23 Jul - Temple

The Saints began building the temple in January of 1841. The men donated one day in every 10 to work on the temple and the women provided clothes for the workers. The temple was completed, dedicated, and then abandoned as the Saints moved west for the
Rocky Mountains. 150 years later, reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple began and was funded by private donations. Volunteers helped. The new temple was rededicated on June 27, 2002, on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.

Several of us had the opportunity to attend the temple on Wednesday morning. The youth performed baptisms for the dead, while the adults attended an endowment session. It was a great, spiritual start to our second day of touring the sites in Old Nauvoo. Marge said, “You could just feel the spirit as you walked up the steps to the temple.”

Darlene writes, “Just think—another day we were privileged to walk in the footsteps and follow the lives of the Prophet Joseph Smith. We also think of Emma, an elect lady, who endured more than we can begin to imagine. For their sacrifices we are forever indebted and to the brave and committed pioneers who endured and paved the way for us. Tears came as I thought of them as we gathered in the chapel for a session in the beautiful Nauvoo temple. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that Christ’s church has been restored to the earth in our day.