The Nauvoo Temple
2010
The events which took place in and around Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois are laced through the lives of many of our ancestors. Many were converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints in their native lands of Europe and in their towns and cities across New England and in other parts of America. They were driven by a “spirit of gathering” which caused them to gather with others of their faith. For seven years, they enjoyed the peace of Commerce, Illinois which was re-named Nauvoo. It sat on the banks of the Mississippi River and was re-claimed from its swampy condition to become a beautiful city. Our ancestors helped to build the original temple in Nauvoo. They sacrificed to buy the materials and donated their time and labor until it was complete enough for parts of it to be dedicated and used. Then, they guarded it with their guns and lives as long as possible before fleeing Nauvoo for points west. They were hardly on their way before the mobs desecrated the Temple and burned it. In the 21st century it was rebuilt with the tithing dollars of faithful members of the same Church which had been driven from Nauvoo in the middle 1800s. It is a replica of the original and as true to the original building as could be built. Six thousand Saints received instruction in the Temple before they fled. Among them were many of our direct ancestors including those with the surnames of Pugmire, Morris and Sprague.