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The Nauvoo Whistling Whittling Brigade

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THE WHISTLING AND WHITTLING BRIGADE

BLOG #23

A while ago, I mentioned in passing about the Nauvoo Whistling and Whittling Brigade.   In the earlier blog, I said that I would write about the Brigade in a future blog.  And a promise is a promise!

THE WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE IN OLD NAUVOO

Back in pioneer Nauvoo, the Whistling and Whittling Brigade was a thing – a special group  – a brotherhood back then.

Today, we talk of the group in two of our presentations.  One is at the “singing tree” where the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries (NPM’s) perform.  There is a giant tree in Nauvoo.  It is at the corner of Main Street at Kimball Street.    Two or three times a day, the NPM’s sing at this tree, and it is so fun to gather there with whoever might then be on Main Street.

One presentation that we have enjoyed there is “Men Sing the Songs of Zion”.  Another popular production is “The Youth of Zion”.  In this little vignette, several of the young performers – both men and ladies – talk about the Nauvoo youth and some of their activities, their spirit, etc.  I love this presentation.  Like all of the other performances, this one is fantastic.

In this presentation, the performing missionaries introduce the Brigade and talk of how the youth of old Nauvoo protected the city with their whittling antics.

The Teamsters also talk about the Brigade as they tell stories out on their Carriage Ride – where folks ride on wagons pulled by horses – and as they go over the woods and through the river north of the Visitors’ Center.  Their Depot – where the trip begins, is at the north end of the Center parking lot.   The Teamsters tell of one David Moore and give him credit for starting the Brigade.  They tell how his boys “whittled and whistled many a rascal right out of town.”

My ears perk up with any hint of some new piece of history for me to latch onto and to study in depth.  And the Whistling Whittling Brigade was one of those.  I am, of course, a whittler from ancient history – so I was particularly intrigued with this Nauvoo Brigade and their woodcarving. Whitling … now there is something I can relate to.

MY INTEREST IN WHITLING AND CARVING STARTED AS A YOUNG BOY SCOUT

I took up an interest in whittling when I was a Boy Scout – age 12.  I had an official Scout knife – and I still have it.  It is black and kind of “bulky” for a knife.  (Not as sleek as later models.)  I took the Woodcarving merit badge at Camp Geronimo.  I earned the badge by carving a letter opener and a neckerchief of the hand of a Scout in the Scout sign.  I still have the pocket knife and the letter opener.  I cannot find the Scout sign, but I know that I must have it – since I never throw away “anything historical”.  (I have quite a collection!)  The two wood-carved pieces are not at all marvelous, but they do bring back special memories.

MY FIRST CARVED WALKING STICK

My woodcarving skills were put on hold for many years.  I didn’t know that I had any skills – or even interest.  Then I got involved with the Boy Scouts in a more professional way.  And it was then that the dormant interest began to stir once again.

As a new professional for the Boy Scouts of America, I found myself on a 24 or so day training back at the old Schiff Scout Reservation in New Jersey.  (This place was magnificent but has since gone the way of the world – sold to help pay for other Scouting opportunities).  I attended what was then called “NEI” – which is the acronym for “National Executive Institute”.  While at the NEI training, I went to the little bookstore that they had at the place.  And I there purchased my first real Scout whittling knife.  Wanting to carve, but not knowing what to carve, I found a stick and began to carve on it. 

I carved “NEI” on it and took advantage of the natural curves and bumps of the stick to create a twisted funny face.  Also on the stick, I carved “NEI 7803”.  (I was in the 3rd NEI Class of 1978 …). I quickly learned that all one needs in order to whittle was to get a knife and a stick – and to go at it.  I found that was true.  It began to work for me.  Again, it was kind of a humble start, but it was enough to get me hooked on the skill or hobby or whatever it was.

In the rush of leaving for home, I somehow left my newly carved stick at the NEI place in New Jersey.  And then I was in a dilemma.  I called back to folks at the Reservation, and they found the stick and the folks were able to send it home with a BYU friend who was in the 7804 NEI class.  It took a few months before I had a rendezvous with Brad to get the stick back.  I was grateful that he took it on the airplane and somehow got it back to me.

Carving that stick got me hooked on the practice and art of woodcarving.  I resolved then that I would create a new walking stick for each Boy Scout camp that I would work at in the future.  And, so, a new tradition was begun.  I created a stick at and for Camp Loll where I worked later that summer.  And then later, at Camp Bartlett, I created a new stick for that camp.  And so, it began – and became a thing for me.  I got into the mode of finding the right wood stick and with just my  trusty Scout carving knife, I began to have success.  I worked hard to create the new sticks through the years.  And I had a great time doing it.

Creating the sticks was sometimes a challenge when the pressures of time and responsibility sometimes were so much that I didn’t have as much time to carve as I desired. 

Over the passage of time, I created about 15 new walking sticks, and I have them in a barrel collection in my Scouting Trails Museum – now jam-packed floor to ceiling at our Maricopa home.  We moved all extraneous stuff of Sister Hunt and me into our two front bedrooms to make room for our daughter and son-in-law who are residing in our place while we are on our mission.  I filled one room (my museum) with my stuff and Lou filled the front bedroom with her stuff.

WALKING STICK COUNSELING

I found that carving the sticks at camps afforded me a unique experience.  I called it my “walking stick counseling”.  I could go sit literally anywhere in camp – even on some remote log on some hidden trail.  I would start carving and within a few minutes, I would have a couple of Scouts there on the log with me.  They were very intrigued with my carving and asked many questions as I showed them what I was doing.

We had great conversations.  And as I sat with the boys on the log with me, I would ask them about camp.  “How do you like the Nature area?  What is your favorite thing to get at the trading post?  Who is your favorite staff member?  Do you see any problems with our camp?”  And in these discussions, I learned about the goings on all around the camp.  Then as needed, I could use what I had learned in future staff meetings or discussions with individual staff members.

By this method, I seemed to know everything that was going on around the camp.  And this blew the minds of my staff.  They wondered how I knew all of this about them, and their areas, and the camp.  It was great!

THE POCKET KNIFE SAGA

I mentioned that first BSA whittling knife.  I carried that knife in my pocket always for about 20 years.  I had used this knife to carve many of my stick in the collection.  Then, one summer,  we took all of the kids up north to the town of Payson, Arizona and attended July 4th festivities there.  We sat in the grass at a large park to watch the fireworks.  Then sadly, the next morning, I realized with horror that I no longer had my pocketknife.  We returned to the park, and we all scoured the area around where we were sitting – but to no avail.  The pocketknife was nowhere to be found.  (I am sure that someone else found it and enjoyed it.)

Soon thereafter, and knowing of my love for the knife, my three sons pooled their resources, and they bought me a new knife – identical to the original BSA carving knife.  That was about 25 years ago, and I have since carried that knife everywhere as I had its predecessor.  And, like it, I have now carved many more sticks with it.  And I still (even on the mission) carry that knife with me everywhere (except church – where I’ve learned that it slips out of my suit pants pocket).  And I also carry my dad’s “Old Timer” knife with me – keeping a part of him with me as I serve.  (And there’s another “Old Timer” story … which I have already long since blogged about.)

MY OBSESSION WITH BOLO TIES

With my whittling interest, I have had a life-long obsession with a love of hand-carved bolo ties.  Though I have never carved one, these have become my personal trademark.  I have so loved them, that there have been few days over the years when I have not worn the carved ornaments around my neck.  Even family photos through the years each sported a different bolo time (for posterity).

My bolo tie interest also had its beginnings in my youth.  When about age 16, I read in the “Scouting” magazine about the famed woodcarver, Bill Burch.   I read of him creating hundreds of the bolos and then giving them out to Scouts at the National Scout Jamboree.  (And that is also when I first learned about Jamborees and developed an intense desire to take our Troop 155 to the upcoming 1973 Jamboree (and that is a story that I’ve already told).

Anyway, from that youth moment, I wanted to somehow acquire a Bill Burch Bolo Tie (or “neckerchief slide”) but didn’t know how to get one.  This aching burned within me for several years.  Then finally when I was about age 30, a Bill Burch bolo came to me.

Lou and I and three children (expecting #4) were then living in Santa Barbara, California (where I was still a professional with the Boy Scouts).  I was also the Ward Mission Leader.  We literally had absolutely no place to house our missionaries.  (Santa Barbara is a wonderful and most beautiful place – but it is also very strange relative to housing for young adults and families.) 

Lou and were already crowded in our 3-bedroom townhouse with our expanding family but we moved all of the children into one bedroom.  We then created bunk beds and furniture in the other bedroom to accommodate young Elders to be with us.

One of the first missionaries who came to live with us was from Spokane, Washington – where I knew the carver, Bill Burch, lived.  I got excited.  I said to him, “Do you know Bill Burch, the Scout carving guy?”  He said, “Yeah, he was my Scoutmaster.”  I said, “Really …!  Wow!  I have forever wanted to have one of his famous bolo ties.”  He said, “I have about seven of them in my dresser at home.  I will have my mom send one of them to me.”

He did so … and that is how I got my first Burch bolo … numbered #6667 on the back.  And that started an even greater obsession with them.   The bolo had the address of Bill Burch on the back – with the number of the bolo.  And with his address, I was able to communicate directly with him to acquire additional of his bolo ties.

Photo: Kevin Hunt (left with walking sticks and friends – at his 50th Anniversary in Scouting Jubilee Celebration

From that point forward, I have collected bolos from many sources and from more than a dozen different carvers of them.  And now, I have a collection of about 35 of them – with the goal of having one to pass on (posthumously) to each to my nine children (including the ladies) as well as one for each of my 26 grandsons.  It has taken a bit of effort and resources to accumulate such a collection.  (And that brings to memory another blog article …)  Read it at:  https://thescoutingtrail.wordpress.com/2017/10/23/bolo-ties-are-part-of-my-scouting-tradition-part-1/

BLOGS, BOYS, KNIVES, STICKS, AND WHITTLING

Some years ago, a long-time Scouting friend, Darryl Alder, got me hooked on the hobby or whatever it is – of writing blog articles.  I’ve written about a 100 blog articles on Scouting subjects and many of them through the years have been on woodcarving, or whittling,

I introduced one of those blogs saying, “There is something about boys, knives, and carving … Like kids and mud puddles, camp, Scouts, sticks, and knives just kind of go together. One thing that all Scouts seem to have in common is their propensity for stick carving.”  (August 16, 2017)

Sadly, with the passage of time and the changing of the guard in Scouting (and me personally), many of the links to those former great articles have gone the way of the world.  But I did save them and published them all in Volume #20 of my personal autobiography (that I called “My Life’s Collective Works”).  You can access the book at this link:

https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/mlcw-vol-20-kevinthescout-woods-wisdom-from-the-scouting-trail/hardcover/product-wd5pkp.html?q=Woods+Wisdom&page=1&pageSize=4

NOW BACK TO THE NAUVOO WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE

That was kind of a round-about way to introduce the Nauvoo Whistling Whittling Brigade.  I hope that you enjoyed the detour …

So, boys, sticks and carving are not a new phenomenon.  The connection is probably as old as time.  Adam and his sons probably made knives and began carving soon after the Eden experience.  It was likely a part of their survival mode.

When my sons were teens, they were privileged to attend the biennial Varsity Scouting “Mountain Man Rendezvous” held at Camp Geronimo near Payson, Arizona.  In preparation for this grand guy event, the boys worked for months ahead to create capotes (large fur-like capes) mountain man hats, and other gear.  Creating their own knife (from a plain piece of steel to a cool, finished knife) was a part of the program.  And each Scout who made such a knife has, no doubt, treasured it for life since that time.  (*Much to the dismay of their wives who wonder why their men keep such a thing in their homes.)

HISTORICAL BEGINNINGS OF WHITTLING AND WHISTLING IN OLD NAUVOO

Historical records indicate that the old Nauvoo Whistling Whittling Brigade likely did not get its formal start until 1845 – after the death of the Prophet Joseph

.  However, Mosiah Lyman Hancock may have employed the same tactics much earlier – to help protect the Prophet Joseph Smith.  Mosiah was born in 1834 so would have been ten years old when the Prophet was martyred.  He was the son of Levi Ward Hancock (and nephew of my 4th great grandmother, Clarissa Hancock Alger).  In his autobiography, he said,

“I joined the whistling and whittling band.  In those days, there was, now and then, a fop or dude who would go to a man’s shingle pile, and with his hat or cap cocked on one side, would sit and whittle and whistle. There was no law against that, but from what we could learn, some of them were interested in taking the life of the Prophet. We kept a good watch and were directed to keep an eye on the “Black Ducks”. We really tried to do our duty, and we succeeded in bagging some game. I was about to give some instances, but forbear by saying, “In no case did I ever help to engage in whittling any one down to make them cross the great river unless they were known to be lurking around the Prophet’s premises quite late, or to be seeking that which was none of their business. In extreme cases when we knew a man to be a snobber, and who still sought the life of the Prophet, we would use our rail. We generally had four boys to a rail—–the rail would be flat on the bottom and was three cornered; on the top corner it was terribly sharp—–fixed to suit the aggravating circumstances. Four boys generally knew how to manage the rail. We all had our knives and our timbers to whittle and make rails from, and we knew what tunes to whistle. I do not know if the boys from Nauvoo would like for me to betray those old-fashioned secrets; but that was the way we initiated those who seemed to wish with all their hearts to become thoroughly acquainted with the secrets of the Prophet. …”

Source:  (https://doctrineandcovenantscentral.org/history/mosiah-lyman-hancock/)

The above account tells of how Mosiah (who lived just a block East of Joseph’s Mansion House – on the corner of Water and Partridge Streets) helped to protect the Prophet Joseph.   Mosiah continued: “The Brethren pushed the work on the Temple; and the Gospel was preached; and every Saint was busy doing all he could to help the work along. Although I was very young, I was on guard many a night, and gladly did I hail with many of the Saints, the completion of the temple.”

