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Commentary on the Nauvoo House:
Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Four 1839–42, p.230
A company was formed last fall to go up to the pine country to purchase mills, and prepared and saw lumber for the Temple and the Nauvoo House, and the reports from them are very favorable: another company has started, this last week, to take their place and to relieve those that are already there: on their return they are to bring a very large raft of lumber, for the use of the above-named houses.
TPJS p.253
We have been chastened by the hand of God heretofore for not obeying His commands, although we never violated any human law, or transgressed any human precept; yet we have treated lightly His commands, and departed from His ordinances, and the Lord has chastened us sore, and we have felt His arm and kissed the rod; let us be wise in time to come and ever remember that "to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." The Lord has told us to build the Temple and the Nauvoo House; and that command is as binding upon us as any other; and that man who engages not in these things is as much a transgressor as though he broke any other commandment; he is not a doer of God's will, not a fulfiller of His laws.
Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.3, NAUVOO HOUSE
Joseph Smith donated the land for the Nauvoo House, and many Latter-day Saints purchased stock. The design of architects Lucien Woodworth and William Weeks called for an L-shaped brick building forty feet deep and three stories high. Construction began in the spring of 1841 and progressed (with interruptions) into 1845. Eventually, the work was discontinued in an effort to complete the Nauvoo Temple.
Smith and Sjodahl, Doctrine and Covenants
Commentary, Sec. 124, p.790–p.791
119, 120. The Nauvoo House was to be an hotel, but only those who believed in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants were permitted to hold stock in the association. Unity of faith may not seem essential to a business enterprise, but this house was to be erected for religious purposes; the weary traveler would there "contemplate the glories of Zion" (v. 60). It was essential that the owners of the house should all be of one faith; otherwise those who did not believe in the gospel might object to its principles being taught on their premises.
History of the
Church, Vol.4, Ch.15, p.283, 284, 311, 548
History of the Church, Vol.5, Ch.7, p.137, 287, 328, 329, 414
History of the Church, Vol.7, Ch.29, p.393
B. H. Roberts, Comprehensive History of the
Church, Vol.2, Ch.43, p.65 - p.66
Andrew Jenson, Encyclopedic History of the
Church…, p.562
NAUVOO HOUSE is the name of a contemplated hotel which the saints in Nauvoo were commanded by revelation to erect in that city. (See Doc. and Cov., Sec. 124.) The erection of the building was commenced in the spring of 1841, and by the time the saints were driven from Nauvoo in 1846, the walls were up above the windows of the second story. The edifice was built in L form, presenting a front on two streets, south and west, 120 feet long from east to west, and 40 feet from north to south. The plan was to build the house of brick, three stories high, exclusive of the basement story. The estimated cost of erection was $100,000, and it was to be built unto the name of the Lord. Individual stock was to range from $50 to $1,500, no person being allowed to take less than 50 nor more that 1,500 shares. All who believed in the Book of Mormon or the revelations of God were permitted to hold stock.
Brigham Young History, 1801-44, ed., E. Watson (1968), p.129 - p.130
--30-- Met in Joseph's office with the Twelve, and executed bonds for $2,000 as an agent to sell stock for the Nauvoo House: Doctor J. M. Bernhisel was my security. I received 300 shares in stock certificates, value $15,000. |
