Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City in Salt Lake County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

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Nauvoo Bell

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2013

1. Nauvoo Bell Marker

Inscription. The Nauvoo Bell originally hung in the temple that Church members built in Nauvoo, Illinois, in the 1840s.The Saints removed the bell in 1846 when they were forced to leave Illinois because of persecution. Following instructions from Brigham Young, the second company of pioneers carried the bell to the Salt Lake Valley. During their journey, they rang the bell to signal daybreak and departure and to warn that night sentries were on duty. The bell is now rung hourly as a symbol of religious freedom and is heard on KSL Radio.

This monument honors the Relief Society, an organization founded on 17 March 1842 for women of the Church. The bell tower was built with donations from Relief Society members to mark the organization’s centennial.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Man-Made Features • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 40° 46.204′ N, 111° 53.617′ W. Marker was in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Salt Lake County. It was in Capitol Hill. It could be reached from S Temple Street. Marker and

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referenced Nauvoo Bell Monument are located inside the Mormon Temple Square, near the southwest corner of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Salt Lake City UT 84150, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Wasatch Front

and in Greater Salt Lake.

It was also in the American Mountain West

and in Colorado Plateau.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood (here, next to this marker); Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood (a few steps from this marker); Mormon Tabernacle (within shouting distance of this marker); Assembly Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Smith Receives the Plates (within shouting distance of this marker); Seagull Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Mormon Pioneer Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Gardens (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Salt Lake City.

More about this marker. The marker, the bell and its supporting structure (the monument) have all been removed, and the bell is being returned to its original owner, the First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City, Iowa. See the Also See link No. 2 for an article explaining why.

Also see . . .
1. Nauvoo Temple. The Nauvoo Temple was the second temple constructed by

Nauvoo Bell Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2013

2. Nauvoo Bell Monument

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The church's first temple was completed in Kirtland, Ohio, United States, in 1836. When the main body of the church was forced out of Nauvoo, Illinois, in the winter of 1846, the church attempted to sell the building, finally succeeding in 1848. The building was damaged by fire and a tornado before being demolished. (Submitted on March 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. The historic, stolen 'Hummer' church bell is returning to Iowa City 177 years later. 2025 article by Richard Hakes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Excerpt:

After decades-long confusion by no less than Brigham Young and others as to who owned the bell, it eventually emerged from storage to take a place of honor on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, mistaken for the Nauvoo bell salvaged from the Nauvoo Temple when the Latter-day Saints were driven out of Illinois.

Finally, an exhaustive investigation by Latter-day Saint historians revealed the mistaken identity.

(Submitted on August 9, 2025.)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2013

3. Nauvoo Bell

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,584 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 6, 2017, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.