Most of the books that I create are geared to a broad audience. I write with the hope that “the world” might enjoy them.
Over the past two months, I have been working on a project which admittedly has a more limited marketing group. But, while it has a specific focus, some of the rest of you might find it interesting.
As with all of my books, this one can be purchased by anyone on lulu.com. But I am happy to share it with you in a free PDF format version so that you can take a sneak peak if desired. We are happy to share it with you:
The book focuses specifically upon our own Hunt family (Hunt being defined as Hunts, Belchers, and all our family) and their Nauvoo associations. Over the years, our Lord has provided wonderful opportunities for our family members to visit and to feel the marvelous power and strength of the place. Individually, each person who came or went to Nauvoo had special feelings … testimony of the Savior working with and through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the power, strength, sacrifices and testimony of our own ancestors, and the quiet peace and joy that comes from just being and feeling in Nauvoo. Those feelings are very real to each of us. And collectively, we have together had those personal experiences amplified as we have enjoyed the special Nauvoo moments together. As Oliver Cowdery once wrote, “These were days never to be forgotten”. That describes our Nauvoo experiences.
I sincerely hope that those days will never be forgotten by any of the family who have been there and experienced Nauvoo.
In the book’s introduction, I wrote: ”This book is written or compiled with the hope that each family member might feel and remember the Nauvoo within us. It is a collective reminder of the beautiful times, experiences, and people that each of us felt and knew when we were there individually or with other family groups. The collective record can help us see the bigger picture of how Jesus has directed each of our lives, thoughts and feelings through the various opportunities to experience Nauvoo over many years.”
Expanding that paragraph to the full introduction, I wrote: “NAUVOO … NAUVOO THE BEAUTIFUL! Just the sound of Nauvoo brings a smile to anyone who has been there. It is a spirit. It is joy and happiness. It is remembering pioneer ancestors who lived there almost 200 years ago. Nauvoo is feeling the power of our ancestors and their commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the direction of Prophets of God. Nauvoo is a place of sacrifice, trauma and challenge, but it is also a beautiful place, a peaceful place.
Nauvoo is a place where Prophets have walked and taught. Nauvoo is a place where we can feel the presence of Jesus Christ whom we know has walked those quiet streets and preserved its history for our enjoyment and learning.
We rejoice and are grateful in knowing that Jesus brought our family many times to this special and sacred place. As we have walked the streets of Nauvoo, we have felt the quiet witness and power of the Holy Ghost. We’ve felt a burning within us helping us remember those of the past who have gone before us, and the special times that we have shared through various trips and with many different people. Nauvoo … such a magnificent place.
Nauvoo is a part of each of us. With that spirit of Nauvoo within us, we can each look back to the special moments, the remembered experiences, and the joy that we have all felt in Old … now new … Nauvoo. Nauvoo continues to touch our lives and hearts. And that is why we all want to keep returning there again, and again. We can all be grateful to God, our Father, to Jesus the Christ, and to the Holy Ghost for these special Nauvoo feelings and experiences
This book is written or compiled with the hope that each family member might feel and remember the Nauvoo within us. It is a collective reminder of the beautiful times, experiences, and people that each of us felt and knew when we were there individually or with other family groups.
The collective record can help us see the bigger picture of how Jesus has directed each of our lives, thoughts and feelings through the various opportunities to experience Nauvoo over many years.
The book title is “The Hunt Family in Nauvoo” and means the family of Kevin and Lou and posterity … but it also means all family on our combined Hunt and Belcher families. We have great Nauvoo heritage on many of our family lines. And in producing this book, the “I” will be my own viewpoint – garnered from years of my journaling, and the “we” will be anyone who was with me/us (“You’N’s”) at any given moment in Nauvoo.
As noted, this book is specifically dedicated to descendants (and ancestors) of Kevin and Lou Hunt and it comprises historical records of a multitude of trips made to the City Beautiful over many years. But while the book focuses upon our own family experiences, perhaps it can also bring joy to others who have or hope to have the Nauvoo experience as we have had.
We have all been grateful for our Nauvoo experiences – Us in Nauvoo … and Nauvoo in us!”
* * * * * * * * * * * *
As I began the book project, I thought of relatively recent times with family in Nauvoo – as Lou and I served an 18-month mission in Nauvoo and had the opportunity to welcome eight of our children and their families who came to visit us as we were there. I wanted to memorialize those visits for current and future enjoyment by family members.
But then I remembered the real reasons why Nauvoo is important and lives within each of us. It is literally “in our blood”. I remembered the literally 50 direct-line ancestors – combined from the ancestral family lines of Lou and me. I knew that the book needed to begin with them – so that our hearts might appropriately be turned to them.
