole time that I served in ancient Nauvoo, restoration was in progress in the pioneer home and store of Raymond Clark. This is where the two FamilySearch couples live. I remember seeing the stairs of the place and they were then in pretty hammered shape.
Above: Raymond Clark home (now FamilySearch Center) under restoration 1975
Luckily they have been greatly improved in modern times. The positive thing about those really bad stairs was that their walls were the source of my four Isaac Hill bricks (stamped by his famous “I Hill” imprint which he put on one of every 100 bricks). That was a great boon to me. I have proudly shown and cherished those rare bricks over the years.
During the upward movement of the missionary luggage, it was fun to talk of “the good old days”. I opened up my phone and thanks to my scanned mission slides (thanks Brodey), I was able to pull up photos of the old place. The folks were in total shock as I showed them the former stairwell. And just for more nostalgia, I had all of the moving team pose in the stairwell for a another photo op. It was interesting to be a part of two different eras of history in the same place (actually both structures – the barn home and this one over the former Raymond Clark Store).
Above: Raymond Clark Home stairs 1975
Above: The FamilySearch Center/Raymond Clark stairs 2025 at Harford move-in – with our district members as helpers
Above: The Hyrum 3 Brigham District members helping Elder and Sister Hayes move into their Nauvoo home. From left Elders Harford, and Burr, Elder and Sister Parker, Elder and Sister Hayes, Sister and Elder Hunt
THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW “NAUVOO TEMPLE BRICK”
In a recent blog, I detailed the many miracles that came together in the creation of the new Nauvoo Temple Brick. I won’t reiterate all of the details but here I will bring forth just a bit of the history – since it did happen in the month of March – and March falls in the middle of the three months covered by this blog article.
On February 28th, Sister Hunt and I were excited to be a part of the brick making action in the modern brickyard. We had worked for months to help create the new Nauvoo Temple Brick. We had worked hard to get the new design selected and approved. We had worked with our Kaylea and JD Stoddard (daughter and her man) and Keith, our product design engineer son, to create the new design. With the help of Keith, we were able to help Midwest Patterns (of nearby Quincy, Illinois) create the new brick-making molds.
Above: Kaylea and JD Stoddard helped design the new Temple brick options
Above: Keith Hunt, Product Design Engineer helped create spec drawings for the new Temple Brick
The previous night I slept little. I thought of brick making all night and how we might help the mission to introduce the new brick to the world. I thought much of Elder E. H. Belcher, my wife’s father – who became the “Nauvoo Brickmaker” back in 1980 when he and his wife, Verna, were here on their mission. It was our own “Gramps Belcher” who created the design and fired the first of the “orginal” Nauvoo brick.
I awoke that morning with the realization that if we created bricks that very day, they could have the exact required drying and processing time to come out of the kiln on March 9th – the 110th birthday of Elder Belcher. We were happy that we had time that concierge day to head immediately to the brick making facility.
Above: The February 28th brick making crew – Sister Hunt, Elder and Sister Ray Parker, Elder Hunt, Elder and Sister Fred Graham
This link can take the interested reader and historian to the blog article on my blogsite:
I also later bound volume (on lulu.com) of the book.
Above: The New Nauvoo Temple Bricks cooking in the kiln March 8, 2025
We did go through the whole process and the first fired bricks came out of the kiln on March 9th, 2025. It was such an exciting day. We were so thrilled to have the new Temple bricks make their debut on Gramp’s 100th birthday. How cool is that!
Above: Sister Lou Hunt removing first new Nauvoo Temple Bricks from the kiln on Masrch 9, 2025, the 110th anniversary of the birth of her father, Elder E. H. Blecher, “The Nauvoo Brickmaker”
We had some cupcakes at our place. I took a chopping board on which to put the super hot bricks that would come out of the kiln (fired to about 2200 degrees). I also took a pair of kitchen tongs with which to grab the hot bricks.
Above: Elder Kevin Hunt removing first Nauvoo Temple Bricks from the kiln March 9, 2025
Sister Hunt and I took turns removing hot bricks and managing the photo op situations.
Above: Happy Birthday, Elder “Gramps” Belcher – March 9, 2025 (on 110th 1915 Birthday)
We took one of the birthday cakes, a small “tea candle” and a few of the new bricks outside. We proudly posed with it all in front of the original kiln that was built by Elder Belcher back in 1980. Such a grand moment!
Above: Sister Lou and Elder Kevin Hunt with new Nauvoo Temple bricks posing at the original Nauvoo brick kiln built by Elder Belcher in 1980
Above: The newly created Nauvoo Temple Brick – 2025 Copyright by Kevin and Lou Hunt 2025
The next day sister Hunt and I were very happy as we delivered some of the new bricks to our mission president and wife. They were almost as jazzed as we were as we presented the majestic bricks to them. President Mehr said, “I just love these”. He also said, “This new brick will be around for another 50 years and the design won’t change. How can you top the Temple?” So exciting to be a part of the continuing Belcher family legacy.
Above: Delivering first new Nauvoo Temple Bricks to Pres. Daniel and Sister Rebecca Mehr – March 10, 2025
We also invited several historians from the Church History Department and local key personnel to come over and made custom back sides of the new brick – for their families. It was so fun to assist them.
Above: Sister Lou Hunt (right) assisting Church Historians – from Left: Alex Stromberg, Curtis Ashton, Juanita Coleman to create personalized backs on new Nauvoo Temple bricks
Above: David and Juanita Coleman trimming their custom bricks
Above: Kevin and Lou (Right) assisting Temple Missionaries – Elder and Sister Halling, and Elder and Sister Larsen make bricks for all of the Temple missioanries.
We helped the dignitaries create about 300 bricks (all in one day … about twice the normal level of production). We helped to distributre these later to the people after the bricks came out of the kiln.
Above: Brian Christiansen receiving new Nauvoo Temple Bricks from Kevin Hunt
We took one brick to our friend, Brian Christiansen, a Nauvoo entrepreneur of some renown locally. We gave him two of the bricks. He said he would put one in his office and one downstairs in his “Tomb of Joseph Museum”.
A couple of weeks later, Sister Hunt and I had occasion to be back at the museum – to take some photos for the article and book about the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith. On that occasion, we stopped to visit with Joseph Johnston, the museum director, in his office. Another historian was there with him. We talked about the new brick and Joseph produced the museum copy from out of his safe. This really made Sister Hunt happy – to see that the new brick was so treasured that it would be put in the safe for protected keeping.
Above: Joseph Johnston protects valued first run new Nauvoo Temple Brick
VISITS TO THE “TOMB OF JOSEPH MUSEUM” AND THE WILLARD RICHARDS HOME
And speaking of our friend, Brian Christiansen … he owns both the “Tomb” and also the historic home of Apostle Willard Richards. On several different occasions, he has been kind enough to take our groups on tours of the two places.
One such group was our own district (of which we are the DL’s). We visited the Tomb first and then resorted to the Richards home. Both are fascinating places. And our group enjoyed the association as well as the artifacts mixed with history of the people and places.
Above: Hyrum 3 Brigham District gathered in front of the Tomb of Joseph – for tour by Brian Christiansen
Above: The Hyrum 3 Brigham District at the wine cellar (built at a later period after Willard Richards left) at the home of Willard Richards
AN EXTENDED CELEBRATION OF THE ORIGINAL ORGANIZATION OF THE RELIEF SOCIETY IN NAUVOO
The Female Relief Socity of Nauvoo was organized by Joseph Smith on March 17, 1842. This occurred in Joseph’s Red Brick Store.
