In a recent blog article, I talked of a fateful connection with our Mission Site Leaders – President and Sister Mehr as they were doing their morning biking.
On that day, President Mehr surprised us a bit. He has kind of hinted in the past about him trying to find a way for me to go with him and the young sister missionaries on what he calls a “Church History immersion trip”. This is a trip that he takes with the Young Sister Missionaries and they go around and check out historic sites of the church.
I will repeat myself a bit here (from that previous blog but I will again state the material below because it helps to introduce the publication of various church history site STUDY AND TRAVEL GUIDES:
On that day, President Mehr said, “Is your schedule free next week – like Tuesday and Wednesday? I would like you and your wife to go with us on our “Immersion Trip”. I said “That would be great. I think we can clear the schedule. (Har, Har!)” I asked him what he would want us to do for the trip. He kind of waved his hand around and said, “Everything … document the whole trip!” Wow! That would be so fabulous! I think that he really likes my records of history here in Nauvoo.”
Little did I know the future impact of that one little random visit with the bikers. I did not then know that I would spend literally every free moment of the next four months on an Immersion project.
President Mehr connected with the mission scheduler and told him to put Sister Hunt and me as scheduled to participate in the Immersion Trips. President Mehr got permission from the Church History Department to take the 36 young sisters – who all go home this fall – on some Church History Immersion trips. The group of young sister missionaries were divided into two groups. So, this meant two sets of trips and us going on all of the trips. The first overnight trip was to Missouri church historic sites. We then made another overnight trip across the Iowa Mormon Trail and to Winter Quarters. We repeated these two trips a couple of weeks later with the other half of the Sisters. Then later, we went on a day trip with them to see “local” sites around Nauvoo – like Ramus and Quincy, Illinois, the “Sugar Creek Camp” and Montrose in Iowa.
Our months of May and June were packed with all of these wonderful trips. On these trips, I served in my role as Mission Historian. I took copious notes all along the way. I recorded history, trip activities, and testimonies and feelings shared by the young sister missionaries. Sister Hunt was the official photographer for all of the trips.
At one point, I took advantage of a moment with just President Mehr and myself. I wanted clarification about his vision for me being on the trips. Knowing of my propensity for writing and creating books, he said, “I WANT A BOOK, OF COURSE!”
Okay, so a book it would be! After the trips ended, I composed a “memory book” just for the young sister missionaries – combining all that I described above. I did very comprehensive research about every Church site we had visited – and many more that were significant but which we did not have time to visit. This turned into a very major project that certainly kept me entertained. I worked on the project for several hours each day for the next four months.
I created one giant composite book that had everything in it. Then I broke this down into several smaller books which I published separately. I termed these books “Study and Travel Guides” for general distribution to missionaries of the three states, as well as to the general public – for anyone anticipating a Church history tour. And in the process, I did also extract a book just for the young sisters. And I prepared a “Synoptic Summary” for the Church History Department.
Here are connective links for the Church History books. A PDF link is included, All of the books are available for purchase on lulu.com with a search on the word “Nauvoo”. (And you may need to copy the link and paste it into your own computer URL)
SAINTS IN MISSOURI, NAUVOO AND WESTWARD
This is the composite book for Senior Missionaries (and anyone in the world). It combines all of the geographic areas into one book. Then there are book links by state.
JUST A FEW BOOKS WRITTEN WHILE A MISSIONARY IN NAUVOO
Elder Mitch Atkinson has been our zone leader in the Hyrum Zone for many months and it has been a real plesure working with him. He has long been fascinated with the many books that I have created while a missionary here in Nauvoo. I told him that I have created some 20 books while I have been here in Nauvoo. Unbelievable! This is hard to believe myself, but it is true.
And a real mind blower … All of the “Saints” series and one on my Brigham District, and the two books for the young sister missionaries were all published on one day. So if you are counting, that is 7 books which I published in a single day (after months of hard work). That is certainly a record for me – and once which I doubt will be matched again – and probably a feat that few other authors could admit to.
In making this announcement, I do not wish to brag or to toot my own horn. I humbly I acknowledge that it was not me. All of these books came by the power of the Holy Ghost and I felt very strongly of His inspiration and revelation through all of these projects. Without His direction, such a massive undertaking would not have been possible. With His help, I was able to achieve way beyond my usual self and capabilities. I am deeply grateful!
When I came on this mission, I had no idea that I would be creating sukch a collection. I did them one at a time and now that I am about done, I am totally amazed, too. Wow!
Also, our mission president asked me to print a copy of ALL OF MY BOOKS for use in the mission. He also asked for a copy of each to be sent to the Church History Department in Salt Lake City, Utah.
I happened to call Elder Atkinson the other morning and caught him in a devotional meeting with the 20 or so Nauvoo teamsters. My books and 142 journal volumes became a subject of their discussion (though I certainly did not plan for this situation)
Following the Teamster conversation, I compiled a list of the books created while here. (And actually the real total is 23 if I count the two books on my grandparents, Ray and Augusta Hunt, that were finished and published here) and a book on the mission of our grandson.
The package of the many books arrived and I spread them out on the floor. I sent a message to the President saying, “It’s Christmas! The books have arrived!” It certainly did seem like Christmas. The package will actually probably blow the mind of the Mission President. He has seen only three or four of the books previously. When I told him there were 15 or more, he reiterated, “I want ALL OF YOUR BOOKS”. So, here goes!