Mosiah adds an interesting side note:  “On about January 10, 1846 [when he was 12] , I was privileged to go in the temple and receive my washings and anointings. I was sealed to a lovely young girl named Mary, who was about my age, but it was with the understanding that we were not to live together as man and wife until we were 16 years of age. The reason that some were sealed so young was because we knew that we would have to go West and wait many a long time for another temple.”

As noted, Mosiah seemed to be protecting the Prophet Joseph (who died in 1844).  The real organization of the Brigade happened after the death of Joseph but Mosiah had the skills so he definitely would have fit right into the newly organized Brigade.

PROTECTION FROM THE MOBS

From the day of the First Vision, Joseph the Prophet of the Restoration, had to run for his life.  He was constantly barraged by evil people who wanted his capture or even his demise.  He had to be constantly on-guard and had to ask many other people for their help and protection in his behalf.

The enemies of Joseph and Hyrum thought that the church would evaporate or die with the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum.  The harassment of the church stopped but only for a brief period before it intensified even more.  The evil designs of the adversary opened fire against the Saints.  Foes of the church were also determined to stop the construction of the Temple. 

THE NAUVOO CITY CHARTER

“The Nauvoo City Charter was unique because it established a city council, municipal court, university, and independent militia unit (“The Nauvoo Legion”). The charter was quickly approved by the Illinois general assembly on December 16, 1840, and  passed the final review by the Council of Revision on December 17,  It became effective February 1, 1841.  Before the 1870 Illinois Constitution, municipalities could vote to incorporate themselves or could be incorporated by special acts of the General Assembly.  For a time, this city charter was magnificent.  It served the Saints well and allowed them to create their own “Utopia” by which they governed themselves.

“The charter authorized the creation of a city council, consisting initially of a mayor, four aldermen, and nine council members; and a municipal court with jurisdiction over local cases and the power to issue writs of habeas corpus.   The charter also included provisions for a university and a local militia.  … The Nauvoo Legion, the city’s militia – and a local police force – was organized in 1841 and functioned until its charter was repealed in 1845. The Legion was made up of mostly members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Some opponents of the Legion believed it was a threat to non-Mormons. 

“ ,,, Nauvoo’s charter was unique among Illinois city charters, the combination of powers in the charter and the energetic use of those powers became a source of contention.” 

https://www.josephsmithpapers.org/topic/nauvoo-charter

INCREASING THREAT OF MOB VIOLENCE

Neighboring communities saw Nauvoo and its charter a political and economic threat and mob violence increased.

After the Martyrdom, mob rule was the order of the day.   Violence increased as mobs and wicked people continued to want to exterminate the “Mormons” (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) – just as they had done in Missouri and elsewhere prior to the Nauvoo era.

Ultimately, the full charter – with all of its powers – including the right of citizens to defend themselves was revoked in 1845, again by order of the Illinois General Assembly.  In January 1845, the legislature repealed the Nauvoo Charter by a vote of 25-14 in the Senate and 75-31 in the House.[2] Nauvoo was dis-incorporated and its assets were placed into a receivership.  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nauvoo_City_Council)

EFFECT OF THE REVOCATION OF THE NAUVOO CHARTER

The revocation of the Nauvoo City Charter dissolved the Nauvoo Legion as well as the local police force.  This action came as mob violence and prejudice continued to increase exponentially.  The city was then totally without protection.  The Saints were left to the mercy of those opposed to them.  Dramatic action was needed for the protection of the city and for the completion of the Temple.  Brigham Young and the Apostles soon realized that guards were needed both day and night.

Thurmon Dean Moody wrote a beautiful treatise (maybe one of the greatest writings) on the subject of the Whittling Whistling Brigade.  I recommend his article can be found at chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1738&context=byusq

Citizens of Nauvoo knew that this was the demise of their beloved Nauvoo.  Appeal attempts were made but to no avail.

Almon Babbit wrote an appeal to the charter revocation:  “Repeal the charter of Nauvoo, prescribe her citizens by your public acts and you will tolerate and encourage the demonstration of mob violence that surrounds the people of Nauvoo.”  He noted that fiends around them were waiting to feast upon the Saints to their destruction.

Wandle Mace said of the evil forces:  “They tried every means they could devise to bring trouble upon Nauvoo.  Frequently a party would land from a steamboat and come into the city, commit their deviltry, and return to the boat and leave again – well knowing we had no law to protect us since the city charter was taken away.”

A PLAN IS DEVISED

Apostle Brigham Young decided that action needed to be taken.    On Sunday, March 16, 1845, Brigham called a meeting for the next evening.  He said, “We want the bishops at the Masonic Hall, and we will organize them according to our notion of things.  We have no police, and the legislature has repealed our charter.  We mean to have the City of Joseph organized so the streets shall be kept clear and the poor cared for.”

Hosea Stout had previously been the Chief of Police under the city charter. 

Photo: Hosea Stout

The committee organized the city into companies of ten with a captain at the head of each company.  The “new police” were to continue to meet mostly as a guard for the Temple.  They were not a city organization, but it was to be an ecclesiastical guard.  The groups were to receive no pay and were to be volunteers.  Not wanting to resort to extra legal extra activities and being aware that their priesthood authority did not apply to any but their own people they felt as if this would be a viable solution.

At the meeting Brigham called, Hosea was present and suggested a plan.    He had met three days before with Stephen Markham, a captain in the former Legion.  Both were anxious to preserve order as much as possible under the circumstances.

The plan was to organize the whole community of saints into quorums of 12 Deacons – each with a Bishop at their head.   David Moore – referred to on the horse “Carriage Ride” said, “The purpose of the organization was two-fold: 1) to take care of the poor 2) to guard the city at night to keep everything straight.”  He further recorded:  I was appointed one of the bishops also (at age 26).  I had a very large district assigned to me.  I was allowed 13 men, and we had to keep watch over the north part of the city one night each week including the steamboat landing.  Our weapons were a large hickory cane and a toothpick – a huge knife.  The object of the knife was to whittle rascals out of town.”

Brigham soon proclaimed this as a new “official Mormon practice” at the meeting on the 17th of March.

IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN

In his autobiography, George W. Bean recorded, “This was my first real public service at the age of fourteen and a half years [and] being large of stature and well equipped, I did my full share of duty for five days and nights after this.  I performed guard duty at nights all winter about the streets of Nauvoo.”

On each corner was a man from twelve to twenty years of age who watched all movements from sunset to dawn and reported any suspicious activity to the bishop who promptly consulted the leaders and the Nauvoo Legion Officials.”

THE AGE OF THE BRIGADE DEACONS

Some reports of the Whistling Whitling Brigade indicate that the “Deacons” were all very young – like teen-age boys.  Such may not have always been the case.  In those days, there was no age parameter for being a Deacon.  A Deacon could be a young boy, or he could be an adult.  Ages for Aaronic Priesthood quorum membership did not happen until 1908 (just in time for the 1910 organization of the Boy Scouts of America).  At that time, young men of age 12 could be ordained as Deacons.

So, the Brigade Deacons could have been ages 12 to 25 or older in old Nauvoo.

THE JOB OF THE WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE

Paul D. Bailey gave a detailed account saying that the community “met the increasing flood of gentile undesirables by organizing the boy population into a whistling and whittling brigade suspicious strangers immediately would be surrounded by groups of boys armed with long bladed jack knives and sticks whichever way the suspect moved the boys followed whistling and whittling as they went.  Not a question would they ask not a question would they answer.  They were too small to strike individually too many to battle collectively when they descended on a hapless stranger they hugged his presence like vermin until in exasperation he was glad to take hasty leave from the abode of the saints.”

Wandle Mace said, “Our families were exposed to the rascals who on finding them unprotected by husbands and fathers would insult and abuse them in consequence of such things.  The old police formed themselves into whittling companies and guarded the city  from the rascals.  When a stranger came into the city they would learn if they were upon legitimate business and if so, they did not interfere with them but if they had no legitimate business, they were then under the surveillance of the Whittlers who would follow wherever they went whittling and whistling. They did not molest them in any way not even talking to them but simply followed them whittling and whistling as they went.”

William B Pace painted a vivid picture as he wrote in his journal of the activities of the Brigade.  He said, that  “every boy generally could whistle and most of them had knives from ten to fourteen inches long in scabbards ”a la bouy” and when any of these fellows became boisterous or showed any signs of meddling the boy who discovered would draw his knife and commence whittling and soon a crowd of his pals gathered.  Then they would surround the obnoxious element – be he large or small –  many or few – and whistled and whittled in his direction and they’d stick by him until he was out of town.  This was rather an amusing process.  Not a word was said but an unearthly whistle – and generally everyone had his own favorite tune – and an incessant whittling with those large knives was enough to strike terror to the hearts of the victims and he got out of town as quick as his legs could carry him.”

BROTHER BRIGHAM AND THE BRIGADE

Brigham Young was often confronted about the Brigade by men who got whistled and whittled.  He denied that he had anything to do with the antics of the Brigade.  But, on 14 April 1845,  during the height of the brigade encounter, Brigham Young mentioned that “Nauvoo’s Whistling and Whittling Brigade and the deacons have become very efficient looking after the welfare of the saints. Every part of the city is watched with the strictest care and whatever time of night the streets are traveled at the corner of every block a deacon is found attending his duty.”

Dirty men who felt the brunt of the Brigade sometimes complained to Brother Brigham and accused him of orchestrating the plan and the antics of the Brigade.  One such person who talked to Brigham was given an interesting retort back.  President Young is reported to have quietly replied in the words of Martin Van Buren when president of the United States to Joseph Smith:  “Gentlemen your cause is just but I can do nothing for you.  The legislature has taken away our city charter we have no laws nor power to protect you.”

Obviously, Brigham Young did support the Bishop and Deacon method of watching and guarding Nauvoo, but it was not as apparent that he was supportive of what appears to be its offshoot the Whistling and Whittling brigade.

Many reflected the opinions expressed by many involved with the organization noting that the Brigade lasted but a few weeks.  But, even so, Scoundrels soon learned  that to go into Nauvoo, men must mind their own business and not meddle with the people, or they would get whistled out.  So, if the whistlers kept out even a few of the bad guys – the scoundrels – they were successful.

While the Whistling Whittling Brigade was successful in the short run, the Bishops and Deacons ultimately could not fully control the mobocrats who came after the Saints.  They were still expelled from Nauvoo – beginning in February of 1846.

SO, WHAT DID THE WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE WHITTLE?

This blog article was based on the assumption that the Whistling Whittling Brigade actually did real “woodcarving” – and that the Bishops and Deacons created a desired object, shape or design with their  sharp-edged cutting tools.  (That is a Google definition.)   I guess I assumed that the work of the Whistling Whittling Brigade was whittling or actually wood carving.  And this is what drew me to the Nauvoo Whistling Whittling Brigade.

Now, however, as I have learned more about them, I have realized that their real purpose was to protect the city and to encourage scoundrels to get out of town fast.  I realized that they really weren’t doing real woodcarving, but they sure put on a good act.  They cut on sticks as if whittling – but probably were just taking big swipes (maybe taking the bark off of their sticks).  I had no idea that they did their whittling with large “Bowie Knives”.  Whittling really is not possible with a very large-bladed knife.  Whittling – with a specific goal or design in mind – is best done with small blades that can be manipulated to create intricate designs.

WHAT DID THE WHISTLING WHITTLING BRIGADE ACCOMPLISH?

I learned that the Brigade really was successful – in that they accomplished their goals – but it was a different goal than I had supposed.  Their mission was that of helping scoundrels out of town.  They were a real source of strength to the Saints.  Their presence helped Saints feel at least some peace and protection – even in the trauma of the time.  Their work had nothing to do with whittling and carving.  Theirs was a higher calling – to protect their community, the Temple and fellow saints.  And they accomplished that mission.

The Brigade members served their Nauvoo Covenant Community.  Each man or boy did his best and did his part to contribute to the community as a whole.  Brigade participants experienced a great brotherhood as they worked and served together.  They became friends, and brothers as they served together for the cause of Zion.

Brigade members worked under the direction of their ecclesiastical or church leaders.  They were a beautiful witness of how the Priesthood can operate when all work together.  Bishops were responsible for and guided their Deacons – men and boys – in the protection of their fellow Saints.  Bishops and Deacons worked together to accomplish their mission – setting an example of how Bishops and Aaronic Priesthood men and boys can work together in our day.

The Brigade was successful in keeping the peace in the short run but, the Brigade could not handle the violent mobs that were to come, and the Saints  were later forced to evacuate Nauvoo the following spring.  The Spirit and camaraderie of the Brigade members, however, would live on within their minds and hearts as they went forward – united in faith – to their next adventures and future priesthood responsibilities.

I am surely not a whistler, but I do love to whittle along the trail whenever I can.

Kevin V. Hunt

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It’s Pageant Time in Nauvoo!

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IT’S PAGEANT TIME IN NAUVOO!

BLOG 17

By Kevin V. Hunt

It is Pageant time in Nauvoo, and it is truly an exciting time to be here.  There is so much energy – so much fun – so much to do.  Everywhere in town we see and feel that energy.  It is all around us and the pageant lifts and excites everyone.

(FYI: This proved to be a rather long blog (so much good stuff) but at least with the bold bullet headlines, you can pick and choose what you want to read. You have been warned! Kevin]

There are presently two different pageants running simultaneously in Nauvoo over a three-week period.  “The Nauvoo Pageant” is staged on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights and the “British Pageant” runs on Wednesday and Friday nights of each of the three weeks. 

