The original Nauvoo temple was built in the 1840s and it was the first temple to have ordinances performed in it. After the saints fled the city, the temple was destroyed by an arson fire and what remained of it was blown down by a tornado.
In 1939 Gordon B. Hinckley's father made a suggestion to the first presidency to rebuild the Nauvoo temple. It wasn't until many years later, and when Gordon B. HInckley was the president of the church, that the Nauvoo temple began to be rebuilt. The Nauvoo Temple is the only temple funded only by the contributions of the people directly for the cause. The dedication was in 2002, and held on the very day and at the very hour of the anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith Jr. If you were around then, you may recall that the dedication of this very special temple was broadcast worldwide. The exterior of the Nauvoo temple is the same as the original. 
LDS Decor has many different images of the Nauvoo temple, feel free to check them out on our website!