I was reminded of the Lord’s promise given to Joseph Smith through the ancient American Prophet, Moroni in his repeated visits on September 21 and 22, 1823. This is recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 2: Behold, I will reveal unto you the Priesthood, by the hand of Elijah the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to the fathers, and the hearts of the children shall turn to their fathers.” That is what Nauvoo is about – promises (faith, testimony, and heritage) made to us from our ancestors … and us being drawn to them (to Nauvoo and their lives beyond – but built upon the Nauvoo foundation. That is what Nauvoo is about. And so the book got it’s start.
The book begins with a brief history of our many Nauvoo ancestors and focuses mostly on their Nauvoo experiences of their lifetimes of pioneer Church and family service.
Here are just a few of those great Nauvoo ancestors … and more are in the book.
Next, in chronological sequence, I have a section in the book about my own 1975 experiences as a young missionary in Nauvoo.
Above: Elder Craig Shaltes and Elder Kevin Hunt – young missionaries in Nauvoo 1975
As you may recall, I spent the final six months of my young mission (in 1975) serving in Nauvoo. I served as a site missionary in the historical sites – just as I would later as a senior missionary. Great and wonderful are those early experiences. So fabulous! I could have included much more (if space were available) but I have my journals of the day and have included much of my Nauvoo time in my 20-volume autobiography. (Anyone want to read it?)
The parents of my wife – Lou, Elder Everett H. and Sister Verna Belcher served in Nauvoo for two and a half years soon after my own mission there (from 1979 to 1981).
Screenshot
Above: Sister Verna and Elder E.H. Belcher in Nauvoo about 1980
The book includes condensed versions of the journal letters that Grandma Verna wrote while serving – and which she faithfully sent out to family members. Again, there could have been over 100 pages included but with space restraints, Lou and I extracted out the snippets that tell of Elder Belcher’s development of the now-famous Nauvoo Brick. It is so great to have their first-hand account of those brick pioneering days! And speaking of his bricks, there is a book section that talks in more detail of the brick development.
Above: The original “Nauvoo Brick” as created by Elder E.H. Belcher while a missionary in Nauvoo
Sister Hunt and I visited the Belchers as they served in Nauvoo. And later, we visited there with my own folks in celebration of our joint anniversaries (same day, but 25 years apart).
Above: Sister Verna Belcher with daughter, Lou Dene, and granddaughter, Jackie Hunt in Nauvoo 1980
Our family had the supreme opportunity and blessing to twice be a part of the casts of the Nauvoo “City of Joseph” stage productions in 1996 and 1997. We took our nine children there to participate. The first year we all went on the Amtrak train. What great times! This book includes my full journal writing and photos of those two grand pageant experiences.
In 2002, our eldest daughter, Jackie, had the grand privilege of attending a BYU semester in Nauvoo. A section of the book is dedicated to her experiences. A section also reminisces a visit that Lou and I made to see her there – along with our daughter, Kaylea, and my Nauvoo mission companion Craig Shaltes and his wife. Together we even got to vacuum almost every inch of the majestic and newly rebuilt Nauvoo Temple.
Sadly, after this, we had several years of no Nauvoo visits. It was so exciting to later go back to our beloved Nauvoo beginning in 2023. We spent a glorious few days with our daughter, Jenae, and her family. Of course, this experience also has its own book section.
And then to our great joy and happiness, Sister Lou and I were called in 2024 to serve an 18-month “senior couple” mission to Nauvoo. Wow! Who gets to go back to serve in the mission of their youth? It was so amazing and fabulous. A few sections of the book are dedicated to our mission experience.
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt serving on their mission in Nauvoo
But again, there is much more written about those times. I maintained my practice of writing daily journal entries – and have entries for every day in Nauvoo. I wrote blog articles almost weekly about our experiences and these generally included much historical research. And as you might know, I also compiled some 20 different books while there as a missionary. So, there is much more material that documents those special times.
And while we served, we invited our children to come to visit us with their families. Thankfully, we were blessed with special resources that made it possible for us to assist many of them financially so that they could make the trips. And, as noted, eight of our children did come with their families. We had such great times with each one. We had just a small space where we lived in the pioneer home of Simeon A. Dunn, so we told the families that no two families could come together. So per our counsel, they came individually as they could. We had six families come within the last three months of our Nauvoo tenure (four of them within about 3 weeks right at the end). Those were busy and glorious times. Each of the families has their own sections of their times and experiences in Nauvoo.
