Nauvoo Illinois Temple Pictures
The Nauvoo Temple stands on a high bluff above a sweeping bend in the Mississippi River in historic Nauvoo — a faithful reconstruction of the original temple built by pioneer Latter-day Saints in the 1840s, destroyed by arson in 1848, and triumphantly rebuilt and dedicated in June 2002. One of the most historically significant sacred sites in the Church, it draws thousands of pilgrims each year to this small Illinois town where Joseph Smith and the early Saints sacrificed so much. Our collection of Nauvoo Temple pictures, art prints, and paintings captures this remarkable building in a range of styles and sizes.
Glory To The Highest
by Rory Wallwork
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Heavenly Light
by Rory Wallwork
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Sunset
by Richard Webb
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Their Last Ride
by Rory Wallwork
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For Eternity
by Rory Wallwork
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Joseph and Hyrum Sunrise
by Alan Fullmer
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Sunburst Panoramic
by Alan Fullmer
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The Prophet’s Last Ride
by Alan Fullmer
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Morning Light
by Rory Wallwork
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Summer Peace
by Rory Wallwork
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Days Ahead
by Alan Fullmer
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A Marvelous Work
by Rory Wallwork
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A Firm Foundation
by Rory Wallwork
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An Ensign to the Nations
by Alan Fullmer
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The Day Closes
by Rory Wallwork
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Watercolor Painting
by Mei Teng Kok
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Flora Watercolor Painting
by Katauna Davis
About the Nauvoo Illinois Temple
The original Nauvoo Temple was announced by the Prophet Joseph Smith and built between 1841 and 1846 — a monumental undertaking for a persecuted frontier community, with members donating every tenth day of labor and tithing stone, lumber, and provisions to see it rise. On May 4, 1842, Joseph Smith gave the first full endowments of this dispensation in the upper room of his Red Brick Store, used as a temporary endowment room until the temple could be completed. The original temple was also the first in Church history to have an angel atop its tower — a horizontal, or "flying," angel unlike any other in the Church. After just two years of operation, it was destroyed by an arson fire in 1848, its exterior walls later leveled by a tornado in 1850. Brigham Young is said to have wept as the wagons carrying the Saints west pulled away from Nauvoo, and he looked back one final time at the temple they had sacrificed so much to build.
Announced for reconstruction by President Gordon B. Hinckley at the April 1999 General Conference — a moment that sent waves of emotion through the worldwide audience — the rebuilt Nauvoo Illinois Temple was dedicated on June 27–30, 2002, on the exact day and hour of the anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The 54,000-square-foot structure is built of reinforced concrete faced with limestone quarried in Russellville, Alabama, closely matching the original stone. Its four progressive-style ordinance rooms feature hand-painted murals — the first such murals used in a new temple since the Los Angeles California Temple in 1956 — and the baptistry houses the largest temple baptismal font in the Church. The statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith on horseback on the western grounds is among the most beloved monuments in Nauvoo. A new Temple Visitors' Center, dedicated just steps away in June 2026, provides additional context and exhibits for the thousands of pilgrims who visit each year.
Nauvoo Temple Photos, Art & Prints
The Nauvoo Temple's bluff-top setting above the Mississippi River — one of the most storied and emotionally resonant settings of any sacred site in the Latter-day Saint world — makes it a uniquely powerful subject for photography and art. The temple's limestone exterior glows in the warm light of Mississippi Valley sunsets, and the equestrian statue of Joseph and Hyrum on the western grounds adds a profoundly human element to the composition. Our collection features photography and fine art capturing the temple across seasons — from spring wildflowers on the grounds to the dramatic winter light of Illinois — and at different times of day.
Nauvoo Temple prints make a meaningful and inspirational gift for anyone who loves the history of the Restoration — and for members of all backgrounds who feel the deep spiritual significance of this extraordinary place. Perfect for weddings, mission homecomings, new homes, and any occasion where a piece of art with profound historical meaning would be cherished.