Joseph Smith's Red Brick Store

Joseph Smith opened his red brick store to the public on January 5, 1842, in one of Nauvoo's main business districts. More than a place of business, the building was also used by Joseph Smith and others for educational, cultural, civic, and religious gatherings in a large upstairs room. There, on March 17, 1842, Joseph gathered with Latter-day Saint women and organized the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, with Emma Smith serving as its first president. Six weeks later in the same room, Joseph introduced the sacred ceremony called the endowment to a small group of Church leaders. According to Latter-day Saint belief, in the endowment individuals make sacred promises to God and learn about God's eternal plan of happiness and Jesus Christ's central role in that plan. These gatherings in the upstairs room continue to influence The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today.

Nauvoo, Illinois · United States