BUILDING PERMIT GRANTED
FOR NAUVOO TEMPLE

Six months after the surprise announcement that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would rebuild its temple in Nauvoo, Ill., the church was issued a building permit. In October, after many hours of deliberation and negotiations, the City of Nauvoo finally struck “a bargain with the church,” according to a report from the Hancock County Journal-Pilot.

Under the agreement, “the church offered them $471,440.37 up front and a city planner for two years.” According to City Alderman Gene Taylor, “I think it’s a great agreement.” The newspaper said, “The money is to alleviate the stress and possible negative impacts on the city’s resources. The planner will be hired by the church on the city’s behalf and will handle any problems that arise.” The City Council voted 5-1 to approve the permit.

During public meetings, Nauvoo residents expressed concerns about and objections to the increase in weekly visitors that the temple would attract to the town of 1,200. Some estimated the temple could draw up to 10,000 visitors each week, an increase of nearly 40 percent over Nauvoo’s current tourist traffic. Other concerns were traffic flow, road and street upkeep, parking, and utilities including water and sewer. About 20 percent of the money from the church is designated for utility problems, while the rest will be used to underwrite traffic, police, fire and other emergency needs.

Supporters say the growth in tourism will bring an increase in retail sales and tax revenue. However, some are skeptical. “When the Mormons come, they don’t spend money. They go do all the free stuff. They don’t buy knick-knacks, or anything really,” a Nauvoo resident told the newspaper.

Another resident, Karen Ihrig, told the Journal-Pilot, “I’m very concerned. I don’t want the burden of supporting a church’s message on my taxes. There has to be a civil way to deal with this, but the Mormon culture is going to influence every aspect of our life. I think people’s real fear in this is a bigger, more powerful corporate church presence than they’re comfortable with. And that’s overwhelming.”

The LDS church’s corporate identity, Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., owns more than 35 percent of the land in the city, while paying only about 11 percent of the taxes because of its non-profit status.

Construction of the original temple in Nauvoo began in 1841 under the leadership of Joseph Smith Jr. In 1848, it was destroyed by fire. A ground breaking ceremony for the new temple was held last Oct. 24. The structure is slated to be the church’s 109th temple.

—MKG

© 2000 - PFO. All rights reserved by Personal Freedom Outreach. This article may not be stored on BBS or Internet sites without permission. Reproduction is prohibited, except for portions intended for personal use and non-commercial purposes. For reproduction permission contact: Personal Freedom Outreach, P.O. Box 26062, Saint Louis, Missouri 63136.