Visitor has unique link to Nauvoo Temple

NAUVOO, Ill. — The Nauvoo Illinois Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has welcomed more than 100,000 guests since a public open house began May 6. One of those 100,000 open house visitors has a unique connection to the reconstructed temple.

Vern Thacker, while serving as a Latter-day Saint missionary in California in the late 1940s, met Leslie Griffin, a descendant of William Weeks, the architect of the original Nauvoo Temple. As Thacker's missionary labors neared completion in 1948, Griffin gave him a collection of drawings and plans, mostly exterior views, of the original Nauvoo Temple.

The plans had been in Griffin's family for 100 years, but he felt strongly they should be given to the church. After returning home to Utah, Thacker delivered the historic documents to the Church Historian's Office for safekeeping.

Roger Jackson, architect of the new temple, had the monumental task of reconstructing the Nauvoo Temple. For exterior design, he relied heavily on the plans Griffin gave to Thacker.

An estimated 350,000 are expected to visit the Nauvoo Illinois Temple during the six-week open house concluding on June 22. Following the open house, the temple will be dedicated under the direction of Church President Gordon B. Hinckley in 13 sessions over four days beginning on June 27.

Those planning on attending the open house are reminded that tickets are required and must be obtained in advance. For ticket availability, see the church Web site at ( www.lds.org/nauvoo) or call 800-537-8097.