Above: Joseph’s Red Brick Store in Nauvoo (Photo taken by and copyright by Kevin V. Hunt March 2025)
On that occasion, Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet, was chosen to be president of the new organization. Apostles John Taylor and Willard Richards were there as a part of the organization group.
Through the month of March, our mission celebrated the organization’s anniversary in a number of ways.
On March 14th, our Hyrum District – under the ZL direction of Elder and Sister Atkinson, had our own reenactment of the events of that hisstoric day. I was pleased to perform in the role of John Taylor. I fluffed up my own curly hair to try to kind of look like John and his very curly locks. I looked in my costume reporatoir to see what I might have. I found a black top coat (that I had forgotten that I had brought). I found other items which helped to round out the special costume.
Above: Hyrum Zone drama re-enactment of organization of original Female Relief Society of Nauvoo
My friend, Elder Kevin Astill served as Joseph Smith and he looked great. He was also dressed “to the T” – with help from our sewing center ladies. Others members of the zone also wer a part of the drama production. Each of us had roles reminiscent of the people at the original organization. Sister Hunt made a great Emma character. She does look much like Emma – when she puts her hair back to look “of the period”. (See photo below.)
Above: Sister Lou Hunt acting as Emma Smith and Elder Kevin Hunt acting as John Taylor
It was a grand production and we all felt the spirit of the occasion. And the event helped us all feel the grandeur of the original organization. What a grand moment in the history of the Sisters of the worldwide Relief Society.
The drama scenario and my interaction with Brother Joseph brought back some memories of former days when I had occasion to be associated with him. One special meeting time with me (acting as Brigham) and the Prophet came as my famiy and I came to Nauvoo (1996 and 1997) and I was privileged to meet the Prophet at his own Mansion House. I will long cherish that special moment:
Above: Joseph Smith and Brigham Young (Kevin Hunt) at first meeting in “City of Joseph” pageant 1997
Joseph and I have both aged a bit since that first meeting as evidenced by the two of us that night in his Red Brick Store!
Above: Kevin Astil as Joseph Smith and Kevin Hunt – acting now as Brigham Young – March 2025
On Sunday the 16th of March, the women (all Nauvoo missionary Sisters) gathered again to Joseph’s Red Brick Store. They gathered for a photo op with all of them dressed in period costumes.
All of the sister missionaries of the Illinois Historic Sites Mission prior to the General Relief Society Broadcast from and to Joseph’s Red Brick Store – taken by Elder Douglas Mills – March 16, 2025
After the group photo, the ladies all went upstairs to view a broadcast from the General Relief Society Presidency. This same Relief Society Presidency was here in Nauvoo in full force back in October 2024. They spent almost a full week here enjoying and basking in the Spirit of this sacred space.
Above: General Relief Society Presidency broadcasting from Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo Red Brick Store (October 2024 for broadcast March 16, 2025)– from left Sisters J. Annette Dennis, Camille N. Johnson, President, and Kristin M. Yee
While the Presidency was here, they filmed what became their broadcast on this night. Our ladies felt a special connection to the Presidency and to Joseph’s Red Brick Store as they sat together in this sacred and historic place. It is interesting that this austere group also staged the same drama productiion that we had enacted as a zone a few nights before.
Monday the 17th was the actual birthday of the Relief Society. We gathered at the Nauvoo Performance Center for another great Nauvoo missionary pot-luck dinner.
Above: Part of the crowd at mission Relief Society birthday party held March 17, 2025 at the Nauvoo Performance Center
Above: Sister Kandi Workman produced a large cake with the emblem of the Relief Society (which I had enlarged and printed for her in Keokuk).
We also had two or three devotional programs with guest speakers who addressed the Relief Society. Many of these events will be highlighted in a coming blog history for the mission. (Sister Hunt and I are the mission historians and much coverage is given in the March issue relative to the Relief Society celebrations.) You can all look forward to a future posting of this publication.
A DISTRICT TOUR OF THE FM FACILITY COMPLEX
I have previously alluded to the many roles in which our Nauvoo missionaries serve. Sister Hunt and I are “site missionaries”, there are FamilySearch missionaries, sewing ladies, and a great many serve in various support functions in Facilities Maintenance. The Sites seem to get a bit more emphasis but we certainly could not survive without the wonderful and dedicated service of the FM missionaries. They serve in a multitude of ways including tree cutting, gardening and landscaping, home repairs, as electricians, carpenters, painters, and a plethora more key roles.
We decided to dedicate one of our district meetings (March 25th) to honor and support our district members who serve at FM. We have all known that the large FM facility complex exists but very few of the rest of us have ever visited that mysterious world. This night was different. A multitude of us gathered together.
Above: Hyrum 3 Brigham District on tour of the Nauvoo Facilities Management (FM) Complex Masrch 25, 2025
Elder and Sister Ballard both showed us us the areas where they serve. Sister Ballard is one of the “Bluebelles” (Belles wearing the Nauvoo FM blue shirts) who clean all of the historica homes – as well as preparation for the multitide of missionaries coming to live in the Nauvoo homes. They provide a wonderful service.
Elder Ballard manages the FM warehouse and maintains the vast inventory. It was so fun to see their worlds. And President Preston is a master carpenter. And his wood shop! Wow! It was every carpenters dream. So amazing and wonderful.
Above: The Nauvoo FM gourmet wood and cabinet shop!
We also visited the vast greenhouses where even in winter, they are growing thousands of the new plants that will be put into the ground to bring the community to new life.
Above: Sister Lou Hunt inNauvoo FM greenhouse – as it prepares for Spring planting
And the tulip bulbs have “miraculously” come up on their own. It is beginning to look Spring around Nauvoo and it is so magnificent. Such a great blessing to all of us. God’s grandeus on display everywhere.
Above: Seasonal tulips popping up all over Nauvoo
Above: Kevin and the spring tulips in bloom at the Jonathan Browning home and gun shop.
THE TEMPLE APPEARS TO BE ON FIRE
Nauvoo never ceases to amaze us. It seems that we have done everything imaginable, and then we experience something totally new that completely blows us away. Such was the case when the pairie was set on fire – purposely.
Above and below: The annual Nauvoo “Prairie Burn” with Temple in background
I guess the FM landscapers and the local fire department have had a long-standing tradition here that dates back about 50 years. There is a four—acre square that is purposely planted in native prairie grasses. And then once a year, the fire department sets the plot afire. This burning action seems to revitalize the land. And it makes the grasses grown even more prolifically.
We barely missed the prair burning last year. We arrived just a couple of weeks after it happened. But, the tradition spirit was strong still … burning bright in the hearts of all. It truly is an interesting event that likely few have experienced before.
We all gathered in force (on a winter night) around the plot. The Nauvoo fire department (heavily manned by the great local Gallager family), FM Adam, Richard Hancock (another of my local 4th cousins – on my Hunt/Alger/Hancock line) and others. The fire department guys got their truck and hoses set up all around. Anticipation was high.
And then came the moment of suspense. We all made room for the workers to get in to do their thing. Then Adam and Richard were the designated torch bearers.
Above: FM employees Adam and Richard Hancock (my 4th cousin on my Hancock Line) ready to start the Prairie Burn fire
They only had to touch a few places and literally within just a few moments the entire plot was engulfed in high and majestic flames.
Just a side note: We have all seen visions (though not correct) of the painting of the burning of Nauvoo as the Saints – in their wagons – headed across the Mississippi River. The painting is impressived, but in reality, most of the Saints left Nauvoo in February and subsequent months. Only a few – remained to come later (when they had resources to make the trip). The Temple did burn, but it did not happen until 1848.
