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Nauvoo Temple QuarryJohn Telford, 2002
Brigham Young
said that in 1844 "we did much hard labor on the Nauvoo
temple, during which time it was difficult to get bread and
other provisions for the workmen to eat." However,
faith and diligence were rewarded when a recent
convert, Joseph Toronto, donated $2,500 to assist in
the temple construction, enabling work to continue (B. H.
Roberts, A Comprehensive History of the Church,
2:472).
Nauvoo TempleScott G. Winterton
From December
1845 to February 1846, Church leaders worked in the temple
both night and day to administer its sacred ordinances to as
many worthy Saints as possible before the Church was
forced from Nauvoo. Nearly 6,000 faithful Saints
received their endowments before moving west (Our
Heritage: A Brief History of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints [1996],
60–61).
The Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa area of the USAChurch History Maps.
1. Independence:
Identified as the center place of Zion (see D&C
57:3). A temple site was dedicated on 3 August 1831. The
Saints were driven from here in 1833.
2. Fishing River:
Joseph Smith and Zion's Camp traveled from Kirtland,
Ohio, to Missouri in 1834 to restore the Jackson County
Saints to their land. D&C 105 was revealed on the
banks of this river.
3. Far West: This
was the largest Mormon settlement in Missouri. A site
for a temple was dedicated at this location (see D&C
115). On 8 July 1838, the Quorum of the Twelve
Apostles received a call from the Lord to serve
missions in the British Isles (see D&C 118).
4.
Adam-ondi-Ahman: The Lord identified this place in upper
Missouri as the site where a future great gathering
will take place when Jesus Christ comes to meet with
Adam and his righteous posterity and receive keys (see
D&C 78:15; 107:53-57; 116).
5. Liberty Jail:
Joseph Smith and others were falsely imprisoned here
from December 1838 to April 1839. In the midst of troubled
times for the Church, Joseph called on the Lord for
direction and received D&C 121-23.
6. Nauvoo:
Located on the Mississippi River, this area was the
gathering place for the Saints from 1839 through 1846.
Here a temple was built, and ordinances such as
baptism for the dead, the endowment, and the sealing
of families began. Here the Relief Society was organized in
1842. Revelations received include D&C 124-29.
7. Carthage: Here
the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were
martyred on 27 June 1844 (see D&C 135).
8. Winter
Quarters: The headquarters settlement for the Saints
(1846-48) en route to the Salt Lake Valley. The Camp
of Israel was organized for the westward journey (see
D&C 136).
9. Council Bluffs
(Kanesville): The First Presidency was sustained here
on 27 December 1847, with Brigham Young as President.
Sunstones at the Nauvoo TempleVal Brinkerhoff, 2004
A defining
characteristic of the Nauvoo Temple was the sunstone
capitals that adorned the top of every pilaster. Of
the 30 originally carved, only 3 remain, one of which
is housed in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington,
D.C.
Nauvoo, IllinoisWarner and Beers; Union Atlas Co., 1876.
Map of Nauvoo, Illinois
as it looked in 1876. The temple plot is visible in the
center of the city and the Homestead, Mansion House, Nauvoo
House and Red Brick Store are located near the Smith
Cemetery along the southern river bank.
Nauvoo TempleVal Brinkerhoff, 2004
In Nauvoo, the
Lord commanded that another temple be "built unto my
name, that I may reveal mine ordinances therein unto my
people; For I design to reveal unto my church things
which have been kept hid from before the foundation of
the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of
the fulness of times" (D&C 124:40–41).
Nauvoo Temple and Surrounding CountryJohn Telford, 2002In obedience to the Lord's command, the Saints began "building a temple for the worship of our God in this place . . . one of the most lovely situations . . . in this region of country. It is expected to be considerably larger than the one in Kirtland, and on a more magnificent scale" (History of the Church, 4:229).Nauvoo Temple FacadeSteve Mortensen, 2003
At the time of its
construction, the Nauvoo Temple was the biggest building
east of St. Louis and west of Cincinnati, with an overall
height of 158 1/2 feet.
Nauvoo Temple and Surrounding CityCharles Carter, circa 1846
After the
Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, construction of the
temple stopped briefly. Brigham Young, President of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "inquired of the
Lord whether we should stay here and finish the
Temple. The answer was we should" (Office filer, Journal,
1837 July 27–1845 Apr. 1, entry for Jan. 24, 1845, Church
Archives).
