The Temple Grounds

One of the most storied places in Church history, a limestone temple on a bluff above the Mississippi River, standing again where the Saints once sacrificed everything to build it.

"May it shine with a renewed luster as the home of a Temple of God. May this sacred house stand as a memorial to him who lived here and was buried here, Joseph Smith, the great prophet of this dispensation, and his brother Hyrum, whom he loved."

— President Gordon B. Hinckley, Nauvoo Illinois Temple Dedication, 2002

"Calm As A Summer's Morning"

Standing in a plaza west of the temple, these heroic bronze statues depict Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum on horseback, riding out of Nauvoo toward Carthage on June 24, 1844, their final journey before their martyrdom. Sculpted by Stan Watts and Kim Corpany and placed in 2003, the more-than-11-foot-tall statue captures a quiet moment of resolve before tragedy.

Joseph is remembered as having paused near this bluff to look back over the unfinished temple and the city, saying, “This is the loveliest place and the best people under the heavens; little do they know the trials that await them.”

Dual Bronze Statues

Depicts Joseph and Hyrum Smith on their last ride out of Nauvoo before their martyrdom in Carthage, Illinois.

Modern Moroni Statue

To help depict the temple as a modern structure rather than just a historical landmark, the upright angel statue at the top of the temple was chosen rather than the original sideways angel weathervane.

“If I do not go there [to Carthage], the result will be the destruction of this city and its inhabitants; and I cannot think of my dear brothers and sisters and their children suffering the scenes of Missouri again in Nauvoo; no, it is better for your brother, Joseph, to die for his brothers and sisters, for I am willing to die for them. My work is finished.”

- Dan Jones, in “The Martyrdom of Joseph Smith and His Brother, Hyrum,” Ronald D. Dennis, trans., in Brigham Young University Studies, Winter 1984, p. 85.

The Grounds Today

Meticulously kept limestone walkways and seasonal Midwestern landscaping surround the temple, offering a quiet setting for reflection above the river bluff.

The River Bluff Overlook

Near the temple’s southwest side, the bluff itself offers the grounds’ quietest vantage point, with great opportunities to overlook the Mississippi and the Iowa plains beyond.

🌳 Shade Trees

Mature oaks and maples native to the Mississippi River bluffs shade the walking paths around the grounds.

🌸 Seasonal Plants

Landscaping is refreshed through the seasons, from spring blooms to the fall color of the river valley.

🪨 Limestone Architecture

Quarried from Russellville, Alabama, to match the color and texture of the original 1840s temple stone.

More to Discover

Temple Arrival Center

Located north of the temple, this building serves as a waiting and changing area for temple patrons or to wait for friends and family who are worshipping inside the temple.

Nauvoo FamilySearch Center

Just steps away, this center offers free access to records and tools to help you discover your own family’s story. Also available online at FamilySearch.org.

The Prophet's Last Ride Marker

Across Wells Street from the temple, this historical marker commemorates the spot where Joseph and Hyrum Smith paused on their final ride out of Nauvoo.

Monument to Women & Pioneer Memorial

A short walk away in Historic Nauvoo, these gardens and monuments honor the women and pioneers who built and later left this city for the West.

Capture the Beauty

The temple grounds are one of Nauvoo's most photographed locations. Photography is welcome throughout the grounds and exterior.

Walk the Grounds Yourself

Words and photos can only capture so much. Come experience the peace and beauty of this sacred place in person, open every day, always free.