Anyway, on this March night, we all watched breathlessly as we saw the glorious Temple still visible and intact high on the hill above the fire. We were grateful that it was just a splendid photo op. It did make for a great photo.
And within just a few minutes, it was all over. The four-acre block was engulfed in fire and then it almost immediately burned out – with no more dry grass to be burned.
The event was amazing, fun and certainly well worth seeing and experiencing. Quite the fire!
Then about five weeks later, Sister Hunt and I were assigned to serve for the day in the home of Apostle Orson Hyde. This home is located across the street from the burn site. We were sturck with wonder and amazement at the revitalized scene before us. Wow!
Photo above: The same burned field five weeks later on April 30. Maybe we all ought to burn our yards. (But then the horrible HOA would likely be on our tails with their own fire!)
A FLASH WITH THE FAMOUS
One of the funner elements about being here in Nauvoo is the surprise visits by dignitaries, podcasters, Church history speakers, and more. And I think that most of you have realized that Nauvoo is truly one of the most pitchuresqye places on the planet. Our mission resident has said that “Nauvoo is the Lord’s Scrapbook” … and I believe it. Leaves changing colors, majestic old brick homes, giant green trees, sunsets, Temple on the hill, people in costumes, smiling missionaries and guests, historic places … it just doesn’t get much better than this. Snap a picture anywhere and it will come out stunning and beautiful.
And in the midst of all of that, we sometimes get surprises (at least to some) when we get a surprise visit by someone or a group of renown … and we all caught off guard by it. Such was the case recently when some actors came to town for “round two”.
We had just watched the movie entitled “6 Days in August”. We enjoyed our own special showing of the movie in our own East Theater in the Visitors’ Center.
The movie featured Brigham Young and others as they and the Church faced the leadership crisis following the death of Joseph – the Prophet of the Restoration. Joseph had experienced a vision wherein he had seen God and His Son, Jesus Christ in a glorious personal visit. Many angels appeared to Joseph through many years declaring “their dispensation, their rights, their keys, their honors, their majesty and glory, and the power of their priesthood” (D&C 128:21). Joseph had been the Prophet leading the Lord’s people in great majest and honor. But, now Joseph was dead – he and his brother, Hyrum both martyrs to the cause of the Restoration.
The Church was definitely at a crossroads as various men came forth with their claim (or so they thought) for the new leadership of the Church and Kingdom.
The movie portrays Brigham Young as he addressed the gathered throngs, and as the “mantle of Joseph” visibly and audibly fell upon him (Brigham as Joseph). The star of that production was a brother John Donovan Wilson – and one of his co-stars was actress Camrey Bagley Fox.
Soon after we had viewed the movie with the missionaries, Sister Hunt and I were serving – cleaning up the Joseph Smith sites – as “site coordinators” of the Joseph Smith Mansion House and Homestead. We noticed a bit more excitement than usual as it appeared that a filming of some kind was going on. Curious, we went over to investigate.
We found a filming crew and the director (Mark Goodman) and Brigham and Emma actors there at Joseph’s place. It was great to meet everyone who had made the movie happen. They were there to create a documentary about the “Six Days in August” movie – in an effort to continue to market and promote the movie. This “young” Brigham (played by actor John Donovan Wilson), was a bit taller than the real Brigham would have been, but otherwise, he did resemble the young Brigham. We were kind of thrown off – since these actors were not in the period clothing of the dayi – or the movie.
Above: “2 Brighams” – the Brigham Actor from “Six Days in August” and Kevin Hunt – who has often dressed as Brother Brigham
Anyway, I was introduced to Brother Brigham. This John actor was personable and willing to talk. I told him that I have played (or at least looked) the role of Brigham several times. (Brigham has long been one of my favorite heroes!). I showed him a couple of the fun times when I have played Brigham – beginning in Primary and Cub Scouts – when I played him in a 24th of July parade – and when my four brothers (and sisters) were dressed as my wives. Har, Har. (That was when back when it was not so weird to do such things.) This new Brigham was interested in all that I showed him. We enjyed some memorable “Brigham Moments” together.
We finished our work and returned home to again jump into the tour “queue”. Then what to our surprise as a bit later, I noticed two people out walking by our place. I thought they might be Dunn relatives – who often come by and try to figure out a way to see our Dunn home. I went out to greet them and to invite them. Wait a minute … these were the Brigham and Emma characters we had just met. Now they were in between scene filmings and were out walking about in our neighborhood.
Nonetheless, I invited them into our place. And surprisingly, they came in. Lou had some muffins that she had made and we offered them to the folks. They gratefully gobbled them down. And as they ate, we had fun conversation.
Above: “Six Days in August” actress,, Camrey Bagley Fox and John Donovan Wilson eating muffins with Kevin and Lou Hunt in their Simeon A. Dunn Nauvoo Home
I learned that the lady’s maiden name is Bagley – and even more surprising, she is a grandaughter of Errol and Elaine Bagley – who forever have lived in my home town Mesa 10th Ward. I have known Errol and Elaine forever … and I even remember going to their wedding reception when I was about 12. I could even recite about four generations of Ray family history to this gal. (Elaine was the daughter of Ellsworth and Betty Ray – so they were her great-grandparents. (Pretty bad when I am now at the stage in life where I have to say (in the fashion of my father, Russel Hunt), “And who was your great-grandfather!” Could I be that old?
I posed again with this Brigham character and we got more photos. Continuing the Brigham moment!
Above: Kevin Hunt (right) with John Donovan Wilson and Camrey Bagley Fox actors from the movie “Six Days in August”
And after the experience, I realized that with my forever affinity and love of Brother Brigham, I really ought to write a blog in tribute to him. I added that to my future blog “queue”. So, stay tuned!
THE NAUVOO MIRACLE OF THE TURKISH OAK TREE THAT HEALED ITSELF
We hear of many “Nauvoo Miracles” but seldom hear of a tree that creates its own miracle.
FM tree crews noticed a problem – a major split or wound on a very rare Turkish Oak tree here in Nauvoo. This is a very rare tree here in Nauvoo – probably only one of its kind.
FM crews Sister Williams and Preston (and Sister Ashcraft in the Sewing room) noticed this major problem.
The tree was split and it was in danger of dropping a very large limb on the newly created roof of the Mailroom. An inspection of the tree showed this hole – as the tree was splitting. A person’s hand could be thrust completely through the cut in the tree.
It was feared that the tree would die. The tree was strapped and a nail was run through it but there was not a lot of hope for the tree.
Within a short period of time, the tree literally and miraculously healed itself. The tight strap became so loose that a person could put a hand between it and the tree.
Above: The HEALED TREE! Truly a Nauvoo Miracle. That tree really wanted to live! (And it is doing its spring budding now!)
MAKING TIME TO DO EVERYTHING
My kids express amazement at what I am able to accomplish (books, blogs, and more). I try to work always under the direction of the Holy Ghost – and I constantly pray for guidance in all of my writing efforts. I have come to learn that writing is truly a gift of the Spirit – and so with the talent given me, I humbly and gratefully acknowledge Him. With His help, I am better than I am alone … and I can accomplish much more in the time given to me. I try to make the most of every moment whenever I find them through the day. I take my laptop with me and whenever there is nothing happening – even at a site, I pull it out and start hitting those keys.
Above: Elder Kevin Hunt creating and writing upstairs at the home of Apostle Orson Hyde (when not giving tours).
In many of the places where we serve there is a “hidden” retreat room where we can do our own projects as we await the advent of visitors. And then when the 1840’s bell above the door rings – or when we see guests approaching, we can hurry and save or close up what we are doing (and even close the door of the retreat room – hide the evidence). This works well most of the time – except in a few places – like the Scovil Bakery where the confined space is not conducive to such activity.