So, with all of that, I “barely squeezed” all of this into the book of 800 pages (the maximum allowed by Lulu production standards). I titled the book, “The Hunt Family in Nauvoo … Us in Nauvoo and Nauvoo in Us”. It was great that many family members submitted their own photos, art, and narratives of their own impactful Nauvoo experiences. I stressed that “this is OUR Nauvoo Book … not just my own book.”
It ws so exciting to get this book published. I was so anxious to get the book shared with all of our families. It was such a thrill to be able to order a copy of the book for each family. I sent the book copies to the four out-of-town families and watched with joy the pending delivery status of the books as they progressed from Massachusetts to their homes. And we had multiple books delivered to our home so that we could distribute them to our local families.
Once the books arrived, we scheduled special and fancy meals individually with each family. And after the meal experiences, we happily presented the new books to each family. Of course they first thumbed to their own section – but then began to browse the experiences of their ancestors, and other family members through the years. It was a joy to see and feel their enthusiasm.
So, there you have it … “The Hunt Family in Nauvoo”. We were all blessed by our special times and experiences in Nauvoo. What a great family legacy and heritage. “Us in Nauvoo and Nauvoo in us! “
Well we are officially home from our mission. It has been a bit of a shock transitioning. We have spent days trying to get unpacked and settled back into our house – while also having a multitude of our family here with us. An adventure, for sure.
It was interesting that it took eight days after our arrival home to officially get released from the mission. Our stake got a new stake presidency the weekend after our return and they were obviously rather busy. We ultimately met with the new President.
This blog does not come in true chronological order (as I would desire) so there will ultimately be other blog articles that should be inserted here … but anyway …
Here are the homecoming talks that we presented in our Pacana Park Ward sacrament meeting on October 26th. We dressed in our Nauvoo pioneer costumes just for added effect.
This is what Sister Hunt said:
MISSION HOMECOMING TALK PRESENTED BY SISTER LOU HUNT IN THE PACANA PARK WARD ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2025
Good afternoon. I’m happy to be with you today. it’s good to see so many friends and family here. We were privileged to serve in the Nauvoo Illinois mission. Actually, the mission was called the Illinois Historic Sites Mission and it included Nauvoo and Carthage.
Above: The Nauvoo costumes worn at their mission homecoming sacrament meeting October 26, 2025
The Pioneer outfit that I’m wearing today was our missionary attire, which we wore every day, except if we were serving in the Visitors’ Center and wore Sunday dress or at the Brickyard where we wore work clothes as we created 150 bricks each time that we served there.
We had to learn 28 tours of homes and shops of the Pioneer Saints that lived in Nauvoo during 1839 to 1847. The Lucy Mack Smith home was our second home to give tours in our first week. She is, of course, the mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith. My parents served in this exact home 45 years earlier. They served for 2 and ½ years, retelling the Lucy Mack Smith story.
The first tour I gave in this home I was overcome with emotions and could not speak. Finally, my husband, Elder Hunt, stepped in and said, “I think I know why my wife can’t speak, her parents served here 45 years ago.” Elder Hunt ended up giving most of the tour.
Elder E.H. and Sister Verna Belcher serving their mission in the Lucy Mack Smith home in Nauvoo (1979 to 1981)
Above: Sister Verna Belcher as Lucy Mack Smith
Above: Sister Lou Hunt posing as her mother, Verna Belcher, 45 years before.
It was pouring rain that day and we had 2 separate groups each made up of 5 Mission Presidents and their wives. They were in Nauvoo to receive training. They were wet from the rain and dressed in their nice Sunday clothes. Talk about feeling a little intimidated, I was! I began sharing the story of Lucy Mack Smith and was crying as I told her story and read her testimony.
Lucy dedicated her life to remembering and honoring her sons Joseph and Hyrum. Just a few months after they were killed, she began working on a history of her family to stand as a testimony of Joseph’s prophetic calling. quoting her she said,
“…I shall leave the world to judge concerning what I have written as seemeth them good. But this much I will say, that the testimony which I have given, is true; and will stand for ever. And the same will be my testimony in the day of God Almighty…” {End of quote).
I apologized more than once for being overcome with emotion. One of the Mission Presidents thanked me for the spirit that he felt as I told Lucy’s story. I thought to myself this is going to be a long day if I cry through every tour.
The restored homes and shops testify of the Saints that lived in them and of their faith in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Take for example the story of George C. Riser that we shared at the Riser Boot Shop. Before he joined the church he said, “Up to this time I had many entreaties to join the various religious sects, but I did not understand that they were right. My mind was not satisfied and I made up my mind to travel the world over to learn what I could & try and fill an aching void in my mind.”
