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Colorized Photo of Nauvoo, circa 1845
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This week we began our service in the Temple Baptistry on our Wednesday and Saturday afternoon shifts. We will love that assignment. The Baptistry is typically a person's first temple experience, especially the youth. It is a special blessing to be there and see and feel the joy, emotion and sometimes tears on the baptismal patrons.
It is interesting to note that the baptismal font in the Nauvoo Temple is oval shaped and is the largest one of all the temples. When the temple was rebuilt, the font was rebuilt it the same size of the original temple font. It also has two staircases, one on each end. Another interesting feature is that the legs of the 12 oxen appear to be submerged in water (only the top half of the legs are visible). The original font was wood, the floor was dirt, and with water splashing on the floor, it became very muddy and the oxen's legs slowly sank in the mud. It was rebuilt to reflect that. There is a beautiful stained-glass window in the Baptistry, which has a wonderful miracle story. You can see the window and read about it here:
https://fheontheroad.com/the-miracle-of-the-stained-glass-windows-of-the-nauvoo-temple/
This week when we were headed to Keokuk to do our grocery shopping, we took the long way and went by way of Ft. Madison to check out that city. We saw a War of 1812 battlefield--it was a fort, after all. And we saw an old Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe railroad car.
Our Nauvoo historical tour this week:
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Orson and Marinda Hyde Home
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Orson and Marinda were married by Sidney Rigdon in 1834. He was called to be an apostle in 1835. He served many missions, one of which was to the Holy Land where he dedicated the land for the return of the Jews. He also dedicated the Nauvoo Temple.
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Heber C. and Vilate Kimball Home
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The left section of the home is the original home restored. The right section was added on after the Kimballs left Nauvoo. They were only able to live in the home for 4 months before leaving Nauvoo. When the restored home was dedicated in 1960 by then Elder Spencer W. Kimball, 1,500 people toured the home on the first day. When Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball left for their mission to England--they were both very sick and so were their wives. It was from this home that they left and just down the street they arose from their wagon and shouted, "Hurrah for Israel." Their wives arose and came out to see them. Heber later wrote that he was so grateful to see and leave his wife upright instead of in her sick bed.
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Wilford and Phebe Woodruff Home
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This was the third home for the Woodruffs in Nauvoo. Its foundation is original and it has been authentically restored. Wilford and Phebe were married in 1837, he was called as an apostle in 1839 and left later than same year for a mission to England. Letters took six months to cross the ocean. Phebe wrote to tell Wilford about the birth of a son, and another time to tell him of the death of their daughter. How hard that would be to hear the news months after the fact and be so far away.
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 | | Woodruff original rocking chairs in their parlor. |
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 | | Also in the parlor--the hatbox is original. |
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Each Nauvoo block was four acres. Each home had an acre--space for a root cellar, a kitchen, a well...
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 | | ...and a garden. Pioneer-style gardens are currently planted in two areas. |
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Hiram and Sarah Granger Kimball Home
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This home is mostly original. It was in Commerce when the Saints arrived. It is several blocks away from most of the other homes. Hiram lived in Nauvoo before the saints arrived, was involved in the city leadership, owned quite a bit of property, and was not a member of the Church. However, he became a great friend to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Sarah, along with her seamstress, was the one with the idea to sew shirts for those working on the temple. That idea resulted in the organization of the Relief Society. Another incident that happened in this home was that when their new baby boy was three days old, Sarah asked Hiram how much he thought the baby was worth. "I don't know -- he is worth a great deal," he said. She asked him if he was worth $1,000. "Oh yes," he answered. "More than that if he does well." And then she told him she would take her half and donate it as tithing for the temple fund. Hiram saw Joseph shortly after and related the incident. Joseph said he would accept the child for a $500 donation or they could keep the child and make a $500 donation. Hiram asked if he could donate land, which was readily accepted.
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 | Parlor in the Sarah Granger Kimball home.
The Bible is original. |
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 | Upstairs in the Sarah Granger Kimball home.
The chest in the foreground belonged to Sarah. |
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Lucy Mack Smith home,
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This small home was built by Joseph Noble in 1841. He and his family left Nauvoo in 1846 with the Saints, and the Church bought the home for Mother Smith. She lived there with her daughter Lucy and her husband and daughter for several years before younger Lucy moved away to live by her two sisters. Mother Smith then moved in with Emma at the rebuilt Riverside Mansion House. While in this home Mother Smith wrote her book, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother.
This was the best tour because the female historic guide was in character and spoke from the voice of Lucy about her sons and family.
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| A view of the Monument Garden to Women |
We have known of the many sacrifices made by these early Saints, some coming from prosperous circumstances and giving it up to join the Church and be with the Saints. And then giving it up again and again to follow the call to gather with the Saints. It just seems to be more real when you are standing on the very sacred ground where they were when it all happened. We are so grateful and so blessed to have faithful ancestors.
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