The Nauvoo Pageant – 2024

The Nauvoo Pageant talks of the building of the city of Nauvoo under the influence of Joseph Smith, the Prophet.  The British Pageant, with the theme title of “Let Truth Prevail” shows missionaries going to preach the restored Gospel in England and through all of the British Isles.

Missionaries here in Nauvoo love the pageants because they draw hoards of guests from all over the country.  And that is why we are serving here in Nauvoo …  we want to share the Lord’s Gospel message with many people.  The pageants are a focus and dream for months before they actually happen.  We look forward to the folks coming.  (I do admit, however, that there is a bit of trepidation – as we anticipate crowds beyond what we can usually handle on our individual tours.)

HISTORY OF PAGEANTS IN NAUVOO

The original Nauvoo pageant, an outdoor musical staged by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was called “The City of Joseph”.  This historic musical of Nauvoo premiered in the summer of 1976 and was staged each summer until 2004.  As the title indicates, the show testified of the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph and the “covenant community” created in Nauvoo by him and members of the Church from the years 1839 through his death in 1844. 

The purpose of the “City of Joseph” pageant was “to reach out to non-members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – to teach them about the faith and to build the testimony of those participating, similar to that which occurred with the pageants at the Hill Cumorah and Manti, Utah,” (BYU Studies Quarterly Volume 53)  … seeking to inspire the audience with the nostalgia and memories of former days in “Old Nauvoo”.

The ”City of Joseph” pageant was replaced in 2005 with the new “Nauvoo Pageant” – titled, “A Tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith”.   Like its predecessor, it “celebrates the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the city of Nauvoo.  The pageant’s purpose is to honor the prophetic leadership and mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and to commemorate the construction of the original Nauvoo Temple.  The pageant also emphasizes the joy of early Latter-day Saints as they learned to love and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ through their faith.   The pageant helps visitors see and feel the sacrifice and faith of the early “pioneers” who came to Nauvoo and built a city from a swamp.

The ”British Pageant”, titled, “Truth Will Prevail”.  made its debut in Chorley, England in 2013 and is performed there every four years (except when expanded for COVID).  The pageant was first performed in Nauvoo the following year – in 2014.  It has been performed annually in Nauvoo ever since.  The British Pageant is captured in the words, “I go because my Master calls” as it portrays the departure of faithful Saints as they left their native lands to answer God’s call to gather to Nauvoo.  The British Pageant invites all to enjoy the blessings that come from seeking and following God’s truth.

The two shows complement each other.   Many of the same characters appear in both shows – like Joseph Smith, Heber C. Kimball, Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff, “Twizzleton” Turley (a fictitious name?) and others – the same men who built Nauvoo, “The City of Joseph” and who were the Apostles who were sent to preach the Restored Gospel in England.  The show depicts the beginning of preaching in England and then shows those same missionaries returning to Nauvoo with their English converts, full of the fire of conversion.   The Pageant explores the beginnings of the Church in the British Isles and the impact of the British members’ abiding faith and deep love for one another and the Savior.” (by Christine Rappleye writing for “The Church News” 25 July 2023).

Both Pageants teach important gospel doctrines including the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the divinity of the Book of Mormon, the ordinances and hope of the Temple, the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, and the prophetic mission of Joseph Smith.

THE CASTS OF THE “NAUVOO PAGEANTS”

The casts of the pageants are a combination of seasoned actors and family cast members.  The main “core actors” take the stage through the whole summer season.  Five “ensemble family casts” serve on a rotating schedule during the season.    Each ensemble family cast can include over 600 volunteers from the United States, Canada and England.  (And it is fun to hear the true “Brits” mixed together and speaking with the “Yanks”!)

Parley P. Pratt, an early Apostle and a “core actor” in the Nauvoo Pageant, narrates the show each night.  I love his opening line:  “When you’re here, we’re here”.  “The “British Pageant” is narrated by a “core actor” character named Arthur Ashton.

TRUTHS TAUGHT AND QUOTES FROM THE PAGEANTS:

Each night, missionaries and others distribute a “Nauvoo Neighbor” newspaper version of a pageant program, entitled, “PAGEANT TONIGHT”.  This wonderful publication shares wonderful quotes from the shows – on various Gospel themes:

               Families: “So, this was the grand panorama. The blessings of the Restoration … were for the whole of God’s family, from our fathers before us to our children after.”

               Life After Death: “How consoling to those of us called to part with a husband, wife, father, mother, child, or dear relative, to know that they shall rise again to dwell in immortal glory.”

               Prophets: “Like our parents and grandparents, we knew our Bibles. We knew that if God opened the heavens again, He would speak to us through a prophet.”

               Community:  “We who were many were becoming one.”

               The Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon: “In them together is the fulness of the gospel.  In the mouth of two witnesses” and “What kind of book is it?  My good man, it is the most correct of any book on earth!”

               The Spirit of God:  “But I’ve had a feelin’.  And it’s not a feelin’ I conjured up m’self.  I can’t quite explain it, but I know it’s true.”

               Divine Authority:  “Go on as the disciples of old and bless the sick in the name of Jesus Christ, healing them by the power of God, through the priesthood you bear”.

               Temples:  “Well this building is somewhat different, Robert, Because it’s a temple, and a temple is for making covenants with God.”

PRESENTATION OF HISTORICAL VIGNETTES BY PAGEANT CAST MEMBERS

While the “core actors” have been captured here in Nauvoo – as they participate in the show casts, they also take time to present great little vignettes to help people feel more of the special people and events of Old Nauvoo.  Often these vignettes also combine with the talents of the “Nauvoo Bagpipe Band” and the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries.

BIRTHDAY PARTY HELD IN HONOR OF EMMA SMITH

On Wednesday, July 10th, Sister Hunt and I found ourselves serving at Joseph Smith’s Red Brick Store.  Soon after we got going for the day, I learned that a “birthday party” was being staged that morning in the Smith Family Cemetery located between Joseph Smith’s Homestead and his Red Brick Store.  I sent Sister Hunt and the young sisters over to participate in it.  The performing missionaries and the Bagpipe Band were also there.  Sister Hunt later reported that they sang “Happy Birthday” with bagpipe accompaniment.  They also sang a song that was in Emma’s first hymnal: “Guide us, O Thou Great Jehovah”.  And they had doughnuts.  (Sister Hunt said that is why the guys from the Nauvoo Performing Missionaries showed up just at the right moment!)    It sounded like a fun activity.

LETTERS OF JOSEPH AND EMMA

The Pageant cast and leaders have created a new little program that featured Joseph and Emma Smith – and mother Lucy Mack Smith.  The Homestead and Mansion House (where we were serving for the day) were closed for about an hour and a half to accommodate the program that was held on the lawn north of the Mansion House.  Joseph and Emma made their grand entrance with an exit from their Mansion House – and again were introduced by the Nauvoo Bagpipe Band.   This group really has a way of making events even more special and wonderful.

Sister Hunt and I quickly ate our lunch after the sites closed.  We then went over to view the program.  The program was entitled, “The Letters of Joseph and Emma” and the characters quoted many of their beautiful and loving letters written to each other.  I loved the Joseph and Emma characters.   They both looked so authentic in their roles.  Joseph was particularly impressive – and he sings very well.  It was a very fun event (lasting about a half hour) – so fun  to view and to enjoy.  It was a very beautiful production.

THE PAGEANT BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER

As missionaries, we have noted that the pageant has been a major force in bringing families and youth groups together.  We have witnessed many families who have come together from all parts of the country to be united for the pageant experience.  It has been great to witness the reunions, the camaraderie, and just the fun of folks enjoying being together.  The family connections have added much to the total pageant experience for many.

And youth groups have come in throngs (and many buses) to join the pageant experience.  It is so great to see these young people as they have traveled together from all over – Texas, Indiana, Nebraska, Las Vegas, and other places – to enjoy the pageant – and all of our wonderful historic sites available to them here in Nauvoo.  Like their leaders, we know that their testimonies of the Prophet Joseph Smith as the Lord’s prophet, will be indelibly impacted by these experiences.  What a blessing to these young people!

ELDER AND SISTER HUNT HOSTED THEIR OWN PAGEANT VISITORS

Though they planned their trip before Sister Hunt and I were called to Nauvoo, they planned their trip (from their Tempe, Arizona home) so that they could participate in both of the Nauvoo pageants.  It was such great fun to have them here with us for almost a week.

The Simeon Dunn home where we reside is nice, but also rather small – and not really conducive to a family of visitors.  It is nice for the two of us but there is not a lot of room for others.  We made it work, however.  Conveniently, there is a giant rag rug (in the greatest of Old Nauvoo style) that has been folded on a table in the corner.  We dragged this out and swept it off and spread it on the floor of the home cellar.  The rug must have been made just for the home.  It filled the concrete floor perfectly.  And we were able to line up four air mattresses on it to accommodate the four grandchildren.

Then a large air mattress completely filled every inch of our free space in our living room.  This is where Jackie and her man spent their nights.  We had to be creative in scheduling use of the single bathroom – located upstairs in our bedroom. 

Somehow, it all worked out very well.  The tight togetherness brought us closer!  The family ate with us (or we ate with them). We headed off each morning to serve in our various historic sites and the family also headed off on their own schedule to experience all that is available to families here in Nauvoo.  They had a grand time – and were actually quite worn out each night because of their exhaustive schedule.  And as Jackie noted, “It was all FREE!”  She marveled that the Church has put together so much – and all centered around families.  She thought it was one of the greatest possible vacation destinations ever.   

We were able make arrangements to take the family on a private tour of Joseph’s Red Brick Store.  (And I documented this in my recent blog on “Miracles”).  Even with our tight service schedule, we still had a lot of time to spend with the family.  We even got to take a fun “field trip” with them on our P-day.  (More on this in a future blog post!)

And besides the Arizona family, their two cousins came at the same time with their Kyle, Texas youth group.  (Their trip was also scheduled before our mission call.)  The group came on three buses timed, of course, to be here for pageant.  So, we were able to connect with them and enjoyed activities and tours together.

We attended both pageants together (with all of the grands) and this was wonderful.  We also participated in the Country Fair each of the nights.

COUNTRY FAIR FUN

It is hard to describe the immense possibilities of fun and excitement afforded by the Country Fair that accompanies the pageants each night.  The event features a plethora of great activities that pioneer families may have done back in the day.  There were many fun games – like stilt walking, log sawing, sack races, and more.

The round dancing event drew young and old together for good old-fashioned country dancing.  Our 15-year old grandson even participated as partner to his 19-year old sister.  And I think that he had fun – in spite of himself.  And games of skill and strength …  wow!  What a selection: stickball, tug-of-war, relay and sack races, a handcart pull, graces and hoops, horseshoes, log sawing, stick pulling, and more.

The children’s activities were also fun.  Our ladies had fun weaving rags and braiding headbands and such.

And a real favorite of ours was the pioneer photo booth.  As a seasoned “fact checker”, I found the photo – with the pioneer handcart a little ahead of its time but super fun.   Somehow, we managed to corner the family all together at the same time and location to catch a photo of all of us together. 

Able and happy workers helped us all to don wonderful pioneer costumes and to stage our best photo op.  They even hit the button on our cell phone cameras.  Such fun!

STANDING RESOLUTE AT THE BRITISH PAGEANT

Not to break the surprise for those who choose to come next year, but all of the Nauvoo missionaries (young and old) get to participate in the finale of the British Pageant.  We missionaries had a difficult role.  We came in on cue, as the cast began to sing, “Come, Come, Ye Saints” and stood “resolute” on risers on both sides of the stage (as the worldwide missionary effort – beginning in England as portrayed in the pageant was introduced).

Ours was a hard role and we had to have two or three practices to get it down.  We came in singing “Called to Serve” and joined in singing for two more songs – “Then Say What is Truth”,   and “Redeemer of Israel”.  Our role was to “stand resolute” as silent witnesses to the united cast phrase of “Truth Will Prevail”.

THE HUNT FAMILY IN THE “CITY OF JOSEPH” CAST

The “City of Joseph” Pageant began in 1976 – the year after I was there as a missionary.  I had heard of this pageant for many years and lamented that I/we had not been able to be a part of the show.  And for years, I had the dream that someday I could go there to be in the cast with the whole family.  The dream was always there but I did not see any way that we would ever be able to do it (on our constant mode of lack of resource for such an adventure.  Having money was never a part of our family situation.)  I did not think time and resources would ever come together at the same time to give us the opportunity.  Finally, in late 1995 I told the family that “next summer is our year to go be in the pageant”.    We did not know how it would be possible, but we went forward in faith, trusting that things would come together.

We got accepted to be in the 1996 show.  We knew that it would be a major project to take us and nine children the 1,500 or so miles from our Mesa, Arizona home to Nauvoo, Illinois.  We learned that it would take our every effort and focus to get there.  It took a full year to get there.  We laid out our plan of everything that we needed to do, and began to work on that plan.

GETTING OUR COSTUME PARTS TOGETHER

We learned – with a bit of shock – that we would have to put together our own costumes.  Wow!  For eleven people … that was a major challenge.  We had been in the Mesa Temple Easter Pageant for many years and this pageant had always supplied the many and various costumes for us.  I guess we had been spoiled.

So, we had to have period pioneer clothing for all of us.  And we had to adhere in everything to a set standard that the pageant staff sent to us.  And we had to send in splotches of every material that we wanted to use.  And we had to use (or be in compliance) with various costume styles and patterns.  This became a lengthy and challenging project – that seemed to get bigger and bigger.

(And incidentally, times have changed …  Sister Hunt stood aghast as we recently visited the “new” pageant building – located way east of town.  There were rows and rows of glorious costumes of all kinds – just waiting for cast members to get into them.)

