Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of a Twelve Apostles will dedicate the new Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center in historic Nauvoo, Illinois, on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The dedication ceremony, which coincides with the 24th anniversary of the reconstruction of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple, will also feature the rededication of the restored Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home.
New center features and exhibits
The new visitors' center is designed to showcase the historical significance of Nauvoo and its impact on the faith. According to reporting from Church Newsroom, the facility will feature a variety of educational elements, including historical artifacts, interactive exhibits, a short film, and children’s activities. A notable feature of the center will be a Tiffany stained-glass window depicting Jesus Christ.
The exhibits are intended to focus on the history and importance of both the original Nauvoo temple and the current Nauvoo Illinois Temple. The center's messaging will also highlight the significance of houses of the Lord within the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Rededication of Young family home
In addition to the visitors' center, the ceremony marks the rededication of the Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home. While the home was originally restored in the 1960s, it has recently undergone structural and program updates. A new guided tour at the site will specifically focus on the preparations made by the Young family as they prepared to leave their Nauvoo residence to begin their migration to the West.
Spiritual goals for visiting guests
Elder Kyle S. McKay, the Church Historian and Recorder, expressed hope that visitors to the center would feel the love of Jesus Christ and gain a deeper appreciation for sacred covenants. He noted that the vast majority of covenants and ordinances performed in modern temples were first restored during the period when the Saints lived in Nauvoo.
Historical significance of June 27
The date of the dedication, June 27, holds deep historical significance for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It marks the 24th anniversary of the dedication of the reconstructed Nauvoo Illinois Temple, which was dedicated on June 27, 2002. This date also commemorates the martyrdom of Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith, who were killed in Carthage, Illinois, on June 27, 1844.
History of Nauvoo temple construction
The original Nauvoo temple construction began in 1841 and was dedicated in 1846. Although a fire and tornado eventually destroyed the building, the site remains a focal point for the faith. The reconstruction of the temple on its historic site was announced by President Gordon B. Hinckley on April 4, 1999.
Legacy of the Nauvoo community
The history of Nauvoo is tied to the establishment of a covenant community in the 1840s. During its time as the headquarters of the Church from 1839 to 1846, Nauvoo saw significant organizational developments, including the creation of the Relief Society, which now includes over 8 million women globally. It was also where Joseph Smith authored the Church’s Articles of Freedom.
While the Saints were eventually forced to leave Nauvoo to settle in Utah, the foundations laid in Illinois continue to influence the modern Church. The site offers various ways to $“explore these stories through restored and reconstructed buildings.
The dedication session will be a ticketed event for those attending in person. However, the ceremony will also be broadcast live via the Church's official media website for global participation. The broadcast can also be viewed at multiple designated locations throughout Nauvoo.
Following the dedication, the Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center, located at 155 Wells Street, and the Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home, located at 610 Kimball Street, will officially open to the public on Monday, June 29, 2026. The summer season hours for these sites run from April 1 through September 30, with the center operating Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to these sites is free.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong, who will lead the dedication, has a long history of service within the Church and in international relations. Sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on March 31, 2018, Elder Gong previously served as a General Authority Seventy starting in April 2010 and was a member of the Presidency of the Seventy in 2015.
Before his recent ecclesiastical calls, Elder Gong held various professional roles, including serving as special assistant to the undersecretary of state at the US State Department in 1985 and as special assistant to the US ambassador in Beijing, China, in 1987. He earned a doctorate in international relations from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
The ongoing restoration and dedication of sites in Nauvoo and Carthage reflect the Church's commitment to preserving its historical roots. Through these efforts, the community continues to provide opportunities for visitors to connect with the stories of the early Saints.