Above: Elder Kevin and Sister Lou (on P-day) with grandsons at the Riser Boot Shop in Nauvoo
George Riser had a shoe shop in Ohio. He hired an apprentice to help in his shop. Ebenezer Kerr was a Mormon but George said of him, “He was not as good of a Mormon as he was a shoe maker.” Nevertheless Ebenezer became the means by which George eventually moved to Nauvoo and joined the church.
After hearing about the persecution of the church in Missouri, Riser was integrated enough to investigate further, he sold his business and relocated to Nauvoo where he heard the prophet Joseph Smith preach, convincing him of the truthfulness of the gospel. He was also influenced by a miraculous healing of his young child, John, by the Prophet, George and his wife Christiana were baptized, cutting a hole in the frozen Mississippi river on December 12, 1842.
Above: George Riser (Nauvoo Pioneer) Photo
Can you imagine the faith of the Riser’s strong conviction in the Lord Jesus Christ to be baptized in the icy Mississippi river. What faith!
Telling and retelling the stories of these faithful Saints has strengthened my own testimony The Saints were pushed out of their homes in Kirtland, Missouri, and Nauvoo. Such faith to keep pushing forward. I tried to imagine if I could have kept going forward in the faith of the Gospel with so much persecution.
We had the privilege being a part of a reenactment of the Exodus of the Saints last February in the bitter cold, walking through town and following the Trail of Hope where the Saints left to go west into the unknown future – making their way across the frozen Mississippi river. When we arrived at the river it was frozen just as it was for the Saints in 1846. I tried to imagine what it must have felt like.
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt at frozen Mississippi River at Parley Street Crossing – February 1, 2025
The Saints were given a list of needed supplies to take on their trip west. This was called the “Bill of Particulars”. The list called for a wagon to be full of supplies – things like 1000 pounds of flour, 200 pounds of sugar, 1 bushel of beans, 20 pounds of soap, seeds to plant gardens, cooking utensils, pots, pans, etc..
The pioneer wagons were pulled by 2 or more oxen weighting 2000 pounds each and the weight of the wagon over-flowing with all needed supplies. Would I have the faith that the ice would hold as we crossed? I tried to imagine getting to the other side and wondering if I could ever get warm again. The Saints had such un-wavering faith to push forward. This experience strengthened my faith. The Saints did hard things and I also know I can do hard things, as I dedicate my life to the Lord and His restored Gospel. My trials seemed nothing compared to the early Saints.
The men were sent on missions to England and other faraway places. Many of the men were gone for 3 years. Leaving their wives and children to manage without them. Brigham Young held meetings in the 70’s Hall and from the pulpit he would call upon multitudes of men to serve missions without much notice.
We had 70 young Sisters serving in Nauvoo. I felt honored to witness the young Sisters getting called to a 6 month outbound mission from the same 70’s Hall. From outside the Hall we could hear the Sisters screaming with excitement to go and serve in whatever state they were called. This was so great to see their excitement to serve.
Above: Nauvoo 70’s Hall – scene of “Outbound Mission Calls” for Young Sister Missionaries
There are many things to tell about Nauvoo. The “Nauvoo miracles”, as we called them happened daily. The following is one of them.
Our mission President, President and Sister Mehr, whom we loved dearly – approached us last May 2024 – soon after our arrival in Nauvoo. They told us the church was going to change the design of the souvenir brick. They knew my father, Elder E. H. Belcher had created the first design and they wanted us to have the opportunity to create the next brick design and to carry on the family legacy. My husband and I went to work taking pictures of the Temple and the statues located across the street from the Temple of Joseph and Hyrum riding horseback.
My daughter Kaylea and her husband JD helped us create 9 designs on the computer for the new brick. Our son Keith is an engineer. He was able to take the Temple design which the church finally picked, and put it into a CAD file that enabled the company in Quincy, to create the mold for the new brick. On March 9th, 2025 – on my Dad’s Birthday – we pulled the first new Temple brick out of the kiln. It was a miracle how it all came together.
Just about 2 weeks before finishing our mission the new Temple brick was made available to Nauvoo guests. We were so excited! I feel honored that I was able to carry on my Mom and Dad’s legacy. God knows where we need to be! President Mehr said “It was no accident that you were called to serve in Nauvoo at this time.”
Above: Sister Lou Hunt cleaning Nauvoo Mansion House of Joseph and Emma Smith
One of our mission tasks was to be the coordinators of the newly acquired Joseph Smith properties. I felt honored to clean the homes of Joseph and Emma Smith each week during the winter months. I felt their spirits as I imagined Emma cooking over her fireplace. I imagined Joseph and Emma saying their last goodbyes as Joseph headed to Carthage to be killed by mobs. Joseph Smith was a martyr who sealed his testimony with his own blood. He was a Prophet of God that I know to be true. My testimony has been strengthened as we learned about the Saints and their sacrifices. I feel honored for being given the privilege to serve in Nauvoo.