The boys and I had to have kind of baggy pants and shirts with specific collar styles.  The ladies needed frilly skirts with pantaloons.  And the list of accessory items seemed especially formidable.  We needed scarves, hats, special socks, aprons, suspenders, knickers for the boys, half jackets for the ladies, bonnets, boots, vests, shoes, and much more.  We made regular trips to thrift stores, garage sales, and everywhere else we thought might possibly have our desired or needed items.  And one by one, we found all of the needed accessories. 

MAKING THE TRANSPORTATION DECISION

We looked at various options for our transportation.  Finally, we decided that we wanted to take the Amtrak train back to Nauvoo.  We found a “1 plus 2” rate.  This meant that for each paying adult, we could take two kids for free.   Lou and I were, of course, adults, and Jackie – who was over age 16 counted as an adult.  We recruited Lou’s widowed father to go with us as the fourth adult (but after his fare was paid, he decided that he could not make the trip with us … and his fare money was lost).  This all proved to be a great deal for our large family.

FINDING HOUSING FOR OUR LARGE CLAN

There were some options … we could have tented in the state park.  We could have found a commercial place to stay.  (But that was before AirBandB was a thing – and the internet was just coming into its own.)  Another alternative was to stay in Camp Nauvoo – a camp owned by then Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ.  This ultimately proved to be the best option and we chose this plan.  The pageant had rented out the whole camp for use of the cast members.  There was to be a large kitchen and a cafeteria, and folks could rent cabins or bring RV’s.  Having no RV, we chose the cabins.  And we were lucy enough (highly blessed) to obtain a large “cabin” that had sufficient bunkbeds for the eleven of us.

In order to stay in the cabin, we needed to come up with about $80 per each of us.  This would include all food for the three weeks as well the cabin itself.  We began to save our pennies (lots of them) to be able to take this trip.  It would take a lot of effort and faith, but again, we went forward – not knowing how it would all come together.

FINANCING THE TRIP

I noted that financing a pageant trip was always the problem.  How to get all of the funds needed?  We had been out of a job (again) and this was not the best time to make such a financial commitment.  And in our circumstances, we did hold back a bit.

It was Christmas, 1995 …  That was a very challenging time – but many good friends, neighbors – and even people whom we did not know came forth with help so that we had a glorious Christmas (way beyond just the gifts).  One special gift was very much unplanned.  My sister, Lesa, and husband Charlie came to our home and somehow left us an old truck that had belonged to Charlie’s father (delivering the truck in the middle of the night with some special way of us finding the keys later).

The truck was so “vintage” that it was actually a genuine albatross.  A couple of years before, the government had banned the use of “Regular” gasoline, and all cars were to use the new “Unleaded” gas.  The truck used “Regular” gas.  (Regular gas was still available for a while, but it was very challenging to obtain it.)

Anyway, I rejoiced when we were given this great gift.  I knew that it had come in answer to our prayers.  I am not exactly sure why Lesa and Charlie had given us the truck, or what they thought we could do with it –  but it was amazing and so wonderful for us.  I told the family that this gift was the key – the opportunity – for us to go to Nauvoo.  We recognized it as the needed manna from heaven to help us make the journey.  The plan was for us to sell the vehicle.  And we tried for months to sell the truck – and no buyer came forth.  This became a greater test of faith for us, but we somehow knew that we would sell it to finance our trip.  Ultimately, we did sell the truck – but the sale came in the Lord’s own time – which was literally the day after our trip was complete and we were back home.  (Another major test – the timing – but it did somehow all work out … and we were very grateful for this great blessing.)

I don’t know what Lesa and Charlie thought of us selling their gift but to us it had come as a major miracle, and we rejoiced in it.

But still additional funds were needed.  We gave each child the task of somehow earning the $80 for their own share of the Camp Nauvoo experience.  Some of the children worked and were able to save much of their own money.  We needed something for the rest of the children.  We decided that we could paint address numbers on curbs.  So, we spent a great many nights over many months going out together (whoever could on a given night) painting curbs.  I think we painted half of the curbs in town!

THINGS BEGAN TO COME TOGETHER FOR OUR PLANNED TRIP

It was definitely a major stretch and surely a giant leap of faith, but somehow it all came together.  Lou and the girls were in a constant mode of sewing the many costumes.   As noted, we scrounged everywhere trying to find just the right accessory items needed for everyone – and somehow – one item at a time – we did find the items.  We packed these items into a large plastic trunk.  We were able to make our train reservations when the time came (and the window was a very small one).  Miracle after miracle happened and things fell into place.

We had to take all of our costumes and we bought a large moving wardrobe box – with the bar – to hold the dresses.  We had to take all of our own bedding to go on the metal cots at Camp Nauvoo … so this meant sleeping bags and blankets, pillows, etc.  Each person had to have their own suitcase(s).   We were to be gone for three weeks.  (And incidentally, I had recently been given a new job, but I made the needed time off a matter of my pre-hire contract – so we were able to be gone for the needed time – taken as “unpaid leave”.)

With all of this “stuff” that we had to take, we almost needed to rent a U-Haul to get us to the train station.  In the end, we came up with 25 pieces of luggage!  Wow!  So unbelievable – even now.  It was good that we had the family 15-passenger van – and a large borrowed trailer. 

Packing everything was a major miracle that Lou and all of us pulled together.  Jenae was a major force in this effort.  She and Lou stayed up nearly all night the night before our departure – sorting and folding everything.

The day of departure arrived, and it was time for our departure.  I had to work that day, so the final arrangements were left to Lou.  And as ever, she did an amazing job. 

A MAJOR LAST-MINUTE CHALLENGE AND A MIRACLE FOR KEITH AND ALL OF US

In the week prior to going to Nauvoo, our son, Keith, had been up to Utah where his grandfather had property that was bordered by a stream.  And all along this stream, there was poison ivy.  And the ten days or so before our Utah trip, Keith was also at Camp Geronimo in Arizona and there tromped through more poison ivy.  Keith showed no reaction to the poison ivy until a week or so after the exposures to it.  But, somehow it got into his bloodstream and surfaced on the day that we were to leave on the train for Nauvoo.  It broke out in its fury in the form of a pussy rash that completely covered his body.  And his head swelled up like a pumpkin – to the point that his eyes were swollen, and he could not even see out of them.  We took him to the doctor two hours before we were to leave on our trip.  The doctor examined him and said that we absolutely could not take him on our planned Nauvoo trip (because there would be no doctors en route on the train).  He was emphatic as he said that his breathing could shut down completely.

We were devastated.  We had worked tirelessly for over a year to prepare for this trip.  We had collected and created our extensive costume collection for the whole family.  We had worked at various tasks to earn money for our trip.  It had been an exhausting but wonderful preparation for the trip.  And now suddenly, we were told that we could not go.  A priesthood blessing was given by our bishop, friend and long-time neighbor, Richard Hale (as I was still at work) and Keith was miraculously healed – sufficient that the doctor finally allowed him to make the trip – with strict instructions for emergency medical attention if his condition worsened at any time en route.

THE TRAIN TRIP TO NAUVOO

Going on the train meant that we had to board it at Flagstaff, Arizona to go east.  Our journey started as our neighbor, Richard Hale, drove our big van with all of us to Phoenix.  We thought that we were to go to the Greyhound station in West Phoenix to catch a bus to Flagstaff.  We got there and found a sign that said that the station had recently closed and that we were to meet a shuttle bus (operated by Arizona Native Americans) from the airport.  So, we were now a bit pressed for time, but we rushed over there and arrived just in time.

As already noted, we had 25 pieces of luggage for our crowd.  This included all of our costumes, sleeping bags and bedding for all of us for the three weeks, regular clothes, food chests for two days of travel on the train – for our crowd, etc.  So, Brother Hale helped us get all of that loaded onto the bus and we were soon off on the charter connection.  We enjoyed the bus trip up north to Flagstaff.

Upon arrival in Flagstaff, the Indian bus line took us to a bus station – which was across the street from the train station.  He was kind enough to take us also to the train station.  We secured use of a giant old wagon on which we put all of our stuff.  The train folks assured us that we could leave the whole trailer in an open bin of the station – until our departure the next morning.

Another guy in our ward had a cousin in Flagstaff who owned a motel.  When Scott told his cousin of our service trip, he offered to give us two rooms in his motel for free for the night.  (Another great “tender mercy” of the Lord).  The hotel “The Pony Soldier” was located down the road about two miles.  (And our kids ranged in age from 1 1/2 to 17).  We had arranged for two taxis to come for us.  We learned that 5 was the maximum number of people to be in a taxi so that is why we had two.  And learning that there were 11 of us, they almost made us take a third taxi but, the folks decided that the baby could sit on mom’s lap.

We had a grand time there in the hotel that night.  This was a first for us and the kids loved it.

Next morning early, the two taxi cabs returned to take us to the train station.  We were told that Flagstaff “law” would only allow any train to stop for a total of six minutes (so as not to hold up traffic – or whatever).   And if this was not met, the train conductor would be arrested and a new conductor would have to be sent to Flagstaff from New Mexico.  (True statement!)  We were told that the off-coming folks would have three minutes to disembark and us on-going passengers (more than just our crowd) would have only three minutes to get on the train with all of our stuff.  We were told that we could just go in as fast as possible, drop our stuff and then go upstairs – and then in a little while, we could return downstairs to the luggage area to organize and store our stuff properly.

We lined up all of our 25 items on the sidewalk and put with each person assigned to one – or multiple items – to the kids whom we thought could best handle that part of the stuff.  One of the children was to take the baby and others were to have one or more items to be in charge of.  The children were all very psyched up and ready for the challenge.  When the train stopped our adrenaline was high.  The folks coming off just kind of took their time and the second that they were off, we blew the whistle (not really) and the signal was “Run!”  And it was really crazy.  (There were multiple cars so groups could pick whichever one they thought best – so there were a lot of people lined up on the sidewalk by different cars.)

We somehow managed to get all of the stuff and us into the train – and then it was off – full steam ahead.  We went upstairs and found the seats to be giant recliners – like the ultimate in movie theaters or the first-class section of a big airplane.  Wow!  We found seats all in the same area – another miracle.  And after a little while, we were able to go down to get our stuff put together.

The ride was absolutely fabulous.  The kids had a grand time going to the dining car (which we could not afford) or to the “recreation room” at the other end of the train.  Our nine-year old son was then into balloon tying (and was excellent at it) and he went up and down the train making balloon creations for young and old).

The train went 72 MPH in the daytime and 90 MPH at night.  And we had to spend a night on the train.  We wished that we had known that the A/C would be blasting full blast, or we would have planned and packed better so as to have blankets with us for the ride.  We drove through New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas City and then got off at Fort Madison, Iowa – located up-river about 15 miles from Nauvoo.

OUR UNIQUE HUNT FAMILY LOOK

As we prepared for our trip, we thought it would be fun to show up on stage (at the opening practice) in family look-alike t-shirts.  This was long before computers and modern-day graphics programs, but we created a great design and put this on shirts for all of us.  They were great!

OUR NAUVOO ADVENTURE BEGINS

As we arrived in Iowa, we really wished that we had our big family van.  We had to rent a car and could not afford to rent a big van.  So, we rented a little car.  And somehow, we got all eleven of us in the car.  (We left our collection of stuff at the train station – with the promise that we would be back for it soon.  And we then didn’t even know how we would get back for the stuff).  Then we were like Nephi and “went forth with faith”.  We drove in our squished condition to Keokuk, Iowa (because from my Nauvoo mission experience), I wanted to enter Nauvoo from the South.  We went to a fast food joint to eat.  Some folks there – maybe store employees – were shocked as our large crowd came pouring out of the car and into the place.  We were afraid that they were going to report us to authorities or something for child abuse or whatever.  So, we quickly got our food and headed out – across the river and up-river to Nauvoo the beautiful.

We drove to the Camp Nauvoo campground where we were to stay.  This campground – owned then by the RLDS church and rented to our church – had places for RV’s, tents, etc.  We had saved up enough money to rent a single cabin – with bunk beds – for our crowd.  The place also had a dining hall.  It was much like a Scout camp or similar (and we had plenty of experience with that scenario).

We checked in and got our assigned cabin.  We then walked around looking for someone who might have a truck and who could help us.  We knew absolutely no one.  But, we found a couple of trucks and their owners – and talked to the folks.  It was an instant connection – just as it was with everyone in the pageant – and the guys – new friends and brothers – were more than willing to assist us.  (Yet another major tender mercy of the Lord.)

I left my wife and most of the kids at the campground and I headed off with my new friends back to Ft. Madison.  We loaded all of the stuff into their vehicles and returned back to Nauvoo.

MISSING OUR ACCESSORY TRUNK

We got all of the stuff to the cabin and began to take inventory.  To our shock and horror, our main large trunk – that held most of our accessory items (which we had so painstaking worked to buy and accumulate) was “missing in action”.  We did not know what to do.  We knelt and prayed as a family.

I went to a pay phone (that was long before cell phones) – and after getting a large supply of quarters – began to make phone calls to the train company – and everyone else – to try to locate our trunk.  I was on the phone literally for about two hours through this process.  With the passage of time, I learned that our trunk had not made it off from our original Indian contract bus that we had taken from Phoenix to Flagstaff.  But, it gets better (or worse) …  The trunk was not discovered by the bus line, and it had remained on the bus.  And after our departure, it remained on the bus undiscovered and was touring all over Arizona – and had been for three days.  

The folks (with my many calls) finally located the trunk out in the middle of no-where Arizona somewhere.  They then made the necessary arrangements to get the trunk back to Flagstaff and onto the train.  So, we had to wait another three or four days for it to catch up with us.  Luckily, we were just in show practices at that time and didn’t yet need the costume items.

So, can you see the Lord’s hand in all of this?  We certainly did … and with grateful hearts, we gave thanks to the Lord for all of his many tender mercies in our behalf.  We were ready to hit it with the show!

