17 - Monday, August 11, 2025 -- Historic Homes

 

These pilasters, ornamented with carved moonstones at the base and the sun and trumpets on the capitals, stand as dramatic columns around the temple.  These features are more than decorations; they symbolize the signs in the heavens.  Joseph Smith saw them in a vision and taught that these symbols indicated the nature of the glorious blessings performed within the temple's walls. "God has made certain decrees which are fixed and immovable; for instance God set the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens, and gave them their laws, conditions and bounds, which they cannot pass except by His commandments; they all move in perfect harmony in their sphere and order, and are as lights and wonders, and signs to us." 

"It is intended that this temple on earth reproduce a temple plan or model which exists in heaven. So this implies two things. First, that the temple on earth actually reflect the heavenly sphere in its architecture, namely the presence of the heavenly bodies--stars, sun, moon," explains Dr. John Lundquist. "These are reflected as symbols in the actual architecture of the temple to underlie that this is a meeting place of heaven and earth. Second, all of the great temple building traditions have had the idea of astronomy, namely that the temple has always been like an observatory." 
(Sacred Stone--The Temple at Nauvoo)

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This week will be a posting of some of the historic homes and properties in Nauvoo that do not offer public tours.  Most of the homes are used for housing for historic site missionaries. Included are a few highlights of their life and/or time in Nauvoo. 

Chauncey Webb Home Baptized in Kirtland, OH in 1834.  With his brother they were blacksmiths in Nauvoo. Member of Quorum of Seventy. With his brother did much to assist the Saints as they prepared to journey west.  Later a member of the 1856 rescue company for the handcart pioneers.	Hiram and Thankful Clark Home He was born in VT, baptized in 1835, moved to Nauvoo in 1839. Ordained a Seventy, served mission to England, was first lieutenant in Nauvoo Legion, elected steward of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, ordained High Priest, served a second mission to England.
Jacob Weiler Home Arrived in Nauvoo in 1840. Contractor, worked on the Nauvoo Temple, member of Brigham Young vanguard company arriving in Utah in July 1847, served as bishop for almost 40 years and then as patriarch.	Joseph Coolidge Home Carpenter, miller, merchant.  Born in Maine, baptized in 1838, moved to Far West, than Nauvoo, member of Nauvoo Legion, Council of Fifty, appointed administrator of Joseph Smith estate in 1844.
Newel K. Whitney Home Born in VT, successful merchant in Kirtland. Early convert in Nauvoo, bishop, city alderman, Council of Fifty, "Faithful friend" of Joseph Smith. After death of Joseph, appointed trustee-in-trust for Church and later the first Presiding Bishop.	Sidney and Phoebe Rigdon Home      In Nauvoo Sidney played a prominent role in the Church, acting as Church spokesman, took part in the groundbreaking of the Nauvoo Temple. A fiery orator, served as scribe for Joseph Smith. Served in Liberty Jail with Joseph. However, in Nauvoo Rigdon's relationship with Joseph began to deteriorate.
Simeon Dunn Home After his baptism in 1839, the next year  he left on foot from Michigan for Nauvoo and met the prophet. Still walking he returned and got his family. Purchased land from Joseph Smith and built his home. Home has been restored.	Vinson Knight Home Born in New Hampshire, baptized in 1834. Served as counselor in Kirtland, bishop in Adam-ondi-Ahman and Nauvoo--until his sudden death at age 38. First brick home in Nauvoo. Served on Nauvoo City Council, guard in Nauvoo Legion, member of Masonic Lodge.
William Field Home Born in England. He heard the gospel in 1840 when it was preached to the United Brethren. Was baptized at night because of persecutions. Did not have easy life. Lived in the cabin with 7 people. He and two oldest daughters died within days of each other.	Winslow Farr Home Born in New Hampshire. He and wife baptized in 1832, moved to Kirtland, then MO, then Nauvoo. Their daughter, Diantha, married William Clayton. He left with Brigham Young to the Rocky Mountains.  She stayed in Nauvoo to give birth. When William heard that she and the baby were well, he penned the hymn, "Come, Come Ye Saints."
David and Mary Ann Yearsley Home From PA, joined the Church in 1841.  Well off financially and was known for charitable contributions to church and members.  One of few three-story homes. Is currently a national historic landmark.	Nauvoo Brickyard Representation of the seven brickyards in Nauvoo.  Currently not open to the public, but we are told they use this for the making of the souvenir Nauvoo bricks, which have recently been changed.  They now have the Nauvoo Temple on them.
Nathaniel Ashby and Erastus Snow Home Nathaniel Ashby was born in MA, was baptized in 1842, at age 36. After he was baptized he sent money to Erastus Snow in Nauvoo to build a house. In Nauvoo by 1843, he was a shoemaker, was ordained a Seventy, called as missionary for Joseph Smith's presidential campaign. Died after leaving Nauvoo in Iowa in 1846.  Erastus Snow was born in VT. When 14 missionaries taught his family the gospel.  Several members were baptized. He developed a great love for the gospel and doctrines. He was a missionary to many parts of the US and Europe. Organized and led various groups to the Great Basin. In Salt Lake he was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve.	Hosea Stout Property Farmer, teacher, carpenter, sawmill operator, lawyer. Baptized by Charles C. Rich, 1838. Nauvoo Historical Committee Clerk, Nauvoo Legion, Seventy, elected trustee for Nauvoo Mechanical and Mercantile Association and as their general secretary.
John Taylor Property Born in England, moved to Canada. Met and heard the gospel from Parley P. Pratt in Canada in 1836, Ordained an apostle in 1838. In Nauvoo served as city councilman, chaplain, colonel, newspaper editor, and judge advocate for Nauvoo Legion. He was in Carthage Jail when Joseph was martyred. Served as third president of the Church.	Porter Rockwell Property Childhood friend of Joseph Smith, later his bodyguard, always a close associate. Among first to welcome Joseph to Illinois. Kept his hair long because of a promise made to him by Joseph. Served in Nauvoo Legion and as a US Marshall.  He helped guide the saints to Winter Quarters and to the Salt Lake Valley.

Daniel Butler Property Born in MA, baptized in 1842, moved to Nauvoo in 1843. A merchant, ropemaker, and cobbler,  Rented a room from Joseph Smith in the Red Brick Store with Phillip Lewis. Member of Nauvoo Legion.  When his wife died, he returned to MA. Was excommunicated in 1845.

Samuel Williams Home Born in MA.  Was baptized in 1839.  Moved to MO for a short time and then to Nauvoo.  There he was a stonecutter for the Nauvoo Temple and later for the Salt Lake Temple.

Friday evening the temple missionaries were invited to the monthly welcome/goodbye dinner hosted by the historic site missionaries.  This month it was luau.  Of course it is pot luck, but well organized.  Where there are senior missionaries there is no shortage of delicious food.  Young Pacific Islander sisters taught the young sisters and senior sisters some island dances and some had ukuleles and played familiar island songs.  It was a bit nostalgic for Sharon.  (They asked that no one post pictures of the dancing sisters.)

The stake center cultural hall was filled!  We learned there are 20 couples of historic site missionaries, 20 couples who are teamsters, 74 young single sister missionaries, 5 sisters who serve in the sewing center (some have husbands), several family history missionaries, the historic site presidency, several other assigned couples, and then the 33 temple missionary couples -- all makes for a LARGE and very delightful gathering.