Sister Hunt is learning or perfecting that skill also. I have had to laugh at her recently. We were assigned to the Pendleton School. . On our day to be there, Sister Hunt took her sewing machine with her. She took a small TV tray table with her on which to place the machine. Then at the place, she was pleasantly surprised when she found a better option. The missionary retreat room there is kind of in cramped quarters, but there are two nice stuffed chairs and even a small table a foot away from the chairs. The table was the perfect height for her to sew from her easy chair. She was in sewing heaven all day.
And on another day, we were serving in the Riser Boot Shop. This place has a spacious missionary spot upstairs. There is a nice comfy chair there (kind of scrunched in between two walls) – but big enough for me to sit with my computer. And it has a nice window from which I can see approaching visitors.
Above: Elder Kevin Hunt blogging/writing in Riser Boot cubby hole above Riser Boot Shop
And of course, the Nauvoo view is amazing. From the window, I can see across the street to the corner (NE Parley and Main Streets) where Ebenezer Wiggins, my 4th great grandfather lived. (His daughter, Rebecca married “Big Amos” Hunt. She was about 15 when they married and he was mid 30’s. Talk about “robbing the cradle”! Sadly, she died about age 22 – after having three children including Elias – my 2 GGF.) And this cozy spot is made all the better with easy access to a current bush.
Above: Kevin blogging/writing in space above Browning Gun Shop and Home (between tours)
Anyway, back to Lou … anticipating a possible slow day at the Boot Shop, Lou went prepared. This time she had me tromp up the stairs with her ironing board.
Above: Lou Hunt ironing between tours at the Riser Boot Shop
Yes, it’s true! Not to waste any time! With her ironing board all set up (and with another comfy chair), she worked all day to iron four of her dresses. She wears the dresses as long as she can before she launders them. The laundry is not an issue … but since her dresses all have to be 100% cotton, this fiber is not real great for keeping the wrinkles away. Hence, she has to spend hours ironing after a laundry effort.
These two scenarios remind me of when we lived in Santa Paula, California. It was May 1989 and Lou was pregnant with our #7 – our beautiful daughter, Marinda. And we planned to moved from California to Arizona three days after the scheduled induction of the baby.
Lou gets bored at the hospital after having a baby. She was again in the hospital and the baby had arrived. A beautiful girl! We did not know the gender of the baby until she was born. That was long before the days of ultrasounds and elaborate gender reveals. We only knew of the gender of Lana before she arrived. For all of the other eight children, we gladly welcomed whatever variety God wanted to send to us.
Anyway, after the birth, Lou was bored and called me up and asked me to bring her sewing machine to her hospital room. Lou made classy dresses and mini-suits for each of our children to be blessed in. The challenge was in not knowing the coming gender ahead of time. So, in this case, we had picked out fabric and accessories for both a boy and a girl – to be good, prepared Boy Scouts. So, per her wish, I went to the fabric store and bought all of the fabric and other stuff for her that she needed to make the blessing dress.
I showed up at Lou’s hospital room with all the sewing machine, the fabric, and all of the goods. And in her private room, Sister Hunt created the beautiful yellow blessing dress – in the solitude of the scene – without the interruptions or demands of the other six children. She thought it was grand.
Above: Baby Marinda (and her father) in the hospital blessing dress made by Momma Lou
At that time, she was a serving in the ward Relief Society Presidency. Sister Mensing, the President, came to visit Lou. They had a good visit. Alice had focused on the visit and not the surroundings. I casually said, “Alice … did you see what Lou has been doing?” Only then did she notice the sewing machine and the work accomplished, She said to Lou, “You are so weird!” Sister Hunt is still good weird! She has to be weird to keep up with me. We do make a good weird team.
As I was writing this article and thinking about the little “writing nook” at the Riser Boot Shop, I wanted to find a photo that I knew that I had taken there many months previously. Recently having honed in on the miraculous capabilities of Google Photos (thanks, Kaylea) I decided really test its search mode. I typed in “Kevin typing in gray chair”. And Wow! I was amazed at what came up. (This is not my first rodeo!). I had to chuckle at other photo options. That’s when I found me in the more spacious Orson Hyde upstairs room. And that is where I was again sitting today – as I developed this current blog article. Har, Har!
AN 1840’S DANCE AND EMMA AND LUCY LOOK ALIKES
In my last “activities blog”, I reported on a very fun Valentine’s vintage dance that we enjoyed on Friday, April 25th. We had so much fun with that dance, that Sister Wilson, the superb mission activities chair planned another dance – de novo.
The former dance was held in the upper floor of the historic Cultural Hall. With the influx of incoming new missionaries (including our welcoming Temple missionaries – a separate mission group from us – and 40 or so YSM’s here so far (of the anticipated 80), we needed a bigger venue. The site selected for this grand event – held on April 25th was the spacious “Nauvoo Performance Center” (formerly known as “The Pageant Building”). This is the place where we hold our major mission dinners – since it will seat 250 people (And we actually had that many at our mission-wide Easter dinner held on April 19th.)
Anyway, it is estimated that we had around 200 missionaries in attendance at the dance that night. And what other mission can say that they had a “mission dance” … and that even young sisters got to dance! Only in Nauvoo!
As we anticipated the grand affair, we were all invited to wear our best vintage outfits. (And even the Temple Missionaries were able to dress up their usual “whites”.) The ladies were to urged to wear their best fancy dress and the men were guided to wear white shirts (with the collars turned up), a vest and a cravat. (That is the fancy neck “wearing apparel” of the 1840’s. (“Wearing apparel” was what the people of that day called any clothing attire as we learn in the spelling instruction in the Pendleton School.)
Above Kevin with neck “Cravat” with costume
Sister Hunt was torn between wearing her newly created red dress and her bright yellow dress (both made from the fabric that I gave to her on Valentine’s Day.) Both are beautiful and she looks good in each. Ultimately she picked the red one. And she had purchased appropriate ribbons and bows (for each color) to go with the dress. And I was able to match her red look. Sister Hunt had made me a bright red cravat to match her outfit. We caused a bit of a stir as we made our entrance. One lady said, “Oh, you look so Christmasy!” (Some ladies here are adept at sharing their minds!) Christmasy? We didn’t care. We basked in our 1840’s “together” look.
Above: Kevin and Lou HUnt at vintage dance – April 25
And prior to the event, the Sisters of Nauvoo actually held a “class” to learn and test out various vintage hair styles. Sister Hunt “coined a phrase” (as in the Print Shop” and called the activity “Hair Updo’s!”) Sister Hunt went to that women’s activity and put to use the training that she received (though she is one who needed not that kind of instruction).
But the hair event (April 10) had additional benefits beyond the hair styles. It was also the excuse to lure Sister Mehr, our “Mission Site Leader” unsuspectingly to the Nauvoo Performance Center (where there is a big party room) on her birthday. I was not invited (my hair isn’t long enough) but Lou was an active participant and she gave a rave review of the events of the evening after the fact.
Most of the Sisters of Nauvoo had gathered before the planned arrival of Sister Mehr. They had a plan that seemed to work perfectly. As Sister Mehr made her entry, she was with the other sisters of the mission presidency. A mystery car pool had been arranged (and she fell for it) that included her. As she walked in, all of the sisters were facing her. They began singing a loud rendition of “Happy Birthday”. (And I am sure that with this crowd, they were much better singers of this song than most renderings of this old favorite (where in most groups, we hear a 10-0r-more part monotone – or various degrees of being off key or singing in one’s own style.)
Sister Hunt says, “A picture says a 1,000 words” and she shared several photos with me. (She had a lot to say about it!)
