By Kevin V. Hunt

BLOG #6 – April 27, 2024

In my previous blog, I talked of our eventful trip to Nauvoo and the greeting and help received by our fellow missionaries upon arrival.  Getting here was a great moment.

WHERE WE WILL SERVE?

Many of the Nauvoo missionaries that we were with in the MTC had already received assignments as to where they would serve upon their arrival.  Many also had advance notice from an assigned “trainer”.  We had neither.  We kept wondering where we might be assigned.  The thought gave us something to think about at the MTC and on our long trek east to Nauvoo.

Then as we were on the road on that long Thursday (and were somewhere out in the flats of Nebraska … (and I must say that Nebraska has absolutely fabulous rest stops!)  I checked my phone at a rest stop.  And there it was … the mysterious e-mail that we had been anticipating.  I snuck a peek at it.  And I chuckled.  Funny!  And when we got back on the road, I mentioned to Lou that we had received the big message about where we would be serving.  Like me, she was full of anticipation.

I said, “Guess where we are going?”  I let her think about it for a few seconds before I made the big reveal.  “Lucy Mack Smith home”, I told her.  Sister Hunt almost went into shock.  It took her a few seconds to comprehend that.  Her folks had served here in Nauvoo (circa 1979 to 1981) and they spent their entire mission in the Lucy Mack Smith Home.  (More on that later.)  They were called initially for a year and a half and they extended an additional year – and they served in this home literally the entire time.

Elder E.H. and Sister Verna Belcher serving at the Lucy Mack Smith Home

My wife was completely speechless.  When she came to, she said, “Well, I cerainly wasn’t expecting that!”  (We later learned that today’s senior missionaries often get moved around to different homes – so they do not remain in a single home forever like the folks.)  But, Lucy Mack Smith … how cool is that to follow in the footsteps of the in-laws.  It was pretty exciting.  (Current scheduling leaders had no idea of our past connection to the place when they made the assignment!)

My wife finally got her mind settled over the assignment and sent a message out to our posterity.  Everyone was elated!  Coincidental?  Hardly!  The folks (now angels) likely had a bit to do with the assignment.    We knew that they would be very pleased.

GETTING MOVED IN TO OUR NEW HOME

Elder and Sister Hunt at back side of Dunn Home

Elder and Sister Hunt in front of Dunn Home

I mentioned previously that we got moved into our “new home” but I didn’ give many details.  Prior to our mission – like two or three weeks before our arrival – we were notified that we were given the Simeon A. Dunn home as our mission residence.  In Nauvoo, there are a multitude of possible homes for senior couples – but you do not make a request for a specific place – nor even list desired characteristics.  As them saying goes, “You do not find the place … it finds you!”  Well, it found us.

We learned ahead that Simeon Dunn built the first 2-story home in Nauvoo in 1841.  Simeon was a farmer and he worked on the Nauvoo Temple construc tion.  He was a local policeman.  He and his wife had 11 children.  Joseph Smith visited the place and was impressed with the second story.  Simeon was twice widowed while in this home.  He later became a prominent settler of Brigham City, Utah.

After the Dunn family left their Nauvoo, home, it remained standing and needed little exterior changes.  Workers ultimately mostly gutted the place and modernized it for us old-timers.

The place is 3 stories.  It has a basement – made of the old limsteone rock (like the Temple).  Here there is a washing machine, dryer and hot water heater – and a lot of storage space.  The main floor has a small living room (with two closets, comfy recliners, and a couch) – as well as a small kitchen and dining area.  The kitchen is one that every pioneer woman would have craved.  And upstairs, there is a large bedroom – with a queen bed, a “dressing area” and his and hers closets.  (We have more storage space here than in our Maricopa home.)   It has three very vintage dressers and I took one of them and gave Sister Hunt two of them. There is a single bathroom with a tub/shower (and no outdoor privy needed).  The only drawback is that the only bathroom is upstairs … so one has to plan ahead to get there.

OUR NEW “WARD” OF MISSIONARIES and MISSION ORGANIZATION

Sunday morning (bright and early – at 8:00 AM), we made our way to the large Visitors’ Center (which I remember well from when I was here 49 years ago as a young missionary).  We joined a throng of senior Elders and Sisters in the “east theater” (one of the twin theaters).  What a wonderful crowd.   They radiated greatness.  I felt like a lion thrown in with a den of Daniels!

There is a local ward and chapel here in Nauvoo, but we meet as missionaries each week for the usual Sunday block meetings – as anywhere else in the world.  The only difference is that our “ward” is made up entirely of couples serving as missions  (and there are no apostates nor “less-active” members).  The theater is large.  I counted the seats and there were 240 seats in the place – and we filled about 200 of them – and more missionaries – Young Sister Missionaries (YSM’s) and Performing Missionaries – are yet to come.  Wow!

