As member of the Church Nauvoo has special significance to us. From 1839-1846, the Mormons built up an area near the Mississippi River from little more than swamp land to a city of 12,000 with 2000 wood buildings and 350 brick buildings. Elements of the Church's Doctrine and organization were developed in Nauvoo. After the murder of Joseph Smith in 1844, residents faced increased persecution and were compelled to depart for the West under the direction of Brigham Young.
In recent years many buildings have been restored or rebuilt. The town has Church workers at each building explaining what the building's history and function were. It's a functioning historic village now, much like Williamsburg, VA or Salem, NC.
Cheyney has ancestors who resided in Nauvoo. We were able to visit sites that where important to the Webb family.
We went to the building where members were instructed on preaching and Sam gave it a shot:
We visited where the Webb's worked as blacksmiths for residents of the city and built the covered wagons for the upcoming journey West:
We also went to the Cemetery where two of Cheyney's ancestors were buried:
