Nauvoo

Nauvoo, Illinois, was the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1839 to 1846. Under prophetic leadership, Latter-day Saints worked together to build a faith-based community and a temple overlooking the Mississippi River. Today, visitors are inspired by the preserved buildings and landscapes of this “Cornerstone of Zion.” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:2).

In Nauvoo the Lord revealed truths and practices that continue to guide His Church today. His revelations to the Prophet Joseph Smith included the founding of the Relief Society, the practice of baptism and confirmation for the dead, and temple marriage. The Lord also inspired Joseph to confer priesthood keys on the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, preparing them to lead the Church if Joseph were to die. After Joseph’s death in nearby Carthage, President Brigham Young and other Apostles led the Church.
Nauvoo
a green landscape of large trees and grass with brick buildings in the midground and a large white stone building at the top against a blue-sky background.

Summer season (April 1 – September 30)

Visitors’ Center
Monday – Saturday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Historic Buildings
Monday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM

Winter season (October 1 – March 31)

Monday–Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Please confirm by phone

Physical Address
290 N. Main Street
Nauvoo, Illinois 62354

Contact
1-877-399-3046
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The Nauvoo Temple: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast

The Nauvoo Temple: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast

Listen to an eight-part miniseries that explores the history and legacy of the Nauvoo Temple.
Alt text: Museum setting including a life-size illustration of Joseph Smith, a Nauvoo Temple sunstone, the exhibit title banner, and a scale model of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple.

Cornerstone of Zion

Nauvoo’s covenant community followed prophetic direction to build the House of the Lord.

Temple City

Saints worked together to design, build, and dedicate the temple of the Lord—their crowning achievement.
A two-and-a-half-story brick home with a double white porch and sizable addition to the right with a white picket fence and road in front and large trees to the left and behind

Homes of the Apostles

Members of the Quorum of the Twelve worked to fulfill the commandment to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Relief Society Foundations

The worldwide female Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints traces its roots to Nauvoo.
Snow-covered streetscape with a red brick building in the background and fences in the foreground

Pioneer Trail

Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo spent months preparing to travel from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains in search of peace.
Last Updated On May 01, 2023