In 2010, several Daily Universe reporters and photographers traveled to Nauvoo, Ill., to follow a performance of BYU’s Young Ambassadors. While there, the Daily Universe explored how life has evolved in this area that has such strong meaning to Latter-day Saints.
Photo by Darrian Watts.
NAUVOO, Ill. — A new city planning program is helping Nauvoo residents look past religious, cultural and historical differences to brighten the future of this city rich in Church history.
The city planning organization, known as the MAPPING Program, is supported by the Institute of Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. The state-wide program was created in 1991 to help rural communities sustain an economic future.
Photo by Darrian Watts
NAUVOO, Ill. — Celebrating their 40th anniversary, BYU’s Young Ambassadors returned to the roots of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by performing in and around Nauvoo this summer.
The historical importance of performing in areas rich with Church history was not lost on the Young Ambassadors.
“We have had a lot of fun with the people in these communities,” said Ivan Hoffman.
Photo by Darrian Watts.
NAUVOO, Ill. — While many BYU students return home for the spring and summer to either work or take some time off, several students have chosen to spend their break as performing missionaries in Nauvoo.
These missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spend their summers singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and giving tours of historic Nauvoo.
Photo by Colin Bennett
NAUVOO, Ill. — David and Lori Hardle moved to Nauvoo after falling in love with the slower life, farms and lack of traffic. Like other Utah transplants, they needed a unique way to support their family in a small, tourist-driven economy.
Eight years later, Nauvoo Log Cabins has become one of the most unique lodging options in Nauvoo, reaching back to the city’s pioneer heritage.
“We decided we wanted to make a log cabin motel, something similar to what the pioneers used to live in,” David Hardle said.
Photo by Quint Randle.
NAUVOO, Ill. — The rebuilding of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple a decade ago created excitement along the banks of the Mississippi River, bringing thousands of visitors to Nauvoo and encouraging others to make this small town their home.
But now, eight years after the dedication of the temple, Nauvoo’s economy is adjusting to fewer tourism dollars as the national economic downturn affects discretionary spending.
“Everybody made a mad rush to see it the first three or four years,” said Estel Neff, a business owner who has lived in the Nauvoo area his whole life.
Photo by Darrian Watts. The Nauvoo Temple.
NAUVOO, Ill. — As one of the most recognized Latter-day Saint symbols in the world, the Nauvoo Illinois Temple represents service, struggle and sacrifice.
Nauvoo Temple president and member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy Elder Wayne Peterson said the temple is revered by many as one of the most integral parts in the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Nauvoo Temple was announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley in the 1999 April General Conference. Three years later, the temple was dedicated on the very day and hour of the anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith.
Photo by Colin Bennett.
NAUVOO, Ill. — After completion of its first school year, Nauvoo University is viewed by some local residents as the economic rescue “The City Beautiful” needs to survive.
The new and as-yet unaccredited school technically remains just the Nauvoo Study Program while it continues to grow. The program, which had 13 students enroll in its first semester last fall, was the idea of Latter-day Saint investors and retired BYU faculty, but is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The school’s backers hope it will eventually become a full-fledged university.
Photo by Darrian Watts.
NAUVOO, Ill. — Literally below the majestic Nauvoo Temple and figuratively behind the scenes, a fleet of missionaries, employees and interns support a city through service.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints founded Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., in 1962 for the purposes of restoring and maintaining its property and sites in Nauvoo and Carthage. Since then, NRI has evolved from a handful of archeologists and landscapers to a service-oriented company of 40 missionaries, 17 full-time employees and four student interns.
