There and Back Again: Week 19

Back in the 1840's a Purple Pineapple signaled to society that your were big on HOSPITALITY! A good time would and could be had in this house.

This is the home of Edward and Anne Hunter. They were converts from Chester County, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia. Edward was a man of some means, and after he joined the church, he sold his prosperous farm and helped most of his Church branch relocate to Nauvoo.

Before he moved to Nauvoo, he contracted to have his house built. It is a nice, big home, complete with carpet, wallpaper, a clock and a piano! Edward and Anne had no living children when they moved into this home. The furnishings represent Edward's position in the community and his ability to entertain guests. He was apparently an early adopter of technology, and he helped Nauvoo prosper through river trade and land sales in the midst of the Industrial Revolution of the 1840's

The hunters were good friends of Joseph Smith. Edward was a bishop and had the responsibility to accept tithing donations and fast offerings and then redistribute them to those in need. He also helped organize labor tithing. Labor tithing was where workers donated one working day of every ten for temple construction.

So after Elder Cullen and I took the tour of the Hunter Home we asked ourselves, what does our home signal to others in our community? I reflected on when we were searching for a renter who could care for our home for 18 months while we were on this mission. After pondering for a couple of weeks she called us and said, "After praying about it, I think I would love to come live in your Jesus House". We have pictures of our Savior, Jesus Christ in EVERY room...no joke, more than one. My principal's kids used to come to my home for piano and violin lessons. He used to Joke about Jesus looking back at him everywhere he looked! I had to laugh. Our home also says we love reading, art and music.

And when you visit our home, I hope it also says, "YOU are welcome here, come have fun, learn something, and relax!"