Sister Mehr was in stunned shock as she arrived.
Above: A Surprised Sister Rebecca Mehr enters surprise birthday party
And the first person that she saw was her own husband (President Mehr). She was even more surprised to see him and said, “What are you doing here?” (He had “lied” to her that he had a meeting … but it really wasn’t a lie … he did have a meeting scheduled. Looked as if he did get a good kiss out of her.)
As the activity progressed, the Sisters presented her with various gifts – mostly hand made. One sister had made her a lovely pioneer shawl.
Above: Sister Mehr with gifted hand-made shawl given to her as a birthday gift.
The YSM’s had all created their own quilt block and which combined together for a beautiful tribute to Sister Mehr. She said, “This is so amazing. This is too much!” It appeared that all of the ladies had a grand time.
And ultimately, they did get to their hair-do lessons and practice.
And so on this dance night, Sister Hunt came with her hair up and looking rather beautiful and “vintage”.
Sister Hunt actually looks very much like Emma Smith when her hair is fixed this way … and tonight was not exception. And in the course of the evening, another lady – not knowing that she looked the part – stood across from our dance line. I looked at her and said to her, ‘Oh, my … you look just like Lucy Mack Smith!” (Lucy Mack Smith is the mother to the Prophet Joseph.) She reacted kind of with a “Huh?” She didn’t get it. But, it made for another of those great photo ops! It felt nice to be back in the 1840’s and dancing with both Emma and Lucy together!
Above: Lucy Mack Smith
Above: Emma Smith
Look-alikes Lucy Mack Smith and Lou Hunt – as Emma
Above: Left – the Grants (Local Nauvoo vintage dance instructors) with Lou and Kevin Hunt
Once again, the local Grant dancing couple were there. And Sister Grant was definitely the “Belle of the Ball” in her gorgeous purple dress and the hoops underneath. And he wasn’t too bad, either. We were happy to get a photo with them. The Grants were great as they led us through many fun dances “of the period”. And even the YSM’s were able to dance. Admittedly, one of each pair had to take the guy’s part … and they could get tags from the table to designate themselves as “gentlemen”. Most of the YSM ladies didn’t go for the tags, however. But they had a grand time!
Above two photos: Young Sister Missionaries getting into the action
Above: Many Senior Dancers ready to get into action!
It would be hard to find an activity that was more fun. It doesn’t get much better than this. Sister Hunt and I danced much of the evening – with our missionary friends, but we also kept our phones hot as we worked (as always) in our historian roles. And we later had fun sharing our photos with many of our missionary friends.
I talked to one senior brother (a new one) who quipped, “I have danced all night … my wife will like me tonight!” TMI!
And of course, no such activity was complete without the real goods … the refreshments. That is what the men come for (and certainly the YSM’s who can’t seem to get enough of the sugar stuff. They run straight to the dessert tables en masse as soon as a prayer is offered on the food at out big gatherings. And they return with their plates loaded with goodies. So funny!
At the end of the dance, the sisters staged another “so much a lady thing”. They went up to the photo booth and staged photos of ladies in “each dress color”. (And later, they all had to exchange photos so that everyone had the full color set.) And Sister Hunt learned that she was not the only belle there in Christmas red.
We stopped on the way home to get a photo at the beautiful Nauvoo Temple
A SURPRISE AWAITED US ACROSS THE RIVER IN MONTROSE, IOWA
I have noted that we never know what to expect here in Nauvoo. Surprises seem to pop up everywhere. Such was the case on Friday, April 18th. On one of our tours a few days before, we happened to meet some folks by the name of “Blatter’. As ever, we somehow got on the subject of the FamilySearch Family Tree App and its capabilities to help people “Find my Nauvoo Ancestor”. I delight in teaching people how to use this unknown but powerful tool to help them locate their Nauvoo ancestors and where they lived or owned property.
I did this with the Blatters and as with everyone else, they were ecstatic with the displayed results. The lady had known already, but the App confirmed that she is a descendant of Isaac Hill, the aforementioned I Hill brickmaker. I told them that I have a “I Hill” brick with me here in Nauvoo. They were aghast at this news. And they wanted to see and hold the sacred family artifact. (Kind of like holding the Gold Plates.)
Above: An “I Hill” brick imprint made by Nauvoo brick maker, Isaac Hill.
We invited them over to our Dunn home after hours. They came and were so happy as they relished in the moment. They saw, they hefted, and they took photos. Sister Blatter said, “Oh, my brother will be so jealous.” She quickly sent him a photo of the moment.
Above: Brother and Sister Blatter drooling over their ancestor’s “I Hill” (Isaac Hill) Brick with Kevin and Lou Hunt
We continued the activity of the evening by taking them over to the Brickyard to see the modern brick making operation. They were filled with awe and wonder of the whole brick making facility and procedures. We went into the back room where we store thousands of completed bricks. Since we had a key, we were able to go in and gave them one of the new Temple bricks. (And we signed out appropriately for the “stolen” brick. It’s all in who you know!)
In the course of the evening, they noted that they have been serving as adult volunteers as a part of the local “Nauvoo “Discovery Program”. This is a commercial venture hosted here for young single adults. It is kind of like the former BYU Nauvoo Semester (of which our daughter, Jackie participated in – back in 2002). Anyway, in the conversation, they mentioned a connection to the “Phoenician” ship in Montrose. (Her brother is very much involved with this. And it was the same jealous brother … who had returned home just a couple of days before – so he missed the I Hill brick!)
The Blatters said that they have a key to the warehouse in Montrose where the giant ship called the “Phoenician” is being rebuilt.
They invited us to go check out the place. (I had heard missionaries talk of this place but I had not been able to find the time or place where the place would be open – even on their website.) We set a date for Friday a couple of nights later. They said that we could bring other folks with us. I put out the word and Elder and Sister Harford and Elder and Sister Ballard (in our district), and Elder and Sister Nelson opted to meet us over there. Another couple was there and I did not know them.
Above: Kevin viewing the Phoenician Ship with Sister and Elder Ballard
This was at a very large non-descript warehouse. We were met by the Blatters and they took us inside.
Above: The Phoenician boat being restored in Montrose, Iowa
The Blatters pointed out this giant ship that is being reconstructed. This ship is amazing. It dates back to about 500 BC (as in Lehi and Nephi) and it is said that it sailed the Mediterranean Sea back at that time. A private group is trying to put this boat back together. The Blatters showed us a video about the boat. Everyone was pleased that we facilitated the event.
Above: The Horse on the front of the Phoenician Ship
The Blatters suggested that Sister Hunt and I go out to eat together. We chose to go eat at the nearby “Fat Jimmy’s” BBQ joint. We have eaten there a few times and have enjoyed it. These folks had not been there. We enjoyed visiting with the people and the food. They go home in a week or so. We enjoyed the outing.
Above: Lou Hunt climbing up into the Phoenician Ship
Leaving Montrose, we drove back home through Keokuk. From Montrose, the distance is about the same – through Keokuk or through Ft. Madison (but the bridge through Ft. Madison has a $4 toll). In Keokuk, we filled the car gas tank. I relished in the fact that it cost only $16 to fill the tank after a week of driving. Wow! (You can tell that things are kind of close by each other here in Nauvoo. We drive through the week in Nauvoo and make our weekly shopping trip to Keokuk – and sometimes an additional trip to eat somewhere around Keokuk on Saturday nights.)
LOOKING FOR CLUES ABOUT NATHAN CALHOUN CHENEY
I have noted several times my affinity for my 3 GGF, Nathan Calhoun Cheney. I am always anxious to find more clues about him and his short life. And it still haunts me that there appears to be no photographs of him. He used to wrestle with the Prophet Joseph, so that helps me envision a bit of how he might have looked.
