The new Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center in Nauvoo, Illinois, is designed to help visitors connect early Church history and the Nauvoo Illinois Temple to Jesus Christ. The center features a variety of exhibits, including an 1896 Tiffany art-glass panel measuring 7.5 by 10 feet that depicts Jesus Christ with arms extended.
Dedication and opening dates
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is scheduled to dedicate the Nauvoo Temple Visitors’ Center and the restored Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home during a livestreamed meeting on Saturday, June 27. The visitors' center will open to the public beginning June 29.
Connecting history to Christ
Matt Grow, a historian and managing director of the Church History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, stated that the purpose of the exhibits was to connect the temple to devotion to Jesus Christ. He noted that the center aims to help visitors understand that the original experiences of the Saints in Nauvoo were rooted in their belief in Christ.
Artistic features and exhibits
Juanita Coleman, manager of the Church’s Illinois historic sites, described the center as a beautiful way to welcome people and said it would be awe-inspiring for visitors. The facility includes a hallway featuring six paintings by French artist James Tissot that illustrate scenes of Jesus Christ at the temple.
List of featured exhibits
Other featured exhibits include:
A 'Cornerstone of Zion' exhibit discussing Nauvoo as a covenant community.
Historic artifacts such as a replica Nauvo and Temple weather vane, a shortened column with original decorative stones, and a depiction of a baptismal font with original stone.
A 3D cutaway model providing an interior view of the rebuilt Nauvoo Illinois Temple.
A new Church film in a 236-seat theater depicting the sacrifices made by early Saints.
A Family Discovery Room with interactive displays regarding the Creation and the plan of salvation.
A historic map of Nauvoo circa 1846.
Restoration of Young family home
In addition to the visitors' center, the Brigham and Mary Ann Young Home has undergone restoration. The brick home was originally built after Brigham Young returned from an England mission in 1841, and the family lived there until February 1846.
Construction details and tours
During the restoration, workers rebuilt the east and west wings using brick fired and sized to match 1840s methods. Project manager for Westland Construction, Stan Houghton, noted that a full enclosure was built around the home to protect it during winter construction. A historic wagon is displayed outside the restored home, and guided tours are available.
The new center serves as a main hub for the Nauvoo visitor experience. Two other visitors' centers exist in the area: the Historic Nauvoo North Visitors’ Center, which will be used for performances and large groups, and the Historic Nauvoo South Visitors’ Center, which features artwork depicting the Smith family.
