Scovil's Nauvoo Temple Plates

One of the Original Nauvoo Temple Plates made in England in the 1840's by Lucius Scovil.

      I served in the Scovil Bakery on Wednesday of this week.  This rare plate is on display there.  The story is:  After leaving Nauvoo the Saints crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa and camped in that frozen country--to prepare for their journey west.  Scovil had buried his wife and three children in Nauvoo, but he still had other children and family in his care.  While in Iowa, he was called on a mission to England.  He shed a "folly of tears" at thoughts of leaving his family.  But he knew that he must go. 

       Before leaving on his mission, Lucius crossed the river back to Nauvoo and took measurements and sketches of the temple.  He carried those sketches with him to England where he met a man who manufactured fine china and he had 150 dozen plates made of the temple plate pictured above.  Now he had a visual aid to show people as he talked about the importance of the temple and that families can be re-united after death.

        Susan Honey, from Kanab, UT, presented us a replica of the original when she visited us here during the past winter, 2011-12.  It is a treasure, for sure! We are so pleased to have one.