Qualla: Nauvoo: The Mormon City That Had to Be Abandoned https://qualla.com/nauvoo-mormon-exodus en-us © 2026 Bendyline Mon, 20 Jul 2026 10:21:06 GMT Qualla serial false Qualla support@bendyline.com yes https://qualla.com/_res/siteimages/rsslogo.png Qualla: Nauvoo: The Mormon City That Had to Be Abandoned https://qualla.com/nauvoo-mormon-exodus Nauvoo: The Mormon City That Had to Be Abandoned: Introduction https://qualla.com/nauvoo-mormon-exodus/ In 1839, Joseph Smith and his followers arrived at a malarial swamp on the Mississippi River, fleeing persecution in Missouri. Within five years, they transformed it into Nauvoo - 'the beautiful place' - a city of 12,000 that rivaled Chicago in population. Smith served as mayor, commanded a private militia, and began constructing a massive temple on the bluff overlooking the river. Then, in 1844, a mob murdered him in nearby Carthage. Within two years, the Mormons abandoned everything they'd built, crossing Iowa in winter toward an uncertain destination in the West. Nauvoo became a ghost town. Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has restored much of the city as a monument to what was lost.

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]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://qualla.com/_m/9/z/p/n/nauvoo-mormon-exodus-wk/9zpn-nauvoo-the-mormon-city-that-had-to-be-abandoned-intro.mp3 0:06 1 full Nauvoo: The Mormon City That Had to Be Abandoned: The Gathering https://qualla.com/nauvoo-mormon-exodus/ The Saints had been driven from New York, Ohio, and Missouri - each expulsion more violent than the last. Missouri's governor had issued an 'extermination order.' Nauvoo represented a fresh start in Illinois, where the state charter granted unusual autonomy. Smith attracted conve...

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]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://qualla.com/_m/9/z/p/n/nauvoo-mormon-exodus-wk/9zpn-nauvoo-the-mormon-city-that-had-to-be-abandoned-the-gathering.mp3 0:06 2 full Nauvoo: The Mormon City That Had to Be Abandoned: The Martyrdom https://qualla.com/nauvoo-mormon-exodus/ Tensions exploded in 1844. A dissident Mormon newspaper published criticism of Smith; he ordered the press destroyed. Illinois authorities charged him with riot and treason. Smith surrendered, confident in his legal position. On June 27, 1844, a mob stormed the Carthage jail wher...

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]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://qualla.com/_m/9/z/p/n/nauvoo-mormon-exodus-wk/9zpn-nauvoo-the-mormon-city-that-had-to-be-abandoned-the-martyrdom.mp3 0:06 3 full Nauvoo: The Mormon City That Had to Be Abandoned: The Abandonment https://qualla.com/nauvoo-mormon-exodus/ The evacuation took months. Fifteen thousand people abandoned homes, businesses, everything they couldn't carry. The temple - nearly complete after years of construction - was left behind. The Saints who couldn't leave immediately faced mob violence; the final defenders were driv...

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]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://qualla.com/_m/9/z/p/n/nauvoo-mormon-exodus-wk/9zpn-nauvoo-the-mormon-city-that-had-to-be-abandoned-the-abandonment.mp3 0:06 4 full Nauvoo: The Mormon City That Had to Be Abandoned: The Restoration https://qualla.com/nauvoo-mormon-exodus/ The LDS Church began acquiring Nauvoo property in the 20th century. Historic homes were reconstructed. The temple - rebuilt 2002 on original foundations - rises again on the bluff. Missionary guides staff the historic sites, offering free tours that blend architecture with testim...

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]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://qualla.com/_m/9/z/p/n/nauvoo-mormon-exodus-wk/9zpn-nauvoo-the-mormon-city-that-had-to-be-abandoned-the-restoration.mp3 0:06 5 full Nauvoo: The Mormon City That Had to Be Abandoned: Visiting Nauvoo https://qualla.com/nauvoo-mormon-exodus/ Nauvoo is located on the Mississippi River in western Illinois, roughly 270 miles southwest of Chicago. The LDS-operated historic sites are free and open daily; tours are guided by volunteer missionaries. The rebuilt Nauvoo Temple is open only to church members in good standing, ...

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]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://qualla.com/_m/9/z/p/n/nauvoo-mormon-exodus-wk/9zpn-nauvoo-the-mormon-city-that-had-to-be-abandoned-visiting-nauvoo.mp3 0:06 6 full