BLOG #10

Since Sister Hunt and I have come to Nauvoo, we have had some special times at Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store, as well as at his Homestead and Mansion House – and other places.

March 5, 2024  proved to be a historic day that most of us had not anticipated.   It was a glorious day.  In a surprise announcement The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ together posted the news.  On that date, all of the Joseph Smith properties in Nauvoo transferred from the latter to the former.

The Community of Christ Church (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ) is to be commended for their years of dedicated care of the Joseph Smith properties and we can be grateful for their service and management.  Without their foresight and able management, these places would not be available to The  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the way that they are today.

The transaction included transfer of the Joseph Smith Homestead and Mansion House, the Nauvoo House, Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store, the Sidney Rigdon Home, as well as Nauvoo’s “First Hotel”, the Jonathan Wright, William Marks and Aaron Johnson homes. Tours under the new leadership began on March 25 – just three weeks later.  Since that time, many people have come in droves to see the new sites.

It was exciting for Sister Hunt and I to see the timing of our mission call.  We (or I) had been frustrated with some delays in the call process.  But after we received our call to serve in Historic Nauvoo, it all made sense.  We arrived in Nauvoo just three weeks after the property transfer.  And how exciting is that?  And additionally, I was called to be the “site coordinator” for these properties.  It was all very wonderful.

Since our arrival, we have had a several opportunities to serve as guides at the Homestead and Mansion House (one tour) and Joseph’s Red Brick Store.  Our guests have been so excited to see these new places.

For those who do not know, Joseph fund a ready-made log home when he came to Nauvoo in 1839.  What is called the “Homestead” cabin was built about 1823 by a James White – who was a Mississippi River fur trader.  Joseph bought this home in 1839.  He made two additional additions to the Homestead – first in 1840 and again in 1842.  He and Emma moved to the Mansion House in 1843.   The Homestead was the headquarters of the Church until 1842 when  Joseph opened his Red Brick Store.

The Red Brick Store was a special and sacred place.  Joseph said of his upstairs office, Here “I kept my sacred writings, translated ancient records, and received revelations.”

In the Store, Joseph recorded Section 132 of the Doctrine and Covenants.  He translated and published the ancient Book of Abraham (in the local “Times and Seasons” newspaper), organized the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, gave the first Temple endowments, and transferred Priesthood keys on to the 12 Apostles.  So, the store was a very significant and sacred place in church history.  (And it still is!)  Pretty amazing and breath-taking in its scope.

THE JOHN WENTWORTH LETTER

John Wentworth was a Chicago newspaper publisher.   He wrote to Joseph Smith asking what “The Mormons” believed.  From his Red Brick Store, Joseph wrote back to Mr. Wentworth  with  13 statements of our beliefs.  We, of course, know them today as the “13 Articles of Faith”. 

In our tour,  we talk about the “Articles” and if there are children in the group, we invite them to share their favorite Article.  They usually do better than the adults.  It has been fun to watch the children recite them.  On one occasion, three siblings stood together and sang a couple of the Article of Faith songs.  So great!

We also talk about the “Standard of Truth”.  This was also a part of the Wentworth letter.  We also invite people young and old to recite this great standard and prophesy of missionary work going forth to the world.  Many men and women have  previously served missions and often recited the Standard at zone and other conferences.  Often the folks can remember this from their missionary days. Even if they don’t recite it aloud, we can often see them mouthing the words along with us.  (And The Standard is not just pretty words … it is Joseph’s prophesy about how missionary work will fill the whole earth.  And as we look at what has happened since Joseph’s time – and everywhere in the world today, we see the exciting fulfilment of that special prophesy.)

One moment with The Standard was particularly memorable.  I asked if anyone knew it and two teen brothers (about ages 13 and 16) stood flanking me and together they (and I) recited with great gusto:

”The Standard of Truth has been erected:  no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

Those boys were truly amazing!  And talk about proud parents …  (and it was the parents who had taught them the Standard so they were really proud that their efforts may have taken root a bit with the boys). 

Whenever we have teens come in, and as we talk of “The Standard”, I try to get them to imagine themselves on their missions and standing as a mission or zone and reciting that together “with gusto”.  I hope I have enlarged their visions a bit.

A TOUR DELAY PROVIDES AN UNPLANNED AFTERNOON CONCERT

The Red Brick Store has two parts – the downstairs and the “upper room”.  Typically, there are two sets of missionaries serving at the Store together.  One pair of missionaries can be downstairs with one group – while the other pair can be upstairs with another.

On this one occasion, there was a lady on the tour ahead of us.  She was unable to climb the stairs, so the other pair of missionaries kept her downstairs to share with her the upstairs tour.  This left Sister Hunt and I outside and waiting with a group for the folks ahead of us to finish up.  A group of about 15 people gathered with us out there on the Red Brick steps and surrounds.  So as to not get even further behind with the tours, I opted to gather the group and begin the first floor tour outside.

