Nauvoo Exodus Commemoration Marks 180th Anniversary of Pioneer Journey
More than 200 visitors and missionaries gathered in historic Nauvoo, Illinois, on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, to mark the 180th anniversary of the first wagons that left the city on Feb. 4, 1846, beginning the Latter‑day Saints’ trek west.
The Commemoration
Cold temperatures and a frozen Mississippi River set the scene, echoing the hardships faced by the early Saints. Participants walked the same streets to the river’s edge, wearing badges that bore the names of ancestors or other Nauvoo residents who crossed the plains after 1846.
After a missionary‑prepared breakfast at the Illinois Historic Sites, attendees gathered before the historic Cultural Hall where Sister Karen Thurman, matron of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple, urged everyone to “move forward, even during trials,” likening the pioneer journey to each person’s own “westward” challenges.
The march started south, then turned west on Parley Street toward the river. Youth formed the Nauvoo Legion and Flag Corps, carrying flags that represented the nationalities of Nauvoo’s 1840s residents. Some wore name tags of their ancestors; others received names of teenagers from the era to help them relate to the original wagon companies.
Sixteen‑year‑old Gavin Cheney kept the cadence, drumming in honour of his ancestor James Sanderson, also a drummer. The Ballard family from Iowa City, experiencing the event for the first time, walked in honour of Nauvoo ancestors who were the same ages as their seven children, ranging from one to sixteen years old. Justine Ballard reflected, “Being here really brings it home. Thinking about leaving here with a 1‑year‑old and 3‑year‑old in the winter is really difficult, so it puts your problems into perspective.”
Missionaries dressed in period costume or rode covered wagons at the rear of the procession, with a committee supplying hand warmers and warm apple cider. A surrey wagon carried speakers past the Seventies Hall, and historic replica wagons joined the line.
Program at Pioneer Memorial
At the Pioneer Memorial on the river’s edge, President Richard A. Thurman of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple addressed the youth as members of the Nauvoo Legion, reading Joseph Smith’s words from just days before his 1844 death and encouraging them as if they were about to cross the river themselves.
Elliott Watts of Galesburg honored his great‑great‑grandfather Joseph Leland Heywood, noting Heywood’s role in building Nauvoo and selling property when the Saints were driven out. After the remarks, many ventured onto the ice, looking across to what was the Iowa Territory in 1846, acknowledging the difficulty the pioneers faced.
Dane Cotton, a flag bearer from Kansas City, said, “I just think it’s super cool that I get to walk the same trail as my ancestors and reenact this and carry a flag.” Jacob Sprague of Marion, Iowa, who marched in the Nauvoo Legion, added, “Nauvoo is very special… 180 years ago this week, the Saints marched down and crossed the river.”
Missionaries sang “Come, Come Ye Saints” as participants approached the frozen river, stepping onto ice thick enough to support several feet of weight.
Looking Ahead
While the commemoration was a one‑day event, the experience may inspire participants to deepen personal genealogical research, engage more fully with historic sites, or organize future reenactments that further connect contemporary members with their pioneer heritage.
Organizers could expand educational programmes, and local leaders may consider additional opportunities for youth involvement, ensuring that the lessons of the 1846 exodus continue to inform faith and community life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What anniversary was celebrated in Nauvoo on Feb. 7, 2026?
The gathering marked the 180th anniversary of the first wagons that left Nauvoo on Feb. 4, 1846, beginning the Latter‑day Saints’ westward migration.
Who delivered remarks at the Pioneer Memorial program?
President Richard A. Thurman of the Nauvoo Illinois Temple addressed the youth, reading Joseph Smith’s words and encouraging them as if they were about to cross the Mississippi River.
How did participants symbolize their connection to ancestors?
Attendees wore badges with ancestor names, carried name tags, marched in the Nauvoo Legion and Flag Corps, dressed in period costume, and rode replica covered wagons, all reflecting ties to the 1846 pioneers.
What personal reflections or lessons from this historic reenactment resonate most with you?