We auditioned for – or were cast – in a number of scenes.  It was fun to be in so many of the great scenes.

THE HUNT FAMILY IN THE OPENING PAGEANT SCENE

Most folks who know me, know that I have a propensity for journal writing.  It has been my practice to write a daily entry in my personal journal for fifty plus years.  I now create and maintain my journal volumes on the computer but the first 101 volumes of my journal were hand-written.  As I worked to maintain my journal writing habit, I had learned to take the journal with me wherever I went so that I could take advantage of precious writing moments whenever and wherever I might have a few spare minutes to write.  Such was the case when we were in Nauvoo.  I took it with me to the stage set so that when we were not busy rehearsing, I could write in it.

On one occasion, I was busy writing when the director of our show, “The City of Joseph”, held a “think session” with his directing staff.  He was not comfortable with the show opening and was brainstorming with many of the cast about what they could do for the opening.  There was a lot of discussion.  Then suddenly he looked over at me writing in my journal and he later said it was as if he had a vision on the spot.  He said excitedly, “There it is!”  He had seen me with my journal beginning the show – on a blanket surrounded by my wife and nine children – and reading from my journal as if I was reading them the show story.  He had us enter as a family – coming from all directions, and me holding the journal book high.  We then sat on the ground as if at a picnic and I took out my journal and began to read.  The director and everyone else loved it!  It was a big hit.  We were cast in this role and we did this grand family entry for both of the summers (1996 and 1997) that we were in the “City of Joseph” pageant cast.  We all enjoyed this special opening role as we performed it each night. 

FOOD AND BOARD AT CAMP NAUVOO

We got all of our stuff into the cabin at the Camp Nauvoo. We lived in a single room – with 11 bunkbeds. We had to have a large table for the seven women to do their hair and other “girl stuff”.

We ate in the large dining hall with all of the rest of the cast who were staying also at the camp. This was a great place and we had many good times there – along with the food. We took turns with other cast members in the preparation of the food, clean-up, and other functions. We helped re-roof the structure as a service to the camp for letting us stay there. The place worked out well for us and our large gang.

With three very cute teenage girls, we always had a few extra guys hanging around and wanting to eat with us. The arrangement was mutually agreeable to all parties.

THE HUNT FAMILY GETS CAST IN THE PRODUCTION

There were 400 or more cast members in the production. Each family was given specific roles in the show. For some key roles, an audition was needed. Some other scenes were just assigned. Sometimes it was just being in the right place at the right time when more people were needed.

Anyway, we ended up cast in many scenes. Some were with the whole family and other times it was just two or three family members.

HELPING TO “STEADY THE ARK”

One of the great scenes of the Nauvoo pageant was a giant work scene.  All over the stage families were demonstrating work, crafts and all that helped the Saints build Nauvoo.  One of the props for the scene was a giant water wheel – about 20 feet tall.  As we progressed through the scene, this water wheel began to topple.  I and a few others who were doing our things close by, ran over to “help steady the ark” and to keep it from falling.

A while later – after we had finished the practice for this scene, a newspaper writer and photographer came up to me.  She said, “I got a picture of you holding up that water wheel so now I have to get your name so that it can be in the newspaper with the photo.  I provided her my name and then she asked what had brought us to Nauvoo.  I told her that we had many ancestors who had lived in Nauvoo.  I told her about being in Nauvoo on a mission.   She was kind of bored with all of that.  And then as a stroke of inspiration, I began to tell her that my in-laws had served a mission to Nauvoo.  She politely asked who my in-laws were – though she was not really interested in hearing the answer.  I told her that my father-in-law was EH Belcher and that he had built the original brick yard for modern Nauvoo guests.  As I told her the name of E H Belcher, she just about sky-rocketed off of the stage.  She said, “You’ve got to be kidding!” 

She then told us how EH Belcher had converted her to the Church.  We had heard this story but not knowing the lady – and not being in Nauvoo when the baptism occurred, we had never paid a whole lot of attention to it.  Now the story made sense.  This reporter – then not a member of the LDS Church – lived across the river in Keokuk, Iowa.  And frequently on weekends, she found her way to Nauvoo to hang out – having felt great peace there.  And one of her favorite places to go was to the brickyard – manned by EH Blecher.  And over many months, and at his prompting – after giving her a Book of Mormon and a brick, etc. – had decided to join the church.  And “Gramps” had baptized her in the Mississippi River.  That had been about 15 years prior to our Nauvoo experience.

And now suddenly she could not get enough of us.  She then interviewed us extensively.  She wanted to hear every detail of our family, our Nauvoo experiences and our pioneer ancestors who were there.   She took copious notes.  She did not even publish her water wheel photo but instead featured our family and created a 2-page spread that got published as the front page and more – in three local county newspapers.  So, our family became missionaries to all of those people.

2024 Note:  As Sister Hunt and I returned to Nauvoo as Senior Missionaries, we wondered what had become of our friend, Cecelia – the news reporter of long ago.  We knew that she had lived back then in Keokuk but really had no idea where she might be all of these years later.  Then we had a “miracle meeting” with a couple of “FM” (Facilities Maintenance) workers from here in Nauvoo.  We found out that they attend local wards.  We asked one brother if he knew Cecelia.  He did not – but looked in his stake directory to see if she might live in the local area.   And there she was … living across the river in Montrose, Iowa.

We have tried on a few occasions to connect with Cecelia, but we still have not managed the task.  But, sometime, we believe that we will suddenly come face to face with her.  We know that “Gramps Belcher” would like us to find and talk to her.  We know that it will happen

BECOMING ACQUAINTED WITH THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH

The Hunt Family with Joseph Smith at his Mansion House

One of the greatest blessings of being in the “City of Joseph” Pageant was the beautiful opportunity to become personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith – the Prophet of the Restoration.  We lived with him in his “covenant community” and even though a hundred and fifty years after his time, we felt we knew him.  We felt his power and influence as God’s Prophet.  It seemed that we were consecrating our efforts for him and our pioneer ancestors.  It was a glorious time.

One of my favorite scenes was an intimate one with the Prophet.  This was “Men on the Fence”.  A few of my pageant brothers and I were talking with Joseph.  He told us the story of some poor brother whose house had burned down.  We all felt sorry for the man.  Then Brother Joseph said, “I feel sorry in the amount of $5!” (with an implied hint that we all likewise “feel sorry”).   All of the men chuckled (almost lost it in their character role) as I put my debit card into the hat.  It was a great moment!

POETIC INSPIRATION FOR THE MOMENT

Often in spiritual situations, I receive inspiration and pen some lines for the occasion.  This was one of those times.  I wrote a cast song – and presented it to the show director for his future use:

THE THREAT OF RAIN AND TORNADO AND THE NIGHTLY MIRACLE

Nauvoo is a place that is absolutely green and beautiful with its lush grass and trees.  Of course, all of this beauty is dependent upon frequent rains to maintain the look and feel.  And so it was a natural thing to also be challenged by the rain at times.  There were times that we got dumped on.

We remember many (not just one time) when it would be raining for a couple of hours before a scheduled performance.  As a cast, we would meet in the Nauvoo chapel on the hill above the stage for a nightly devotional.  And sometimes it would rain outside through this devotional.  And then as the devotional ended and the chapel doors opened, the rain would miraculously stop – and the show would go on.  And on one occasion, there was a tornado watch within just a couple of miles from us.

Even today, Nauvoo insiders (even “non-members” of the Church) say, “We don’t know what it is with the Mormons …  The pageant never gets rained out!”  And it’s true!

We all remember one rain night with the “City of Joseph”.  The night had again happened as described above.  This was the final night of the show, and this meant that we needed to “strike the set” (take everything down) after the show.  This made for a very long evening.  Anyway, on this occasion, the skies were cloudy and there was a threat of rain but it held off.

“Old Blue” Semi Trailer – Still in use in 2024!

We finished our tasks – which included putting all of the tech stuff lights, sound systems, etc.) into “Old Blue” the church’s semi-trailer that goes around to all of the pageants.  (We became good friends with “Old Blue” as it came to all of the Mesa Pageants that we were a part of.  It was like an old friend.)  Anyway, we completed our strike and literally, the second after the doors of Old Blue were shut, there was an absolute deluge of rain.  We all got a free bath that night!  (But we rejoiced in the Lord for this great blessing and miracle that we experienced together!)

SHEDDING THE PAGEANT FUZZ

Many or most of the pageant men took advantage of the opportunity to show their manhood by growing a pageant beard.  That is, of course, every man’s dream.  (Though many women – including my mother – can be vocal about the evils of such …)  And I was no exception!  I love growing beards and I must say, I can grow a pretty good one.  It has often been the envy of many a brother who has seen the beards.  It was great fun to grow a pageant beard.

But sadly, all good things must end … And that was the case with the pageant.  Even this glorious and wonderful event had to come to a close.  And after the pageant ended, it was time to get back to reality – to the “here and now”.  As I had done many times after cast service in the Arizona Temple Easter “Jesus the Christ” Pageant, I hosted a “beard shaving party” for the true men of the “City of Joseph” cast.   Many men loved this idea, and they joined us for the grand event.

We gathered to a central place at our Camp Nauvoo and at the specified time – late at night after the final show – and after “striking the set” (taking down everything and putting it all away).  I provided many treats for the occasion and others brought goodies, too.   It was party time!

We all hammed it up!  We would let the women shave off parts of the beard and we would all go for the same look – and with each new look, we would take more photos.  This proceeded until the beard was fully cut off – exposing a new shade of whiteness under the intense tan of the upper face – gained from long practices in the sun.  We each had to tweak our own face a bit more – with a closer razor to fully take the remaining fuzz off.

It was a guy thing … And we all played it to the hilt and loved every manhood moment of it!

THE PAGEANT WAS LIKE A 3-WEEK YOUTH CONFERENCE

Words cannot adequately express the joy of each pageant experience – and especially in a summary reading such as this.  Suffice it to say that there was some kind of activity going on every minute.  There was never a dull moment.  There were classes, activities, programs, and events for each person, family, and age group.

Suffice it to say, it was like a giant EFY experience that went for three weeks.  The only difference was that it included all youth but also siblings, and parents – and new friends – all participating and enjoying every minute of it.

GRATITUDE TO THE LORD FOR GREAT BLESSINGS IN PAGEANT PARTICIPATION

Our pageant experience was truly one of the greatest experiences that we ever had with our children and family.  We all still talk of it (even 27/28) years later.  Doing this was one of the best things that we ever did for our family.

As we returned from our 1996 pageant experience, I reflected upon the many blessings that we had experienced from the Lord and through our pageant journey.  Though tired, I took the much late night time to recount those blessings in a journal entry – written on the day of our return to reality – August 12, 1996

SO MANY MEMORIES TO SHARE

This has become a rather large or long blog article, and I could go on forever expounding on the glorious events of those special pageant days.  I have just touched on some of the highlights of our experiences but there is so much more.  I cannot specifically mention all of the great times (as Book of Mormon writers said, “I cannot include even a hundredth part of what happened”.  I recorded some 81 pages of journal writing about our 1996 experience (July 24 to August 12, 1996). 

I have included a link here to my full journal writings of that time.  And so, the really interested person (and especially my children and posterity) can see and experience with us all of the gory details.  (And if you read something you should not – meaning some personal opinions of the writer, … act as if you have never read them.)

Here is the link:

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:176a3491-c0c7-4d41-8b6a-3ba776145a7b

RETURNING FOR THE 1997 “CITY OF JOSEPH” CAST EXPERIENCE

We had so much fun in 1996 that we decided to do it all again in 1997.  That too, was a grand and glorious experience.  While some of the memories shared above also apply to 1997, there were many more different and fun times.

In 1997 we could not afford to take the train again.  Sadly, we had to resort to driving.  Our 15-passenger van was literally packed to the gills.  I don’t think we could have put another sock into the mix.  In a stroke of genius, we bagged use of suitcases (literally).  They were just too big and bulky.  We resorted to the use of large garbage bags for everything – since they were “fluid” and “squishable” and we could compress them into every available inch and corner. 

The trip (both directions) was long and arduous … but so worth every effort.

A special part of the 1997 pageant experience was that we were joined in the cast by my long-time missionary companion and friend, Elder Shaltes, and his family.  At our urging, they applied for and became a part of the cast.  They made the trek from their Sacramento, California home.  It was super great hanging out with them reliving old experiences and enjoying new fun times together.

The Shaltes Family

(Elders) Hunt and Shaltes in front of “The Red Barn” Home where they had lived as missionaries together 22 years previously

Again, I journaled the entire experience and will include the link here.  There is some extraneous stuff in the entries leading up to departure day, but much of it talks of the preparations needed to make the trip.  To avoid all of this, you can, to use a printing term, (John Taylor Print Shop), and just “cut to the chase” and go direct to the entry beginning July 23.  (Same reading and forgetting rules as noted for 1996!)

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:66baeee8-13a0-41d1-91b4-4582da910be9

Each pageant experience was wonderful and glorious and though we would have loved to have returned year after year, we had to face reality.  Time and money would not always realign, it was hard to get off work for the required time, plus our kids’ school years began earlier and earlier (early August) so we had to be grateful for the two pageant experiences we had, and move on … to let some other families have the same experiences.

REVISITING “CAMP NAUVOO” AS SENIOR MISSIONARIES

I have noted that our family were privileged to be housed in a large “bunkhouse” room at Camp Nauvoo when we were here in Nauvoo in the “City of Joseph” pageant.  We had a grand time with the many other pageant families.  We became friends with many with whom we shared time and memories for many years.  Those were great times.  The journal entries detail many of those great times (at the dining hall, doing service, teens hanging out at the “water bubbler”, activities, and just being and sharing together).

