Reader comments
Vacation through church history

Before a single person has a chance to post anything negagitive, I want to say thank you for an excellent article. Although all these historical sites hold spiritual meaning to members of the LDS Church, I am fascintated with early Mormon/19th Century American History strictly out of a love for history. To be able to visit these tangible towns and sites is like being able to transport oneself back in time. It allows me to understand better the roots of the Mormon Culture and the LDS people. Although I may not bring from these places the religious attachment that Mormons do, I will not let that keep me from enjoying reading about your past and how you came to be who you are as a people today. Kudos to the writer of this article !

I felt the same way with the Catholic Missions in Southern California when I visited them. It was nice to learn about the History from them and sort of learn what they mean to members of the Catholic Church. I enjoyed visitin them as a teenager.

To NonMormon: Thank you for your post. I have loved visiting a lot of other Churches and religious sites throughout the US and Europe. I loved going into Catholic cathedrals, Amish homes in Pennsylvania and the Amana community in Iowa. I have also visited Buddhist temples in Asia. I enjoy learning all these things about different religions and cultures.

Having said that, I really love Nauvoo. I have visited there many times. Nauvoo is a monument to the progress and sacrifice of the early Saints. I'm so glad that we're back. It is a really special place. Thanks for the article.

Ditto to all the responses so far. Religious sites here in the U.S. and in other countries are by far the most outstanding places to visit if you truly want to understand the country and the people. I have loved all the cathedrals and chapels I visited in Europe and in the United States and Canada. Church sites of all religions usually have great architecture, paintings, historical significance to the area, and a treasure of stories about the community. Nauvoo is indeed a very special place for the LDS, yet my mother-in law, who is not LDS, cannot wait to visit the city to see all the restored buildings and be entertained by the shows there. Very nice article.

I vacation to get away from the church and my callings. No thanks, I need the vacation to know and appreciate life outside the church.