Mormon History
Renaming of Commerce to Nauvoo - 1840
It is known that these people, since their dispersion in Missouri, have
collected in great numbers in and around Commerce in this state, on the
Mississippi river. The name of Commerce, as we have heretofore stated,
they have changed to Nauvoo, from the Hebrew or Egyptian, though of the
signification of the term we are ignorant. They hold two great
conferences every year, -- in the spring and fall; and that appointed
for the present spring took place last week, commencing on the 6th, and
ending on the 9th of April. We learn that between 2000 and 3000 persons
were present, and that considerable accessions were made to the church
from the surrounding neighborhood. Our informant states that the number
was 74, all received by baptism, and that at the same time thirty of
the ablest men were ordained to p[r]each the gospel.
The preachers present were Joseph and Hiram Smith, John Page, Orson
Hyde, and two others. Messrs. Page and Hyde, with ten others, (probably
chosen elsewhere), were commissioned to go to the Holy Land to preach
the gospel to the Jews. They are to meet in Quincy next Sabbath, and
from thence take their departure for Palestine.
About 300 houses have been put up in Nauvoo since last October. Some of
them are neat frame buildings, but the greater portion are log cabins,
designated for temporary habitations merely. The ground assigned to
each is generally one acre, though to some there are five acres.
The increase of population by immigration is very great. Our informant
states that several families arrive every day. A gentleman living on
the road from Quincy to Nauvoo assured him that on some days at least
15 families passed his house, all bound to the latter place . -- Peoria
Register.