Nauvoo, Illinois

The idea to take a trip to Nauvoo interested me a great deal. I had never visited this place before, and the proposition of touring the location with family and no kids made the idea 'golden'.

Before the trip was to begin, I planned on reading a couple of books so I could appreciate the sights more fully. But, with work and other distractions, the preparation never took place. I would have to rely on maps and memory for my insights.


First, let me introduce you to Nauvoo, in case you didn't know. Nauvoo was once a small county named Commerce, Illinois, until in 1839 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, led by Joseph Smith began purchasing land. The idea was to build a town that they could develop under their own city ordinances and away from persecution. Prior to Nauvoo, the Saints, or members of the church, had been driven out of New York, Ohio, and Missouri by violent persecution of others. Joseph Smith renamed the land and town, Nauvoo.

Soon, the town of Nauvoo began to thrive. Located on banks of the Mississippi River, Nauvoo became an important part of Illinois as newly baptized members of the Church traveled from very far away lands to gather with the Saints and Joseph Smith. Soon the population of Nauvoo swelled to over 12,000, rivaling Chicago as the largest city in Illinois.
The Saints even began construction of a temple, or House of God in Nauvoo in 1841. The temple was eventually finished and later dedicated in May 1846 (though it was being used prior to then).

Persecution did not end however for the Saints, and soon Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were arrested and brought to a small town named Carthage where they would await trail for treason. A few other friends of Joseph and Hyrum stayed with them in the Jailhouse. The Governor had promised Joseph safe passage until the trial would be held. However, that was a very difficult promise to keep since the Church had many enemies throughout the land. On June 27, 1844, Joseph and Hyrum were murdered by a lawless mob that rushed the jailhouse and shot the prisoners. Two others were in the jailhouse at the time, John Taylor and Willard Richards. Bro. Taylor received four bullets, but lived (he would later become the 3rd president of the Church), and Bro. Richards were sparred as well without as much as a scratch.

This photo was taken outside the jailhouse in Carthage, Illinois. On the left is Joseph Smith, and the right is his older brother Hyrum Smith.

After the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum, the Saints departed from Nauvoo led by Brigham Young. There eventual destination was to be the Salt Lake Valley, which Joseph Smith had earlier seen in a vision as the land that the Saints would receive their desired peace and rest from persecution. Nauvoo was left behind with nearly fully furnished homes, since the Saints could not carry their belongings on the long journey. If they could sell their homes, they did... but most did not. The Nauvoo Temple was burned and destroyed.

For decades, the Church of Jesus Christ didn't have a presence in Nauvoo other than grave sites and memories. Finally, over time, the Church began to purchase some of the old homes and land once owned by members. Today, Nauvoo has been partially restored and invites tourists from all over the world to experience life of the 1840s.

Our family visit was wonderful. We were fortunate enough to have temperatures in the high 70s and relatively low humidity. For three days, we saw as many sites as time would allow. On Saturday night (our final night), I longed for another day or two. My lovely wife and I have committed to returning in a few years when our two young boys could appreciate the history (and control themselves a little bit more).

If you live near the area, or find yourself a short distance from the area, I would encourage you to visit. These individuals truly lived a life of faith and discipline. Their testimonies of Jesus Christ and His restored Gospel are evident in the legacy they left behind. How grateful and thankful I am for their courage and long-suffering. I had family that lived in Nauvoo and later followed Brigham Young to the Salt Lake Valley (David Cluff). A short time after arriving in Salt Lake, my family was asked by President Young to settle in Northern Arizona (eventually Safford, Central, Thatcher area). I am humbled by their example. One day I will write about them...