Above: Elder and Sister Hunt at Nauvoo Temple
We loved going to the temple almost weekly. The temple is a beacon on the hill and can be seen from virtually every point in lower Nauvoo. It is the most amazing Temple! I stood in constant amazement of this magnificent building – especially for that time period – and wondered how they could have created it.
Nauvoo is a special place with a special spirit. Everyone should take the opportunity to visit. Another Nauvoo miracle for us was having our children come to visit Nauvoo as we were there.
The summer before our mission, we went to Nauvoo for several days with our daughter Jenae – then of St. Louis.
After many beautiful experiences together, she said, “You guys have to get all of “the siblings” to Nauvoo.” She suggested that we should somehow arrange trips with each of them and us over the next few years.” We did not then know that we would be called a few months later to Nauvoo.
Above: Kevin and Lou Hunt in Nauvoo 2023 – Where we set a goal to get all of our children to Nauvoo with us
I feel grateful that my children and grandchildren took the opportunity to experience the spirit of Nauvoo. It was a blessing to be with them. They now have a better understanding of the Saints and their sacrifices. We had a family gathering yesterday and the family shared their experiences they felt in Nauvoo. They each felt the spirit of their ancestors and of the Saints who lived in Nauvoo. They also felt the power of the Restoration of the Gospel and of Joseph Smith as the Prophet of God.
My own testimony …
“NAUVOO MISSION EXPERIENCES AND MEMORIES”
By Kevin V. Hunt
MISSION HOMECOMING TALK PRESENTED IN THE PACANA PARK WARD SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2025
Greetings! This is a grand experience to be here with you in our home ward. It is a great blessing to have been able to serve a mission in Nauvoo and now to return home for a season.
Above: The gathered family of Kevin and Lou Hunt (19 posterity not pictured)
It is amazing and wonderful to be joined today by so many of our friends and family who have come to be with us. Thank you for your support. I felt each day that we were serving for our children and grandchildren. We really did serve for them – for you – and I think that they felt special feelings and blessings because of our service. We also felt of their support each day. It was amazing to know and feel the power and faith of all of our children and grandchildren whom we knew were praying for us in their own family and personal prayers each day. There is strength in family and God heard and answered your prayers. He did bless us and we felt Him in our lives with you each day. Thank you!
As we met with Bishop Scoresby after our mission we talked of this meeting gathering today. He said, “I don’t care what you talk about … just so that it is Christ-centered.”
Everyone whom we met in Nauvoo talked of the “special spirit” that is there. It is real. It is everywhere. It is so special. Even people not of our faith could feel it. Many people commented on the Nauvoo Spirit. That Nauvoo Spirit really was Jesus Christ and the entire Godhead strongly present and guiding everything that happened. God the Father and Jesus Christ guided us and all of our guests – putting us together in special circumstances so that we could touch the hearts of those who came. We rejoiced in the “Nauvoo Miracles” as we called them. We experienced these miracles continuously and almost every day as we served. We were able to share the Light of Christ with many people. We know that Jesus Christ was with us. We felt His presence as He and They directed the affairs and personalized faith promoting experiences that became the Nauvoo Miracles for us and all who came to be with us. The Lord definitely brought us together with our guests.
As we were soon to depart the mission, our Mission President, President Daniel S. Mehr (who by the way with his wife was fabulous) had us stand in our Sunday meeting. He talked of Sister Hunt and me and how the Lord had brought us specifically to Nauvoo at this time. He noted that it was God who orchestrated everything for us – and for the benefit of others. He mentioned how I had served for many months in Nauvoo as a part of my original youth mission. And here I was back again … I mean how many missionaries get to return to serve again in their old mission. Wow! And this time with my own companion. It was a great honor and blessing to serve together with her. We made a good team – having God, Christ, and the Holy Ghost with us.
President Mehr also mentioned the Nauvoo heritage of Sister Hunt through her father, the Nauvoo Brickmaker. He said that she was brought to Nauvoo to carry on the Belcher family heritage through the development of the new Nauvoo Temple Brick. President Mehr said that our God loves to orchestrate such amazing and beautiful circumstances for the blessing of us and all of His children.
Serving a mission in Nauvoo was the greatest possible missionary experience. Everyone wants to go on a mission to Nauvoo. We did not specify or request on our initial application a desire to serve in Nauvoo. We were willing to serve anywhere and for as long as might be needed. As I departed for the mission I spoke at this pulpit about my own mother and step-father. They thought that they had all of the t’s crossed and I’s dotted to go to Nauvoo and they got called instead to teach institute in the bush of Toowoomba, Australia. So, we serve where we are needed and called. It soon became evident to us that God knew us specifically and wanted us in Nauvoo. He knew that we had talents and abilities that He could use to bless the lives of others.