Above: 20 Books created and published in Nauvoo 2024 to 2025 by Kevin Hunt while serving as a Church missionary.
A WHOLE LOT OF BOOKS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR READING PERUSAL AND ENJOYMENT!
And here is the list of books that I compiled for the Teamsters. The rest of you might enjoy the list also.
All of the books are published on lulu.com. For the many Nauvoo books, you can find them all by doing a search with the word “Nauvoo”.
My other lulu.com books can be found with a search of my Kevin V Hunt name.
I am willing to send any of you a free PDF version of any book if you e-mail me a message of request. And of course, you may purchase them on lulu. And note that for most of my books I only charge a couple or three dollars above the printing cost. I do not try to make money on my books … I just want people to read them. And that is also why I do not publish them on commercial sites (like Amazon and Lulu Global) … they hike the price up so high beyond the printing cost – that no one can afford to read them.
I have created 60 historical blogs (an average of one about every ten days) while I have been here. I have compiled these into three books (and will create a fourth book after the mission concludes). The blog site address is innauvoowithkevandlou.wordpress.com
Available as pdf and Lulu: Volumes 1, 2, 3
“A Nauvoo Walk Down Memory Lane” – I was here as a “young missionary” 50 years ago (1975). I then took photos of Nauvoo historic homes. Then as I returned to Nauvoo last year, I took photos of all of the same places. The book compares the two and shows the effects of restoration in Nauvoo
“Nauvoo Homes and Shops” – This book details all of the 30 or so homes and shops in which we take tours. Many of these (two a month) have appeared the monthly newsletter – but this book is the full package.
“My Nauvoo Ancestors (Hunt Version)” – This book details my own 32 direct-line ancestors and includes biographical information on each. Names: Pulsipher, Alger, Wilcox, Rawson, Cheney, Terry, Wiggins, Robinson, Clark, and many more.
“My Nauvoo Ancestors (Belcher Version)” – This book details the lives of the 20 direct-line ancestors for my wife’s Belcher lines – including Perkins, Carter, Haws, Gardner, and many others.
“Nauvoo Homes and Brick Making” – This book introduces the history of brick making in Nauvoo – and tells about many of the brick homes in Nauvoo. It also introduces my father-in-law, Elder E.H. Belcher, who built the original (modern) brickyard – which you always talk about on your wagon tour as you round the corner by Lucy Mack Smith. Elder Belcher built the round kiln out in front at the brickyard. And he created the original souvenir Nauvoo brick that has been given to visitors for 45 years. The book details his research, and a history of his brick making in Nauvoo.
“Nauvoo Temple Brick Miracles” – This book talks of the many miracles that came together – and the history thereof – of the new Nauvoo Temple Bricks.
“My Nauvoo Hyrum #3 – Brigham District” – This book details the many great people and times in our district as we have served as district leaders over the past year.
“Nauvoo Family History Inspiration” – In January and February of this year, I created and presented five different family history related presentations for Nauvoo missionaries. This book combines all of the five presentations. The five subjects are kinds of personal history records, writing your personal journal, writing a personal history, compiling a family history, and a detailed look at how to publish books (books on family history – and any Lulu book in general).
“Nauvoo Monuments, Markers, and the Dash” – I made a study of Mormon historical markers and monuments within a 50-mile radius of Nauvoo and wrote history of each site. This is a travel guide for those markers and monuments.
“Nauvoo, City of Joseph” – This book is a tribute to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It contains much information about him.
“The Nauvoo Martyrdom and Burials of Joseph Smith” – This book details the events surrounding the death of Joseph Smith and the many (5) different burial places of Joseph and Hyrum.
The following books were not written in Nauvoo but may be of interest:
“Peter the Apostle” – This is a biography of the life and times of the Apostle Peter. This book was written at the request of Elder E. H. Belcher – who absolutely loved the Apostle Peter.
“Christmas Is …” – This is a musical cantata of Christmas hymns and narration.
“Christmas Time Reflections” – For 40 years, and for each year, I have written a new Christmas poem or hymn. This book contains most of those (some were written after the book was published). Many of these hymns have been set to music by my cousin, Linda Hunt Waters. Also, many of these make up the Cantata book noted above.
“Writing the Journal of Your Life” – This talks of my 50 years of journaling – the “how, what, where, when, why, and how” of journaling. This is a great book for anyone interested in doing better at writing journals.
“Scouting in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” – This is a very detailed book about the 100 plus year association between the Church and the Boy Scouts of America. This book has evolved and changed over 30 years. The Church History Department made their records available to me and assisted in the original book research.
I have written many other books on the subject of Scouting (written from the perspective of being a 60-year veteran and personal experience (many of which derive from my personal journal.) Several books on Scouting are detailed specifically in many volumes of my own personal history compilation entitled, “My Life’s Collective Works”. Many Scouting books are available on Amazon, Lulu, and other platforms.
I compiled a very detailed collection of unpublished books on how to create and implement a home-centered MTC for your children and grandchildren. This is called, “Missionary in Training”. (Available on request)
I have composed ancestral books on many of my family ancestral lines (for family names listed above).
With a list like this, no one should want for a good book to read! Take one along for any and every trail along your way!
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.
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
Nauvoo, Historic Nauvoo, Senior Mission Couple, Historic Sites, Missionary, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintS
On the Nauvoo Trail 