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Nauvoo, Illinois, USA

The church was headquartered in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA, from 1839 to 1846.

The church was headquartered in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA, from 1839 to 1846.

Transformed Community

The church established a new settlement called Nauvoo on the banks of the Mississippi, and transformed it into a thriving city, marking a significant period of radical change. Nauvoo rapidly grew to become the second largest city in Illinois, USA, featuring thousands of residents, businesses, newspapers, schools, and the initiation of a new temple.

Church and Civil Authority

During the Nauvoo period, Joseph Smith held multiple positions of authority, serving as the church president, mayor of Nauvoo, and commanding general of the Nauvoo Legion, which was part of the Illinois State militia and comprised over 3000 men. This marked a significant centralization of both church and civil authority.

The Assassination

The introduction of new theologies and practices in the church led to shock and alarm among members. When dissenting voices challenged these practices in a local newspaper, Joseph Smith ordered the destruction of the printing press, sparking widespread outrage. Subsequently, he was arrested on charges of treason, and while awaiting trial in Carthage, a mob attacked the jail, resulting in the tragic deaths of Joseph and his brother Hyrum.

Tour

Apostle Lachlan Mackay provides a tour of some historic sites in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA, in a series of videos. Watch the entire playlist on YouTube.

Podcast episode

Apostle Lachlan Mackay and Theologian Tony Chvala-Smith explore the Nauvoo period in a Project Zion Podcast episode.

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history

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Smith Family Homestead

When early church members first gathered in Nauvoo, this cabin on the river became Joseph and Emma's first home. Later, in 1858, Joseph III returned to the homestead his father had used so many years before, residing there until he moved to Plano, Illinois, in 1866.

Mansion House

As Nauvoo grew rapidly so did the number of Joseph and Emma’s guests. In 1842 Joseph built this fine frame house just across the street from the Homestead. As it was being finished, however, Joseph chose to add a hotel wing on the east to accommodate their many guests. This final home for Joseph and Emma gave them space to raise their children, meet with guests, and provide rooms for visitors.

Mansion House

Today the original residence still stands. The hotel addition was demolished in 1890.

Red Brick Store

Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store became the center of community life after its construction in 1841. In addition to serving as a general store and tithing office, it also hosted many civic and religious meetings. Joseph kept an office upstairs and the large upper room was home to the first meetings of the Nauvoo Female Relief Society and other important activities.

Red Brick Store

The building was home to Nauvoo’s RLDS congregation by the 1860s but eventually fell into disrepair and it was torn down in 1890. It was reconstructed in 1979.

Nauvoo House

In 1841 a group of investors, led by Joseph Smith, began a joint-stock company to build a massive hotel called the Nauvoo House. Slowly over the course of the next few years, the building began to take shape. Construction continued after Joseph's death in 1844, but the walls were not yet three stories high when work stopped in 1846.

Nauvoo House

Decades after 1846 Emma Smith’s second husband, Lewis Bidamon, finished part of the structure and together they operated it as a boarding house called the Riverside Mansion. It was in this building that Emma Smith Bidamon lived during the last eight years of her life.

Smith Family Cemetery

The Smith Family Cemetery, a peaceful setting on the banks of the Mississippi River, serves as the final resting place for about twenty-four members and friends of the Smith family. Among those buried here are Joseph and Emma Smith, Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith Sr., and Lucy Mack Smith, Samuel Smith, and Don Carlos Smith.

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