Peace for the Visitor to Zion

The Lord instructed the Saints settling Nauvoo to build a place where the traveler to Zion “may come from afar to lodge therein, . . . that the weary traveler may find health and safety while he shall contemplate the word of the Lord; and the corner-stone I have appointed for Zion” (D&C 124:23), “which shall be polished with the refinement which is after the similitude of a palace” (D&C 124:2). The Saints carried out this command by beginning the construction of the Nauvoo House, located not far from the banks of the Mississippi River, from which visitors were received to Nauvoo. Unfortunately, the Saints were forced to leave Nauvoo before the Nauvoo House could be completed.

In Salt Lake City, the Saints erected the majestic Hotel Utah east of Temple Square. The hotel was completed in 1911, with protest from some Church members, that the building “was a useless expenditure and the money should have been put to better use.” [21] Addressing those critics, President Smith took a moment in his closing remarks at the October, 1911 General Conference: “We have helped to build one of the most magnificent hotels that exists on the continent of America, or in the old continent either. I am told that it is equal to any in the world, for convenience and comfort of its guests, for sanitation, for its situation, and architectural beauty, and in many other ways. Well, some of our people have thought that we were extravagant. I would like you to turn to the book of Doctrine and Covenants and read the commandment of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph Smith in the city of Nauvoo (D&C 124:22-24). The people were requested to contribute of their means to take stock in this building [the Nauvoo House]… for it was intended for the beauty of the city, for the glory of that stake of Zion, and to accommodate the stranger from afar who came to contemplate the doctrines of the Church and the work of the Lord.” [22] Today the original Hotel Utah has been renovated and serves as the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Although lodging is no longer provided to the weary traveler, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building provides a place of respite in the midst of the city in a magnificently but tastefully adorned setting. Keeping with the original intent of providing for the visitor to Salt Lake City, three of the four Temple Square Hospitality restaurants are located within the building. [23] In addition, the large-screened Legacy Theater, a center-piece of the building, is dedicated to showing films portraying the truths of the Restoration of the gospel, allowing visitors to contemplate the word of the Lord in latter days.