I had been in Alabama, Flawda and Jawja but was called on special assignment with 20 other young Elders to Nauvoo. I spent the last six months of my mission there. Wow! What a tremendous blessing. Having previously served in Nauvoo “50 Years ago” (1975) was a blessing to me and our guests every day. I was able to speak with the Spirit of the past and the current moment – bringing both together for the benefit of our guests.
I felt strongly the power of the Holy Ghost each and every day and knew that He was guiding and inspiring me through His divine guidance and as I received specific revelation on many projects that we were able to create together. I received this revelation that guided my use of numerous Spiritual Gifts given to me of the Spirit. I felt His guidance, power and strength as I wrote blog articles and many history books about Nauvoo and shared them with others. I know that I was guided to write for the benefit of others. I felt that I was an instrument in His hands through the Gifts that He gave to me. I wrote way beyond my own capacities and I gratefully acknowledge Him in His direction. What author – no matter how good they are can alone write 70 historic blogs and 20 full books in an 18-month period? The Holy Ghost definitely guided my pen and my computer writing and I am thankful that I could become greater than myself through Him.
One of my first Nauvoo experiences with the Holy Ghost is very memorable.
As we were driving from the Utah MTC to Nauvoo, we received an e-mail message that gave us instruction that we were to serve in the Lucy Mack Smith home. Seriously? We thought that we would serve our full mission there (just as Lou’s parents did for two and a half years back in 1979-1981). Elder and Sister Belcher did not get moved to other sites. We thought this might be the case with us. We later learned that as “Site Missionaries” we would need to know all of the 28 tours of the Nauvoo’s historic homes and shops and that we would be moved around through them. In every week, we served in six different homes and had to know the messages for each.
Anyway, for our first day and tours, we had prepared to teach about Lucy Mack Smith, the mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith. We studied and felt that we were prepared to teach for her and her home.
Then came our first day to serve in the site. We were excited and anxious for the opportunity. And then at the last minute, we received a surprise call. We were not to serve that day at the Lucy Mack Smith home, but instead, were to serve at the Jonathan Browning home and gun shop with Elder and Sister Turner. We had been given no guidance, or shadow training by anyone. (And I note that the system is now much better. Each arriving missionary is given shadow guidance and training for several days before giving their own tours). Such was not the case with us. We were given nothing except the “Site Guide” and the Spirit.
We reported for duty with no real advance preparation, practice or knowledge of Jonathan Browning and we had just a few minutes with the Turners. They were soon off together with our first tour group of the day. They were about half-way through their tour when another big group of guests came in the front door wanting a tour. The Turners kind of went into a panic – trying to figure out what to do and how to handle both groups.
I surprised them as I said, “No worries … I’ve got this!” They got this really shocked look on their faces, showing, “Yeah, how is that possible?” but they let me go for it.
Anyway, it was then that the Spirit took over. The Browning home was one of the eight tours that I knew and presented as a young missionary. And in that moment, that entire tour of 50 years ago was brought back to my remembrance by the Spirit. The words flowed into my mind and I was able to present the whole tour. (The 1975 and 2024 tours were almost identical per the scripts.) It was an amazing miracle for me (and the Turners) and for our guests – though they did not know “the rest of the story”. I acknowledged with gratitude the power of the Holy Ghost on that special occasion. Wow!
Above: Jonathan Browning – Gun Inventor
And speaking of Jonathan Browning … he was very accomplished as an inventor and gunsmith. Many guests came for his tour not realizing that this great man was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was special to share with them what Jonathan himself said: “The greatest accomplishment of my life was joining the Church and having my posterity active and participating in it.” I also enjoyed sharing with guests one of Browning’s life themes. Even on his guns, he put a plate which said, “Holiness to the Lord … our Preservation” (from the Old Testament scripture in the book of Zephaniah). And it was so much a part of his life that he put it on a gun no less … our preservation!
I often told people that I was doing exactly the same thing in 1975 as I now was doing in 2024 and 2025. “I was then and now am a site missionary.” I said that “we then had 8 home tours and now we have 28.” I quipped that “the only difference was that back then I wore a white shirt and tie and I now wear (or wore) pioneer costumes every day.” I loved the costume look and being able to more fully portray the lives of those faithful pioneers.
