Lucy Mack Smith Home

  

   This house was built by Joseph Noble.  When the Saints were forced to leave Nauvoo, he and his family left with them.  Lucy Mack Smith (mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith) chose not to go west.  She was quite elderly and suffered from arthritis so she felt she would not be able to endure the trip.  The church leaders loved and admired her so much they deeded this sweet little house to her and did everything they could to make her comfortable.  Even built a carriage house around back, complete with a "fine carriage".

   Part of the time her daughter, Lucy, son-in-law, Arthur, and their two children lived here with Lucy Mack Smith.  Later, when her arthritis became worse, she moved in with Emma Smith (who had remarried) and was cared for by Emma and her grandchildren until she died.

   Lucy Mack Smith was a small but feisty woman who was confronted often (not always kindly) about her son, Joseph, and she always defended him. She knew he was a prophet of God and The Book of Mormon was the Word of God. She is an amazing example of faith and endurance.


              Downstairs:

Sleeping alcove



Living area (right)

Living area (left)

Because of her arthritis, she probably did NOT go up and down the stairs. 

They are very steep and narrow.

from the bottom


Upstairs:





Child's bedroom

from the top

Adult bedroom

Notice the ropes on the child's bed.  They could be tightened or loosened to raise or lower the mattress so the child would not fall out.  Also notice the little wooden paddle on the adult bed.  It was used to beat the mattress (which was made of straw) to fluff it up and also to get the bedbugs out.  You know the saying - "Sleep tight - don't let the bedbugs bite".

The little stove in the corner is called a "4 O'Clock Stove".  They didn't build a fire in it but at about 4:00 in the afternoon they would put in coals from the fireplace and by the time they were ready for bed, the room was nice and toasty warm.  Here's a better view of the stove.  It's tiny.



You Know You're a Nauvoo Missionary When . . .

We just had a district meeting and our district leader gave us this handout.  You may not understand it all but it is all very true of our lives at this point.  Some of these things we haven't done yet but are looking forward to.  If you don't understand something - please email me, ask, and I will explain  (my motivation for getting emails.)

You know you're a Nauvoo Missionary when . . .

you find that you are late to sacrament meeting when you arrived 1/2 hour early.

you go to sacrament meeting an hour early so you can in winter, find a place to hang your coat, and in summer, find a place to sit in the chapel.

you search along the baseboards to find a plug outlet or light switch.

you learn that A & W means Aldi's and Walmart, and not root beer.

the choir is too large for everyone to sit on the stand.

you work during General Conference and every Saturday, Sunday, and holiday all year.

you find that there are so many old people that you have your own mission doctor.

you find the location of the "gold" key . . . after you've locked yourself in the site.

you find you are grateful for borrowed and used clothes.

you find that "Rendezvous" isn't a date.

you learn how to spell "Rendezvous".

you wear a wool cape, hat, and scarf, even on a hot July evening.

the only thing you're worried about hitting with your car are squirrels.

Jed can cuss with the Lord's approval  (Note:  part of the "Rendezvous" production).

the chapel is just as cold in the summer as it is in the winter.

you change your clothes three times a day (or more).

you have a curfew and you're 75 years old (Note:  we're not that old but some are older).

you forget your lines on stage and everyone else knows them.

the only people you pick on are 5-year olds (Note:  also part of "Rendezvous").

your pets are corn bugs (or very large spiders or mayflies).

you can be in the shower at 3:15 and in a temple session at 4:00

your man is asked to kick like a Rockette (Note:  "Rendezvous" again)

you're expected to make rope and horseshoes on Sunday.

you sit on an ice bag with a towel wrapped around you (Note:  this time it's "Sunset").

people find your home by its name, not its address

you're asked to clean the sunstone in the middle of winter.

you're asked to help carve 400 pumpkins for Halloween.

you stitch on a quilt which never gets completed (Note:  "Rendezvous")

you do all your assignments willingly . . . because you have to (Note:  "Rendezvous").

you see the 'cop', slam on your brakes, and notice you're going 22 mph.

you can't sing or dance, and yet you're in TWO major musical productions that are the longest running in Nauvoo.

you have sacrament meeting in one building and relief society & priesthood meetings in another.

there are nine brethren at the sacrament table and 24 brethren passing the sacrament.

there is an hour long organ prelude before sacrament meeting begins at 8:00 a.m.



Yep, lots of things are different here but we love it and wouldn't change a thing.  We love and miss you all.

Nauvoo Temple

Nauvoo Temple

Up on the hill, where it can be seen from almost everywhere in Nauvoo, is the beautiful Nauvoo temple.  Right now there are so many trees in the area that sometimes the view is blocked for a moment or two, but I'm anxious to see how it looks in the winter when there are no leaves on the trees.  Here are a few more views. 



In front of the temple is a beautiful flower garden overlooking the Mississippi River.

In the garden is a statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith leaving Nauvoo for the last time.  On the plaque it says:

The Prophet's Last Ride

On the morning of June 24, 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum left their families, homes, and fellow Saints for the last time.  Traveling on horseback, they paused on this bluff.  Joseph looked admiringly at the unfinished temple and declared:

                 "This is the lovliest place and the best people under the heavens;

                                 little do they know the trials that await them."

Joseph and Hyrum then continued on to Carthage, Illinois, where they faced legal charges and eventual death at the hands of a mob.