I might add that it ws a bit strange to be in a crowd of people like us … all the men are gray-haired (or the predominate bald with a bit of gray around the ears), and protruding bellies.  (Curse the Diastasis Recti hernia)    … at least I could bask in gratitude that at my age, I still have hair!

We were inroduced – along with others who had been with us in the MTC) as new Nauvoo missionaries.  The sacrament was administered and the talks were powerful.  We separated and the men of the Priesthood went to the West Theater and the women remained in the east theater for Relief Society.

After the meeting, we were privileged to mingle with the other senior Elders and Sisters.   How could I remember all of he names and keep them all straight?  (I never could remember names until I took that SAM Carnegie course!)

In Nauvo, we are guided by mission leaders – President Daniel Mahr and his wife.  He is ur mission President.  He has two counselors – chosen from among the senior missionaries.

We also have districts and zones – (wih district and zone leaders) as in any other mission.  Sister Hunt and I are in the Brigham District and the Heber Zone!

And among the folks who helped us move in, we were greeted then by the Carters – who intrduced themselves as our “ministering couple” (already assigned … amazing!)  Wow!  Are you serious?  I had heard some time ago about ministering brothers and sisters but I thought that bird had long since gone extinct.  Another wow!

We were also assigned to have the Workmans as our trainers.  He surprised us a few days later with a fabulous Ahmish cherry pastry!

ORIENTATION MEETING

We got another early start on Monday, April 15^th.  We were to be at the “FM” (Facilities Maintenance) headquarters (“The Barn”) by 8:00 Am.  We joined about 20 other new missionary couples (most of whom we knew from the MTC) for an orientation meeting.  They talked of our missionary housing, safety procedures, and more.  There was a lot of stuff to take in.  Debra, the head of Nauvoo “Collections” and residences talked of our work at the sites, our housing, and other general housekeeping guidelines.

We have a Dr. Smith – who in a previous life, was a medical doctor – and who now has the title of “Elder Smith” talked to us.  He doesn’t practice real medicine on us but he is here as a resource and advisor for our senior medical needs.

GETTING OUTFITTED FOR THE JOB

Right after the meeting, Sister Hunt was anxious to go to the “Sewing Room” to talk with missionary sisters (whose main job in Nauvoo is to be costume seamstresses).  She had heard that we could check out a couple of outfits (each) so she wanted to check these out.  She was pointed to a long rack of possible options.  She picked out her couple of outfits – nice pioneer dresses (one yellow/gold and the other pink/blue – both with coordinated aprons. 

I went to the men’s rack and within seconds, I selected two shirts and some brown suspenders.  I checked these out on the check-out form.  ( had also shopped on Amazon before the mission and had found many “tweed” vests and pants and suspenders.  Nauvoo Elders do not wear collars on shirts and I found a source that creates – or alters – existing shirts to meet these specs.  And Lou had also altered a few shirts for me.)

Sister Hunt’s situation was different, however.   She really did not have any dresses to wear.  She had broughr fabric with which to make three dresses.  We had been told that the Sister Missionary seamstresses could create a new dress – from their fabric – or they could design one individual dress using fabric brought from home.  In any case, the design had to be approved by the Nauvoo seamstresses.   She needed to borrow a couple of dresses until the center could create a dress for her – or until she could sew her own (with her sewing machine that we brough with us in our wagon.)  She needed to find just the right dresses to be borrowed – and to be measured for the dress that the Sisters would design and create for her.

The impressive Nauvoo costume sewing center

I quickly ascertained that we were to be there for the “long-haul”.  It seemed as if we were back at our local “Ross” store.  (Shopping options in Maricopa are somewhat limited …)

I had joined several other Elders (all in the same situation) on the couches and we shot the breeze as the women were otherwise detained … selecting clothes, looking at options, getting measured, talking to the seamstress sisters, etc.  I told the men that having had a wife and six daughters, I have learned how women shop.  I said, “Upon entering a store, they go to the first rack of clothes that they see.  Usually this is the rack for the smallest sizes – rather than going direct to the section for their body size.  They immediately start pulling out outfits by color and styles that they like.  Then then take 22 oufits into the fitting room.  They try on each of the outfits and determine that there are only one or two outfits that fit their body build (duh!).  All of the rest of he outfits go back onto the return rack for the employees to put back in their places. And had they gone right to their size rack, they could have saved themselves a lot of time and effort.”

One Elder laughed at my description of the clothes buying experience.  Just at that moment, an Elder and Sister came in to exchange a hat that she had picked out for him earlier.  He said that the hat did not fit him.  She said, “I wasn’t looking for size … I was just looking for style and color.”  The men all laughed.  Case in point!