As I read again recently the biography about Nathan, I noted one line that said “Nathan and his family left Nauvoo in the spring of 1846 and went to Benton’s Port, Iowa on the Des Moines River where they remained for two years.” I believe that he worked to get means sufficient for his wagon and other particulars needed for the pioneer journey.
Bentonsport? I hadn’t remembered reading that line before. Where is Bentonsport? Since I now reside just across the river from Iowa, I decided to investigate further. I turned to my old friend, Google. I learned that the place is just a “stone’s throw away” (only a mere 58 miles away). That was within easy driving distance. We set aside a p-day to make an excursion there.
Above: Ft. Madison Swinging Bridge
We drove north on Highway 96 north of Nauvoo. We crossed the river bridge into Iowa. This is a swinging bridge and part of the bridge can swing 90 degrees in order to let the giant barges and tug boats pass underneath it. We turned onto County Road J40 and continued west. We saw the Iowa Mormon History signs guiding us onward.
About 45 miles west of Nauvoo, we came to a very quirky town called Bonaparte.
This place existed in the day of the Saints, and in fact, Brigham Young crossed the Des Moines River on March 9, 1846.
The town itself has a very strange downtown section. Many of the buildings are from the 1840’s era and are quite quaint. Surprisingly, some of the places are still open in our day.
We drove an additional five or so more miles on to the 1840’s village of Bentonsport.
This is where Nathan lived in 1846. We went to the historic Manor House – that is still standing and that is now a bed and breakfast place.
A lady was outside the 2 ½ story place – doing gardening. She said that she purchased the place about a year and a half ago. She was helpful. I learned from her that this place was constructed in 1846 by LDS men who were employed for the construction purpose. So, it is highly likely that Nathan also helped in the construction. This is a very cool thought.
At this point, I very strongly needed to take care of that cow.. The above mentioned lady pointed me toward a public “outhouse”. I don’t think I have ever seen a “public outhouse” before. The unique wooden structure fit the general motif of the “town”. This was kind of in the middle of town and on the “main drag” if there was such a thing. (I should have taken a photo of the place but in the rush of the moment, I did not.) Luckily I just barely made it.
After life mellowed out for me, I opened and read from a small town history that the lady had given to me. This history was interesting. It quoted my 2GGM – Eliza Cheney Rawson, the daughter of Nathan. She was about age 11 when she lived in Bentonsport – on her way west with her parents.
Questions: Did Eliza return to Bentonsport on a trip or something? How did the town even track her down to get a quote from her. She was an early orphan, and remained in Utah the rest of her life and was probably not someone of renown. Hmmm?
Anyway, we used the little history booklet. We drove around in the pouring rain to many of the old places that mentioned in the history. The places all had a number sign in front of them and which corresponded to the number on our printed map. Most of these places were made of brick – as in Nauvoo. I got the feeling that this place had not changed much – so maybe it still retains some of the late 1840’s charm that Nathan might have known.
Above: Typical Bentonsport home from period of Nathan Calhoun Cheney
There was a very cool foot bridge across the river (which I would have enjoyed crossing) and other places of great interest but the rain dampened the exploring spirit somewhat. It continued raining cats and dogs (and I saw more dogs than cats). It really wasn’t fun to be in the tourist mode in the rain.
Above: River pedestrian bridge
We found our way to the historic Greef General Store. Per the website for the store: “What once was a busy 1840s general store that provided everyday essentials to a bustling river community is now an antique store. With local handmade crafts, a wide variety of antiques, and Addie May Fudge.“
Above: Greef General Store
We went into this place and found it most interesting. Two ladies worked there and they manage the place. The one lady was very helpful, and informative. She took us on a very in-depth tour of the whole place – through several stories, up and down winding stairs, and into some rather dark corners – all packed full with stuff. Stuff is a good description of it. . The collection of stuff was highly unusual. There were literally thousands of trinkets and unique items of all kinds. We were fascinated with all that was there. Much of the stuff ws so old, Nathan may have seen some of it. I found a Boy’s Life advertisement that was created for the 1937 National Scout Jamboree and bought it. Lou found a white collar that can go with her Nauvoo costumes. Our best purchase was three pieces of homemade fudge. Lou got a quarter pound of two kinds – cherry chocolate and mint chocolate. I got a piece that they called “Toffee”. This was amazing.
Above: This was a mill built along the river in Bonaparte. This mill may have been built by the Saints in 1847 and Nathan could have worked on or in this mill.
After our time in metropolitan Bentonsport and Bonaparte, we backtracked to Ft. Madison and then went further north to the town of Burlington, Iowa. We wanted to find the railroad station in Burlington because we plan to board the train there when we leave Nauvoo for a week to attend the Utah Temple marriage of our grandson, Bryson. (The train will take 29 hours for the trip and was literally half of the cost of flying on the airplane. And if we were to fly, we would have to fly out of St. Louis or Chicago and none of the flights to Salt Lake City was at a convenient hour – and especially after a 3-hour trip to the airport.
With some effort, we did finally locate the train station. We went inside and it was kind of creepy. In its day, I am sure that it was a grand and impressive building and it would have been a bustling place – probably full of people. It is still quite impressive in its architecture. Such was not the case on this occasion, however. The place was open for “business” and I guess it is a working station (or at least Amtrak will make momentary stops there). But the unique thing was that there was not a single soul to be seen anywhere in the place. Looks as if we are in for a coming adventure!
“LET’S GO FLY A KITE!”
It really was a “Mary Poppins” day that Wednesday evening, April 2nd. Sister Wilson (our mission activity director and who has the aire of Mary Poppins herself) fit the part properly. And her husband even looks and acts like Bert.
Above: Elder and Sister Wilson – “Mary Poppins and Bert”
And Sister Hunt and I almost felt like Jane and Michael Banks. And it was a perfectly balmy day with just the right wind for a kite-flying adventure.
And who says that “old farts” like us and all the rest of us Seniors can’t have fun? After all, we all feel that we really are young – just housed in these old bodies. On that evening, about 30 or more of us missionaries (young and old) gathered to the hill down below the temple for a kite flying activity. Prior to the event, we had all been encouraged to creatively make our own kites. That was our plan too. Sister Hunt planned to be the creative person. We went to the local Dollar General store (that is the best that we have got here in Nauvoo) to buy some kites – just to get some sticks with which to make our kites. However, we soon learned that todays “sticks” (if you can call them that) are like the “old gray mare” … that “Ain’t What She Used to Be”. These wimpy plastic sticks could scarcely hold a kite – let alone a heavy duty home-made one. So, we opted to settle for what we had – “Dollar General Specials”. Some of the old folks didn’t even get that – if they were one of the late-comers to the limited store inventory.
Above: Kevin flying his kite in front of the Temple.
Anyway, we gathered there for a kite flying adventure. Can you imagine us old folks out there doing that? Well, there we were … and we all worked to get our kites in the air. We were greeted with a rather loud rendition of “Let’s Go Fly A Kite” blasting out from a boom box that Elder Wilson had Gerry-rigged for all to hear. And I might add that we must have heard this same lively tune at least ten times as the event proceeded. We got the message … and we tried to do just that.
Upon Arrival, Elder Croxford blasted out of his car and immediately had his kite so far up in the air that the rest of us could hardly see it. Show off! The rest us struggled to get our kites at least a few feet off the ground. Such was the case with us. We did actually get ours up about 20 feet and that was a feat. But, at least we, and most others, should “get an A for trying”.’