Still holding to those memories of long ago, it was fun to go with Sister Hunt’s brother, Brad and Kerry, to revisit Camp Nauvoo.  Going back to the place was so fun.  It was great to relive those memories.  We walked the camp, visited the room where the 11 of us bunked, and of course, took a plethora of photos to share with the family.

SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS OF PAGEANT PARTICIPATION

Our family had the opportunity to serve in the cast of the Mesa Arizona Temple, “Jesus the Christ” pageant 12 times (over 20 years).  This pageant cemented in our children their testimonies of our Lord, Jesus Christ as we walked and lived in the life of Jesus.  These were glorious experiences, and they had a life-long profound effect upon the children.

Likewise, participating twice in the Nauvoo pageant had a deep and abiding influence on the children – relative to Joseph Smith – as the Lord’s prophet.  Being in the pageant brought special feelings of the Prophet to each of the children.

Our daughter, Jenae, summed it up as she was on her  mission and was studying about Jesus and Joseph.  She talked of her testimony of both as she wrote her mother and me:   “I think a big part of that testimony was because of our experiences in both the Nauvoo and the Easter “Jesus the Christ” pageants.  I decided that those were the best experiences that you gave all of us – as those two subjects are so important in the Gospel and our testimonies.  It was probably one of the greatest preparations for serving a mission and in helping us develop a testimony of these teachings for ourselves.”

“I continue to learn that my testimony is strengthened because I have experienced for myself a small portion of Joseph Smith’s life and Christ’s life through both pageants.  My testimony of them is more solid because I got to experience their lives somewhat.  So, thank you for taking the time, money and effort to allow us to participate in both pageants.”

Our daughter, Kaylea, years later, also expressed her feelings and memories of pageant participation – along with how the pageant strengthened her testimony of the Restored Gospel.

“Being in the Nauvoo pageant for two years gave me some of the most memorable times of my life. It was a pivotal time in my life when I was building my own testimony of the church. Being able to walk the same streets that our Prophet walked and learning about all the pioneers was so special. I grew to love the Prophet Joseph Smith and all the sacrifices he made to bring the church back for us all. My testimony really grew so much! Being in the pageant almost made me feel like I was back in time. Being all dressed up in time period clothes was so fun!! And I made so many friends. There is a special spirit in Nauvoo that you just can’t feel anywhere. I’m so grateful my Dad made sure we had that opportunity to be in the pageant. It really made me understand and appreciate how the church was restored and all the sacrifices the saints made for us. I will never forgot my time in Nauvoo and the memories I made there. It will always hold a very special place in my heart.”

Being Pageant participants – and the adventures getting there and back – and being on stage were some of our greatest times. They were definitely fun times. But, beyond the fun times and the adventure or it all, it was also a time filled with the Spirit – the Holy Ghost. We felt His Spirit with us in all that we did – in our travels, in our activities, the practices, the associationj with others of the pageant “covenant community” and in our witness through our performances. We felt the Lord’s guidance and protection in our preparations, the trips, and in the performances.

Being in the Nauvoo Pageant was one of the greatest blessings that we ever experienced as a family. We had also served a dozen times (over 20 years) in the “Jesus The Christ” Easter Pageant at the Mesa, Arizona Temple. The Easter Pageant cemented in the children, a love for and an abiding testimony in our Lord Jesus Christ. And being in the Nauvoo Pageant solidified in each of them a burning testimony of the Joseph Smith as the Lord’s Prophet of the Restoration. Together, these various pageant experiences had a great impact upon our children and their testimonies of today.

We have been able to witness the pageants several times this year and we can readily see why the Church stages these performances – for both the cast participants as well as the thousands of visitors who see the performances through each season. It is definitely worth coming and doing!

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NAUVOO PAGEANTS IN 2025

Sadly, all good things must end – and the 2024 Pageants will soon be history.  But now, we can look forward to the possibility of experiencing the Nauvoo Pageants again in 2025.

The pageants next year – 2025 – will be staged from JULY 8 THROUGH AUGUST 2ND.  Mark your calendars and start planning time and finances so that you might be able to make the trip.  Sister Hunt and I would be happy to welcome you here in beautiful Nauvoo.  And remember that the pageants are staged on alternate nights – so plan to attend both.

Happy to be on stage on the wonderful and historic trail of Old Nauvoo.        9

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In Awe of God’s Beautiful Nauvoo

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IN AWE OF GOD’S BEAUTIFUL NAUVOO

BLOG #14

Kevin V. Hunt

Words cannot adequately describe the beauty of God’s wonders around us in Beautiful Nauvoo.  Everywhere we look, we see magnificence.  I stand in awe and amazement of God’s natural wonders so evident everywhere here in Nauvoo.

But, to put it in perspective for this Arizona Desert Rat boy, let me first say that some time ago, I wrote a blog article about the Arizona flora and fauna so I will here copy a link to that article – just so that the reader can properly contract the two very different, but both very beautiful places:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BpKwaHtnbCpWp8N-Q55DzNjXSt9xq226/edit

So, back to beautiful Nauvoo:

Rather than use a lot of words – as I am prone to do on some blogs, I will let the Nauvoo natural beauties speak for themselves.  Enjoy!

How is that for bauty and wonder … we see it all over Nauvoo and it is magnificent indeed.

With all of the above, I can see all of you making plane reservations or making application to serve inj Nauvoo.

I am in awe of everything around me and express my gratitude to God for these beauties. It’s a rough life to experience all of this beauty, but someone has to do it! We are glad it is us!

Happy to be on God’s Nauvoo trail!

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SO MUCH GOOD IN ONE DAY

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BLOG #11

By Kevin V. Hunt

Okay, confession time.  In writing my blog articles, I don’t always write on the day that these great events happen.  (But, I have a lot of practice with those 3×5” cards.  I’ve got that system down!  And my infamous cards have been so much a part of me, that a few years ago at a Mountain Man Rendezvous in Arizona – I was being inducted as a “true mountain man,” at a solemn campfire program, I was given the Mountain Man name of “3×5”.)

With the events of today, I didn’t have enough cards to cover the day.  And the day was just too good.  I just couldn’t wait.  I had to write tonight – even though it was late.  So much good in one day! Wow!  Miracles, feeling the Spirit, connections, and a whole lot more.  All in a day’s work …Where to begin?

SISTER HUNT VISITS HER FAVORITE PLACES

Sister Hunt has got the car trained.  It just knows that she wants to go to this one special building – which actually houses two places in one. 

One is the sewing room.  She loves this place and the ladies therein.  She looks for excuses to go there.  One of the ladies wanted some scrap strips from the dresses they made for her.  They didn’t divulge the plan, but I guess time will tell.

And Lou is literally in “7th Heaven” with the missionary “D.I.” (Deseret Industries Thrift Store).  And the fact that the stuff is all free, makes it so much more of a thrill for her.  She is always checking out the place to see what new stuff has been donated.  And today, she was not disappointed.  (We had better be careful or we’ll have to get a U-Haul for future.)

But, I must admit, however, that I did also this time find an item for me.  I found a new black cap to add to my costume collection.

GATHERING FOR “HOMES OF THE APOSTLES”

Today we were assigned to a triple home tour.  The tour is “Tours of the Apostles”.  It includes tours to the Orson Hyde, Heber C. Kimball, and Wilford Woodruff homes.  (And a cool thing is that all three of these places are all original buildings that have been here in Nauvoo for 180 years.  The Kimball and Woodruff homes are Nauvoo brick, and the Hyde home is one of just sxi surviving wood frame homes.)  The tour begins at the Hyde home and then we are  to walk with the group two short blocks to the Kimball home, give that tour – and then walk to the Woodruff home.  (Sister Hunt was there without me yesterday – as I was playing blacksmith) and she said that she and her companion of the day walked 5 miles by the pedometer.  And she was super tired by the end of the day.)

The common denominator for these places is the fact that all of the men were among the earliest members of the Quorum of 12 Apostles – special witnesses of Christ in all the world.  Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde were actually original members of the quorum.

We began with a gathering with two YSM’s (Young Sister Missionaries) at the Hyde home.  We had prayer together and put together a plan for the day.  There was actually a Sister team to be at the Woodruff home all day.  One was a character actor who portrayed Phebe Woodruff in the first person.  So, that meant that we could have a couple at each of the other two homes. 

Sister Hunt and I headed to the Kimball home and the YSM’s remained at Orson Hyde.  And we decided to make a switch at mid-day since the sisters needed to be off to another short event at the Visitors’ Center.  And then we were off …

Each of the restored homes where we serve has a hidden little hideout room where we can study and relax as we await the next tour.  We headed to this room.  And the nice thing about these rooms is that they are each equipped with a modern current bush (unlike the rest of the “period” restored home).  Sometimes I get a few rare minutes to work on some of my own projects.  (The project of today is preparation of a PowerPoint slide show about Nauvoo Brickmaking and the role of Elder E. H. Belcher in keeping alive that art. – including his creation of the modern brickyard and the original and now famous “Nauvoo Brick”.)  I got three or four slides completed today before the rush.

At one brief break in the action, Sister Hunt and I had opportunity to do a quick FaceTime video call with our granddaughter, Rosie, on the occasion of her 3rd birthday.  Rosie and I have always had a special connection and I admit that she is one of my favorite grandchildren.  (I love all 42 but Rosie is just so special.)  Leaving Rosie for a year and a half at her young age, was a mission sacrifice that has ripped at my heart.  Sister Hunt and I sang “Happy Birthday” to Rosie – as only we can do with our monotone duet.  After our rendition, Rosie (so sweet) said, “Thank you”.  It was fun to touch base with this family and to hear of their adventures and enjoyment of their new home.

HELPING OTHERS CONNECT WITH THEIR ANCESTORS

SNOW/ASHBY HOME IN NAUVOO (ASHBY ON LEFT SIDE)

Early this morning, I helped some folks find their ancestral home.  An Ashby family member  came through on a  tour and said that their ancestor was Nathaniel Ashby.   We talked of the Erastus Snow/Nathaniel Ashby Duplex and how one of the guys was the missionary and the other was his convert.  (This is an original remaining structure from the Pioneer era.) These folks had done a drive by and knew of the home – and which side was Ashby. 

When I learned what side his ancestor lived on, I said, “Well, you just might be in luck.”  (I knew that a missionary couple has lived in the place – and knew that the Lowes – a missionary couple who had lived there –  had to go home for medical reasons.  I knew that their daughter and grandson were there today – packing up and leaving the home with he Lowe things.  I told them of this couple and how their family was there today.  I said, “I can’t make any promises, but if you just happened over there, the people might let you tour the home.”

I later talked to the Lowe daughter, and she said that the folks did indeed, come over and got to see the inside of the home.  They took videos everywhere and thought this all so great.  I was happy how this connection worked out.

THE KIMBALL HOME WAS THE START OF MODERN NAUVOO RESTORATION

DR. J. LEROY KIMBALL – THE NAUVOO RESTORATION VISIONARY

The year 1954 was great – and not just because that was when I hit the earth scene. In that year, Dr. J. LeRoy Kimball was a physician in Salt Lake City.  He wanted a retreat from his medical practice.  He had had his eye on the Heber C. Kimball home from earlier days of his medical school in Chicago.  Anyway, in that year, he purchased the home of Heber – who was his great grandfather. 

For six years, Dr. Kimball worked on his new place.  By 1960, he had the place restored beautifully.  He decided to stage an open house and dedication event before making the place his residence.  He asked his uncle Spencer W. Kimball to come to dedicate the house.  Dr. Kimball was quite surprised when 1,500 people came to the event.  He never got to move into the home.

Then it dawned on Dr. Kimball – that Nauvoo was much bigger than just his family retreat.  He realized that with that much interest, he should restore some of Nauvoo for people to visit and to learn of their own ancestors.  At his own expense, he began to purchase other old pioneer homes and property in Nauvoo.  He purchased the Wilford Woodruff Home and it opened to the public in 1966.  He soon formed an organization called Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. (NRI).  Soon this became the restoration entity for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  As the NRI agent, he purchased nearly 1,000 acres “on the flats” (below the hill) in Old Nauvoo.  He began a rigorous plan to restore many of the old homes of Old Nauvoo – saving many original buildings and also recreating some buildings that had disappeared over time – and restoring them to their former glory.

Dr. Kimball was indeed the visionary who brought the old town back to life.   And we are indebted to him for all that we can experience today. 

I SERVED MY “YOUNG MISSION” UNDER DR. KIMBALL

I am sure that by now, you are well aware that I served the last six months of my mission here in Nauvoo (back in 1975 – a hundred years ago).  I was then a “site guide” just as I am today.  On my tours today, I mentioned the Nauvoo experience of my youth.  In the tour of the Kimball home, (at his photo), we talk about Dr. Kimball – so it was natural to deviate a bit – to tell folks that I was here at that time – and that Dr. Kimball was my mission president.  And the folks were all amazed and said, “That is so cool!”  (And pretty cool that the Lord put all of this together when I received my second call to serve here!  I acknowledge Him in this great opportunity.)

I had forgotten this fact, but as I gave a tour this morning, I had a flash of inspiration.  It is taught that the Holy Ghost can “bring all things to our remembrance” and that is what He did for me today.  I saw a flash back to the former time …  I saw in my memory that I was actually given a tour of the Kimball home by J. LeRoy Kimball himself on my first day in Nauvoo.   In the flash, I could see him standing there in front of us – wearing his usual hat and holding onto his cane.  (And incidentally that cane is still in the home as one of the “artifacts”.)  I saw in my mind, him proudly giving us missionaries the tour of he home he had worked so hard to restore.After the tour ended, I went to my digitized copy of my journal of that special day – May 10th, 1975.  It said simply:My journal entries of that day were not as beefy as they are today –  good but not full of details (especially in retrospect). 

I also wrote home to my folks each week.  I checked that weekly letter, and it did not mention the Kimball home tour with Dr. Kimball.  So, I was grateful today for that flashback from the Spirit.