Sister Hunt was able to check out two dresses for her use as a Guide

After what seemed a couple of hours later, the deeds were done.  Sister Hunt had her two outfits – one a yellow and other a blue/pink – and two aprons, a lace collar, two hats, and one hair comb!  (And it didn’t cost us a dime!)  What a blessing!

MISSIONARY MAIL AND THE DESERET INDUSTRIES (D.I.)

In the same building as the sewing and fitting room, there is a mailroom for all of the missionaries.   Each of us has our designated mail slot.  Our forwarded mail comes here, and this is the place where all Amazon and other physical deliveeries are received.  And if we yave such a package, there is a red card placed in ouir box and we look for a box with our name on it nearby.

And Sister Hunt thinks that she has “died and gone to the 7^th heaven” with the another operation in the rustic looking building.  This is the missionary “D.I.”.  This is a miracle place where missionaries contribute their unneeded goods of all kinds – and where any missionaryi can go in and take any item (for free) that is there. 

ister Hunt has hardly ever spent money – in our married lifetime – but she is addicted to thrift stores.  (A great blessing to her husband!)  So, to have this new arrangement was beyond glorious for her.  We now have to make our now traditional stop at this place everyday after our regular work time (5:00 PM) to check for mail and new goods.  And it has proven to be a miracle place for her.  She thinks about something “and draws it to her” (a very great gift).  And then, suddenly, by some miracle, it shows up there for her.  One example was a brand new pair of pantaloons she needed to wear under her pioneer skirt.  Gratefully, she continues to be blessed!

RESTOCKING THE WAGON

In my previous blog, I noted that unlike pioneers of former centuries, we knew that whatever we forgot – or what would not fit in our wagon – could likely be obtained at a local Walmart store.  So, we went forward with faith to the Walmart located in nearby Keokuk – located a dozen or so miles south (along that marvelous Mississippi river road) and across the river in Keokuk.

We first went to a grocery store – that I remember going to with the six of us “Red Barn Elders” as young missionaries – on our P-days – to shop.  The Hy-Vee store was still there – though aged a bit over time.

As a young missionary, I was the appointed cook for our Red Barn.  I had done some cooking for the Elders of the house – and made believers of them.  I was the head cook and as such, I took the lead with the others in planning our food for the coming week.  (And each of he other five were designated – for one day a week – as my assistant – and all of the five jointly were he clean-up committee.  It was a great arrangement for all of us.

Each week, in anticipation of the trek to town, we would sit together, and we would plan our food.  They could each suggest their favorite foods – whatever it was – I could cook it for them.   I would find recipes, make a list of needed supplies, and would even tell them what it would likely cost each of us.  And surprisingly, we ate like kings for only about $8.00 per week each.  (And this was while the other two missionary “homes” dined individually on cold cereal and bologna sandwiches.  We did, however, invite the other houses over occasionally for our home-cooked meals.  It was fun to Wow them!)  And we found a pear tree located near our home and one time gathered enough pears to make into a half dozen pies – which we created together – and put these into our freezer.  And then when we got the urge, we could pull one out in the morning to thaw as we headed off to work – and then it would be ready to back upon arrival back at home that night.  And sometimes, the Red Barn Elders would send me home a few minutes early – to get a head-start on our dinner meal.

Anyway, after the above exercise, we would head to Keokuk on the weekly grocery adventure.  (That was long before the invention of Walmart).  We would shop together – and the Elders were always amazed when the bill came to within pennies of what I had predicted it would cost us.

So, it was great to be in the Hy-Vee store once again.  We were also pleased to see a local Aldi store.  Our son and daughter (in Ohio and Illinois) have long sung the praises of this store.  We also bought several items there.

And of course, our main “go-to” was the Walmart store.  Although we had already brought “everything but the kitchen sink” with us, here were still many items that we needed.  I had been building a new list of “bill of particulars” since our arrival.  We went about the store to gather those items – and were not disappointed.  We filled up our wagon again in a hurry.  And of course, we also now had to buy food for the coming times.  And sadly, this purchase was a big one – since we started with cupboards almost mirroring “Old Mother Hubbard” (but Jenae, bless her, had given us a box or two of food stuffs).   

A TORNADO WATCH AND A WARNING

The weather here in Nauvoo (and the Midwest, generally) can be rather interesting.  As the saying goes, “If you do not like it, stick around a few minutes, and it will change.”  We get beautiful sunny days, many rainy days of “drizzle rain”, and even many Illinois tornado threats.  Sounds exciting!