I had just gotten started when the sound of music rent the air.  We looked up and coming toward us was the “Nauvoo Brass Band” doing their band thing in their very own carriage.  And seeing us gathered outside, they had the teamster pull to a stop.  They gave us our very own private concert right  then and there.  Talk about fabulous!  And the energy of those folks … they were literally dancing and bobbing as they played their instruments.   Amazing doesn’t adequately describe the scene.  Maybe it should be “spectacular”.

It is so great having the band on the streets of Nauvoo.  They give such an exciting and upbeat burst of energy with every stop that they make. And they give a couple of concerts each day – in the “park” (grassy area) in front of the Print Shop – and elsewhere.  Such a fun missionary assignment!  

A UNIQUE MEETING WITH 12 UNUSUAL BROTHERS

We never know who we will have on our tours.  This one group really caught us by surprise.  We looked outside and saw them coming.  They came in three cars, and they piled out and moved en masse toward us.  I wondered what had hit us!  Here was a throng of very handsome “brothers” – all with dark hair and looking amazing and wonderful.  They were so impressive.  As I greeted them, we did the “where are you from thing” to get to know the folks.

They announced that they were a religious seminary group and that they were from Toronto, Canada.  They said that they were touring all over to learn about other churches.  I said, “That is great!  What other churches have you already been to?”  I had to laugh at their answer.  They said, “We went to Palmyra and then to Kirtland!”

As noted, the guys said that they were from Toronto, Canada.  I knew however, that they were not native to Toronto.  The Spirit told me that they were from the country of Pakistan.   I asked them if they were Pakistani and they admitted that they are.  I told them that I love Pakistani people.

I felt such a connection to these guys.  They looked so fabulous as they sat with us in the Red Brick Store.  My heart and soul went out to these guys.  I thought they must be royal princes of the best of Abraham.  Not sure if they come from Abraham but when I mentioned him, they acted as if they claim him as their father.

These guys were sincerely interested in everything.  One sage seemed a bit skeptical of things, but the other guys seemed to be loving everything that they heard.  They were soaking it in.

It is hard to describe the feelings that I felt in the presence of these guys.  They seemed like such great men.

After the tour, I was shaking hands with a couple of the guys – and one in particular.  Sister Hunt put out her hand to shake and the man politely said that he could not shake hands – (a cultural thing for him).  But, he crossed  his  arms over his chest – over his heart toward her and said, “Thank you so much!”

I took the group over to the  cemetery that contains the graves of Joseph, Hyrum and Emma Smith and others.  One guy noticed my bolo tie and wanted to know what this was.  He really liked my explanation – that it has no significance to anything but that I like t collect them – and that they are kind of my “signature thing”.

The men  were in awe and reverence.  I then took them over to where the Joseph Smith homestead tour begins.  There were sister missionaries there to greet them.  I asked the men if it was okay for the ladies to take them on the tour and they said that it was.

I was kind of overcome with the Spirit after the special time I had just shared with all of these men of power and strength.  Wow!   I noted a special connection with one brother.  He seemed really into the message and had listened and watched me intently as I presented new truths to him.  I could tell that he was really feeling the Spirit in a good way.  As I said farewell to this group, I shook hands with this one guy and as I did so, I said, “It was so great to have you here, brother.”  He looked at me, and in a very natural way, we pulled each other into a great hug.  Then, to my surprise, the long line of men behind him also wanted a hug from me.

One guy wanted to take a moment to teach me how to say “Hello” or “good day” in his native language – possibly Urdu?  He had me say the words and then he had me practice them.  Sad to say, my grasp of the “gift of tongues” was not that strong at that moment – but it was a fun bonding time.

And then they were off …  I was still kind of choked up when I returned to the Red Brick Store and greeted my next group. 

GREETED BY HOMEMADE CINNAMON ROLLS, WE BECAME FAST FRIENDS

There is nothing like home made cinnamon rolls to help “make new friends and influence people” (as my friend “Sam” Carnegie would say.    My wife honed in on that art many years ago – and she has been working her charm with them ever since (just like my own mother and grandmother before her).

It was late on a Sunday afternoon, and we were at the Joseph and Emma Homestead and Mansion House.  Sister Hunt and other missionaries assigned there that afternoon were outside of the Bidamon Stable just visiting and basking in the beauty and wonder of the world around us  – and feeling the influence of Joseph and Emma with us.  This was as we had a few and rare moments between tours.  (Actually, part of the team were giving tours.)

We were approached by a young family bearing gifts.  Our mouths began to water – even before they got to us.  Cinnamon rolls just seem to have a special aura around them.  No one knew who these folks were, but they quickly caught our attention as we eyed the plates in their hands.  I went over to greet them, and we became fast friends.  They said that these cinnamon rolls had not sold in their restaurant and by their tradition, they were bringing them to share with missionaries.  How grateful we were to be the recipients.  Wow!  I shared the goods with the other missionaries and we were all agog with the delectables before us.