THE APOSTLES WERE ALL SOME OF THE GREATEST MISSIONARIES EVER

Each of these three Apostles were great missionaries.   They went multiple times to serve in Great Britain.

Heber C Kimball was called as the first foreign missionary, and the leader of the rest of the Apostles serving in England.  This was in 1837.   Heber was called again to serve in 1839 – with Elder Woodruff (who had been recently ordained to the Apostleship).

The missionaries served well, and the Spirit accompanied them.  Within just six years, some 4,600 British converts immigrated to Nauvoo.    It was estimated that the immigrants made up 25% of the Nauvoo Population.

MISSIONARY SERVICE AND SACRIFICE FOR CHRIST

Heber C. Kimball and his long-time friend, Brigham Young (both original Apostles) were to depart and serve together in 1839 (just sixteen months after Heber returned from the first mission).   Both were deathly sick with malaria.  It was all that the two men could do to head off – since both of their families were also deathly sick.

Heber said of his mission, “It was with difficulty we got into the wagon and started down the hill about ten rods.  It appeared to me as though my very inmost parts would melt within me, leaving my family in such a condition, as it were almost in the arms of death.  It seemed to me as though I could not endure it.”

Heber also said, “I took my life in my hands and went forth: I could say I had left all for Christ and for the Gospel”

A SURPRISE BECAME A SACRED AND WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL

One of our tour groups of the day included a full dozen young people – and their  Bennion “Ma and Pa” – all a part of a Church History tour.  They were from Huntington, Utah.  And they came in two full busses and a couple of vans.

I had shared the above information with the group.  And after sharing the line of Heber’s feelings about the mission, I looked around and said to the group, “Could you guys make that sacrifice for Christ?”     I asked the group if any of them might be “RM’s  (returned missionaries) but was told that these were all youth – so I called them “Preemies”).  The leader pointed to Boston Huntington (and it was obvious by his name that his family had been around Huntington for a while).  She said, “Boston here will receive his mission call soon.”  I focused for a moment upon Boston and asked about his coming mission call.  He said that he had no idea when the call might come.  He didn’t act as if it was eminent. 

I then proceeded to tell the youth about the departure of Heber and Brigham (retelling a story that has become legendary in the Church).  As they were in the wagon, and were so sick that they could hardly go forward, I told the group of how Heber said to Brigham, “This is pretty tough, aint it?”  and on that occasion, the men rose up and swinging their hats, three times over their heads, says Heber, we cried, “hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Israel”.

I did the same thing for these young people.  I swung my hat and said, “Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah for Israel”.  The Spirit was strong. 

And at that moment, we all got a surprise.  Boston’s phone beeped.  He looked down and saw that he had been given notice from the Church Missionary Deparment that his mission call was available for his viewing.  Wow!  How amazing and wonderful!  We all basked in the greatness of the moment.  There was some pressure for Boston to open the call, but Sister Hunt and I spoke from experience (having sent off 7 of our own missionary children) and said, “You have to wait to share the moment with your parents – or they would never forgive you.”  (He later reported that he had texted his mom and they agreed that he will open the call on Friday after his return home.)

As the group headed for the Woodruff home, I congratulated Boston.  His head was still spinning with what had just happened.  He said, “I can’t believe it.  This was so cool to get that notice in the Heber’s home.”

A FELLOW BROTHER WITH A SUTH’N MISSION EXPERIENCE

As I talked to the youth in the Kimball home, I noted that I had served my youth mission in Alabam, Flawda, and Jawja before being sent to Nauvoo on special assignment my last six months.

After the tour, a brother who had been on the tour came to me and said that he too, had served down Sawth – in South Carolina.  We talked of how we both had to learn a new language for our missions. 

My mind was drawn to my own patriarchal blessing received in my youth.  In a paragraph about missionary service, it said I “would go to a foreign people and would learn their customs and ways.”  On that occasion, my mother said, “Well, those folks are about as foreign as you can get.”  I reminded her of that statement 25 years later when she received her own call to serve in Alabama.  What goes around, comes around, I guess.

As the brother departed, I said, “Ya’ll come back now, Heah?”  We both laughed … So true!  That is what everyone said “down Sawth” – even as they kicked you off of their porches.

Then just a few minutes later when I had a few moments to catch my breath, I checked in on the family “WhatsApp”  program to see what was happening with my large extended family.  At that moment, our daughter, Kaylea, and family were traveling through Florida (returning from an extended vacation in the many “bigger than life” attractions in and around Orlando.   (A rough life, but I guess someone had to do it!)

Kaylea posted a photo of a billboard they saw as they passed through my former Suth’n stompin’ grounds.

Seeing the photo made my day!  With the photo, Kaylea wrote to her  siblings:  “Just drove by this sign.  I could hear Dad saying it in that voice he’d use when he’d say it.  Ha, Ha!”

SPECIAL YOUTH AT THE HYDE HOME

By our prior arrangement, Sister Hunt and I went back to the Hyde home so that the YSM’s could go do their assignment.  And then we switched.  We would remain in the Hyde home, and they would manage the Kimball home the rest of the afternoon.

We got a group who wanted to go to the Kimball home and after our part in the Hyde home, we walked them over to the Kimball home.

As we returned to the Hyde home, we found another “Ma and Pa” group (wearing a different T-shirt color) out front waiting for us to return.  They were lined up in front of the Hyde home against the fence.  That was such a beautiful picture – just waiting for the photo to be taken.  I asked he group if I could take their photo and after the initial shock, they said that I could.  They also said that I could blog about the photo.  (and I later gave Brother Jensen, their leader, one of our mission cards and said that if any of the youth had a problem with me sharing their photo, to tell me and I would remove it.) 

We brought the youth inside and told them about how Elder Hyde had – at the direction of Joseph Smith – gone to Jerusalem and had dedicated Israel for the gathering of Israel – and specifically, the return of the Jewish people to that chosen area.   We told them that it was Orson Hyde who formally dedicated the Nauvoo Temple (May 1, 1846) – two months after the main body of the Saints had departed the town.

After the tour, I was talking to the “Pa” – a Brother Jensen.  I said, “It seems as if you guys, and your group have had quite an experience here.”  He shook his head around – as if dizzy – and said, “Yes … it has been like drinking from a fire hose.”

As I walked with the group, I asked the kids, “What has been the best thing you have done here in Nauvoo.  A couple of kids immediately said, “Doing baptisms at the Temple”.  (The Temple is always closed on Mondays, but the Temple leaders opened it up yesterday just for these youth!)  That made my heart thump a bit.

It was appropriate for these Huntington youth to perform baptisms in the Nauvoo Temple since it was here in Nauvoo that the Prophet Joseph first revealed the doctrine and opportunity for worthy members to perform proxy baptisms for their deceased  ancestors in the Temple.

Here in Nauvoo, Joseph received revelation relative to Baptism for the Dead.  “On August 15, 1840, … Joseph Smith preached a sermon at the funeral for Seymour Brunson.  Noticing a woman in attendance who had lost her son before he could be baptized, Joseph revealed that the Saints could now act for their friends who had departed this life” by being baptized in their behalf.”  (“Baptism for the Dead” Gospel Study”)   Later, in January 1841, Joseph received a revelation that baptisms for the dead were intended to be performed in temples.  “For this ordinance belongeth to my house, and cannot be acceptable to me …” (D&C 124:30)

BIRTHDAY RECONNECT WITH A NAUVOO MISSIONARY COMPANION

ELDERS SHALTES AND HUNT 1975

When in Nauvoo, way back then, I was companions with Elder Craig Shaltes of Sacramento, California.  We lived in the same “Red Barn” home.  We did a lot together on the mission.  We cooked together, we traveled together, we took a lot of photos together.  We have been bac k to Nauvoo two times together since our mission .  We have shared some really great times together through the years.

June 4th is Craig’s birthday, so I was able to connect with him on the phone for a short time.  We were able to reminisce about especial times and memories shared.  He has been reading my mission blogs and he has been able to relate to much of what I have written.

ANOTHER MIRACLE STAGED BY THE LORD

It was getting late in the afternoon.  I was inside the Hyde home and looked out of the window toward the restored log cabin home of William Field.  This place is “kitty corner” from the Hyde home.  The place has kind of a unique wooden door knob.  I saw a family outside looking at this cabin – hoping that they might get to go inside.  (The place is supposed to be unlocked during tour times – for “self-guided tours”.)  Seeing them about to depart, I went out and called to them (like a voice from heaven) and said that they could go in – and gave them instructions on how to work the unique door knob.  They tried it again without success  and I told them that I would come over to assist them. 

I got the site key and headed over there.  I was not prepared for the experience awaiting me.

There is the tradition (and it is detailed on the plaque on the outside of the cabin) of Mary Field Garner, daughter of William and Mary Harding) and who was the last remaining person alive who had known the Prophet Joseph Smith.  And coincidentally, Sister Hunt had just taken a photo of this plaque a few minutes before, and we had read it and talked about it together. 

We learned that Mary was known as “the last leaf” (so named by the church Historian office) – because of her being the final living connection to the Prophet Joseph.  We had also heard of this Mary – because she is quoted on one of the plaques posted along the “Trail of Hope” on Parley Street.

In talking with the family (dad, mom and six children) I learned that the wife/mother was an actual descendant of Mary Field.  And how cool was that? 

Having a key to the kingdom, I was able to let the family into the cabin for a look around.  They looked on in great awe and wonder.  They had been to the home before but had not ever been able to see inside.  We talked of the great miracle of how I had been directed over to them and what a special moment this was for them – and for me.  We all rejoiced in the miracle for the family.

I then listened – again in great awe, as this mother taught her own children the family heritage of their ancestor and as her husband did a video of her presentation to the children.  She proceeded to tell them how Mary Harding Field (the mother of young Mary) had been a widow – having recently lost her husband and two daughters to a dread disease. 

THE MARY FIELD GARNER STORY AND TESTIMONY

Mary Field Garner was born in Herefordshire, England in 1836.  Her family joined the church after hearing Elder Wilford Woodruff preach.  They were baptized in 1840 and soon moved to the United States and Nauvoo.  This mother taught her children that Mary had met Joseph Smith.  She noted that Mary had long red, curly hair (just as one of her sons had the red hair). 

Young Mary, age 8,  attended the funeral of Joseph Smith after he was martyred. 

We talked about Mary being present in the “West Grove” for many key events.  I gave the family instructions on how to go to the grove.  Sister Healy, the mother in our current scene, told her children how Mary (then age 8) was present in the grove when Brigham  was transfigured to appear and speak as Joseph Smith.  She taught her children that the mother Mary Harding  was holding a baby in her lap.  He was playing with a cup there in the grove.  He dropped the cup and Mother Field stooped  pick it up and when she arose up, she looked at the speaker and he had taken on the mantle of Joseph Smith.  She saw and heard Brigham as Joseph.  So there was no doubt in the minds of the Saints as to who would be their next president.”  (Source:  mchangroverheritage.wordpress.com)

Mary Field Garner (the last leaf daughter) herself wrote of her life and times in Nauvoo:  “Here we lived in peace and happiness under the leadership and guidance of he Prophet Joseph Smith.  Here he stood at the head of this dispensation, …  We were very glad to attend church and listen to the Prophet Joseph and other leading brethren teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to us.  We marveled at the Joseph’s superior intelligence of he Gospel and he simple way he could explain it unto the Saints, so that the most unlearned member could know and understand the truth.”

As the “last leaf on the tree,” she was the last person in the Church to give her testimony of the truth, who was personally  acquainted with the Prophet Joseph Smith.  “Toward the end of her life she bore this testimony:  “It is said I am the only living witness to have actually seen and known the Prophet Joseph Smith, and I want to bear my testimony to the world and especially to every Latter-day Saint to the truthfulness of the Gospel as revealed through the Prophet Joseph, that Jesus Christ is the Savior of mankind, that Joseph Smith was a true and living prophet of God, that he was divinely called of God to establish his true Gospel on this  earth in the last dispensation.  (Source: mchangroverheritage.wordpress.com)

A MOTHER TEACHES HER CHILDREN OF THEIR ANCESTRAL HERITAGE

Sister Healy taught her children that Mother Mary had five children to provide for and was pregnant with another son who would be born four months later.  We  talked of how Mother Mary (Harding) was one of the “poorest of the poor” and had not been able to afford to leave with the main group of departing saints.   In September 1846, a mob of about 1,000 marched through town, forcing them to leave.  The family went across the river to Montrose, Iowa.  They witnessed the “miracle of the quail” and with the quail, had enough food to eat.

The mob actually allowed the poor family to return to Nauvoo.  They were still here when mobsters set fire to he Temple.  She saw the beloved Temple on fire.  This was in 1848.  (The fire weakened the temple – with the guts burned out.  Then in 1850, a tornado went through and took down most of the back end of the Temple.  And with no support, the front tower ultimately tumbled and folks came from miles around and took away some of the Temple stones and used them in other projects – still evident today.)

Sister Healy taught her children about Mother Mary “having bread ready to bake when they were forced to leave, so she hung it on the wagon and baked it after they crossed the river.”  (Same source as above.)

Wow!  What a story … and how tender to watch Sister Healy share this special story with her children.  We all felt a special joy in this moment that we had shared together.

THE FAMILY SEEKS NAUVOO ANCESTORS

Brother Healy told me how he and his family had been focusing in Nauvoo about learning of their own ancestors who were here.  I asked him who else they were related to in Nauvoo.  He then said, “Simeon A. Dunn”.  I chuckled as he said this.  I asked, “Were you able to see his home here?”  He said, “We drove by his house and got some photos.”

