From the Vault

What's happening with the Tomb of Joseph Museum? Are there any cool new historical updates with Nauvoo? What more can we learn about before, during, and after our visit?

Joseph Johnstun

Oct 2, 20231 min read

African American Nauvoo

In February 1845 the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that enslaved people could not be held in the state. That year, there were about forty...

Joseph Johnstun

Oct 2, 20231 min read

Youth Organizations

Religious and social developments in Nauvoo occurred for youth and children, too. While most Sabbath services occurred in homes...

Rachel Clayton

Oct 2, 20231 min read

Nauvoo House

On January 19, 1841, Joseph Smith received a revelation commanding the Saints to build the Nauvoo Temple and a hotel to be called “Nauvoo...

Joseph Johnstun

Oct 2, 20231 min read

Family History

Family history work began for the Latter-day Saints here in Nauvoo. In mid-August 1840, Joseph Smith introduced baptism for the dead...

Joseph Johnstun

Oct 2, 20231 min read

Finding Nauvoo

After their expulsion from Missouri in 1838-39, many Latter-day Saints traveled east through the new Iowa Territory. Israel Barlow was...

Joseph Johnstun

Oct 2, 20232 min read

Venus, Commerce, and Commerce City

The first known settlers to make the Nauvoo peninsula their permanent home were James and Lurancy Barber White. They purchased Denis...