Above: Elders Craig Shaltes and Kevin Hunt in Nauvoo 1975
When a young buck missionary, I went around and took photos of all of the historic homes of Nauvoo. I made an effort then to learn as much as possible about the homes that were still standing (a hundred and thirty years later). When I returned to Nauvoo in 2024, I did the same thing. I returned to each of these places and again took photos.
Above: Home of William Weeks Architect of the Nauvoo Temple – photo taken 1975
Above: Home of William Weeks as shown in 2025 after previous restoration
I was able to publish a book showing and comparing then and now and the effects of Nauvoo Restoration over the years.
One major change from then and now was the Temple. When I was there previously, the Temple lot was there but was pretty sparse. It had only a few stones around the outside perimeter of the Temple, the baptism font location and the spiral staircases. We took people there and tried to help them envision the grand structure that had once stood there. This took a lot of imagination on their parts.
Above: Nauvoo Temple Lot as seen in 1975
Now as I returned to Nauvoo, the grand and magnificent structure had been rebuilt. It was rebuilt in 2002 under the direction of then President Gordon B. Hinckley.
In the tour of the home of William Weeks, the architect of the Nauvoo Temple, we told of Weeks and how he and the Prophet Joseph worked together on the Temple design. Weeks, as an architect had some definite ideas – based on past experience and trends of the day. Joseph’s vision for the Temple did not always match those of Weeks.
Joseph felt strongly that the Temple should have round windows. This did not meet with Weeks architectural views. Joseph Said, “I wish you to carry out my designs. I have seen in vision that glorious building illuminated and will have it built according to the pattern shown me.” How cool! Joseph taught Brother Weeks that he had a vision for the Temple and that it needed to be built according to the plan that Jesus Christ had shown to him. (This was just as the Lord himself, a carpenter, had taught the Brother of Jared and Nephi how to build ships.) And I loved sharing this with our guests. The Temple was built with the round windows.
Above: Nauvoo Temple with Round Windows (shown at center)
And I loved the part about the illumination. In Joseph’s time, the lighting of that day was by candles. Candle power alone could scarcely have lit the inside and certainly could not have illuminated the exterior of the Temple. I think that Joseph saw our day … and well beyond his own day. He did not even get to see the Temple construction finished – but it was built according to the vision he had seen. And today it stands in grand illumination each night.
Above: The Nauvoo Temple Illuminated
Also in the Weeks tour we shared the story of how Weeks later in Salt Lake City took a turn away from the Church and lived the rest of his life in California. His posterity grew up without the influence of the Church. Around 1948 Weeks’ grandson, Leslie Griffiths, then a non-member, became friends with some missionaries. One of the Elders was about to return home at the end of his mission. The Weeks grandson said, “Wait … I have something for you.” He went up into his attic and returned with a large roll of paper – about 8” round and 3’ long. These were the original plans for the Nauvoo Temple. Following instruction by Leslie, the missionary accepted the challenge, took the papers and with them knocked on the door of the First Presidency in Salt Lake City. One can only imagine their surprise at the gift presented by the Elder.
And with Weeks’ original plans, the Church in 2002 was able to duplicate the new temple to be very much like the old. The footprint and the exterior of the building are almost identical in size and material. The inside, however, had to be changed dramatically to accommodate the modern systems of plumbing, electrical, elevators, etc. This was all a great miracle as guided by the Lord Jesus Christ. Truly a major “Nauvoo Miracle”.
Above: Nauvoo Temple on the Hill above the community
The Nauvoo Temple stands majestically today on a hill overlooking the community below. It is visible almost everywhere on the lower area of town where our restored homes and shops are located. The pioneer Saints were able to see the Temple and watch with front-row seats its construction. And each man was asked to dedicate a tenth of his time for the construction. Each of Nauvoo’s ten wards were assigned specific days for their members to work and donate to the construction.
I liked the words and teachings of one of our guests. After leaving our tour this mother said that she planned next to take her children up to “touch the Temple”. What a great concept and guidance of the Spirit. And that is a lesson for each of us … to touch the temple – but also to let it touch us.
As Sister Hunt said, it was a special blessing for us to be able to go to the Temple often. And it was truly amazing that we could drive to it within five minutes or less from our home. Wow! This was a great blessing for us to be touched by the covenants made there with Jesus Christ. My vision of the Temple was expanded within me and my understanding of it grew within my soul.
As with all Nauvoo missionaries, the Lord used and expanded our capabilities to bless the lives of others. After each tour I wrote on one of my trusty 3×5” cards, the numbers in the tour – and sometimes special experiences and Nauvoo Miracles evident in the tours. Then at the end of each day, I recorded in a spreadsheet the tour numbers and also recorded the numbers and thoughts in my personal journal. This took me only a short time each day but at the end of the mission, I had a full record. And the record showed that just in the tours of Sister Hunt and me, we personally took through 19,625 guests. Imagine that … 19,625 people. Wow! So unbelievable and wonderful. I wish that we could see the end result of those connections. Maybe someday we will.