I said, “Well, this gets better … and you are not going to believe this.  My wife and I live in the Simeon Dunn home, and we can let you in to see it.”  Brother Healy was totally dumbfounded.  We were all kind of in shock.  The family was delighted.  I told them that my  service at the Orson Hyde home would end at 5:00 PM and shortly thereafter, they could come to our home (located on the same street as the Field Cabin – but south a couple of blocks).

DUNN PROGENY VISIT THEIR DUNN ANCESTOR’S HOME

Shortly after Sister Hunt and I got home, the Healy family came to our door.  We welcomed them into our home – as caretakers of their ancestor’s home. 

The Dunn home is an original home from the pioneer era.  The exterior of the building was  restored a few years ago and it looks wonderful outside. The inside, however, is not original – but is a modern apartment made over to house Nauvoo missionary couples.  We showed them our modern living room, small kitchen, and the upstairs bedroom.

I then took the family downstairs into the cellar.  I showed them evidence of the original limestone fireplace.  I then said, “Okay, are you ready for this?”  I opened the latch of the exit up to the grassy world above.  I invited the son (about age 8) to push up on the exterior doors.  Following my directions, he was able to push the doors upward and out to rest on the wood uprights.  The family was delighted.  The kids were excited as they made their exit up the limestone stairs (shown in a previous blog with our bikes).  Of course, Dad was quick to take some more photos of the activity.

THE DUNN FAMILY LOG OF DESCENDANTS

I then brought the family inside and showed them a special treasure.  This is a log book in which Dunn family descendants have signed their names – since 1982 – as they have visited their ancestral home.  There are pages and pages of individual lines of progeny – some showing their contact information – and some showing a long string of “greats” as they tried to explain their ancestral link.

I sat the book on the table and turned to the last entry in the book – made just a couple weeks earlier when we were visited by yet another family connection.  I got out my pen and invited even the smallest of children to log their own names.  I had to laugh at one young child as she said, “Our mom can’t sign the book because this was not her ancestor.”  Her husband, however, wanted his wife listed with him and the six (of their 10) children.

Mom Healy continued to share with me their family stories.  She said that Grandma Mary Field Garner had lived to age 107 and died in 1943.  She said that there was a treasured family photo of her own grandfather shown in a photo with his great grandmother Mary Field Garner – that was taken in 1940.  Later Sister Healy forwarded the classic photo to me to include here in this blog article.

Wow!  We were all  in awe as we thought in amazement and gratitude of the events of the past couple of hours.  We knew that the Lord had orchestrated some special miracles in our behalf.

This photo made me think of a similar photo that I have with my mother and her own pioneer grandmother, Else Marie Pedersen Larsen.  Mom was about six years old, and her grandmother was ninety-ish.  I enjoy telling folks that my grandmother – truly with only one “great” – was a pioneer from Denmark at age 8.  (My grandpa Larsen was age 53 when my mother was born – so that is how we get to the pioneer era so quickly.  Else was born in 1846 and Grandpa Henry Larsen was born in 1879.  I cherish that special photo of Mom and Elsie – my own special pioneer link.

Alura Larsen with grandmother, Elsie Larsen, Anna Larsen, Boyd (brother to Alura)

THE DAY KEEPS GOING WITH EVEN MORE SPECIAL EVENTS

Each week on Tuesday nights, our mission leaders stage a training for the 200 plus missionaries serving here.  And so, after hosting our special company, Sister Hunt and I headed off to the meeting.

It was announced that 19 new Young Sister Missionaries (YSM’s) would arrive this Thursday.  This is in addition to the 50 already here.  We are kind of short-handed on site missionaries, so these ladies will be a great boost in helping to cover all of our bases.

First on the program was a great “dog and pony show” staged by Elder Davies and his team.  They had a lot of energy as they invited all of us to participate in various way in the upcoming Nauvoo and British pageants.  They taught us how to “stand resolutely” as a part of the cast of one of the pageants.  Wow!  This all sounds so fun and exciting.  (July 9 to August 3rd … I can’t wait!)

We then heard testimony of a Brother Gary Boatright – via a “larger than life” video of him talking right to us from the Salt Lake City Historian’s office.  His assigned topic of the evening was the Prophet Joseph Smith.  He testified boldly. He said, “Joseph was “A man” … but he was also a “man called of God”.  He said, “Yes, I am a follower of Joseph Smtih and the foundation he built.  Joseph fulfilled the mandate of Christ as his Prophet.”  He noted that after the Liberty Jail experience, Joseph KNEW without a doubt that he was indeed the Lord’s prophet.  He said that Joseph was the man God called to reveal the mind of the lord to the Saints of the latter days.”

Brother Gary reminded us as missionaries, that we have also been called by a Prophet to be in Nauvoo at this special time because the Lord wants each of us to be here.”

“HOORAH, HOORAH, HOORAH, FOR ISRAEL”

When I was a young missionary, we had a few traditions that we followed as missionaries finished their service in Nauvoo and were to head home.  One was a tie cutting ceremony.

I remember my own tie cutting ceremony.  I tricked Brother Holliday who was conducting the solemn ceremony.  I wrapped my tie twice around my neck.  I wore a V-necked sweater, and the tied tie tip was just barely covered by the V-neck.  And when Brother Holliday pulled it out for the cutting, the whole crowd burst into laughter as he felt pretty silly.  I loved the moment.  The other missionaries departing at the same  time also got their ties snipped but their snipping was not as good as mine.

And then we all held hands (figuratively) and together and emotionally sang, “Old Nauvoo” – to the tune of Edelweiss.  This reminded me of being at Scout camp at a final campfire program wherein we held hands and sang “Kumbaya” together.  This was always a tear-jerking experience – and our “Old Nauvoo” singing was more of same.

Until tonight (June 4th) I was unaware of the current send-off tradition.  After the training – as noted above, we all gathered out in the lobby of the visitors’ center.  There were four departing couples.  The mission president Mehr and his wife each ceremoniously hugged each of the departing missionaries.

One of the departees was my 3rd Cousin, Sister Thomas.  We have enjoyed the whole “cousin” relationship.  And her husband, Kim, has been our zone leader for our Heber Zone.

Then all of the missionaries formed a great horseshoe and with great gusto we raised and swung our hands in a circle (we were not in costume so none of us had our hats on) and we shouted the words, “Hoorah, Hoorah, Hoorah for Israel!”.  Wow!  What a moment. This was pretty powerful.

And then three of the four couples (the Lowes had flown home for an event – so they never go their last Hoorah.)  All of the rest of us other missionaries also kind of lined up.  Then all of the missionaries filed by them all  and gave a multitude of hugs.  I wondered how the folks survived all of that squeezing.  We sang, “God be With You ‘Til we Meet Again.” Wow!  Talk about heart-rending.  It was a special and emotional time for the departees but also for the rest of us. 

AND THEN “ALONG CAME JONES” …

This event is not spiritually drenched, but it was humorous as we heard it in first person by Elder Jones himself – after the above situation.  Sister Hunt and I have felt a special connection with Elder and Sister Jones ever since we were together at the MTC.  And it seems that Elder Jones always has an interesting tale to tell.  Last week it was his kidney stones.

Today, his adventures continued.  Knowing that he was to be assigned to labor at the dirty Blacksmith Shop, he and his wife had gone shopping at a thrift store (not our own mission DI shop).  He “invested” in some cheap pants that he could get dirty at the forge.  All went well until he made a visit to the lav and the “new” pants literally “blew a gasket” and burst the whole zipper out.  He was caught “up a creek without a paddle” – as he was there for the day, and he had no car to go home for a change.  (His wife had dropped him off at the beginning of the day.)  Luckily, he was able to don a blacksmith’s apron that covered his now open condition.  And under that cover – hiding his “open book”, he spent the rest of the day under the apron and feeling kind of vulnerable and foolish.  Too bad his wife was not around.  She has made enough aprons to outfit a whole army.  Anyway, it made for a funny story which two or three of us couples enjoyed.   Moral:  “I guess you get what you pay for!”

THE EXCITEMENT CONTINUED AT HOME

Although it was late when we got home for the evening – our son, Rusty asked if we were still up.  With all of my projects, it is a good thing that senior couples have more flexibility in their bedtimes than our young counterparts.   (I could never get everything done, otherwise.)  I assured Rusty that we were still up and would for a while.  We staged a video call with the family for almost an hour.  The kids were both anxious to share with us all of the awards and certificates that they were given in end-of-school recognition events.  It was a bit sad that we missed those times – being on our mission.  In the course of their lives, we have missed only a few such recognition ceremonies.  Another of those mission sacrifices.  Thank heaven for modern technology that still allows us to be with them.  s to feel close – even though we are far apart.

POWERHOUSE YOUNG MEN VISIT NAUVOO

The day of June 4th – of which I have been writing, seemed to merge into the next day as the writing continued.  I will thus include an incident that happened the next day as if It were in a single day.  It is too good to wait, and I don’t want to lose it in the 3×5” cards.

Anyway, on this day, Sister Hunt and I found ourselves at the Jonathan Browning home and gunsmith shop.  We were so busy that day.  We took through about 400 people – with the help of one YSM couple.  We were all on a fast-track mode rotating with rapid speed through the home – only to get back to the beginning in time to rush into the next tour.  I hardly saw Sister Hunt all day – as we each took separate tours (usually we are together).

Our visitors of the day included a convoy of six full buses of youth from Texas  around Dallas Ft. Worth, another Texas group of about 200 kids, a group from Sevier County, Utah, one from Las Vegas, and another from around Richfield, Utah.  Wow! Talk about an invasion of great young people.  They were all truly amazing.

I came out from the gate from my previous tour and straight ahead of me was a glorious sight.  I stood with awe and amazement.  It was a photo just waiting to be taken – nine great young men – all with trimmed hair, white shirts and ties.  And that’s was another WOW.   I asked these young men if I could take their photo and use it in a blog.  They thought that was okay.  They were a  part of the Richfield group, and they were awaiting a guide for a Browning tour (and that was to be me!)

These guys were a powerhouse of goodness, strength and power.  In seeing them, I was reminded of the scripture in Alma 53 (verses 19 to 21):

“And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity, but behold, this was not all – they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.  Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before Him.”

These magnificent young men were all of that and more.  It just radiated in their faces and in their whole demeanor. 

I could see these guys all entering the MTC together.  Wow!  What a source of current and future strength.

WOW … WHAT A DAY!

Can you believe that all of this happened in just one day?  It was truly a wonderful day, and we very much felt the Spirit of God with us and  knew He was directing our paths.  It is amazing what the Lord can do – creating such miracles as we let Him act in our lives and as He stages these people and experiences on behalf of us and those around us.

I retired for the night way too late, but truly grateful to the Lord for this special and wonderful day.  (All in a missionary day’s work!)  Instead of writing this article, I should have been journal writing – but at least this writing can mostly substitute as a journal entry.

From the busy but happy Nauvoo trail,

Elder Kevin

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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

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Restoration in Old Nauvoo 1975 to 2024

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Blog #9

In case you haven’t been to Old Nauvoo in a while, maybe it is time you came! I have personally noticed a lot of Restoration going on – especially the Restoration in Nauvoo from 1975 to 2024.

And first, I apologize for the space between the last blog article and this one. Actually, however, I have not been idle. I have actually been working on this blog for 50 years!

 I have had the unique opportunity and blessing to experience historic Nauvoo at various times and in several different circumstances through the years.

My first Nauvoo experience happened in 1975 when I was serving on my “young mission”.   I served in Nauvoo for the final 6 months of that mission.   I loved the experience.  It was truly wonderful and exciting in every way.  I served then as a site guide in the eight restored homes.

My wife and I brought the nine children to Nauvoo and were cast members two different summers in the “City of  Joseph” musical production.  We found other opportunities to come to Nauvoo for many other excursions.

Then in 2024, my wife and I were assigned to Nauvoo for an 18-month “Senior Mission” for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  And once again, we are historic site guides – just as I was in 1975.  This time, there are over 30 restored homes and shops and we rotate through most of them.

    During both missionary assignments,  I have taken a multitude of photographs of many of the historic restored homes in Old Nauvoo.  Being somewhat of a historian, this has been a great adventure! In this book/slide show, I am able to compare the homes as they existed in 1975 – and as they are now in 2024 – 49 years later. (Where did that time go? I couldn’t possibly be that old!)

    When in Nauvoo as a young missionary, I maintained daily journal entries for each day of the mission.  I also wrote extensive letters home to the folks each week.  In an effort to add a bit of variety to the photos, I have included entries from that 1975 era (from the journals and letters) to show actual activities that I participated in at that  time.

    This has been a major effort and I hope that you will enjoy the PowerePoint presentation. The show really tells the story of Restoration here in Nauvoo.

    Here is the link. (And you might want to copy and paste the link into your browser.) Look at the top of the PowerPoint presentation. ) Once you click on the presentation, look for the word “View” at the top. Then click on “Slide Show”. You will probably also want to click on “View” once more and then “Zoom”. Enlarge the view to 100% (or more if you are my age!). And then you are off and running! Sit back and enjoy the ride.

    https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bRVa8rnQdY9YmBRA8AVDuAS5NeXgwsGA/edit#slide=id.p1

    And you know by now, that I don’t let moss grow under my feet. (But in humid Nauvoo, that might be a trick!)

    I have already also published the book or slide show on my lulu.com site where I publish my books. With this link, you can order your own full-color book. (Color costs a bit more … but it is truly worth it!) The book will be a very quality book that you can put on your coffee table (without the coffee) and enjoy for years!

    https://www.lulu.com/shop/kevin-v-hunt/a-nauvoo-walk-down-history-lane-nauvoo-restoration-1975-to-2024/hardcover/product-w4vvrve.html?q=Nauvoo&page=1&pageSize=4

    Well, there you 1 it!975 to 2024 Nauvoo Restoration. And that’s a big wow!

    From the Nauvoo trail … Kevin