Above: Young Sister Missionaries doing kite flying
We all enjoyed a fun aspect of the kite flying. We noted a whole flock of large ducks or whatever other bird above us. They flew over specifically to investigate the new-comers who were invading their sacred air space. I guess they were not used to intruders at their altitude.
And who says that just because we’re old, we can’t still have fun – and be kids again. And of course, we all say that we are just kids in old bodies!
AN IMPROMPTU BIRTHDAY GATHERING
We were serving this one day recently at the home and shop of the famous LDS gunsmith, Jonathon Browning. Sister Hunt and I were there with the new Sister Burr (whom we had just helped move in) and Sister Bonnie Ray (her “trainer”, and also from our Arizona neck of the woods She is married to Brian Reed – whom I have known since we rode the bus together to Lehi School (me being in 1st grade and him in kindergarten).
It was kind of a slow day and we soon found ourselves outside taking spring photos and gravitating off to visit with young sister missionaries who were serving across the street as we were all in the midst of the Nauvoo Main Street Trades.
Young Sister Missionaries (YSM’s) outside of the Nauvoo Main Street trade shops.
The ladies, like us, were out enjoying the beautiful day. Sister Reed went across the street to visit with the YSM’s at the Stoddard Tin shop – also across the street.
Sister Reed came back with the news that it was the birthday of one of the YSM’s. And since it was very slow, she said that she wanted to go home to make a quick birthday cake for the young sister. I thought that was a great idea – and especially thinking that I might somehow get to taste that cake. I suggested that she take the Sister-in-training Burr with her. I thought the bonding time together would be great. They headed off.
Within a short period of time, the ladies returned. Sister Reed, as the cake baked, had looked up the birthdays of other young sister missionaries. And a Nauvoo Miracle, … there were five or six of the YSM’s who were all serving at sites right there around us – who were all celebrating birthdays within the next week. Sister Reed suggested that we stage a Main Street birthday party to include them all. She rushed off to get the sisters who were at the naearby Orson Hyde home – located about a block away – with instructions for Sister Hunt and me to gather all of the other young sisters to our “singing tree” where the NPM’s (Nauvoo Performing Missionaries) sing and dance as they perform here. (And the NPM’s return to Nauvoo this coming Saturday! Yeah!)
She did and we did. We soon had quite the gathering of the lovely ladies – all in their pioneer outfits. I felt like Brigham Young – me there alone with all of those women … but I didn’t mind. (A rough job, but someone’s got to do it!)
Above: (Right) Ellder and Sister Hunt with “all the single ladies”
I recruited a nearby guest to take our photo. They were kind of amazed at the scene before them. And it was truly a magical photo op moment. Such a great display of Nauvoo ministering together. We all had a grand time together – and the cake was pretty good too. And there was enough for me to later sneak another piece as the almost empty pan sat in the hidden stairs of the Browning home.
MY JOURNAL COMES THROUGH AGAIN
That same day that we were serving at the Browning home, I had a rather fun experience. We had a couple of FM workers come to fix a gas leak and they were working down in the basement. One worker was Brother Tenney – whom I think I wrote about before – the Arizona guy who came with his family to dinner at our Dunn home.
The other guy was a new employee – A Brazilian. He saw me and said, “Do you remember me?” uh … “I guess I don’t … I am sorry.” That is a sign of getting older … I really did remember him and his family. He then proceeded to tell us that Sister Hunt and I had taken him and his family on a tour of Joseph’s Red Brick Store a while back. I asked his name and he said, “Charles Souza.” I then said, “Do you remember when you were here before? Maybe I wrote about you in my journal.” He easily came up with the date of February 22nd.
I had my computer there so I opened my journal entry to that day. And Voila! There he was. Quoting from my journal for that day:
” FEBRUARY 22, 2025 JOURNAL ENTRY OF KEVIN HUNT
“We received another call to serve. We were told to meet the Charles Souza Family at Blacksmith Shop, They were about done with the tour from the Wilsons as we arrived. These folks were from Brazil. The family included the dad, mom, a daughter who is about 12 and a son who is about 9. The family has lived in Salt Lake City for three years. The father/husband spoke good English. The mother did not speak English so he had to interpret for her. So, our tour was kind of “stop-and-go”. I talked for a bit and then he would translate. This seemed to work okay.
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt teaching (on another day) in Joseph’s Red Brick Store.
“We first went to the Mansion House since there were other people in the Homestead. It was quite nippy so we did not want to remain outside. We then went to the Homestead. Next we took them to Joseph’s Red Brick Store. They are painting upstairs at the store so we had to give the whole tour downstairs.
“Sister Sandy Hunt came with a couple. They joined us for our “upstairs” tour and then she did the downstairs with them after we left with the Sosa family.
The Sozaa daughter wanted to know what kind of things Joseph sold in his store. I suggested that we all go to the Lyon Drub Store to see an 1840’s store.
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt teaching at the Windsor P. Lyon Drug and Variety Store
“They all seemed to enjoy this home. We also took them to the Sessions and Field cabins. They were amazed at these places.
“At this time we bid adieu to the family. We enjoyed our time with them.”
And it was funny that Charles was telling me this story as I read to him from my journal. We had a good laugh. He said, “That is really great! That is my first time to hear of myself in a hisstory book.”
FEELING SOME SUCCESS AFTER TEACHING FAMILY HISTORY
It was my privilege to teach five different classes on the subject of journalling and creating family history records. (I blogged all of these presentations and later created a lulu.com book with the presentations.) Since the classes, several missionaries came and told me that they were acting upon what they learned. Elder Walters told me, “You’ve got me hooked.”
Little Elder Wise has hobbled up to me multiple times proudly saying, “Elder Hunt … I am working ln my family history.” This is so exciting for me.
Above: Elder Wise … one of my favorite people!
And after Sister Ward came to my classes, I helped her find some old, hidden personal history material on her own computer. And since, she has told me that she is still writing – and is loving it.
Above: Sister Ward writing in her new journal book.
It makes me so happy that I was able to help inspire these folks (and others) to begin writing. Big smile!
MEETING STILL MORE COUSINS
I have mentioned how I use the FamilySearch Apps to assist people find their peeps. Another fun part of the FamilyTree app is doing “Relative Around Me.” Sometimes this activity produces fun results.
I have also previously described the folks who come to visit their ancestral Dunn home – where Sister Hunt and I are privileged to reside as missionaries. The folks all act the same as they try to be sneaky taking a photo of the place (with unknown occupants). Such was the case the other night. These folks hurried to snap their photo. And as they were driving off, I ran outside and yelled to them, “Hey, you can come in if you want!” The folks backed up and said, “Oh, is the place still open?” (It was “after regular site hours”.) I said, “No, but we live here and would be happy to show you the place.”
This sister Julie Taylor noted that her maiden name is Dunn. They came in and we gave them the usual Dunn tour and then invited them to sign the Dunn guest book (that has been signed in the home since 1982). And as is my custom, I asked them if they had checked out the “My Nauvoo Ancestor” to find where their pioneers lived. And again, they were thrilled to learn of this opportunity.
Above: Julie Dunn Taylor – a descendant of Simeon A Dunn
After she got logged into the program, she got to the right index. (I tell people to scroll to the right until they see “Princess Diana” and then go two more square beyond her. This works well.) She got into the program and she happily learned that she had a plethora of ancestors who lived in Nauvoo – besides Simeon A Dunn. I was very surprised when her collection of ancestors came up.