With my affinity to family history and history in general, I was able to contribute to the Lord’s Nauvoo kingdom in special ways. I created and presented 5 presentations on family history, journals, personal and family histories.
I composed books about our own Nauvoo ancestors. In one book I detailed the lives of my own 32 direct-line ancestors who were in Nauvoo. Another book detailed the 20 direct ancestors of Sister Hunt. I often taught people how to use “Find My Relatives” and it was truly amazing how many third and fourth cousins that I connected with. Perhaps you read in the “Church News” back in November of three of us Hunt cousins who all got to serve together in Nauvoo.
Above: Three Cousins – Elders and Sisters (L to R) Lou and Kevin Hunt, Sandy and Jake Hunt, and Tammy and Brad Hunt
We had unknown strangers to us approach us months later saying, “We remember reading about you in the “Church News”.
I also enlightened hundreds of guests – to their great joy – how to use the fun “Find My Nauvoo Relative” phone app. I taught them how to find their Nauvoo pioneer relatives and the property that they owned so that they could go check out the property themselves. And I can do the same for any of you who might have the interest (even here away from Nauvoo).
We were appointed as the Mission historians. Each month we created a comprehensive history of events, training meetings, and activities within the mission. This newsletter was greatly enjoyed and appreciated by our fellow missionaries. And at the end of last year and again at the end of this year we did and will create a composite of those monthly histories into a full year history to be made available and published for the missionaries. And each annual history is submitted to the Church History Department for permanent storage in the records of heaven. I am glad that our records will be a part of “The Book of the Law of the Lord” as we taught of in Joseph’s Red Brick Store.
In this role as Mission Historians, we were able to go with the Mission President and wife as they took the young sisters on what he called “Church History Immersion Trips”. We went on multiple of these trips. Sister Hunt was the photographer and I took copious notes everywhere. I later was able to publish four books about the Church history sites in Missouri, Nauvoo, Iowa and westward.
I studied the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith and was able to compile books about his life, his ministry, and his many burial sites. I was able to document historic monuments and markers in and around Nauvoo. I was able to document the history of brick making in old Nauvoo connecting Elder Belcher brick making and then the miracles of the new Temple Brick development of which we were privileged to play a major role – along with our children, Kaylea and JD, and Keith.
While serving in the Stoddard Tin shop, we showed a very bad photo of the place before restoration. I said, “I can do better than that!” I opened up my Nauvoo mission slides from 1975 – and which grandson, Brodey and I had digitized just before our mission. I found a much better photo of the Stoddard home and printed this and my photo was used by all other missionaries.
With my experience with history, Nauvoo, and the Saints, I was able to help and serve others in ways that likely no other missionary could have. We were where the Lord needed us and we were pleased to be the Nauvoo miracle for many others. This was such a great experience and opportunity.
As I reflect back upon my writing, our mission in general (and today’s talk) , I feel like Mormon, the great historian and compiler of the Book of Mormon as he said in 3 Nephi 5:8: “And there had many things transpired which, in the eyes of some, would be great and marvelous, nevertheless, they cannot all be written in this book: yea, this book (and this talk) cannot contain even a hundredth part of what was done among so many people [us and our mission] in the space of [eighteen months].” And paraphrasing Mormon in verse 9, “But behold there are records which do contain all the proceedings of Elder and Sister Hunt while serving in Nauvoo as Site Missionaries.”
Being in and serving in Nauvoo was one of the greatest times of our lives. It was so wonderful to be there and to experience the influence of Jesus Christ, God and the Holy Ghost each day through Their Nauvoo Miracles. It was such a blessing to have had such a wonderful companion and being and serving there together.
We felt the love of our Savior and were so grateful for the opportunity to serve in this sacred and holy place. I felt the presence and feelings of many of the early prophets as well as our own special ancestors who likewise walked the streets, lived, and sacrificed in faith that we might enjoy the freedoms and joy of the Gospel in our lives.
I like the words of the Prophet John Taylor as he testified of the Prophet Joseph Smith 10 years after the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum. He said, “Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. I do not think it … I know it!” One prophet testifying of another … I also testify of Joseph the Prophet and the work of our God in Nauvoo. I am also grateful to my own ancestors and the Nauvoo legacy of faith that they passed on to me and to our family.
Nauvoo, Historic Nauvoo, Senior Mission Couple, Historic Sites, Missionary, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintS
On the Nauvoo Trail 