From the all-knowing Google knowledge base:  Tornado watch or warning?  The big differences: “A tornado watch tells you to keep an eye out for a possible tornado. Pay close attention to local sources of weather information. A tornado warning means a tornado’s been recently spotted in your area.”

On Tuesday (our third day here), I guess we missed the memo about the “Watch”.  We got the full enchilada with a 4:59 PM notice of a “Tornado Warning”.  We got the word from our District Leader, Elder Davies.  He said, “Just making sure you saw the tornado warning until 5:45 PM.  Are you guys okay?”  He insinuated that we had received the warning earlier.   Anyway, by his instructions, we high-tailed it down to our basement (our place has three levels) to be safer from the tornado threat.  We would hate to end up like Dorothy and Toto!

Lou quickly grabbed some blankets, a couple of pillows, and  of course, our phones.  I took my computer and set up shop downstairs.  Luckily I found an odd “current bush” – located way up at the ceiling.  I got comfortable and hunkered down to wait out the storm. 

Elder Davies later sent us a weather map and said, “Looks as if it may miss us.  It was heading straight towards us and now looks like it may be heading north.”  Whew!  That was a positive!  He followed with another message: “Well, it’s always good to follow the procedure.”  We agreed.  We will have to be more attentive to the local weather situations.  (All we had known in Arizona was “hot and hotter”.)

PREPARED TO TEACH AS MISSIONARY GUIDES

Sister Hunt and I were called specifically (n the original mission call) to be “Site Guide Missionaries”.  Other folks have received specific calls to other Nauvoo functions.  All extremely interesting.

I noted that Elder and Sister Belcher served their whole mission in one place.  Apparently here, we are to be rotated around frequently.  This gives us variety – but also means that we need to learn a multitude of site guides (scripts) since there are about 30 different historic places.  The site guide book is about 230 pages.  Since we have been here, we have served in three different sites.

With each new site assignment we receive, we have to do a crash course (by the Spirit) to learn the script for the place and to be prepared.  (Good Boy Scouts).  One sister whom we worked with showed us a great little book in which she pastes site scripts and other notes.  And she has a collection of these – having served in various places.  These books look like journals – the real thing – so an “authentic” source of the period.

The Sister said that she got these on-line – after Googling just “leather journals”.  We did so as we got home that night and ordered two of them – one for each of us.  Surprisingly, they arrived the next day!  Pretty good Pony Express!  Now, I access the site guides, copy and paste them and then reformat them to pages 3 ½” x 6” and then print them out. Sister Hunt then cuts these out and pastes them into the books.  I highlight my own book with high points for each presentation.  We have developed a good system.

Of course, I am an old journal guy (writing every day for 50 years) so I love these books.  They are so “legit” or “lit” as our missionary grandson would say.  So, it was exciting for me to find these little books.  Using these, I can  have it open, refer to it easily and read direct quotes.  And it really does look “legit”.  It makes me happy!

NAUVOO JOURNAL OF YESTERYEAR

A hundred years ago, (1996 and 1997) we came to Nauvoo with all nine children and participated in the then, “City of Joseph” pageant cast.  As has been the case throughout the while of 50 years of journaling, I have to take advantage of every free moment to write.  And that was the case when we were in the pageant.  I often had to be at the stage for hours – an d often had free time before assigned scenes in  the practices.  I took my journal to write in those rare free moments.  I would kind of sit at the edge of the stage – out of the way.

At one point, the show director looked over at me and said to his staff, “Are you seeing what I am seeing?’  He somehow saw a vision (or whatever) of me with the journal and surrounded by my many children.   They had us be the opening scene for the show – as if I was reading out of my journal telling the story of Nauvoo to my children – from my journal.  So, that is how we opened the show every night.

Kevin and Lou Hunt and Family – Opening scene in “City of Joseph” Pageant 1996

OUR FIRST DAY ON THE JOB – APRIL 17^TH, 2024

We had three days to get ourselves organized and to prepare for service in Nauvoo.  Then came the exciting day when we were to begin service in our role as historic guides.  That is what we came to Nauvoo to do.  We were pretty psyched for the big day.

We awoke early to give ourselves plenty of time.  And the big moment was getting into our Nauvoo pioneer costumes for the first time.  Sister Hunt selected her pink and blue (borrowed) dress with the matching apron.  I picked one of my favorite shirts and a vest.  We had thought we would be at the Lucy Mack Smith home for our first day – and had been excited about this opportunity.  There was a last-minute change that moved us to the Browning home and gun shop (with Elder and Sister Turner) for our first day.

Elder and Sister Hunt on first day as Historic Site Guides – April 17, 2024

Our first view of the beautiful Nauvoo Temple

We were up and moving … ready to hit the Nauvoo trail running.