I recognized the very first name. I said, “How funny! We are cousins!” I put out my hand to shake hers. This brought a laugh. She clicked on Oliver LeRoy Robinson whom I recognized as being a brother of my 2nd GGM, Maria Wood Robinson (and they are sibling children of Joseph Lee Robinson – my 3GGF. And this meant that we are 4th Cousins (no removed). Wow! “4th Cousins!”, I said, “That is pretty close!” And of course, that was cause for yet another photo op … and evidence of still one more little Nauvoo Miracle. I love how God puts these moments together for us! So great!
MEETING MORE COUSINS AT THE SARAH GRANGER KIMBALL HOME
Sister Hunt and I spent a glorious day serving at the Sarah Granger Kimball home. This is a very authentic home that has existed since the Saints of Nauvoo (or even before … in the little village of Commerce). The family consisted of Ashton and Taylor Coffman and their mother – from Indiana.
Above: Coffman Cousins at Sarah Granger Kimball Home
We greeted a tour group and had a wonderful experience with them. At the end of the tour we talked of Enterprise, Utah. We thought that we might be cousins – so we did “Relatives Around Me”. And VOILA! We found that we are 4th cousins through our common Thomas Sirls Terry line (on my Hunt side). How cool!
Above: Elder Hunt with Taylor, Ashton, their mother Marie Coffman (from Indiana) and her sister and husband (from Israel) at the Lucy Mack Smith Home.
We have so many visitors here in Nauvoo that there is a necessity to have a “Visitors’ Branch”. Our four zones take turns manning the branch – with lessons, talks, and the sacrament. On May 4th, our Hyrum Zone had the responsibility and we attended there. I was happy to see my new Coffman. I was passing the sacrament and these two brothers came up and wanted to be able to pass the sacrament (since in Nauvoo). I found myself sitting between the two of them. So great to be there with my new cousin brothers.
I talked with Taylor and he said that he had never done “Relatives” and found a relative as close as 4th Cousins. We both thought that this was great.
Still later in the day, we happened onto them at the Lucy Mack Smith home when we were walking in the neighborhood. We had another photo op there. We ended up taking them over to the Brick Yard and told them of the Belcher legacy there. We sent them away with some bricks. Fun times!
WE ENTERTAIN ANGELS UNAWARE
Of course, all of our guests here are special and wonderful – and God brings them here – and he gives us miracle connections with the many folks. We are always amazed as we share treasured times with our guests and then the associations and brotherhood that we also experience with them.
It was a Sunday – March 30th and our 5th Sunday lesson had just concluded. Most of the missionaries had already made their departures from the Visitors’ Center but Sister Hunt and I were still there with a few others. I looked around and saw some folks looking at the large open model that we have of the Temple. I did not recognize them as missionaries and it was not the time that the VC would be open for visitors. I went up and talked to a brother. I soon discovered that he was a Brazilian and that with his scant English, we were a bit challenged in our communication.
I was able to learn that he and his brother were visiting from Brazil on their way to General Conference the next weekend. They wanted to see some of Nauvoo (having just that afternoon to learn and explore.
Knowing that we have a couple of senior missionaries who kind of remember their Portugeus language from their young mission, I looked for these two brothers. And yes, another Nauvoo miracle, one of the couples was among the few people remaining there. I went up and talked to him. He was kind of in a hurry – since he and his wife had to very soon be in Carthage where they were to serve for the afternoon. I said, “Quickly … I have a Brazilian brother here for you to talk to.” That got his attention! (I have learned that there is a real thing and interest in Brazilian connections wanting to talk to each other.) He came over and I introduced him to our guests. This brother was soon joined by his brother and wife.
Since I knew that Elder Graham, the Portugeus speaking Elder, was heading to Carthage, I suggested to my new friends that they might want to make a trip there. The plan was made that they would go there, return to Nauvoo and then that my wife and I would meet them at the Joseph Smith homestead upon their return. They thought that this would be great.
They did make it to Carthage and Elder Graham later reported that it was a great experience sharing the message with them in their language.
In the meantime, I called the other Portugeus speaker, Elder Parker. He agreed to meet us later at the Homestead to give the folks the tour – again in their language. We agreed to meet him at the place to await the return of the folks. The folks were gone much longer than we thought but it gave Elder Parker to try to convert the Homestead script to what he could remember of Portugeus.
They did eventually show up and we joined Elder Parker and the three friends for the tour of the Homestead and Mansion House. The bond of brotherhood was strong with us and them (even beyond the language barrier). And Elder Parker loved the experience. We noted that several times he got choked up during the tour and this made for special moments with all of us.
At the end of the tour we were again visiting with the folks. I told them that we have a Brazilian daughter-in-law and they got excited with this news. Knowing of the Brazilian affinity (already mentioned), I called our Fabriza and she talked to my new friend – whom I had first met. They had a grand time commiserating and celebrating their common Brazilian connection. This was fun for all of us.
ABOVE: Sister and Elder Hunt with Elder Eber Beck and hhis brother from Brazil.
Then it was time to bid them adieu. They had a long way to drive yet that night, It was very natural for all of us to break into tight hugs of brotherhood. So great! What a neat experience – with such great people.
After they headed off, we talked with Elder Parker. He was certainly pleased that we had included him in the special time. He also said that he thought that the one brother (the married one) might be a stake president – or maybe even “higher”. I had got the name of this guy – it being Eber Beck. I remembered his name but sadly could not remember his brother’s name when it came time to make my 3×5” card note later. I guess he’ll just have to be “the brother of Emer”. (Like unto “the Brother of Jared in The Book of Mormon.)
I went home and let Google do the “walking through the yellow pages” (Remember that? … And we Googled that phrase and found some really fun memories … check it out for a good laugh) as I did a search for “Eber Beck LDS general authority Seventy”. And Voila! His name came up. I learned that indeed, he is a General Authority Seventy – called in 2024 – and that explained why the brothers were on their way to General Conference in Salt Lake in just a few days. So great!
I later called Elder Graham and asked, “Did you know that you were teaching a General Authority on your tour?” This caught him totally speechless. I guess we never know when we might be entertaining angels unawares.
“HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!”
That is what we are singing here (even me) now that Spring is back in Nauvoo. It’s not that we weren’t happy but for us Arizona rats (old rats) it is definitely wonderful to see the green of spring once again. Winter was great – and more especially now since it is over. Yes, it was bitter cold, the snow was actually not all it was cracked up to be, we endured it, and we actually had many good times, great people, and fun activities to help us make it through.
For someone who has grown up in evergreen Arizona (one season … mostly green and then brown in the dormant season … and a lot of cactus), it has been quite fun here to experience the four different seasons. This was definitely a new but wonderful experience (visually) for us. It was glorious and magnificent to experience the changing colors of fall. The Lord blessed us with splendid beauty and we gloried in it We basked in it and so loved everything around us. So amazing and wonderful.
And winter had its own great photo op moments – though the trees all looked a bit bare around us.
Winter did seem to linger on and on but finally we began to see spring come. It did not happen all at once. We saw beautiful trees that suddenly burst into bloom. The first one – by our own place was purple with white blossoms.
Above: Elder Hunt in spring blossoms at the Dunn Home
Sister Hunt with spring blossoms at Joseph Smith’s Homestead home.
Elder Hunt with lilac bush – remembering Mom – Alura since her favorite flower was the lilac.
Above: Nauvoo sunsets – beautiful in every season
Wow. We had never seen such a thing. Then some white blossoms popped into view. Then there were pinks and lavender trees. It was a pleasure to drive around seeing all of these wonders around us. And then suddenly it appeared that everything was green again around us. What joy! We are so blessed as we feel the Lord’s beauty and wonder around us.
Winter, Cousins, Bricks, and Spring … all so much fun here on our Nauvoo trail!
On the Nauvoo Trail 