MEET THE SQUIRE FAMILY OF DOWNTOWN NAUVOO …

We were greeted by Dad, Jordan, and Mom, Morgan Squire and three of their six children.  Each one offered us a plate.  Wow!  You can come to our place any time, folks!

My wife and I enjoyed visiting with the Squire family.  They shared with us their story (and with their permission, I share it here with ya’ll).  They said that they operate the “Red Front” café or restaurant located  in metropolitan downtown Nauvoo.  We had already been to their place several times but had never met the visionaries behind the counter.

We were in awe and amazement as they shared with us their story.  It was amazing, and inspiring …)

About five years ago, I guess they had been to Nauvoo on a family trip.  And they had purchased a possible bed and breakfast location – here – just as an investment.  They returned home to Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Within a short time, the wife/mother kept having recurring spiritual promptings that they should move to Nauvoo to start a restaurant – and that they should do it NOW.  She was stunned.  They had no previous plans of doing such a thing. And further, they had never operated a restaurant.   But, the thought and impressions kept coming.  She could not get them to go away.  The feelings pressed down on her and she could not shake them.  She went to her husband and told him about her feelings.  She thought and hoped  he would say, “That is really a dumb idea” and would talk her out of it.  Not so!  He said, “Well, if the Lord has told you to do this, then we better go for it.”  She was then in a state of shock … and it was time to act.

This situation reminded Lou and me of a similar occasion for us.  We were living in Santa Barbara, California, where we had lived for two years.  I had recently left the employ of the Boy Scouts of America.  I had been a professional Scouter – for seven years but a change was a necessity.  We were out of a job and had no money.  We were just getting started on a trip to Utah.  We were speeding along on the freeway east of Ventura, California on Highway #126 – heading east on our way up to Utah to see Lou’s folks and family for a short time.

As we were thus on the freeway – going through the lovely orange orchards, I suddenly turned to my wife and said, “You are going to think that I am crazy, but I just got the feeling that we are supposed to move to this town.”  (And we didn’t know anyone there – nor had we ever been there).  She surprised me as she said, “No, I don’t think you are crazy … I just got the same feeling!”  Wow! 

We made our trip to Utah and returned to our home in Santa Barbara and within a few days, moved 50 miles away to the town of Santa Paula, California.  That move proved to be a wonderful blessing in our lives in many ways.  (Three more children joined the four – and we had some wonderful friends – the Lazenby’s and others.)  We were grateful that we heeded the workings of the Spirit with us.  We remained in Santa Paula for five years before returning home to Arizona.

Anyway, back to the Squire family …   Being united in the cause, they made the decision to move “right now” to Nauvoo.  They began to make preparations to move.  And they were surprised when a neighbor a few doors down from them came over to talk.  The neighbor said, “God told us that we are supposed to buy your house.”

Sister Jordan objected and said, “But you have a house .. why would you want to buy our house?”   The neighbor was just as surprised as were the Squire family – but acted on the inspiration.  Soon the purchase was made.  The Squire family packed up and headed off for Nauvoo in the moving van.  They quickly found a Nauvoo home to live in, and within a month or so, they suddenly found themselves living in the little village of Nauvoo, Illinois (now bursting at the seams with about 1,000 people).  And within a ridiculously short period of time – like within a month, they were moved in and had their new restaurant/café open for business.  And they have been here doing business ever since.  They do not know fully why the Lord directed them here, but trusting in Him, they have had success and great experiences here.  (And our mission President says that this same feeling can be shared by many of the business owners of Nauvoo.  He said that “there is a gathering here … and people are being told to come here– and they don’t know why.  They just go for it and do it.”

This spirit reminds me of the scripture that was my family favorite as I was growing up:  Proverbs 3:5-6 which states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Even through several bouts of unemployment and lingering uncertainty, we have gone forward in faith.  That has been the modus operandi for our whole lives.  And it seems to be working!  And we now express our gratitude for the Lord’s bounties unto us.  He has always provided us with “sufficient for our needs”.

A PLUG FOR THE LOCAL “RED FRONT” RESTAURANT 

Okay, so there are not many options for eating in Nauvoo.  We surely do not have a monopoly on eating establishments.  But, that is not the only reason why I tout the Red Front restaurant or café here in downtown Nauvoo.  They seriously, they have amazing food (and decent prices).  We have loved it each time that we have gone there – and with every menu item we have tried. 

