Doctrine and Covenants Revelation Sites – Joseph Smith Jr. Homestead

Nauvoo, Illinois

Joseph Smith Jr. Homestead

Sections 124, 125, and (127)

January 1841 to September 1842

Scripture

"Therefore, verily I say unto you, that your anointings, and your washings, and your baptisms for the dead, and your solemn assemblies . . . are ordained by the ordinance of my holy house, which my people are always commanded to build unto my holy name.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, that when I give a commandment to any of the sons of men to do a work unto my name, and those sons of men go with all their might and with all they have to perform that work, and cease not their diligence, and their enemies come upon them and hinder them from performing that work, behold, it behooveth me to require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, but to accept of their offerings."

Joseph and Emma moved to the home in May 1839, where they resided until the Mansion House was completed in August 1843.

Doctrine and Covenants 124:39, 49

The original log home, frame addition, and summer kitchen of the homestead are located next to the Smith cemetery where many family members are buried, including Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack.

Key Events

In July 1839, many Church members were very sick, and living in destitute circumstances along the Mississippi River. Joseph and other Church leaders went from tent to tent, and wagon to wagon, healing all that were sick by the power of the Priesthood.

Joseph Smith Sr. and his wife Lucy Mack Smith both died in Nauvoo.

The principle of vicarious Baptism for the Dead was first taught here.

While living in the Homestead, the Prophet was directed by the Lord to build a temple in Nauvoo, and an inn where travelers could stay and learn the gospel.

Thousands of new converts from Europe arrived in Nauvoo by steamboat. The Prophet's home was next to the landing, and he enjoyed meeting the saints as they arrived.

The graves of Joseph, Hyrum, and Emma Smith are now located at the Smith Homestead near the banks of the Mississippi River.

Words of Joseph Smith

"The work of the Lord in these last days, is one of vast magnitude and almost beyond the comprehension of mortals. Its glories are past description, and its grandeur unsurpassable. It is the theme which has animated the bosom of prophets and righteous men from the creation of the world down through every succeeding generation to the present time; and it is truly the dispensation of the fullness of times, when all things which are in Christ Jesus, whether in heaven or on the earth, shall be gathered together in Him, and when all things shall be restored, as spoken of by all the holy prophets since the world began; for in it will take place the glorious fulfillment of the promises made to the fathers, while the manifestations of the power of the Most High will be great, glorious, and sublime." (History of the Church 4:185)