The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a return to Nauvoo in the early 1960s. Through a combination of time, determination, and hard work, they have restored many of the homes and shops left behind by their ancestors. Over three dozen of the original homes and businesses have been restored and are opened for public tours.

Throughout the year, RLDS representatives and Mormon senior volunteers from all over the United States come to Nauvoo to reenact everyday pioneer life for visitors to the area. You and your family can witness life as it was in the mid-1800s for the Mormon citizens of Nauvoo. But plan on staying a while, there are many sites to see in and around Historic Nauvoo.

A must see for everyone visiting Historic Nauvoo are the L.D.S. Visitors Center and the R.L.D.S. Visitor Center where you should begin your tour and learn details about the sites you and your family will see later. At the Visitor Centers you can sit in a spacious theaters and see a "Hollywood"-quality film on early life in Historic Nauvoo. There are many items in each Center's collection to help you better understand the struggles the Mormons faced trying to build a community. The centers have artifacts, photos, paintings, tools, documents, and in the L.D.S. Center a scaled model of Historic Nauvoo at the time of Joseph. Behind the L.D.S. Center you will find the "Women's Monument" park, a breathtakingly beautiful walking garden dedicated to the many roles of women in the family.

If you believe that you may have "Morman pioneer" history related to Nauvoo in your heritage, you can find records on the early settlers so that you can see if your ancestors came through this way. The records might also show where they lived and worked in Nauvoo. These records are available at the Land Records Office.

The L.D.S. and the R.L.D.S. have returned to Nauvoo and have built a tribute to their ancestors. They, working together, have indeed made Nauvoo a "beautiful city." Now you and your family can come and experience the history of Nauvoo.