Our favorite menu item is their ice cream “bricks”.  Maybe it is just the Belcher Brick in our blood, but we really love this kind of brick.  It comes in a plastic box about 4” square.  And the ice cream brick inside – nearly fills up the box.  They always have their mainstay of greet mint chocolate chip – to which Sister Hunt is addicted – but often have other exotic flavors – like French Silk, Lemon Raspberry, brownie dough, and more. And the crust on each one is truly amazing.   We often feel a pull on the vehicle steering wheel nudging us to go there at nights.  Sometimes we will share one brick.  Oher times, we will each get our own favorite brick (depending upon flavors available).  Occasionally, we will each eat our full brick, and sometimes, we each get our brick, eat part of it there, and then bring home half of it to freeze for another happy time.

When people ask for our food recommendations, we always are quick to sing the praises of The Red Front – owned and operated by Jordan and Morgan Squire.  They are only open to 8:00 PM, however (later than most places in town … since most “roll up their sidewalks” earlier)  so you’ll have to hurry … but they are sure worth going there.  So, “Hats off, Squire family!”

AND A SIDENOTE ABOUT NAUVOO SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES

Anticipating Mother’s Day and Sister Hunt’s birthday (I think), our son, Rusty, asked what stores we have in Nauvoo.  He was, indeed, quite shocked when we told him emphatically, “Dollar General”.  That is seriously the Walmart of old Nauvoo.  He never ordered from there … I guess the place did not meet his hopes or expectations.

ANOTHER UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER WITH THE SQUIRES

One day, Sister Hunt and I found ourselves serving (literally) in the restored “Scovil Bakery”.  We were visited by the Sister missionary who coordinates the “cookies” for the bakery.  She said that she would not be there, but said that a lady would be bringing in a large collection of cookies.  She gave us instructions for getting them into large freezer boxes (there’s that “large” word again)  located down in the limestone cellar of the place.  She said that we would be visited by Jordan Squire with a large batch of the famous and now traditional Scovil Bakery molasses cookies.  She said, “Large” but we learned a new meaning of the word that morning.

Baker Squire showed up as promised.  We learned what “large” means.  On that morning, she literally brought in about 4,000 cookies.  Yes, that’s right!

For many years, the modern Scovill Bakery used to actually make these famous molasses cookies (in the native “bustle oven” of the place – so named because of the bustle on a woman’s posterior – that sticks out in the back)  and would give them out to visitors.  They became “legendary” and people came for the tour just so that they could get another of those pioneer delectables.

We learned that the “large” meant being innovative in how to get the five or six “large” crates of cookies downstairs.  All stairs in Nauvoo are notoriously treacherous in their steepness, but the Scovil stairs redefine the word and description.  One can hardly call them “stairs”.  It is more like one of those old-fashioned fire station poles.     Jordan just kept bringing the boxes from her car and I would carry them to the launching point for the so-called stairs.  Lou would perch herself (literally and precariously) on one or two of the “steps” to receive the packed boxes.  Probably not the best alternative, she would slide the boxes down to the cellar below.  And then she would transfer the box contents into the two waiting freezer boxes.  She would return up the pole (an interesting feat, in itself) with the empty box and I would return it to Jordan.  Even with the challenges, we soon got all of the boxes downstairs, unloaded, and passed back up to me for Jordan.

Jordan told us the “Nauvoo” had contracted with her Red Front company to create some 50,000 cookies that were projected to be needed through the summer for the onslaught of visitors whom we hoped would come.  The cookies are small … you could not make a meal of them … but they are at least a bite of that old-fashioned molasses goodness.  And another engineering challenge is that they are all individually packaged in their own little plastic bag.  50,000!  Wow.  That really defines “large”.  She said that the cookies were “all hands on deck” for her family.  Talk about home evening activities … that was certainly one for everyone to be a part of.  They probably wished that all six children had six or more hands each for the task at hand.  And the poor kids are probably watching cookies being created, baked, and bagged, all through the night –every night.  But, “progress is being made”, said Morgan.  “The end is in sight!  This makes about 41,000 cookies  in the freezers below!”  Wow!

After she left, I began to check out the system by which the cookies made it to the packed freezers.  I decided that we were not being very smart.  Even  though this building is a restored structure, it still has the characteristic old limestone basement – and a cellar door going up out of it.  And Voila!  (Remember my blog about our bike riding?)  Well, that was the case with this place, also.  One needed only to unlatch the door down cellar, and pull the outside doors up and over.  We could have easily saved ourself (and especially Sister Hunt) a lot of grief if we had used our noggins a bit more creatively.  I later mentioned this option to the “Sister Cookie Coordinator” and she tried to fathom that scenario.  I am not sure she was a believer, but she should be!  It would sure be easier for those coming 10,000 more cookies!

Well, there you have it!  Life in Nauvoo just keeps getting better and better.  I think we will stick around a while!  (And maybe get some more of those cinnamon rolls and molasses cookies…!)

As ever, from the Nauvoo trail …

Elder Kevin