The Standard of Truth: The Nauvoo Temple

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The Nauvoo Temple

Nauvoo, IL Temple

The Nauvoo Temple is another temple that I have such a love for. The story of it's construction and the sacrifice the early saints made in it's completion really inspires me. My grandparents served their missions in Nauvoo and as a kid I got to go to Nauvoo. I was only 10 years old at the time and the newly rebuilt temple had not been dedicated yet, but it's exterior was complete and it was amazing to look at, especially as the sun set over the Mississippi River. So here's a little background information so I can share a how cool this temple is.

Original Nauvoo Temple

Original Nauvoo Temple

Soon after the saints found refuge from persecution in Missouri, the Lord soon required of them to build a temple in the city of Nauvoo, Illinois. The announcement came in August 1840. Construction began February 18th, 1841 with the laying of the cornerstone on April 6th, 1841. The temple was built from light grey limestone quarried from nearby locations. The saints made great sacrifices to build the temple despite growing persecution. Eventually this persecution lead to the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum on June 27, 1844 in Carthage, Illinois. However the saints did all they could to finish the temple before having to leave. Most of the saints left Nauvoo to go west in February, 1846 but stayed till it was finished and dedicated on 30 April 1846.

Nauvoo Temple on Fire

On October 8 or 9 1848, the interior of the temple was destroyed by an arson fire. And in 1850 tornado force winds toppled one of the remaining walls, leaving the remaining stone walls unstable and eventually were torn down in interest of safety.

New Nauvoo Temple!

After the temple walls were burned and destroyed, there was nothing left except an empty lot and a few stones here and there. During the period between 1937 and 1962, the Church was able to purchase the empty lot on which the temple stood. In 1999 President Gordon B. Hinckley announced that the Nauvoo temple would be rebuilt! It was completed in 2002 and was dedicated between 27–30 June 2002 by Gordon B. Hinckley.

Temples are such amazing places. You feel the Spirit so strongly and you learn so much about God and Jesus Christ. For some reason, the Nauvoo temple is so special to me. The early saints made so many sacrifices to build it and now today their sacrifice wasn't in vain. I know the Church is true and that Jesus Christ lives and guides this church today. I hope someday we all can have a chance to enter into God's house and feel of His love that permeates every square inch of each of His holy temples.

More Pictures of the Nauvoo Temple!